Page 6 of The Runaway Wives

Babs nodded. ‘I know, but it’s Geoff’s name on the deeds, not mine, so he can legally sell it without my signature. Mind, I’ll make it bloody hard for him. I’ll make sure no one wants to buy it. If he wants a battle, he can have one!’

This was awful, Dee thought. She couldn’t believe Geoff was threatening to sell the house and move to Spain whether Babs agreed or not. And she knew Babs, the more Geoff pushed her into a corner the more she would rally against it. They could end up separating over this. And where would that leave Babs?

‘What are you going to do?’ Dee asked.

Babs looked at her over the rim of her wine glass. ‘I’ll tell you what I’mnotgoing to do. I’m not going to stay at home and let him walk all over me. I’m going away for a few days. That’s why I’ve brought a big suitcase with me.’ She finished her wine. ‘Why don’t you come with me? That’ll give Nige a shock.’

It was tempting, Dee thought. Babs was right, why should she spend her birthday week here alone while Nigel was living it up in Portugal.

‘Are you serious?’

‘Deadly!’ Babs’ eyes glinted. ‘I’ll tell Geoff I’m not coming back until he takes the house off the market and gives up on this ridiculous idea of living in Spain. If he can make decisions without me, then I can make them without him too.’ She nodded adamantly. ‘Let’s find a hotel or a cottage somewhere by the sea and have ourselves a little break. I didn’t think to bring my passport or we could have gone abroad and I can’t be bothered to get a taxi back to the house for it now.’ She frowned. ‘Actually, Geoff must have needed it to book our flights.’

Dee was tempted. She didn’t fancy staying here by herself while Nigel had a holiday in Portugal with his golfing buddies. It would be good to get away. A week by the sea sounded like a great idea.

‘You know, I think I will.’ Dee refilled both their glasses. ‘Now, where shall we go?’ Then she had an idea. ‘How about Cornwall? I had some lovely holidays down there when the kids were young. And it’s only May so there should still be some holiday cottages vacant.’ She picked up her phone and opened her weather app. ‘Look, it’s mild and sunny at the moment. Lovely walking weather.’

‘Sounds good to me.’ A smile curled across Babs’ lips. ‘That’ll show them.’ She held out her glass. ‘To us! The Runaway Wives.’

4

SATURDAY

The sun was shining brightly when Dee pulled open the bedroom curtains, a beautiful day to go away. It would be even sunnier in Portugal, she thought, then pushed the thought away. Today was her birthday and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil it. Nigel was selfish, always had been and probably always would be. She had learnt long ago not to dwell on the unpleasant things he did, and instead concentrated on getting as much happiness as she could out of every day. She had a lot to be grateful for. She had amazing kids, a lovely home and enough money to do what she wanted. Besides, she would much rather go down to Cornwall with Babs and have a few days in a little cottage by the sea, than hang around on her own while Nigel and his friends played golf. She hadn’t been on a girlie holiday for years and she was looking forward to it.

She hadn’t heard a sound from the guest room next door and guessed that Babs had gone to sleep as soon as her head had hit the pillow. They’d stopped up late chatting and Babs had drunk rather a lot of wine, not that Dee blamed her after what Geoff had said, but Dee had swapped to soft drinks after two more small glasses. Babs had left their car at home so Dee would be doing the driving today and needed to keep a clear head.

She glanced at the clock, it was past ten already and she really wanted to leave before lunch. She picked up her phone from the dressing table and scanned the screen. There were a few messages. She always turned her notifications down at night, not wanting to be disturbed as she was a member of a couple of online global book groups and messages came in at all hours. Annabel and Hugh knew that if they needed her urgently it was best to phone.

She opened the messages one by one. There was one from Annabel wishing her a happy birthday and promising to take her out for lunch one of the days next week when Hallie had recovered from her cold, one from Hugh telling her a surprise was on the way, and a couple from friends. Then another message pinged in. It was from Nigel.

Happy birthday, Dee. Sorry about the mix up. I’ll make it up to you when I come back. I’ve put five hundred in your bank account so that you can treat yourself while I’m away. N x

That was typical of Nigel, he was generous with money but thought it could buy everything, that if he gave her enough she would forget anything he did.

She sighed, slipped her phone into her dressing gown pocket then went downstairs. She made a mug of tea and poured a glass of cold water, putting them on a small tray with some paracetamol. She had a feeling Babs would need them.

Ten minutes later she tapped on Babs’ bedroom door. ‘Babs! Are you awake?’ she called.

Silence.

Dee put the tray she was carrying down on the hall unit, opened the door then picked the tray back up again, taking it into the room where Babs was lying in bed, her eyes closed, the back of her hand flung across her forehead. Her clothes were lying in a heap on the floor. Dee groaned, remembering countless holidays when they were younger when Babs’ clothes and possessions had littered the room. It seemed that she hadn’t grown out of her untidiness.

‘Morning – just!’ Dee said cheerily.

Babs opened her eyes a fraction. ‘You look far too bright and cheerful for someone who’s been downing wine half the night. Or was it only me drinking? It’s all a bit of a blur.’

‘This will make you feel better.’ Moving Babs’ phone over, Dee placed the tray on the bedside cabinet.

‘Nothing will make me feel better! I feel like someone is bouncing a ball around in my head,’ Babs groaned. ‘Surely it’s too early to get up.’

Dee surveyed her friend. She did look pale, but a bit of breakfast and a shower, and she would be fine. Thank goodness she’d talked Babs out of opening another bottle of wine last night. She handed her the glass of water and packet of painkillers. ‘I thought you might need these.’

‘Thanks.’ Babs edged herself onto her elbows and squinted at Dee. ‘Aren’t you hungover?’

Dee shook her head. ‘I went onto soft drinks seeing as I’d be driving today.’

‘Driving?’ She clapped her hand to her forehead. ‘Gosh, I forgot. We booked a week away in a holiday cottage in Cornwall.’ Then her eyes widened. ‘And it’s your birthday! Happy birthday!’

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