‘I’m meeting my friend Sandra later. Remember I told you she couldn’t swim so we were having swimming lessons. Well, she learned to swim on Thursday so we’re off to Birmingham for a shopping trip and a meal to celebrate. The weather’s not good here though, not like over there, but luckily we’ll be under cover most of the time.’
‘That’s brilliant, well done her,’ Mary said. ‘Now how about you tick something off your bucket list too? Come over here and see us, warm up your bones with a bit of sunshine.’ She leant closer to the screen and lowered her voice. ‘It will cheer Keith up no end. I’m so worried about him.’
Patti could see why. Keith hadn’t been anywhere near as chatty as he usually was. They used to talk for ages, but ever since his heart op he’d been quieter, more distant. It was like the spark had gone out of him. She could go. Her passport had arrived in the week so she could actually book a flight now, if she could pluck up the courage that is. ‘I do want to, really I do. It’s just a bit daunting, especially flying for the first time by myself.’
‘Then why don’t you ask your friend Sandra to come with you, she sounds fun,’ Mary suggested. ‘You can stay in the casita, it’s got two bedrooms, a lounge/kitchen and bathroom, so you’ll have plenty of room. Or you can share the spare bedroom in the house, if you prefer.’
It would be much more pleasant to travel with a friend. And although they’d only quite recently reconnected, she got on so well with Sandra. ‘You know, that’s a great idea. I’ll ask her when I meet up with her today.’
Sandra seemed a little pensive when they met up. Patti wondered if it was an anniversary of some sort. She remembered Sandra saying the first times of doing something without Brian were the worst. As soon as they sat down on the train she asked, ‘Is everything all right, Sandra?’
Sandra raised troubled eyes to hers. ‘Don’s got someone interested in his house. They had a second viewing on Friday and he thinks they might make an offer.’
So that’s what was bothering her. ‘That’s quick! It’s only been on the market a few weeks, hasn’t it?’
‘Yes, but the estate agent said that spring and early summer are prime time for selling. Of course, Don is now putting even more pressure on me to put my house on the market too.’
Patti could imagine. Although it was laudable that they wanted Sandra to move with them, she wondered if they actually realised what a big step that was. ‘And how do you feel about it?’
Sandra sighed, reached in her handbag for a bag of boiled sweets, and offered one to Patti.
‘Thanks.’ Patti took a strawberry flavoured one, and waited for her answer.
‘I don’t know. It’s sort of brought it home that they really are moving away. I’m going to have to give it some serious thought, as to whether I go with them or not.’ Sandra popped a lemon sweet into her mouth, put the packet back and closed her bag.
‘Well… I do have a bit of a suggestion that might give you the chance to think things over without feeling under so much pressure. My sister-in-law Mary and my brother Keith phoned me this morning, asking me to come and stay with them for a couple of weeks in their villa in Spain. She said that the weather is lovely now, warm enough to sunbathe in the afternoon but not too hot to make sightseeing uncomfortable…’
‘Oh, Patti, that’s marvellous. Do you think you’ll go?’
Patti tugged at her earlobe. ‘I’d like to. I did think about driving over there, I could go on the ferry to Santander, but it’s a bit of a trek as they live down in Málaga. And I’m nervous about driving on the wrong side of the road. Besides, it would be good to knock something off my bucket list. I’d really like to go on a plane if I could pluck up the courage.’
‘You must go, really, you’ll be fine. Maybe take a few drops of Rescue Remedy before you get on the plane. And take a book to read. The time will soon go. It’s only about a two-and-a-half-hour flight.’ She paused. ‘Hang on, how does this give me more time to think things over? You’re not that much of a distraction to me!’
‘Well, Mary suggested…’ Patti paused. Just ask…
Sandra was looking at her questioningly. ‘What is it? Did you want me to drop you off at the airport? I don’t mind.’
Patti shook her head. ‘Mary said they have plenty of room and suggested I ask you to come with me. She knows we’re good friends. And I’d feel much happier if I was travelling with someone. Don’t feel pressurised though,’ she added. ‘I know that you have a lot on your plate. But maybe a change of scenery would be good for you?’
Sandra looked surprised. ‘Me? Do they have enough room for both of us?’
‘Yes, they have a spare bedroom and a little casita – it’s like a little cabin – in their grounds. We could both stay in that. Or I can stay in the house, and you can have the casita if you’d prefer your own space?’
‘Go to Spain with you?’ Sandra repeated as if she couldn’t believe Patti had asked her.
Maybe she shouldn’t have asked. Sandra might feel awkward staying with strangers. ‘It’s okay, I know it’s a lot to ask of you. It’s just we get on so well and it would be lovely to travel with someone.’ She patted Sandra’s hand. ‘It was only a thought, don’t worry. I can manage by myself, I’m determined to. I’m not going to let fear rule my life.’
To her surprise, Sandra nodded. ‘I’d love to come. If you’re sure your brother and sister-in-law don’t mind. It would be lovely to get away for a bit and have some sun!’
‘You would? Oh that’s brilliant! Of course they won’t mind, it was their suggestion.’ The words were rushing out of her mouth, she was so pleased. ‘We’re going to have a wonderful time. I know we are.’
‘When are you planning on going?’ Sandra asked.
‘They said we could come anytime. And we’re pensioners! Footloose and fancy free! When do you fancy? Have you any plans for the next few weeks?’
‘None at all.’
‘Well when we’ve finished our shopping why don’t we take a look at flights over lunch?’
