Page 41 of The Runaway Wives

Dee looked incredulous. ‘Are you sure? I’d pay you rent of course.’

‘You will not. You two saved my life.’ Edna pursed her lips firmly. ‘We’d be doing each other a favour.’

‘Then, yes. Please! I’d love to stay here,’ Dee said.

Babs was delighted for Dee, it was the perfect solution.

* * *

Later that evening they went down to The Pirate’s Head so Babs could say goodbye to everyone. Andi had joined the group tonight and she called out as soon as they stepped in and waved them over.

‘Have you two got your names down for the karaoke tomorrow?’

Babs shook her head. ‘I won’t be here. Geoff and I have made up and he’s persuaded me to go to Spain to take a look at some properties. And he’s promised that if I don’t want to move there he’ll drop the idea.’ She placed her drink down on the table. ‘It’ll be a holiday, at least.’

‘I’m so pleased,’ Cath said. ‘We could all see how much you missed him. Do come down and visit us now and again, won’t you? Bring Geoff with you.’

‘I will,’ Babs promised.

‘And what about you and your husband?’ Cath asked Dee.

Babs saw that Kenny was listening intently. ‘Nigel and I are finished, I’m filing for divorce,’ Dee told her. ‘I’m afraid he’s had one affair too many, although you might think I should have thought that the first time I discovered he was seeing someone else.’

Cath placed her hand over Dee’s. ‘Not at all. Relationships are complicated and the decision whether infidelity ends your marriage or not is a personal one. We’ll be sorry to see you go, though.’

‘Well, actually, I’m not going just yet. Edna is going to her sister’s until her hip and ankle are better and has kindly asked me to stay in her cottage and look after Snowy while she’s away.’

‘I’m glad you’re not leaving us yet. We need you on the Artists’ Studios fundraising committee,’ Kenny added.

‘Count me in,’ Dee replied. ‘And, at some point, I reckon I’m going to have to find a job to bring in some income.’ She had some savings but they would soon go and who knows how long it would take to sort out a divorce settlement.

‘How do you fancy helping me in the café?’ Andi asked. ‘Moira’s daughter is being discharged but she needs care at home, so Moira has to stay to look after her three grandchildren until she recovers. Tyler can only cover until Saturday, and to be honest I don’t think I could cope with him much longer anyway. I was going to contact the agency. But if you fancy it, it might tide you over for a couple of weeks, until you can sort something else out.’

‘I’d love to!’ Dee said immediately. ‘Thank you.’

Babs thought that was a wonderful idea. Andi was lovely and it would get Dee out of the house and bring in some regular money. Dee looked delighted too.

‘When do you want me to start?’ Dee asked.

‘We open at eight on Monday morning so if you could be there half an hour beforehand, I could show you the ropes?’ Andi suggested. ‘Eth, a local student, covers at weekends so I’d only need you on the weekdays.’

‘Perfect!’ Dee said. She smiled at Babs. ‘That’s another thing slotting into place.’

Babs had been feeling guilty about going back home and leaving Dee down here by herself, but now – in a matter of hours – she had a home and a job. Even if only temporarily – it made Babs feel easier about going back home without her.

Dee had a rocky road ahead but at least she had the support of friends and she seemed so happy down here. It would give Nigel a shock when she didn’t return home, which served him right. He’d treated Dee abysmally over the years. And her best friend deserved much better.

28

DEE

Friday

‘What a bloody cheek!’ Dee said, exasperated, staring at the text message Nigel had just sent her.

‘Nigel?’ Babs guessed.

‘You’ve got it! He wants me to get some things from the shops for him and to make sure his new blue and white pinstriped shirt is clean and ironed as apparently we have a function to go to on Saturday evening. “Wear your long royal-blue dress”, he’s added, “you always look good in that”.’ She could feel the anger rising in her. ‘He’s acting as if nothing has happened. There’s no “how are you, how’s your week been, did you have a good birthday, safe journey home, would you mind doing this for me?”, is there?’ She tossed her phone down onto the cushion in annoyance.

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