Page 36 of The Runaway Wives

‘Sure. See you then,’ Dee waved.

Kenny waved in return and walked off.

‘Is that okay with you?’ Dee asked Babs. ‘I’m happy to go without you if you prefer to do something else.’

‘You know me, any excuse for a cuppa and a natter,’ Babs assured her. ‘Now I’m going to have a quick swim then get myself warm again. I’m frozen to the bone!’

Dee was too, but she felt alive, exhilarated.

* * *

They had a warm shower when they got back to Sunset View and sat out in the garden for a while chatting. ‘I’m so glad we came away, I feel more relaxed than I have done for ages.’ Dee looked thoughtfully at Babs. ‘How are you feeling? Have you heard from Geoff lately?’

‘Not today. I guess he’s too busy packing to go away tomorrow,’ Babs told her sadly. ‘I really can’t believe it’s come to this, Dee. I don’t know why Geoff’s acting this way.’

Dee chose her words carefully, not wanting to upset her fiery friend. ‘Have you asked him? Have you both actually talked about it?’ She took a deep breath. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you can both be a bit stubborn, can’t you?’

Babs eyes flashed. ‘Me, stubborn? He started this.’ Then she sighed. ‘I guess you’re right, we both dig our heels in. But Geoff’s been like a dog with a bone over this.’

‘I know, but you’re not going to sort it if you don’t talk to him, Babs. Why don’t you phone him and see if you can discuss it? Both talk about how you feel?’

Babs shook her head. ‘It’s up to him to make the first move. And I’m not discussing anything until he takes the house off the market.’

She looked defiant but Dee could see the tears brimming in her eyes. She felt like phoning Geoff herself but would that make things worse? She hated interfering, besides Babs said that Molly and Lennon had already tried talking to him.

‘Maybe he won’t see anything he likes over in Spain and will forget about the idea,’ she suggested. She stood up. ‘I’ll go and do us a bit of lunch now, then it will be time to meet Kenny at Moira’s.’

She went into the kitchen and stared out of the window in astonishment as a familiar figure opened the gate of the front garden. Geoff! Should she tell Babs or just let him in? Damn it, they needed to talk and Geoff had made the effort to come all this way. She went to the door and opened it as Geoff walked down the path. He looked tired, she noticed, there were bags under his eyes. He looked pale too. Babs going away had obviously upset him. It’s a shame he hadn’t come down earlier, but then maybe he’d expected Babs would be back home by now.

‘Hello, Dee,’ he said solemnly.

‘Come in Geoff. I’ll let Babs know you’re here.’

She walked through into the garden. ‘Geoff’s here!’

‘What?’ Babs got to her feet and stood rooted to the spot as Geoff followed Dee outside. They both looked at each other but neither of them spoke. Dee grabbed her handbag. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk, I need to meet Kenny in the café.’ She was out before Babs could protest, if she wanted to that was.

They were actually both supposed to be meeting Kenny to discuss the arrangements for Saturdaybut maybe Babs would go back home with Geoff. Dee hoped so. It would be great if they could put their differences behind them and get back together. She was sure it was what they both wanted.

‘No Babs?’ Kenny asked as Dee joined him at a table in the window. Andi was rushed off her feet and Tyler was carrying a tray over to the other side of the café.

Before Dee could answer, a loud crash made them both jump. They looked around and discovered that Tyler had dropped the tray on the floor, though luckily it was almost empty.

‘Geoff has turned up. They’re supposed to be going on a house-hunting trip to Spain this weekend.’ She paused. She didn’t want to gossip about her friend, but she was wondering if Geoff would manage to talk Babs into going home, that must be why he’d driven down. Or rather, talk her into going on the trip to Spain with him. One of them had to give in and she wasn’t sure which one it was going to be. They could both be very stubborn.

‘Problems?’ Kenny raised an eyebrow.

Dee took a breath. ‘Remember how Babs told you that her husband wants to move to Spain now they’re retired, and she doesn’t want to? And that he’s put their house up for sale, without telling her? Well, he’s arranged for them to view some houses in rather remote spots in Spain over the next week. Babs is digging her heels in and I don’t blame her. But they’ve been together a long time, and he’s a good man, this is totally out of character for him. I really hope they work it out.’

Ken whistled. ‘That’s a tough one.’ His eyes rested on her, full of kindness and warmth. ‘And what about you?’ he asked softly. ‘When’s your husband back?’

‘Saturday.’

‘And does he often book golfing holidays without you? And forget your birthday?’

She shrugged. ‘Nigel’s busy with work.’

‘You’re his wife. And you’re important.’

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