Chapter 29
29
Dee stopped off at the post office to get the parcel – it was a gorgeous pale lemon cashmere jumper from Hugh – then headed back down to Port Telwyn. She took her things to Sunset View, leaving them in a corner of the lounge, intending to sort it all out tomorrow when she moved into Edna’s cottage. Then she went out into the garden to see if Snowy was around and was delighted to see him curled up on one of the chairs around the table. She put her phone down on the table and sat down beside him, stroking his head. ‘I guess you’re missing Edna, aren’t you, boy?’
Snowy jumped onto her lap and curled up, purring softly. Dee stroked his soft fur, deep in thought. The last few days with Babs had been exactly what she’d needed. It had taught her to widen her horizons, try different things, be more herself. Her and Babs had always bounced off each other, complimented each other, as best friends should. Babs providing the gaiety and spontaneity and Dee providing the calm and reason that Babs sometimes needed. She was glad that Babs had talked to Geoff and they’d both made up, but she would miss her. Babs’ company had given it all a holiday feel. Now though, she was well and truly on her own. ‘I have you, don’t I, boy, at least until Edna comes back?’ she murmured, and Snowy swished his tail as if he understood. When she’d found herself a permanent home, she’d get herself a cat. Or a dog. Or maybe both, she decided as the little cat nestled deeper into her lap. Dee closed her eyes, rested her head back a little and felt herself relaxing. She could do this.
The ringtone of her phone interrupted her thoughts. She leaned over and glanced at the screen. It was Andi. A friendly voice was exactly what she needed right now. She picked it up and pressed answer. ‘Hi, Andi.’
‘Hi, just wondering how things are going and whether you’ll be at the karaoke tonight?’
Dee smiled, feeling lighter. She had only been here a few days but people had been so welcoming. ‘I’ll be there. But I’m not promising to sing.’
Andi chuckled. ‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Mind, you won’t be able to keep me off the stage. I always fancy myself as Madonna once I’ve had a couple of drinks.’
Dee could imagine that. It sounded like a fun evening, just what she needed to take her mind off things. She wished that Babs was still here, she’d be up for a sing-song. She felt a little unsure on her own, she and Babs would have giggled as they decided what to wear. She knew Andi and a few of the others, she’d be fine, she told herself.
A little later, Dee went back inside to get changed, pulling out her new rose trousers from the wardrobe, the pretty black and rose top she’d bought to go with them, and put them on, then studied her reflection in the mirror. She looked so different. Bright, bubbly.
Suddenly her phone rang again. She glanced at the screen, it was Babs wanting a video call. She pressed answer and there was Babs’ friendly face smiling at her. ‘Just checking in to make sure you’re okay before we leave for the hotel,’ Babs told her.
‘I’m good, don’t worry. How are you? Is it good to be home? Are you and Geoff all right now?’
‘Yes to both. I’m looking forward to going actually. A week in the sun will be nice. Are you off to the karaoke? What are you wearing?’
Dee held out the phone so Babs could see.
‘Oh, brilliant! You look totally gorg. What shoes are you wearing?’ Babs asked.
‘I was wondering about that. Maybe my black ankle boots?’
‘You’ll knock them dead.’ Babs grinned at her. ‘Have a good time and send me a video if any of the gang get up and sing a song.’
‘I will,’ Dee promised. ‘Send me lots of photos of Spain.’
They chatted for a little longer then Geoff said it was time to go. He joined Babs, waving to Dee, and she felt so happy for her friend that they’d made up.
The call from Babs had really cheered her up. She pulled on her ankle books and picked up her bag. She could do this.
Suddenly there was knock on the door. Puzzled, Dee went to answer it and found Andi standing on the doorstep. ‘I thought you might want a bit of company walking into the karaoke.’ She paused, noticing Dee’s outfit. ‘Hey, you look great!’
‘Thank you. So do you,’ Dee replied. Andi was dressed in ripped, skinny washed-out jeans, a rust coloured vest and knee length fringed brown suede boots.
‘Ready to go?’ Andi asked.
Dee nodded and pulled the door shut behind her. She really appreciated Andi calling for her, she felt more at ease going to The Pirate’s Head now.
The rest of the gang were already at the pub when they arrived that evening. Cath waved them over to two empty chairs.
‘Just in time, the karaoke starts in five minutes,’ Kenny said. ‘Fancy doing a song?’
Dee was about to refuse when Andi glanced at her, a big grin on her face. ‘How about singing “These boots are made for walking” with me?’
Her eyes were twinkling with mischief and suddenly Dee wanted to join in, wanted to act impulsively, to laugh, to dance and sing. ‘Perfect!’ she agreed.
It was a lively evening. Kenny was the first one up and he sang ‘Save the Last Dance For Me’ in a surprisingly deep, soulful voice, his eyes resting on Dee’s as he sang the chorus. Then Cath and Stu got up and sang ‘Does Your Mother Know?’ with hilarious antics, and another couple sang the smoochy ‘I’ve Got You, Babe’. They were obviously in love, and it made Dee think of Babs and Geoff as it was their song. She remembered them both dancing to it at their wedding, and Geoff had crooned it to Babs once when they’d both got a little tiddly. Nigel had disapproved, of course. Dee videoed that, and Cath and Stu’s song, and sent it to Babs. She knew her friend would enjoy seeing them.
Then it was Dee and Andi’s turn. Everyone at the table cheered them on as they both walked over to the karaoke area, Andi playing to the crowd, waving and bowing, Dee feeling very self-conscious. She’d hadn’t done karaoke since her student days! She soon got into the stride of it though, it was difficult not to with Andi’s enthusiasm, and they both exaggeratedly stamped across the stage as they sang the chorus and Dee imagined herself stamping over Nigel – metaphorically of course. When they finished, they were greeted with claps, cheers and whistles. Andi’s eyes were sparkling and Dee felt her cheeks flushing. She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much for ages.
‘You two were fab,’ Kenny said as they took their seats. ‘I’ve videoed it and will send it to you later. I’m sure Babs would love to see it.’
‘Thank you.’ Dee picked up her glass for a much-needed drink. Babs would be astonished when she saw that, she thought with a giggle.
It was Glenn’s turn next. As he took the mic and coughed to clear his throat, the pub went silent, as if they’d heard Glenn sing before and it had been worth listening to.
He started singing Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ and you could hear a pin drop. Dee swallowed the lump in her throat as she listened to the poignant words, which she was sure were a tribute to his late wife. How sad to have that kind of love, and lose it. She had never loved Nigel that way, nor him her, she realised.
She felt so comfortable with this group, and life down here in Port Telwyn, as if she belonged. She hoped that somehow she could stay here, become part of this community that she’d already grown to love.