Page 60 of The Runaway Wives

Kenny tilted his head to one side, waiting for her to continue.

‘Gordon was someone who cared about people, and gave a great deal of thought to things, including – as I remember Nigel complaining about – where he builds his developments. From what I know of him, I’d guess he’s convinced that this development is good for Port Telwyn, and that he is genuinely trying to help the community by donating money to the Artists’ Studios.’ She took a swig of lemonade. ‘I’m wondering if we tell him how hard local people like Glenn are finding it to stay here, because of the cost of housing, we could persuade him to make a section of the development affordable for the locals – either to rent or buy.’

Kenny digested this for a moment. ‘You reckon you could talk him into that?’

Dee considered this. It had been years since she’d seen Gordon, and she was sure that his business would have gone from strength to strength since then. ‘It’s worth a try.’

‘Okay, then let’s do it. He wants me to meet him on Thursday morning at ten thirty to discuss it. Are you free then?’

‘I’ll ask Andi if I can do the afternoon shift,’ she told him. It would be a squeeze, as she had an appointment with the solicitor at lunchtime, but she should be able to fit it all in and didn’t want to miss this meeting.

‘Great.’ Kenny finished his lemonade then stood up. ‘Well, I’d better be going. I’ll leave you to your spring cleaning.’

‘Thanks, see you later.’ Dee saw him to the door.

He turned at the doorway. ‘You’re full of surprises, Dee.’ Then he briefly kissed her on the cheek and was gone.

Dee stood on the doorstep for a moment, watching him walk down the hill, her hand on her cheek where he’d kissed it. Something stirred in her, something she hadn’t felt for a long time.

40

MONDAY

Dee placed the toasted tea cakes, butter and jam on a tray along with the two cups of coffee and picked it up ready to take to the people on the table in the corner. She was halfway across the café when the door opened and Babs walked in, pulling a suitcase behind her. Dee almost dropped the tray in shock. She grasped it firmly and quickly scrutinised her friend. Babs didn’t look happy, there were bags under her red-rimmed eyes. Obviously the trip to Spain hadn’t gone well, and judging by the suitcase, Babs and Geoff had split up again. Could it be for good this time?

Andi came to the rescue. ‘I’ll deal with this. We’re not too busy, take a break and see what’s up with Babs.’

Dee thanked her and hurried over to her friend who was now sitting at an empty table, her suitcase leaning against the wall.

‘Babs,’ she said, horrified at how distressed her friend looked. ‘What’s happened?’

‘I’ve left Geoff. Can I stay with you until I sort myself out, please?’

‘Of course you can.’ Dee gave her a big hug then sat down beside her. ‘Why though? I thought Geoff said he would drop the idea of living in Spain if you didn’t want to.’

Andi appeared at the table with a tray laden with a pot of tea, two mugs, a milk jug and a sugar bowl. ‘I thought you might need this.’ She squeezed Babs on the shoulder comfortingly then went back to serving the other customers.

Babs bit her lip and her eyes misted over with unshed tears. ‘He has dropped the idea but he’s so miserable, Dee. I feel like I’ve ruined his dream. I’ve stopped him from doing what he wants with his life. I’ll be unhappy if we live in Spain, he’s going to be unhappy if he doesn’t live there. The best thing we can do is part and let each other live our lives as we want.’

‘Does it have to be that drastic?’ Dee poured out the tea, adding sugar to Babs’ mug before passing it over to her.

‘There’s no other way. I want Geoff to be happy.’ Babs painted a bright smile on her face. ‘Anyway, never mind us. What about you and Nigel?’

‘I’ve filed for divorce.’

‘Good for you. I was worried that you’d go back to him. I never could stand him.’

‘What? You never told me that!’ Dee said, a little annoyed.

‘Of course not, how could I? You obviously saw him differently. He treated you awfully and you seemed scared to have fun around him,’ Babs pointed out.

Dee had to acknowledge that Babs was right.

‘Geoff isn’t like Nigel though, Babs. Surely there must be some solution. It’s clear you both love each other and want to be together. Can’t you compromise?’

‘We tried to compromise. I told you, we looked at mountain houses, countryside houses, town houses, beach apartments… but I couldn’t see myself living in any of them. I like the UK. I like to be by my friends and family. By you! I don’t mind going to Spain for a holiday, but that’s it.’

‘Then does it have to be all or nothing? How about a holiday home?’

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