The Cadillac was parked in the drive. Shiny maroon with a black fabric convertible top, that Rupert had already put down, it looked like something out of an old movie. The Cadillac crest was on the front, and the trademark silver bird on the bonnet.
They all posed in front of the car for a couple of photos, which Rupert said he’d send to Leo, then Rupert opened the doors to show them inside.
Keith whistled at the chrome with wood veneer steering wheel, the polished wooden dashboard with chrome dials, the beige leather bench seats in the front and back. ‘This is amazing!’
‘I’m rather proud of it. It was my father’s. I’ve kept it in pristine condition,’ Rupert said.
‘Do you often hire it out?’ Keith asked.
‘Yes, hiring out vintage cars is my business. I have a Mercedes Benz too and an MG. They make me a tidy income. Not that I’ll be charging you. I owe Leo a favour, he saved my life.’
‘It was only what anyone would have done,’ Leo told him. ‘I was in the right place at the right time.’
‘What happened?’ Patti asked.
‘A bunch of us were sailing on my yacht and it was a bit rocky. I got up in the middle of the night to check the sails, got knocked out and fell overboard. Luckily Leo couldn’t sleep and came on the deck, saw what happened and rescued me. That was ten years ago.’
Leo had never mentioned this and they’d been good friends for a few years now, Mary thought, but then he wasn’t one to talkabout himself much. She could believe it of him though, he was that sort of man.
They all got inside the car, Leo and Keith sitting on the bench seat at the front and Patti, Sandra and Mary in the back.
Sandra looked for her seat belt to fasten. ‘Oh, of course there’s no seat belts!’ she said.
‘It’s not a problem, I won’t be driving fast,’ Leo told them. ‘And it’s perfectly legal in a classic car.’
‘Enjoy your trip!’ Rupert waved as Leo started up the engine.
‘Gracias,we will only be an hour or so,’ Leo promised. He drove smoothly out of the drive and along the road.
‘You’ve obviously driven this a few times,’ Patti said.
‘Yes, I help Rupert out sometimes if he needs a driver.’ Leo turned onto the coast road, the views were spectacular. It was breathtaking. Driving along, the warm breeze on their skin, the ocean sparkling in the sun, Mary felt a flood of happiness. Life was good.
When they’d returned the Cadillac, Leo offered to take them to Puerto Banús. ‘Unless you’re in a rush to get back.’
‘Absolutely not! These two are only here for a few more days, and Puerto Banús is definitely worth seeing,’ Mary said.
So, they piled into Leo’s car and he drove them into Puerto Banús, parking in the underground car park by the marina there. It was getting hot now so Leo and Keith left their trench coats in the car. Then they headed off to walk around the marina.
‘Look at that yellow Lamborghini,’ Patti exclaimed. ‘Imagine driving along inthat.’
‘Unfortunately, I don’t know the owner of this one, so can’t take you for a ride,’ Leo told her.
‘Well at least I can have my photo taken by it. Come on, ladies!’
Keith took photos of Patti, Sandra and Mary posing in front of the Lamborghini, and some of the luxury yachts. Then they splashed out on lunch in a bar overlooking the marina – with Sandra insisting on treating everyone as a thank you – and that had gone on their Insta page too.
Later, as Leo drove them home Mary thought she had never felt happier. Thank goodness that Patti – and Sandra – had come to visit. Between them, and Leo, she was getting the old Keith back.
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SANDRA
Don video called later that evening. ‘I saw your latest post on IG, Mum. That Cadillac looked amazing. It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time over there.’
She was taken aback, and pleased, by his positive response. ‘I am. Keith and Mary have made us so welcome, and so have their friends. It’s been wonderful and relaxing for me. Just what I needed.’
‘I can see that, and I’m glad that you went. I guess I worried a bit too much, but it’s only because I don’t want anything to happen to you. I don’t want to lose you too.’
