Chapter 24
24
DEE
Thursday
‘Let’s go for a swim today. You haven’t worn your new cossie yet and there’s only a couple of days left of the holiday,’ Babs suggested the next morning as they sat eating breakfast in the garden. Snowy was snoozing on one of the chairs beside them. He seemed to have settled well, but then cats were more adaptable to new ‘owners’ than dogs, she’d always found.
Dee nodded. ‘Good idea. Let’s go this morning otherwise we’ll get caught up in the day and might not get chance.’
She noticed Babs’ startled expression and guessed her friend had expected her to protest, but the old Dee was coming back, the Dee that liked fun and wasn’t anxious about doing something wrong, or what she looked like. These few days down in Port Telwyn with Babs, and being accepted by Kenny and his friends, had given Dee her confidence back. She was sure that Cathy and Flic often took a dip in the sea without worrying that their figure wasn’t as taut as it used to be.
‘The sea will be warmer this afternoon,’ Babs pointed out.
Dee shrugged. ‘It won’t be that cold. Anyway, bathing in cold water is good for you.’
‘Who are you and what have you done with my best friend Dee?’ Babs teased and Dee laughed.
* * *
Babs was right, it was a bit chilly on the beach. They had both put their swimming costumes on underneath their shorts and T-shirts and as Dee slipped out of her clothes and tucked them into her beach bag, she shuddered. Did she really want to go into that cold water?
Babs was already running towards the sea, her boobs almost bouncing out of her pink and yellow flowered swimsuit. She paused and squealed as her feet touched the water. ‘It’s blooming freezing!’
Dee was determined not to be put off. She could do this. She ran over to the sea, shivering as a cold wave splashed over her, then braced herself and dived in. She did it! She was swimming in the sea!
‘Come in!’ she shouted to Babs.
‘Okay, I’m coming!’ Babs dived in, heading over to her and splashing her.
Dee splashed back, and they both giggled, fooling around like a pair of kids.
‘You two are brave going in this time of a morning! Either brave or mad!’
Dee looked over at the beach to see Kenny watching them.
‘I’m not sure which we are either,’ Dee called back.
‘Fancy meeting up at Moira’s about two to discuss the arrangements for Saturday?’ Kenny asked.
‘Sure. See you then,’ Dee waved.
Kenny waved in return and walked off.
‘Is that okay with you?’ Dee asked Babs. ‘I’m happy to go without you if you prefer to do something else.’
‘You know me, any excuse for a cuppa and a natter,’ Babs assured her. ‘Now I’m going to have a quick swim then get myself warm again. I’m frozen to the bone!’
Dee was too, but she felt alive, exhilarated.
* * *
They had a warm shower when they got back to Sunset View and sat out in the garden for a while chatting. ‘I’m so glad we came away, I feel more relaxed than I have done for ages.’ Dee looked thoughtfully at Babs. ‘How are you feeling? Have you heard from Geoff lately?’
‘Not today. I guess he’s too busy packing to go away tomorrow,’ Babs told her sadly. ‘I really can’t believe it’s come to this, Dee. I don’t know why Geoff’s acting this way.’
Dee chose her words carefully, not wanting to upset her fiery friend. ‘Have you asked him? Have you both actually talked about it?’ She took a deep breath. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you can both be a bit stubborn, can’t you?’
Babs eyes flashed. ‘Me, stubborn? He started this.’ Then she sighed. ‘I guess you’re right, we both dig our heels in. But Geoff’s been like a dog with a bone over this.’
‘I know, but you’re not going to sort it if you don’t talk to him, Babs. Why don’t you phone him and see if you can discuss it? Both talk about how you feel?’
Babs shook her head. ‘It’s up to him to make the first move. And I’m not discussing anything until he takes the house off the market.’
She looked defiant but Dee could see the tears brimming in her eyes. She felt like phoning Geoff herself but would that make things worse? She hated interfering, besides Babs said that Molly and Lennon had already tried talking to him.
‘Maybe he won’t see anything he likes over in Spain and will forget about the idea,’ she suggested. She stood up. ‘I’ll go and do us a bit of lunch now, then it will be time to meet Kenny at Moira’s.’
She went into the kitchen and stared out of the window in astonishment as a familiar figure opened the gate of the front garden. Geoff! Should she tell Babs or just let him in? Damn it, they needed to talk and Geoff had made the effort to come all this way. She went to the door and opened it as Geoff walked down the path. He looked tired, she noticed, there were bags under his eyes. He looked pale too. Babs going away had obviously upset him. It’s a shame he hadn’t come down earlier, but then maybe he’d expected Babs would be back home by now.
