‘You must come over and stay when we move in.’
‘I will. I’d love that.’
They chatted a little longer, then Laila’s mother called her, and she said she had to go.
Sandra sat thinking for a while after the call. Laila hadn’t asked her if she’d decided to move. Was that because she didn’t want to pressure her, or because she was starting to enjoy not having Sandra in their lives so much, glad that she was free to spend time with her own parents now?
42
PATTI
Patti woke up on Saturday feeling a bit restless. It had been a warm night and even with the aircon on it had been difficult to sleep. She went over to the window, opened the blinds and looked out into the little garden. She was having such a marvellous time here. She didn’t want to go home. She would miss Mary and Keith and this gorgeous house. And Leo.
She was falling for him which was ridiculous as she barely knew him. But he’d been so kind and was such fun. And the way he looked at her with those rich, brown eyes made her heart flutter.
Don’t be silly, he’s being friendly because you’re Keith’s sister.
But Keith and Mary had said that he was interested in her.
What if he was? Nothing would come of it. She and Sandra were going home on Wednesday.
The thought made her feel sad.
She went into the kitchen, there was no sign of Sandra so she must be still asleep. Patti had been pleased to see how her friend had relaxed over the holiday. And how much she’d joined in. She smiled to herself as she recalled their little spat because Sandrahad got cold feet about going on the jet ski, but she’d totally rocked it. It was good to see her friend enjoying her life again.
She poured herself a glass of orange and went out into the garden to drink it, savouring the smells of citrus mingled with various floral scents, the sounds of the birds and the early sun shimmering on the pool. Time was ticking. She was looking forward to the flamenco dancing tonight and then tomorrow Mary was taking them for a ride out.
There were no plans for Monday, as yet, but they were doing the Caminito del Rey walk on Tuesday. She really, really wanted to do this. And she was really, really terrified. When she’d looked at the images, the pathway was so high up she’d felt faint. She couldn’t look at them any more or she would back out. And she didn’t intend to do that. No way. She would keep to the cliffside and not even glance at the huge drop below, she told herself.
‘Morning, you’re an early bird.’ Sandra came out, yawning and stretching. ‘What a beautiful day!’
‘Isn’t it? Keith and Mary are so lucky to be living here.’ Patti sighed.
‘Oh dear, do I take it that you aren’t looking forward to going home?’ Sandra pulled out the chair opposite Patti and sat down.
‘It’s just such a different life, isn’t it? The sun, the pool, all the lovely places to go and visit.’
‘Not forgetting the very handsome Leo.’
Patti shot a glance at Sandra who was smiling teasingly at her. ‘Is it that obvious?’
‘It’s clear that you both like each other.’
Both like each other. Was it really possible that Leo was attracted to her, like she was to him?
She shrugged. ‘I’m too old in the tooth for a holiday romance.’
‘I’m amazed to hear that you consider yourself too old foranything!’ Sandra replied. ‘What about “grabbing life by the horns”?’
‘“Life” not “love”. And we live in different countries, remember?’ She got up. ‘I’m going for a swim in the pool. It’s a shame to waste such a lovely day.’
She’d just got out of the pool and was sitting on the side drying her hair when Leo came by with Coco. For a moment Patti felt awkward at being in her swimming costume then she thought, damn it, I am what I am and pasted a big smile on her face.
‘Buenos, Patti. You like an early swim?’ he said.
‘Morning, Leo. Yes, I do, it livens me up for the day.’ She wrapped the towel around her hips and stood up. ‘Are you off to walk Coco?’
‘Yes, I wondered if anyone wanted to join us?’ he asked.
