It was another text from Honey.
Sandra
Of course.
A chat with her granddaughter was just what she needed.
‘Hello, Nan. You’re getting famous!’
Sandra chuckled. ‘I don’t think so, pet. But it is nice that so many people are liking our page. Now, tell me what you’ve been up to.’
They chatted for ages, with Honey’s brother Zac coming in and waving to her before he dashed back out again, and by the time the call ended, Sandra felt a lot more cheerful. She was meeting Patti later today, and Mabel and Beryl from the swimming group, for lunch. She’d better get herself ready.
After showering she went into the bedroom to get dressed, wondering what to wear. She wasn’t used to having such a social life! She glanced over at the photo of Brian and wondered what he would have thought of it. She could imagine him. ‘Go for it, Sandra,’ he’d have said. ‘Live your life. But be careful.’
15
PATTI
It was a fun lunch, with them all agreeing to meet up again. When they’d said goodbye to Mabel and Beryl, Patti and Sandra went to do a bit of shopping.
‘I need a light bulb, the one in the hall went out on me last night. I had to take the torch with me to see up the stairs when I went to bed,’ Patti said.
‘Goodness, that’s dangerous,’ Sandra said. ‘Are you okay to change it? Is it the downstairs hall or the upstairs one?’
‘Downstairs, thank goodness, but I’m going to need a ladder.’
Sandra remembered that Patti was scared of heights. ‘Do you want me to do it for you? I’ve got a stepladder if you haven’t got one.’
‘I have, and I’ll be brave and change it myself. It’s my first step to getting over my fear of heights. But I’d love you to come and hold the ladder and give me some moral support, if you don’t mind,’ Patti said.
‘I’d be delighted to.’
Patti bought a couple of light bulbs, saying it was best to have a spare in, and some STOP to help her stop biting her nails – ‘Kitsaid it was very good’. Then Sandra bought a couple of big plastic storage boxes. She hadn’t decided if she was moving yet, but it was probably time she decluttered a bit anyway.
Back at Patti’s house, they had a cup of coffee then Patti fetched the ladder from the cupboard under the stairs whilst Sandra held the light bulb, intending to pass it to Patti when she got to the top.
‘Bring your phone too. If I’m going to do this, I want a record of it,’ Patti said. ‘We can put it on Insta.’
‘Okay.’ Sandra went back for her phone, placing it on the little table in the hall, beside the light bulb. Then Patti opened the stepladder and positioned it under the light hanging from the ceiling before stepping back and studying the ladder nervously. ‘I know it’s only four steps but…’
Sandra wanted to offer again to change the bulb for her but knew that it was best for Patti to overcome her fear. ‘I’ll be right here, holding the ladder,’ she promised.
Patti nodded and took a deep breath. ‘You can do this, Patti,’ she said firmly to herself.
‘You definitely can,’ Sandra assured her, holding on to the ladder.
Patti went up slowly, pausing after each step. When she reached the top, she stretched up and took out the old light bulb.
‘Well done!’ Sandra told her. She handed Patti the new bulb and took the old one from her.
‘Can you take a photo of me as I put this new one in? But be quick! I’m not sure how brave I can be if you’re not holding the ladder.’
Sandra put the old bulb down on the table, picked up her phone and quickly took a couple of shots of Patti screwing in the new bulb.
‘Well, actually that wasn’t as bad as I dreaded,’ Patti said inrelief when she was safely down the stepladder again. ‘I’m not sure I could have done more than four steps though.’
‘You did well. And here’s the proof!’ Sandra showed her the photos.
