‘That’s a bit of a way. Do you like it there?’
Sandra turned to her. ‘I don’t know, I’ve never been. I really don’t want to move from my home but I’ll miss them so much. Becky still lives in Australia so they’re my only close family.’
Patti could see that her old friend was conflicted. She had met Don a few times when he’d popped into the supermarket to see his mum, he was a serious looking lad and did well at school. She could imagine that he’d been very protective of Sandra when Brian died. ‘It’s not an easy decision to make, is it? But be sure to make the right one for you, don’t be talked into anything you don’t want to do,’ she said softly.
‘Right now. I’m not sure what’s right for me,’ Sandra confessed. ‘How about you and your family? Do you have a partner or are you living on your own now?’
‘I live by myself, although Kit often pops in on me. Amanda still lives in Nottingham.’
The two women chatted away, sharing news about what had happened since they last met and chuckling over anecdotes about the old days at work.
Patti was so pleased she’d bumped into Sandra again. She’d wondered if Sandra still lived in the area and had thought about looking her up a couple of times, thinking it would be good to see a friendly face, but hadn’t got around to it. If she’d known about Brian she would have popped around and offered her condolences right away. Poor Sandra, that must have been a hard blow for her. Life could be cruel and something could come along to knock you off your feet when you were least expecting it. WhenPatti had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago it had completely devastated her. At first, she thought she was going to die and had been so angry at having her life cut short but luckily the treatment had worked. It had been debilitating though and there were days she could barely drag herself out of bed. Life had felt like one long struggle for survival. She thought she’d never feel well again, but gradually she had started to feel stronger. She’d promised herself that if she beat the bloody Big C she was going to look ahead to the future and get every ounce of enjoyment out of her life that she could. And here she was, cancer free and back in Worcester, where she was happiest. And how lovely that she’d bumped into Sandra again. They’d got on so well when they worked together. She was glad that she hadn’t caught the earlier bus now, she would have missed her former friend. Thank goodness Kit had phoned her.
They chatted away, so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t realise they were at the bus depot until the driver stood in front of them and asked, ‘Are you ladies getting off or are you staying on for a tour of Worcester?’
‘Ooops! Sorry, yes!’ Patti said, and they both scooped up their bags and got up, giggling. It was just like old times.
3
SANDRA
It was so good to see Patti again, Sandra thought as they both dismounted. It was a wonder they hadn’t bumped into each other before as Patti only lived a few minutes away. Sandra hadn’t been out much since Brian died though, had she? And she might not have recognised Patti with her short cropped red hair. She used to have long fair hair and she’d lost so much weight. She looked great though, in that red jacket she was wearing over a grey knitted dress and knee-high black boots.
‘Do you have shopping to get or are you just having a wander around?’ she asked, thinking that if Patti wasn’t in a rush maybe she could suggest that they go for a coffee.
‘I’m having my first tattoo today,’ Patti replied, an impish grin on her face. ‘I’ve got an appointment in ten minutes.’
‘A tattoo?’ Sandra tried to hide her surprise. Not that she had anything against tattoos, but wasn’t it usually something the youngsters did?
‘Yes. I know most people might think I’m a bit old at sixty-eight to have my first tattoo but,’ Patti paused before continuing, ‘I’ve finished all my treatment and been clear from breast cancerfor a year now, so I want to mark the occasion.’ She pointed to her red spiky hair. ‘Hence the cropped hair. It’s growing back now but it’s taking its time, so I thought I’d dye it.’ She patted it with her hand.
Oh, my goodness, that’s why she’d lost so much weight, poor Patti, that was awful. ‘I’m so sorry that you had to go through all that, it must have been dreadful. But how wonderful that you’re now cancer free. And I love your hair, it really suits you.’ Sandra moved aside a little, aware that they were blocking people from getting onto the bus.
Patti moved over too. ‘It’s been a bit of a tough ride, but I’m over it now and focusing on the future.’
‘Good for you.’ She had to ask. ‘What tattoo are you having?’
Patti opened her bag and took out her phone, opening up the phone case she made a couple of taps on the screen. ‘This,’ she said, turning the phone to show Sandra a fine line image of two elongated bull’s horns with ‘Grab life by the horns’ written above them in cursive script. ‘I know it’s a bit ballsy but that’s how I feel!’
‘It’s fun and feisty,’ Sandra told her. ‘And a wonderful sentiment.’
‘I promised myself that if I survived, I’d live my life to the full, no fear, no excuses, I want to make every single day count.’ Patti closed the case and put the phone back in her bag. ‘And I’ve always wanted a tattoo, so I’m going for it.’
‘Good for you. Where are you having it?’ Sandra asked. They were both walking side by side out of the bus depot now.
‘My upper right arm, loud and proud! So that I can see it and remind myself every time I waver. Although, truthfully, I’m wavering a bit now,’ she confessed. ‘But I really want to do this, and it can’t hurt more than all the treatment I’ve had, can it?’
‘I’m sure it won’t. I can understand you feeling nervous though. Would you like me to come with you for a bit of moralsupport?’ Sandra asked impulsively, then wondered if she was being pushy. Patti might not want an audience.
‘Would you?’ She could hear the relief in Patti’s voice. ‘That would be amazing, but only if you have time.’
‘I’ve got plenty of time,’ Sandra told her, glad that she’d made the offer now. It was only a small thing, after everything Patti had gone through, but she wanted to support her brave friend, who she could see was a bit apprehensive. Who wouldn’t be?
‘Thank you, I appreciate it,’ Patti said. She glanced at her watch. ‘We’ll have to dash though.’
‘Hello, ladies. I’m presuming one of you is Kit’s gran come for your first tattoo?’ A tall, burly man with close cropped hair, wearing jeans and a black vest top revealing tattoos covering his arms and neck, greeted them as they both walked in.
‘That’s me.’ Patti half raised her hand. ‘My friend has come with me for moral support. Are you Paul?’
