Page 4 of The Runaway Wives

Would he?

3

DEE

When Dee pulled up at her house she saw Nigel’s silver BMW in the drive. He’d come home early then, probably to pack. Butterflies of excitement fluttered in her stomach as she picked up her bags of shopping and went in. ‘Nigel!’

He was in the kitchen, rummaging through his wallet. He’d obviously finished work some time ago, as he’d left this morning wearing his dark blue suit and blue and white striped shirt. He’d changed into beige slim-fit chinos, a white Ralph Lauren polo top and what looked like a new pair of brown loafers. Although Nigel was sixty-four, he had a full head of silver, expertly styled hair, and always kept himself trim and fit. He was still a handsome man, she thought admiringly. Nigel liked to look after himself, and he expected Dee to do the same. He glanced over at her. ‘You’ve been on a bit of a shopping spree, by the look of it,’ he said, looking pointedly at the bags she was carrying. ‘What’s the occasion?’

She giggled. ‘Very funny. Pretending that you’ve forgotten.’

‘Forgotten what?’ Nigel was still rummaging through his wallet. ‘Now, where did I put it?’

‘What are you looking for?’ Dee asked.

‘My bank card— ah, here it is.’

Dee suddenly noticed his suitcase. ‘Is the flight tonight?’

‘Early in the morning, so I’ve booked a room in a hotel near the airport.’

‘Gosh, you could have told me. What time do we have to leave? I’ll only need half an hour or so to pack.’ Thank goodness she’d bought all these new clothes today, she could simply put them straight into her case. It was already packed with the essentials.

‘Pack? What do you mean?’ Nigel peered through his designer spectacles at her, his slate-grey eyes puzzled. ‘Where are you going?’

‘With you. To Portugal. Stop teasing, I know about the surprise. I saw the booking for the villa.’

Nigel’s jaw dropped open. ‘You want to come?’

Dee started to feel a bit uneasy. ‘Of course I want to come. You’ve booked it for us, haven’t you? As my birthday surprise.’

The stunned look that swept across Nigel’s face couldn’t have been faked. ‘When’s your birthday?’

‘Tomorrow,’ Dee said slowly. ‘It’s my sixtieth.’

Nigel slammed his forehead with the heel of his hand. ‘Sorry. I forgot! I thought it was next month.’

Dee looked at the suitcase, then at Nigel. ‘So the villa isn’t a birthday surprise for me…?’

‘Er… no, I’m going golfing with the lads. Didn’t I tell you? We managed to get a brilliant late offer.’ Nigel glanced at his Rolex. ‘And I have to go. Sorry, love. I’ll bring you something nice back for your birthday.’

Dee stood rooted to the spot as Nigel kissed her on the forehead, grabbed his case and walked out of the house.

He was actually going on a golfing holiday to Portugal without her on her birthday!

* * *

Dee sank down onto a kitchen chair, stunned. This was typical Nigel, she should have known that he wasn’t planning a surprise trip for her. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever arranged any kind of surprise.

She was so deep in thought that it took her a few minutes to realise that her phone was ringing. It might be Nigel, apologising, maybe even telling her to come – not that she would, she didn’t want to be stuck in a villa with him and his golfing buddies. To her surprise, Babs’ image was flashing on the screen. She hit accept.

‘Sorry, I know you’re probably busy with all your holiday preparations but I had to vent, I’m fuming!’

‘What’s happened?’

‘Geoff has put the house on the market and decided that we’re going to live in Spain. That’s what’s happened.’

‘What?’

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