Patti was wondering the same but to her surprise the octopuswas tender and had a smoky flavour whilst Sandra declared that the squid was light and tasty with a surprisingly sweet texture.
‘Today has been amazing! I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun,’ Sandra said. ‘I was nervous about going on the jet ski – and that speedboat! – but I’m glad I did it.’
‘Me too,’ Mary agreed.
‘So was I,’ Patti admitted. ‘But we did it! Feel the fear and do it anyway!’
They all held up their glasses – Sparkling water for Mary as she was driving – and clinked them. ‘All for one and one for all!’
When they got back Keith was strimming one of the bushes and there was no sign of Leo.
‘You’ve been busy,’ Mary said.
‘Yeah, it needed doing. Did you all have a good time?’ he asked.
‘Wonderful,’ Patti told him. ‘It was such fun. You should try it sometime, you’d enjoy it.’
Keith shook his head. ‘Not for me. Anyone fancy some sangria? I’ve made a fresh jug. I’ve cooked some pasta and got some strawberries and cream too.’
Mary looked surprised. ‘You went to the shop?’ she asked.
Keith shrugged. ‘Yeah, I decided to get a couple of things in, as you women were out for the day. I also thought I’d do a barbecue tomorrow. Anyone fancy it?’
‘Yes!’ they all said in unison.
‘We could invite Leo,’ Keith suggested. ‘You just missed him actually, he’s meeting a friend. It’s been good to catch up with him the last couple of days.’
‘Yes, we must invite Leo!’ Mary exclaimed. Patti glanced at her, she’s sounded very enthusiastic about that!
‘How about inviting Thelma and Doug over too?’ Mary continued. ‘We haven’t seen them for ages and it would be lovely to catch up with them. They keep messaging us.’ She turned to Patti and Sandra. ‘You’d both get on well with them.’
Keith hesitated then nodded. ‘Sure. I’ve bought plenty. Although it might be too short notice for them.’
‘I’ll find out, shall I?’ Mary took out her phone and dialled.
A few minutes later she ended the call, her face wreathed in smiles. ‘They said they’d love to come.’
Patti looked thoughtfully at her brother. Was he starting to relax a bit and live his life again? It would be fantastic if he was. And it seemed like this couple who were coming tomorrow were good friends so that was a big step forward. And Leo was coming too. She was looking forward to seeing him again, he was good company. Mary had looked really pleased too. Almost too pleased. Were they just friends or was something else going on?
35
SANDRA
Don phoned early the next morning. ‘We asked the estate agent to give us a quick quote for your house, Mum, just so you know what sort of money you’ve potentially got to play around with. He went around yesterday to value it,’ He sounded as if he expected her to be pleased.
‘What? You’ve got the estate agent looking around my house!’ She was appalled. How dare he! Don had gone too far this time.
‘Of course he hasn’t seen inside, Mum. I wouldn’t do that. He did a “drive by valuation” but he said you’d easily get three hundred and fifty thousand for it. And – some other exciting news is that another apartment has come up at Orchard House, a downstairs one this time right by the communal gardens, and Marilyn has said she’ll give you first refusal if you get back to her today.’ Don’s voice was persuasive, almost pleading. ‘Please say you’ll think about it. This is too good an offer to refuse. You’d have some money left over for emergencies too.’
She was annoyed that Don had asked someone to value the house, even if it had only been from the outside. And that he was still trying to push her into buying one of those bloodyapartments despite her repeatedly telling him that she wasn’t interested in them.
‘This is completely out of order, Don. I am not moving into an apartment and if I want my house valued, I’ll arrange it. Will you please stop trying to control my life!’ She ended the call, pulled on her kimono and went into the kitchen where Patti was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cornflakes and talking to Kit on Facetime.
‘It looks amazing, Nan. And you’ve got so many followers on Insta now. You “Old Gals” are famous!’
Patti chuckled. ‘Infamous more like. Anyway, you get off to uni. I’ll speak to you later.’ Patti ended the call and glanced at Sandra. ‘You’ve got that “I’ve just been talking to Don” look on your face.’
‘Oh dear, is it that obvious?’ She repeated the phone call to Patti who raised her eyebrows. ‘It’s a bit controlling, don’t you think?’