‘Hello, Dee,’ he said solemnly.
‘Come in Geoff. I’ll let Babs know you’re here.’
She walked through into the garden. ‘Geoff’s here!’
‘What?’ Babs got to her feet and stood rooted to the spot as Geoff followed Dee outside. They both looked at each other but neither of them spoke. Dee grabbed her handbag. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk, I need to meet Kenny in the café.’ She was out before Babs could protest, if she wanted to that was.
They were actually both supposed to be meeting Kenny to discuss the arrangements for Saturday but maybe Babs would go back home with Geoff. Dee hoped so. It would be great if they could put their differences behind them and get back together. She was sure it was what they both wanted.
‘No Babs?’ Kenny asked as Dee joined him at a table in the window. Andi was rushed off her feet and Tyler was carrying a tray over to the other side of the café.
Before Dee could answer, a loud crash made them both jump. They looked around and discovered that Tyler had dropped the tray on the floor, though luckily it was almost empty.
‘Geoff has turned up. They’re supposed to be going on a house-hunting trip to Spain this weekend.’ She paused. She didn’t want to gossip about her friend, but she was wondering if Geoff would manage to talk Babs into going home, that must be why he’d driven down. Or rather, talk her into going on the trip to Spain with him. One of them had to give in and she wasn’t sure which one it was going to be. They could both be very stubborn.
‘Problems?’ Kenny raised an eyebrow.
Dee took a breath. ‘Remember how Babs told you that her husband wants to move to Spain now they’re retired, and she doesn’t want to? And that he’s put their house up for sale, without telling her? Well, he’s arranged for them to view some houses in rather remote spots in Spain over the next week. Babs is digging her heels in and I don’t blame her. But they’ve been together a long time, and he’s a good man, this is totally out of character for him. I really hope they work it out.’
Ken whistled. ‘That’s a tough one.’ His eyes rested on her, full of kindness and warmth. ‘And what about you?’ he asked softly. ‘When’s your husband back?’
‘Saturday.’
‘And does he often book golfing holidays without you? And forget your birthday?’
She shrugged. ‘Nigel’s busy with work.’
‘You’re his wife. And you’re important.’
It was a long time since she’d felt important to Nigel, but she wasn’t going to admit that to Kenny.
‘Not as important as a golfing holiday apparently.’ She shrugged. ‘You know how it is when you’ve been married a long time.’ Then she put her hand over her mouth as she realised what she’d said. Poor Margot had died. ‘I’m so sorry, that was thoughtless.’
‘Please don’t worry about it. I know exactly what you mean. Margot and I had got into the habit of taking each other for granted too, but when she was diagnosed with cancer, we realised how precious life was. I’m so pleased we had chance to reconnect before she passed away.’
She could hear the emotion in his voice and didn’t know what to say. For a moment they sat in silence, then Kenny leaned forward and looked at the list on the table in front of them. ‘Now, where was I?’
‘You were about to tell me if there was anything I could lend a hand with,’ Dee said lightly.
They discussed table positions, refreshments, seating and other things over two cups of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake. Dee agreed to be at the Manor at eleven on Saturday morning so she could help with everything. She was glad that Kenny and the others wanted her to stay on the committee when she left, at least she’d still have contact with them all. Maybe she could even come down for the weekend now and again.
‘I’d better go now, hopefully see you both later at The Pirate’s Head. That is, if Babs is still here.’ Kenny stood up.
‘I’ll definitely be there,’ Dee replied, wondering how Babs was getting on with Geoff. Should she go home or give her a bit more time to talk?
Watching Kenny leave the café, she messaged Babs.
How’s it going? Want me to stay clear for a bit longer?
While she waited for Babs’ reply, she stopped and had a quick chat with Andi, who looked frazzled.
‘When will Moira be back?’ Dee asked.
‘Hopefully soon. Tyler is a nice lad but he’s driving me nuts!’ Andi said. ‘If Moira isn’t back by the weekend, I think I’ll have to ask the agency to send someone else. We can’t carry on like this.’ She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead.
Dee wanted to offer to help but they only had a couple more days left in Port Telwyn and it wouldn’t be fair to leave Babs alone. If she went back home with Geoff today though, maybe Dee could help Andi out for a couple of hours tomorrow. She wouldn’t mind. She liked being busy.
Dee checked her phone. Still no reply from Babs.