Page 61 of The Runaway Wives

‘I think that would cause more problems. Geoff would want to stay over in Spain as much as he could and I’ll be travelling back and forth, basically living on my own. Plus there’s the cost.’

‘Look, can’t you talk to Geoff about how you feel? He’s great. He’s not like Nigel. He’s been a good husband to you, Babs. You can’t just give up on him over this.’

Babs eyes flashed. ‘Yes and I’ve been a good wife to him too! I’ve compromised all my life if you think about it. Geoff might not criticise me like Nigel does you, we both let each other be free. But it’s Geoff’s parents’ house we lived in, his parents’ shop we worked in. I worked in that shop whilst bringing up two children because Geoff wanted to keep the family home and the family business. And I loved him and wanted him to be happy. Whereas, you had time to spend with your kids.’ Tears were spilling out of Babs’ eyes now, and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. ‘Everyone thinks good old Geoff, lets Babs be as loud and crazy as she wants, but what about good old Babs who’s supported Geoff in what he wanted to do for years?’

Dee was so astonished, she had never heard Babs rant like this before. ‘I thought you two were happy…?’

‘We were… are… but you’re talking as if I don’t compromise when I always have but no one has ever seen it. Geoff and I worked all the hours under the sun in that shop. When we had to sell it I thought it might be time for us, that we could do things together, go away more often. Instead he shuts himself in the shed or garden and I’m hours on my own. Then he finds a lump he doesn’t tell me about, discovers it’s benign thank goodness, and again doesn’t tell me. But it frightened him that much he decides we’re going to live in Spain, whether I want to or not.’

She looked defiantly at Dee. ‘And somehow I’m in the wrong for not wanting to go. Like what I want doesn’t matter? Just because Geoff hasn’t cheated on me or put me down like Nigel did to you, doesn’t mean he’s perfect. And now, because for once, I put my foot down and don’t want to do what Geoff wants I’m the bad wife! How fair is that?’

Dee stared at her aghast. She had never thought of it like that. Yes, in a way she’d envied Babs because Geoff was so lovely, but Babs was lovely too. And shehadalways backed Geoff, until now. She remembered how Babs had even worked in the shop when the children were very young, taking them with her, sleeping in the pram, playing in a playpen in the backroom, building Lego quietly in the corner. She hadn’t meant to insinuate that Babs didn’t appreciate Geoff or that she had to do whatever he wanted.

She held out her arms. ‘I’m sorry.’

Babs collapsed into them and they hugged.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rant.’ Babs sniffed, pulling away and blowing her nose. ‘I know you meant well. I don’t want to split up, I love Geoff. But I don’t want him to give up his dream and be unhappy.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘It isn’t the life I want though, Dee. And if we stay together, one of us will be miserable and we’ll probably both end up resenting each other. The best thing we can do is set each other free, and stay friends. Then Geoff can go and live his life in Spain.’

‘And what about you?’ Dee asked softly. She hated to see her friend so upset and could see that this wasn’t an easy decision for her.

‘I was hoping that I could stay with you until I’ve sorted something out, if Edna doesn’t mind,’ Babs said. ‘I know you have to be out of the cottage when Edna comes home, but maybe we can find somewhere else to rent together until we both get our settlement from our divorces?’

Dee hugged her. ‘Of course you can. I’ll be glad of the company. I’m sure it will be fine for you to move in with me. I’ll check with Edna, but I’m positive it will be okay.’

‘Thanks. You’re a good friend,’ Babs said with a wan smile.

Dee gave Babs the keys to the cottage and told her to make herself comfortable. As soon as she got the chance she’d phone Edna and see if it was okay for Babs to sleep in her room. She’d be finished work in a couple of hours and they’d sort it out then.

‘I noticed the suitcase,’ Andi whispered as Dee returned to help serve. ‘I hope Babs is okay.’

So did she, Dee thought.

As soon as she could take a break, Dee phoned Edna and explained the situation. ‘Of course Babs can have my room, dear, although I will need it back when I return,’ Edna said.

‘We’ll both rent a place together then,’ Dee promised her. ‘Once summer is over, we should be able to get a winter let.’ Then maybe both their divorces would be through and they could each buy somewhere more permanent.

When Babs made that toast to ‘The Runaway Wives’ the night she walked out on Geoff, neither of them knew how prophetic it would be.

41

BABS

Wednesday

Babs tossed and turned all night, her mind in turmoil as she went over her last conversation with Geoff. She knew she was right to call it a day. What was the point of them staying together to both be miserable? Geoff wanted to be in Spain and she didn’t. It was heartbreaking, after all these years of marriage. She would miss him terribly. A lump formed in her throat and tears filled her eyes, as she thought of a life without Geoff.

He had taken the house off the market as soon as they’d come back, as he’d promised, but he had gone about with such a long face, hardly talking to her. She didn’t want that. She’d prefer to end it now while they were still friends, than hang on until they both hated each other. So she’d told him to sell to the people who’d made an offer and they’d split the proceeds. There was enough for Geoff to buy himself afincain the middle of nowhere, and for her to get a little flat. Hopefully.

Now, at sixty years old, she had to make a new life for herself. Thankfully she could stay with Dee until she sorted herself out. But, much as she loved it down here in Port Telwyn, for her it didn’t feel like home. It was okay while she was looking on it as a holiday, but now she knew that this was it, her new life, she felt like someone had spun her round and placed her in a strange country. She had no idea what to do with herself. Dee seemed happy here and she’d got involved with the Artists’ Studios and had made a nice network of friends. She intended to make her life down here, but Babs didn’t want to. She wanted the life she had. The life with Geoff.

Stop hankering after what you can’t have, she told herself sharply. Geoff wants different things now. So you either go along with that or make a break. That’s the only choice you’ve got.

She must have dropped back off to sleep because the sound of the front door closing woke her up. She glanced at the clock. Eight thirty. Dee must have gone to work without waking her. She quickly showered, dressed and went downstairs. Snowy was asleep in his basket in the kitchen. He miaowed when he saw her, stretched, got out of the basket and went to the back door. Babs opened it and the cat shot out into the back garden; she followed him. She could smell the sea air and hear the seagulls squawking as they pattered across the cottage roof. There were worse places to live. Perhaps she’d get used to it eventually. She just needed to keep busy until she adjusted. When Geoff had sold the house, she would have some money to buy herself a little flat. Or maybe she and Dee could buy a place together. Would that work? They’d been friends for a long time, but were completely different personalities.

Could she even find a way to settle down here as Dee had done? Dee already had a job in the café – albeit temporary – and had filed for divorce and seemed happier than Babs had ever seen her. But then she and Nigel had lived almost separate lives for years. They always seemed more to exist alongside each other, rather than with each other. Whereas, Babs and Geoff…

She shook the kettle to check there was enough water for a cup of tea then switched it on. She’d just made herself a mug of tea when the doorbell rang. Persistently. As if someone had their finger on it.

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