‘Why not? We can make it light-hearted and playful. It might inspire other older folk to try new things and have a bit of fun in their life.’
Sandra looked at her dubiously. ‘How do we share the same account though?’
‘Kit said that it’s simple, if we both download Instagram and share the log in details then we can both access the account and post. She said we just need an email address, a username and a password.’
‘I’m not sure it will be that easy. Sometimes it takes me ages to do something on my iPad that Rana and Kali do in no time. Still, we can try. Phone or iPad?’ Sandra asked.
‘Phone to set it up I think. We’ll probably be using it mainly on our phones anyway as they’re always with us. Kit said we can use it on our tablets and iPad too though.’
‘Okay.’
They both picked up their phones, searched for the Instagram app and downloaded it. Then Patti set up a shared email account. ‘Done.’ She looked up from her screen. ‘We’ll need aname for the Insta account.’ A smile twitched at the corner of her lips ‘How about The Old Gals’ Bucket List?’
‘Good idea,’ Sandra agreed. ‘We can post photos of the various things we do as we tick them off our bucket list.’
‘Right, that’s our Insta account created. Now we have to write a short intro. How about something like, “You’re never too old to make your dreams come true”,’ Patti suggested.
‘Sounds good to me.’ Sandra peered over her shoulder at the screen. ‘And we need a profile photo of us both.’
‘Hence the accessories.’ Patti pointed to the box. ‘Let’s make the photo really fun.’ She pointed to a mirror she’d propped up on the worktop behind them. ‘I’ve brought this down for us to use.’
They both had a giggle as they tried on the various hats, sunglasses and scarves.
‘What do you think of this?’ Sandra finally settled for the purple beret, and a pink feather boa. She picked up a pen and held it like a cigarette holder. ‘Do I look good, dahling?’
‘I love it!’ Patti chuckled. ‘All you need now is a pair of big sunglasses to set it off. And I think I know the exact pair.’ She searched through the box and found some pink heart-shaped sunglasses. ‘Try these.’
Sandra slipped on sunglasses then got up to look in the mirror, studying her reflection this way and that. ‘I don’t think anyone will recognise me.’ She sounded pleased.
‘What do you reckon to this?’ Patti asked. She’d donned a red bakers’ cap, rainbow-rimmed sunglasses and a red chiffon scarf knotted at the neck.
‘Fabulous, dahling!’ Sandra told her.
‘Thank you.’ Patti blew her a kiss. ‘Now let’s see if I can take a decent selfie of us both. Kit said that the trick is to hold the phone up high.’ She picked up her phone and went over to Sandra. ‘Budge up and I’ll take a couple of shots, we can choose the best one.’
They stood close together and Patti held up the phone, trying to get both their head and shoulders in the frame but it was hard to click the button with her thumb. ‘Drat, this isn’t as easy as it looks!’
She took a few shots but when they checked them out, one showed just the top of their hats, the other the wall behind them, and the third one was blurred.
They both turned as they heard the front door open and someone shout, ‘Gran!’
‘It’s Kit,’ Patti told Sandra. ‘She has a key to the house, so that she can keep an eye on me, although it’s more me who keeps an eye on her.’ She winked. ‘In the kitchen,’ she called out. Great, now Kit could take a photo of them both.
She heard the front door shut then a few seconds later Kit bounced in, her hair – blue this month – tied up in a messy bun on the top of her head, her blue eyes sparkling. She was wearing her trademark baggy jeans slung low on her hips, rainbow-coloured trainers that she’d dyed herself and a purple top revealing a couple of inches of tanned (from a bottle) midriff.
A smile burst across her face as she looked at Sandra then back at Patti. ‘You both look fab. I’m guessing you’re Sandra. Nan has told me all about you.’
This remark was directed at Sandra who nodded and smiled. ‘Hello, Kit. Delighted to meet you.’
‘Back at you. Now, is all this for the Insta account?’
‘Yes, I’ve been trying to take a selfie of us, but they haven’t worked out.’ Patti held out her phone so Kit could see the photos.
‘It takes a little while to get used to it. And it’s easier if you use a selfie stick. I’ve got one spare, so I’ll bring it to you next time I drop by. Shall I take a photo of you both?’ Kit offered.
‘Please!’
Kit looked from one to the other thoughtfully. ‘You could both do with some lipstick on – bright red would be good – and how about I paint your nails different colours and you can hold them up to your face like this.’ She partly concealed her mouth with the palm of her hand, spreading out her fingers so her nails were showing. ‘See what I mean?’
