Page 18 of The Runaway Wives

‘It feels like it was only yesterday.’ Babs fixed her eyes on Dee. ‘Now tell me more about this Kenny. Is he on holiday too? How long has it been since you last met?’

Dee thought for a moment. ‘It must be at least thirty years.’ She repeated her conversation with Kenny. ‘It’s such a shame about Margot, she was a lovely woman. So full of life, and always ready to lend a hand.’ Like Babs, she thought. She could tell that Nigel had been delighted when Margot had moved away. He would have probably liked her to lose contact with Babs too, but they had been friends far too long for that. And Margot leaving brought them even closer, as Babs had moved nearby a few months later when Geoff’s father died.

‘Fancy meeting down here though, when we’ve done a runner from our husbands. It’s such a small world,’ Babs remarked.

‘It is. I do wish Margot was here too,’ Dee said wistfully. She would have loved to have a catch up with Margot. ‘Kenny has invited us to the local pub, The Pirate’s Head, this evening, if you fancy it. Apparently a few of the villagers will be there as they’re having a meeting about raising funds for the local Artists’ Studios. What do you think?’

‘Sure, it might be fun,’ Babs agreed. ‘It’s nice that you’ve met Kenny again, isn’t it? I was looking forward to you and me time but it’s great to connect with some of the villagers while we’re down here.’ She looped her arm through Dee’s. ‘Now, how about a walk along the beach and a paddle in the sea?’

‘That sounds perfect!’ Dee told her. She doubted if she would be paddling but she she knew Babs would.

‘This is the life,’ Babs said contentedly as they walked along the sand, the breeze blowing their hair. She stopped by a wall and sat down. ‘I’m going to take my sandals off and walk barefoot. It’s been years since I felt the sand between my toes.’

Dee smiled as she watched her friend slip off her sandals. Babs always had the gift of enjoying the moment, no matter what else was happening.

‘Go on, be a devil and let your hair down. You know you want to,’ Babs said, looking up at her.

Dee hesitated then sat down and took her sandals off too. She wriggled her toes in the warm sand. Maybe she would go for a paddle after all.

As if reading her mind, Babs stood up, her sandals dangling on her fingers. ‘Race you to the sea!’ She darted off across the beach.

Dee paused then followed, catching up with Babs as she reached the water, both leaving their sandals by a nearby rock. They stepped in, letting the cool water flow over their feet. The waves gently rolled in, breaking over their feet.

‘Let’s jump them!’ Babs suggested. She paddled out into the sea towards a white, foamy wave and jumped over it as it broke, splashing water all over her. ‘Come on, Dee, this is fun!’ She laughed.

Dee hesitated and looked around. The beach was pretty empty, no one was watching them. No one cares if two older ladies lark around in the sea, she told herself. She paddled over to join Babs just as a bigger wave came crashing onto the shore covering her from head to toe.

She spluttered and coughed, pushing her wet hair off her face.

‘I’m soaking!’ she shouted to Babs.

‘You’ll soon dry.’ Babs laughed as she jumped over another wave.

What the heck, she couldn’t get any wetter, could she? Dee thought. Besides it was quite exhilarating. She waded further into the sea.

Babs grinned at her. ‘Good job I packed a cossie in my case, I might have a swim tomorrow. Did you bring one? I meant to remind you.’

Dee hastily stepped back as a huge wave tumbled in. ‘No, it didn’t even occur to me.’

‘Shame, you bought some lovely new ones too. Never mind, you can get one in the town in the morning,’ Babs suggested.

‘It’s a bit public to wear a swimming costume.’ Dee wasn’t as confident about her body now she was getting older. When she’d bought the new tankinis she’d thought she’d be wearing them in the pool of a private villa in Portugal.

Babs tossed her hair from her face. ‘Who cares? The older I get, the less I care what other people think.’

‘I don’t think you’veevercared what other people think,’ Dee replied with a smile. Actually, it would be good to be as carefree as Babs, and to stop worrying about what people thought. Maybe she would buy a swimming costume and go for a swim in the sea.

When they’d had a paddle, they dried their feet on a couple of tissues Babs had in her handbag, slipped their sandals back on and put the tissues in their pockets then continued their walk across the sand. It was warm and Dee was soon feeling thirsty. She looked around to see if there was a refreshment stall anywhere and spotted an ice cream van a few feet in front of them.

‘Fancy an ice cream?’ she asked.

‘God, yes, I’m parched. Shall we have a 99 again?’ Babs asked. ‘Double flake this time?’

Dee grinned. This is one of the reasons she loved having Babs as a friend. Her joy for life was infectious.

‘Are you on holiday, ladies?’ the ice cream man asked as he filled two cones with ice cream and put two chocolate flakes in each.

‘Yes, we’re down here for the week,’ Babs told him. ‘Celebrating this one’s birthday,’ she jerked her finger at Dee.

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