Patti slipped of her light cardigan and showed her the tattoo on her upper arm.
‘Grab life by the horns,’ Mary read out. ‘It’s an admirable sentiment.’ She shot a glance at Keith who was focusing intently on eating his salad. Then she turned to Sandra. ‘And where’s your tattoo?’
Sandra pulled up her thin sleeve so that Mary could see the tattoo just above her wrist. ‘Embrace change, love life,’ Mary read out. ‘Have you had cancer too?’
‘No, thank goodness. But…’ Sandra took a breath to compose herself. ‘I lost my husband nine months ago. It was so sudden. An aneurism. We’d been together a long time and it hit me hard. For a while life seemed a bit pointless. My tattoo is to remind myself that I still have a life to live.’
‘Oh, love.’ Mary’s voice was full of sympathy.
Suddenly there was a crash and they all looked in alarm at Keith who had thrown his fork down, pushed his plate aside and sprung to his feet. ‘See, her husband died instantly. I was lucky, I survived. Yet you still want me to take risks!’ He stormed into the house.
There was a stunned silence.
‘Wow, what was that all about?’ Patti asked.
Mary’s bottom lip quivered. ‘Ever since Keith had the heart attack he’s been scared to do anything. We used to go out for day trips, meals, socialise with friends, but now he just shuts himself away. You know how he loved to spend hours in the garden? All he will do now is a bit of weeding, we have had to get a gardener in to do the mowing and anything remotely strenuous – even though the doctor said that it was important Keith did physical exercise.’ She leaned back in her chair a little. ‘Keith’s convinced that if he exerts himself, he’s going to collapse and die. He wouldn’t even go back to the UK for a visit. And he hates megoing out for long in case anything happens to him while I’m gone.’ She glanced from Patti to Sandra then back to Patti. ‘I can understand his concern. I know it was a scary time for him, for both of us. He could have died. But… he survived, thank goodness, and this fear is taking over his life – and to be honest, it’s ruining mine.’
Goodness she hadn’t realised that’s how Keith had felt. He’d never mentioned it to her in one of their Facetime chats. ‘I’m so sorry, I had no idea.’
‘He doesn’t want to worry you, so he pretends he’s fine, but he isn’t. He’s become a hermit and I can’t get him to go anywhere. He tells me to go by myself but not to be long and is constantly on the phone to me when I am out.’
This sounded serious. And it was obviously putting a strain on their marriage, Patti realised worriedly.
‘I’m so glad that you’ve both come to stay for a while. You have such a positive attitude, Patti, and you too, Sandra. Hopefully it will rub off on Keith. And he’ll come out and about with us, you and Keith were always so close.’
Not as close as she thought seeing as Keith hadn’t confided his fears to her. Patti felt a pang of regret that she hadn’t known how much her brother was suffering mentally. But then as Mary said he didn’t want her to know, probably because she had her own health issues. She remembered how scared she had been that the treatment wouldn’t work, and even when she got the all clear she was terrified that the cancer would come back. Still was, if truth be told. She had pulled herself together though, told herself there were no guarantees with anything and she had to make the most of her life however long – or short – it was going to be. Maybe, she could talk to Keith and convince him to do the same.
‘I’ll have a chat to him, see if I can get him to open up,’ shepromised. ‘And we’ll definitely encourage him to come out with us.’
‘Thank you.’ Mary reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘It’s so lovely to see you, Patti. I’m so glad that you managed to pluck up the courage to fly out here. And thank you for accompanying her, Sandra.’ She smiled at both of them, then said, ‘Now tell me about this bucketlist you’ve both made. What sorts of things are on it?’
Sandra swallowed down the last piece of garlic bread before replying. ‘We have some things we both want to do, and some things separately. I wanted to learn to swim so I had some swimming lessons and now I can swim a little.’
‘That’s great. What else is on it? Let’s see what we can cross off it while you’re over here,’ Mary said. ‘Maybe we can even get Keith to start one. It could be the push he needs.’
‘We’re still thinking of ideas,’ Patti told her, opening up the files folder on her phone and showed the list to Mary.
Mary read the list out. ‘So, Patti, you’ve finally managed to stop biting your nails?’
Patti held out her hands. ‘I’m still trying to grow them though so I can paint them and wear gems.’
‘Good for you. And you still have to get over your fear of heights…’
‘I’m working on that, I’ve been up a stepladder,’ Patti interrupted.
‘Well done!’ Mary continued reading the list. ‘And you still need to go on a jet ski …’
‘And eat octopus, but I said exotic food in case I couldn’t bringmyself to do it,’ Patti added.
Mary wrinkled her nose. ‘Can’t say I fancy that!’
‘Nor me!’ Sandra agreed.
Mary glanced back at the list. ‘Learn a new dance? Do you have a particular dance in mind?’
Patti shrugged. ‘Something different. I was thinking maybe jazz or the jive.’
‘I suggested ballroom dancing, I love the fabulous dresses,’ Sandra added. ‘Strictly Come Dancingis one of my favourite programmes. Me and Brian used to watch it regularly.’ Her eyes misted over for a minute and she glanced down at her drink.
