He moved a little closer. ‘It has been good to meet you, Patti. You are fun—’ She was suddenly aware that his eyes were lookinginto hers and she felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach. ‘And brave, and beautiful.’
Beautiful! She was sixty-eight for goodness’ sake, with a lined face and wrinkly skin. ‘Thanks, I’ll take the fun and brave but…’
‘No buts, you are beautiful.’ He paused, his dark eyes searching her face. ‘I would like us to keep in touch. If you would like that too?’
Would she ever! ‘Facetime you mean? Message each other?’
‘Yes,’ he said solemnly. ‘And maybe we can visit each other too? England is not too far away. A couple of hours on the plane.’
He wanted to see her again. He would even come and visit! She swallowed. ‘I would. Yes. That would be good. Really good.’
His face creased into a smile. ‘You will let me know when you arrive home?’
‘Of course.’ What happened now? Was he talking about them being friends? Or something more?Just ask him, for goodness’sake, Patti!
‘I will. It’s good that we can remain friends.’
‘Friends?’ He raised his hand and lightly caressed her cheek. ‘I am hoping we can be more than friends. Is that all you want, to be friends?’
I want you to kiss me.
He’d moved a little closer. ‘I was hoping we might kiss before you go.’
‘That sounds good to me!’Gosh, she hadn’t meant to sound that enthusiastic!
She didn’t know who made the first move, but they were in each other’s arms, kissing, when suddenly someone coughed behind them. It was Mary.
‘About time! I thought you two were going to pussyfoot around each other forever.’ Her face broke into a wide grin. ‘Does this mean you’ll come back and visit us again very soon, Patti?’
Leo kept his arm around Patti as they turned to face her. ‘I think we can visit each other. Maybe, as Patti’s friend is going to Australia for Christmas, Patti might come to Spain then.’
Mary’s grin spread even wider. ‘That’s a wonderful idea.’
Patti walked to the gate with Leo and they kissed goodbye again, lingering with their arms around each other for a while, as if they were both reluctant to let go.
‘Shall I call you tomorrow night or is that too soon?’ he asked, softly.
‘I’d really like that.’ She caressed his cheek with her hand.‘Adiós.’
He shook his head. ‘Notadiós. Hasta luego– see you soon.’
‘Hasta luego,’ she repeated softly.
Sandra’s eyes were wide with surprise when Patti returned to the terrace.
‘Are you two?—?’
‘We’re going to keep in touch.’
‘That’s brilliant. I’m delighted for you both.’ Sandra grinned. ‘I can’t believe that you’ve got yourself a Spanish boyfriend.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘Is that going on our Insta page? It might remind other older women that they’re not too old for love.’
Patti picked up an apple from the bowl on the table and took a bite. ‘It’s not love. Yet.’ She said with a twinkle in her eye.
Sandra gave her a hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you. You make a great couple.’
‘It’s like being teens all over again, my sister and my best mate!’ Keith said with a grin. ‘Good on ya, Patti!’
47
