‘We need to respect your mother’s wishes, Don,’ she said quickly.
Later that evening, when she was back in her own home and Don and his family had finally gone, Sandra poured herself a glass of chilled white wine and thought over the day. This was all her fault, she’d allowed herself to wallow when Brian had died. She’d been so devastated, bewildered. Brian had dealt with all the finances, etc., and she had no idea how to cope so she’d leant on Don and now he thought she couldn’t manage by herself. Well, she could. She’d learn to. Look at Patti, she lived alone and had overcome cancer.
Then a text pinged in. She glanced at her phone, expecting it to be from Don reinforcing all the reasons why she should move to the apartment, but it was from Patti.
Patti
How did your day in Cambridge go?
Sandra
Awful. Don had booked a viewing of an apartment in a retirement complex for me.
Patti
Fancy a chat over a glass of wine? I can be there in five minutes.
She did. Company was just what she needed.
Sandra
Yes please. I’ve got a bottle chilled and am already on my first glass!
Patti
That bad? I’m on my way!
Patti arrived within ten minutes. ‘I’ve brought cake. I had a couple of slices left.’ She held out a plastic container whenSandra answered the door. ‘It’s chocolate fudge,’ she added as Sandra stepped aside to let her in.
‘Brilliant. Come through.’
Patti had only been to Sandra’s house a couple of times when she lived in Worcester previously, Sandra remembered as her friend followed her into the lounge. They’d been work colleagues and both had been busy raising teenagers back then. She’d given Sandra a lift home once when her car had broken down, and had dropped a couple of things off for her when she’d been off ill. Patti had lived on the other side of the river then, not so convenient for popping in, and they’d been more work buddies than friends. But despite the years that had passed, it didn’t seem awkward at all for Patti to be here.
‘Grab a seat and I’ll go and get the wine.’ Sandra indicated the big, comfy beige sofa. ‘Is Pinot, okay? I do have a Merlot if you prefer red.’
‘Pinot is perfect.’
When Sandra returned with a tray bearing the opened bottle of wine in an ice bucket, another glass and two plates with a serviette on each and cake forks, Patti had taken off her coat and was sitting on the sofa looking very relaxed, her head resting against one of the rich chocolate brown furry cushions. ‘This sofa is gorgeous, you just sink into it.’
‘The grandkids love it, they often curl up on one of those cushions and fall asleep.’ Sandra felt a wave of sadness that soon Kali and Rana would be living miles away and wouldn’t be able to curl up on her sofa. You can take it with you if you decide to move, and if you don’t they’ll come to visit, and can still stay over in the holidays, she told herself.
‘You didn’t like the apartment then?’ Patti asked as Sandra passed her a glass of chilled wine then sat down beside her.
Sandra shook her head vehemently. ‘Definitely not. I mean it’sclean and modern enough but there’s no character. And I really don’t want to live in a complex like that. I understand all Don’s reasons, that I’ll be warm and safe and have company, but it’s not for me.’
‘It wouldn’t be for me either.’ Patti opened the plastic container and put a slice of cake on each plate. ‘What did you think of Cambridge itself? Is it somewhere you could see yourself living? If so, perhaps you could buy a house or bungalow there. Actually, some of these retirement complexes have bungalows with a bit of a garden, so that might be worth looking into. My aunt and uncle lived in a gorgeous one. Although the yearly fees can be quite hefty and they’re usually leasehold.’
Sandra dipped her fork into the cake as she mulled over the question. ‘I’m not sure. I mean, Cambridge seems very nice, but I like ithere. I feel safe and settled.’ She gazed around. ‘I know my house isn’t posh or modern, but it’s full of memories and I’m happy.’ She bit her lip. ‘Actually, I did suggest that if I do decide to move, I might buy a house or bungalow, but Don doesn’t like the idea. He’s worried that I’m vulnerable living on my own. He’s been like that since Brian died. Malvern is only a short drive away at the moment, so he’s always popping in.’
‘It’s nice that he cares, but this is your life, your decision. Make sure you do what you think is best for you. Don’t let him talk you into doing anything you don’t want to.’ Patti wiped a bit of chocolate cake from her mouth with the serviette. ‘I hope that I’m not overstepping the mark but I’d hate you to move then regret it. It took me a long time to settle in Nottingham when Adrian was relocated, and I’m happy to be back in Worcester now.’
‘It’s only because they’re worried about me.’
‘I know, my family are the same. Amanda tried to talk me out of moving back here and is never off the phone. Kit is alwayschecking in on me too. It’s only natural that our families worry about us but we don’t have to dance to their tune. We might be getting on a bit but we’ve still got a life to live, and we have to do it our way.’
Sandra picked up her wine and took a long sip. ‘Don can be so persuasive that I find myself doing what he says before I realise it. It’s as if the roles are reversed when you get older. I’m afraid I leaned on Don when Brian died and now he thinks I can’t manage without him.’
‘Well, that’s only natural, we all need help at times. But now you have to show him that you’ve come through, you’re stronger and you can cope. And if you can’t, you’ll ask him for help. It’s best for them too, they have their lives to lead, and busy ones at that. Our families want to fit us into a box to make their lives easier but we don’t have to climb into it. We live by our rules not theirs.’ Patti finished her cake and reached for her wine glass.
