Don’s eyes widened with shock. She braced herself for him to tell her that it was much too far for her to go alone. It took him a moment to compose himself then he smiled. ‘That’s great, Mum. You’ll have a fantastic time. Maybe we could come too, just for a couple of weeks.’
‘Really? That would be fantastic. And Becky would be over the moon!’
‘Let’s see, once we’re settled into our house. This job is a higher wage, we might be able to do it.’
Things really were looking up, Sandra thought happily. She would go alone if she had to but it would be wonderful if Don, Laila and the children came too.
48
SANDRA
December
Life had changed so much in the last few months. Although they no longer attended the swimming class, the group met up regularly for a swim, and for lunch, or to go to the cinema. They all shared skills to help each other, with Sid and Madge – who were both a dab hand with a drill – offering their services to put up shelves, do general repairs or mow the lawn, Bill making cakes, Beryl doing clothes repairs and turning up curtains. Patti loved decorating and Sandra was always happy to offer help in the garden or with spring cleaning. She loved the companionship of the group. She’d been to a few Beatles tributes with Bill, he had encouraged her to join the Beatles fan club, which was great fun and they had become good friends, both agreeing that they weren’t looking for romance, but enjoyed each other’s company.
Patti and Leo had become very close, he’d been over to visit Patti twice and she was flying over to spend Christmas and New Year with him, Keith and Mary.
Both their bucket lists were ever growing. Sandra and Pattihad both started going to Zumba classes, which was great fun and helped them keep fit. They’d both been to London to seeChicagoon stage, Sandra had bought a gorgeous pair of dangly diamante earrings for the occasion, and Patti had actually grown her nails long enough to paint them silver and decorate them with gems. She was so proud of that. They’d taken photos of course, and uploaded them to their Instagram page with the caption:
Two more things off our bucket list. And well done, Patti for growing your nails!
They hadn’t got around to going in an air balloon yet, but she would soon. It was on her list to do in Australia. She was excited about going. Don, Laila and the children were travelling with her, but coming back after two weeks whereas she was staying for two months. It would be good to have company on the way there. And in a way, Brian was coming too. It had been Becky’s idea. ‘Bring Dad’s ashes, Mum,’ she’d said. ‘You can scatter them over here. He might not have been able to visit us when he was alive, but he can be with us in spirit.’
Sandra thought it was a lovely idea. Don had too. They were all going to scatter the ashes together and share memories of Brian. They’d looked up the procedure, got the necessary paperwork and were all set to go.
When Brian had died, Sandra thought that her world had ended, and she would never find enjoyment in life again. But, thanks to her family and friends, she’d come through. And yes, she still missed Brian, always would, but she was living her life again. And enjoying it too.
The beep of a horn told her Don had arrived. She was travelling to the airport with him, Laila and the children, leaving hercar in the garage here. Kit was going to check on Patti’s house whilst she was away in Spain, and Bill had promised to check on Sandra’s.
She was excited about the trip and looking forward to seeing Becky, Hogan, Zac and Honey again. She pulled up her sleeve and looked at the words tattooed there. ‘Embrace change, love life.’ Well, she was doing that.
She smiled as she thought of Patti’s tattoo. ‘Grab life by the horns.’ Patti was certainly doing that. She loved jetting between Spain and England, she said it was the best of both worlds and it meant she and Leo didn’t get bored with each other.
‘You know, I had a secret thing on my bucket list, that was to fall in love again,’ Patti had confessed to Sandra, ‘but I didn’t write it down as I thought it would never happen at my age. But I was wrong. You’re never too old for love.’
‘You should add that to our Insta, it will give others hope,’ Sandra had told her. ‘Not that I’m looking for love, but I’m very happy for you and Leo.’
The horn sounded again. Time to go. Sandra picked up her suitcase and set off down the stairs. Don was waiting by the car, he took the suitcase off her and put it in the boot.
‘Ready, Mum?’
‘Yes, love.’ She slid into the back of the car, next to Kali. She’d just fastened her seat belt when a text pinged in. Then another. And another. She took her phone out of her pocket and opened it. It was the swimming group. Everyone was wishing her and Patti fabulous trips. ‘See you when you get back.’
‘You’ve got lots of friends, Nanny,’ Kali said.
‘I have, haven’t I? Sandra smiled. How her life had changed since she bumped into Patti again. And it had all started with the Old Gals’ Bucket List.
49
PATTI
New Year’s Eve
‘Are you ready?’ Leo asked, coming into the bedroom. ‘We need to leave soon.’
‘Coming!’ Patti took a final look at herself in the mirror. The red and black flamenco dress fitted her perfectly. She slipped her feet into a pair of black patent shoes and picked up the castanets, then turned to Leo. ‘How do I look?’
‘Stunning,’ he told her.
