Page 2 of The Runaway Wives

‘I must say I am looking forward to it. It’s been quite a while since Nigel and I went away together.’ Dee finished the last of her cookie and looked thoughtfully at her friend. ‘Is Geoff still trying to talk you into moving to Spain?’

Babs nodded. ‘He’s been doing up the house ready to sell up and move, even though I keep telling him I’m not going,’ she said. ‘Mind, it’s been great to have all the repairs and odd jobs done, I’ve been waiting for him to get around to them for ages.’

It had been a bone of contention between Babs and Geoff since they had both retired a few months ago. They had often gone to Spain for their holidays over the years, especially since their children had grown up and left home. Geoff had never mentioned moving over there though, not until he’d actually retired and then he’d become obsessed with the idea.

‘He doesn’t shut up about it. Honestly, he’s driving me mental. To be honest, I thought it was all talk and he would never actually want to do it. But…’ Babs leaned forward and whispered, ‘I found a stack of magazines in Geoff’s divan drawer this morning when I was tidying up.’

Dee screwed her nose. ‘Yuck! Do they even have those magazines any more? I thought it was all on the web nowadays. Not that that’s any better?—’

‘Not porn, you idiot. Travel brochures and houses for sale. He went to one of thoseA Place in the Sunexhibitions the other week. He wanted me to go with him but I refused. He even suggested we should go on the programme but there’s no way I’m going on the telly and then being pressured into buying something I don’t want.’

‘Goodness. He reallyisserious then?’

Babs shrugged. ‘I’m not sure, it’s been like a sort of joke between us, but now Geoff’s started learning Spanish. I walked into the kitchen the other day and found labels in Spanish stuck on everything. And he says“Buenos días!”to me every morning and“Hasta luego!”when I go out.’ She giggled. ‘He really tries to sound Spanish too!’

Dee tittered, she could imagine Geoff, with his heavy Bristolian accent, trying to speak Spanish. ‘Maybe it’s just a phase, and it will pass if you ignore it?’

‘I was hoping so but he keeps harping on. And – get this – he wants us to live in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by olive trees and perishing goats! He said he wants to “get away from it all and live off the land”. I think he’s having a “later life crisis”.’ Babs took a mouthful of her coffee, then put the cup back down. ‘Well, bugger that. I’m going to tell him that I’ve found the magazines tonight and put a stop to this once and for all.’

Dee was sure there was no way Geoff would persist in moving to Spain if Babs put her foot firmly down. He doted on Babs and would never do anything to upset her. There were times that Dee had wished Nigel was so considerate; he always did what he wanted when he wanted. Still, Nigel had booked this lovely surprise holiday for her birthday treat, so maybe things were improving.

‘Lucky you, heading off to a luxury villa, I could do with a bit of sunshine right now. It sounds like Nige is going to spoil you rotten. And about time too!’ Babs told her. ‘Now, do you want your present before you go or when you come back? I’ve got it with me, just in case.’

‘Oh well, I might as well have it now,’ Dee said with a smile.

Babs reached into the shopping bag she was carrying and took out a pretty floral gift bag. ‘I thought it might come in handy for your holiday,’ she said, handing it to Dee. ‘It’s not wrapped, so you can take a peek.’

‘Thank you.’ Dee opened the bag and took out a beautiful turquoise silk kimono and matching flip-flops. Turquoise was her favourite colour. ‘Oh, they’re gorgeous! Thank you so much.’ She gave Babs a big hug. She really was a good friend.

‘You’re very welcome. Now, make sure you enjoy your holiday.’

2

BABS

Well, Nigel had certainly pulled out the stops this year, whisking Dee off for a week in Portugal for her birthday. Good, it was about time he looked after her instead of treating her like a jumped up housekeeper and secretary, Babs thought, as she walked up the hill from the station. She had considered taking the car, Geoff was home today so wouldn’t be using it, but the parking in town was terrible.

Babs was surprised to see a smartly dressed woman with a clipboard walking away from the house as she approached the drive. The woman smiled at her and continued on her way. Had she been selling something, double glazing perhaps? Their windows were actually double glazed already, although they definitely needed upgrading. Not that the woman would get any custom from them. Geoff would have soon sent her packing, he didn’t approve of door-to-door sales. If he wanted to buy something he went by recommendation, he said, and always did his research. No impulse buys for him. Babs was the opposite, thinking that people had to earn a living one way or another, and she often chatted to any salesperson who knocked on the door, even offering them a cup of tea, if Geoff wasn’t around to disapprove.

She opened the door and walked in. ‘I’m back.’ She paused, looking around in surprise. Geoff had evidently been tidying up, which was a first for him, the shoes that were usually scattered in the hall had been put away, the coat rack that was normally overflowing with various coats and jackets was almost empty and there was a vase of fresh flowers on the little table in the hall.

‘Oh, hello, dear. I didn’t expect you home yet,’ Geoff said, walking out of the lounge, looking a little flustered. He’d changed out of the gardening clothes he’d been wearing when she’d left this morning into navy cords and a short-sleeved light blue shirt, which made him look very smart. He’d even trimmed his beard. They must be having visitors. Why hadn’t he messaged to let her know? She could have got a cake or some nice biscuits.

‘Dee needed to get home, Nigel is whisking her away to Portugal tomorrow as a surprise holiday for her birthday,’ Babs said as she walked past him into the lounge. Her eyes widened when she saw the plumped-up cushions on the sofa, another vase of fresh flowers on the sideboard, the freshly vacuumed carpet and magazine-free coffee table.

‘How can it be a surprise if she knows about it?’ Geoff asked.

‘She found the booking email. Anyway, what’s with the cleaning blitz? Are we expecting company?’

Geoff gave her a shifty look and she saw the beads of sweat forming on his bald head. Something fishy was going on. She frowned and folded her arms across her chest. ‘Geoff?’ Then a thought unfurled in her head. Geoff had been acting really out of character recently. And she’d heard about men going astray when they got to a certain age. Not Geoff though, surely? But what about the young woman she’d seen leaving as she came up the hill? Could she be Geoff’s fancy woman? Never one to beat about the bush, she demanded, ‘Who was that woman I saw leaving?’

Geoff fidgeted, straightening one of the perfectly straight, furry cream cushions on the burgundy velour sofa.

‘Geoff, what’s going on?’ she snapped.

‘Well, you know we talked about selling up and moving to Spain?’ His eyes didn’t quite meet hers but there was a determined tone to his voice.

‘You talked about it, I said no,’ Babs reminded him.

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