Page 40 of The Runaway Wives

‘And are you?’

Dee shook her head. ‘No. I’m not going home yet either. Maybe not at all. It’s not the first time Nigel has been unfaithful to me,’ she admitted.

‘What?’ Babs was outraged, but not totally surprised. Nigel was so full of himself and his own importance she wouldn’t put anything past him. ‘He really is a toerag, isn’t he! I’m glad you’re leaving him. But why not go home and change the locks? Why shouldyougive up your home?’

‘I can’t do that, it’s Nigel’s home too and he’ll only get someone in to change the locks back.’ Dee’s hand shook a little. ‘I don’t want the upset, Babs. I want to keep away and sort myself out. I’m going to see if the estate agents have another place to let and stay down here for a while.’

Babs was astonished. The old Dee would never have made that decision. This week had done her good. It had done Babs good, too, she acknowledged, made her realise how much she rushed in, how stubborn she could be. She should have talked to Geoff, but he should have talked to her as well.

‘I hope you don’t let Nigel talk you round. You deserve much better than him,’ Babs retorted. ‘You always have. He puts you down all the time, so you don’t realise how gorgeous and amazing you are. Look how well you’ve fitted in here. You blossom without him around.’

Dee looked startled. ‘Well, thank you for those lovely words.’

‘I mean them. You’re way too good for that slimebag!’ She was so mad she could throttle Nigel if she ever saw him. She’d always hated the way he treated Dee but Dee had never seen it. She acted as if she actually thought that she wasn’t good enough for HIM. ‘Look, do you want me to stay? Geoff can go on this house viewing trip by himself and I’ll go home when he returns. I feel like I’m deserting you when you need me.’

‘Of course you’re not. You and Geoff must go together, it’s important. And it’s best for me to be on my own so I can sort my head out. I am glad you’re staying until tomorrow though, and no need to catch the train I’ll drop you back. I want to collect some of my things while Nigel is away. Now, how about we pop over and see Edna? It might cheer us both up.’

Babs looked at her thoughtfully. Dee was strong, and yes she knew people down here so wouldn’t be alone. And she did want to go with Geoff, this week apart had been devastating for them both. ‘Make sure you keep in touch and let me know what’s going on,’ she said. ‘I want some photos of the garden party, for starters. I’m going to miss it.’

‘Of course I will. And you send me some photos of the villas you see in Spain. I wouldn’t be surprised if you fall in love with one!’

‘I think that’s very unlikely. Anyway, we’d better leave the rest of this wine until we’ve seen Edna. We don’t want to turn up sozzled!’

‘Good point.’ Dee put the bottle in the fridge. ‘Shall we get going?’

* * *

A woman slightly younger than Edna, with short grey hair in a chin-length bob answered the door to them. ‘You must be Dee and Babs. Edna’s told me all about you both.’ She smiled. ‘Now let me guess,’ she pointed to Dee. ‘You’re Dee.’

‘I am. And you must be Mabel,’ Dee said.

‘That’s me. Now we’re all introduced come on in. Edna was hoping you’d drop by.’

Edna was sitting in a comfy but ‘lived in’ brown floral armchair, her bandaged ankle resting on a stool. ‘Hello, girls, how lovely to see you again.’ She pointed to the matching and equally worn sofa. ‘Take the weight off your feet.’

Dee smiled at being called ‘girls’ at their age. ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked as she and Babs sat down.

‘I’m fine. I have to use a walking frame and hobble about for a few weeks but Mabel will look after me.’

‘That I will. And we need to set off soon, I don’t want to get caught up in traffic,’ Mabel said. ‘So I hope you don’t mind if I don’t offer you refreshments.’

‘No worries, we’ve just had a drink, thank you,’ Babs said, not adding that it was wine.

‘Well, thank you for popping in. I didn’t think I’d see you both again. I know you’re going home on Saturday.’

‘I’m going home tomorrow,’ Babs said. She glanced at Dee.

‘I’m staying a little longer. My husband has been playing away – again – and I’ve had enough,’ she said.

Edna and Mabel both looked outraged. ‘How appalling! You must leave him,’ Mabel declared. ‘You deserve better than that.’

Edna leaned forward. ‘Are you staying on at Sunset View?’

‘No, it’s been let to someone else from Saturday but I’m sure they have somewhere else on their books that I can rent.’

Edna and Mabel both exchanged glances and Mabel nodded.

‘Well, why not stay here while I’m at Mabel’s, it will give you time to sort out what you want to do?’ Edna suggested. ‘I’d feel much better about leaving my cottage empty if you were living here, and you could look after Snowy for me too. He’s got attached to you. That is, if you want to.’

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