Page 66 of Lost Luggage
He let go of her hand and picked up a tissue, smoothing out the creases, then he let it fall on to the bed covers, before taking both her hands. ‘Everything’s okay, right at this moment. I’ve found it hard to tell you, I never expected us to…’ He rubbed his thumbs over her palms. ‘Angela died of bowel cancer. She’d been suffering from stomach upsets, bloating, weight loss, tiredness. Last year I had no symptoms but a routine screening test showed I had it too.’
‘What?’
‘We couldn’t believe that fate had stabbed our family twice with the same diagnosis.’
‘So… you’re ill? Still having treatment? Why didn’t you tell me? I’m going to lose you again?’
‘I didn’t want secrets between us, not any more, but after Greta, I didn’t want to upset you in case you thought the worst. You see – I really am fine, I meant what I said to Phoebs. This is nothing but a stomach upset due to the stubbornness of a foolish old man. My cancer was caught early. I had surgery but, unlike Angela, didn’t need radiotherapy or chemo. The doctors are keeping an eye on me for a few years. That’s why Phoebs gets panicky if I’m at all sick. We became closer than ever last year, looking after one other. The shock of my diagnosis… and after her gran… it’s still so raw.’
Dolly thought back to Easter weekend, Phoebe’s food binge, her worrying over Fred and how she wondered what would happen if she lost him.
‘There’s a small chance it could still come back. It’s best I’m honest.’
‘I’m sorry you’ve been through this Fred.’ Her words caught. ‘We’ve only just found each other again.’
‘That’s why I’ve held back from taking things further. I’d understand completely if you didn’t want to risk getting hurt once more. What if things continue to go well for us but then the cancer comes back? You looked after Greta all those years. What if I hold you back? This is your moment, Dolly – look at you flying, literally, all the way to Paris.’
She gazed at the lips that used to make her laugh, make her tingle. Still did. The eyes that could never hide jokes nor passion. Dolly raised one eyebrow. ‘I thought we didn’t do “what ifs”. What happened to living in the moment?’ She reached out a hand and combed his hair to the side, with her fingers. ‘Your prognosis is a positive one?’
He nodded.
‘Greta going like that, out of the blue, has taught me that the past belongs to nostalgia or regret, the future to hopes or fears… whereas the present belongs to nothing but opportunity, if you’ve the gumption to grab it. Your granddaughter has set a great example. She’s finished her twelve months of challenges and those I’ve done have given me a taste for more.’ Dolly straightened his pyjama lapel. ‘It’s time you and I shook off the comforts of suburbia, the routine and familiarity we’ve fallen into, and created our very own list of firsts for the next year. Starting this June.’
‘Next month?’ His eyes brightened. ‘You’re serious?
‘Get your thinking cap on, Wilfred Taylor. Tomorrow I’m coming over to yours with a pen and notebook.’
44
Dolly’s front window was decked with purple and platinum bunting, and a matching flag had been stuck in the artificial succulent’s plant pot on the windowsill. She and Flo had spent the morning decorating. Pingate Loop was so small it would have been a tiny street party. Dolly had suggested one inside her bungalow instead, on Saturday the fourth of June – the day of the Queen’s Party at the Palace. She and Flo had eaten pancakes when her young friend came over at ten, fuel for dressing the lounge, hallway, dining room and kitchen. Phoebe arrived a couple of hours later to set up the buffet with Leroy.
It had been half-term week and Flo and Anushka had helped Dolly with baking, along with Phoebe when she wasn’t working. Full Tupperware boxes were stacked in the fridge. They’d made scones, shortbread and fairy cakes, deciding the party food should have a thoroughly British theme. Leroy had brought a large Victoria sponge, with the number seventy iced on top, and a bottle of champagne. Phoebe’s friend Zoe, from the bake-off experience, would provide homemade sausage rolls. For old time’s sake, Fred insisted on a cheese-and-pineapple stick hedgehog; he’d buy pork pies and was still in Lymhall putting the last touches to a trifle, a lemon one similar to the official Platinum Jubilee one. Dolly also made a fruit salad and vegetable sticks with dips. Flo and Dolly had already set up a Union Jack paper tablecloth in the dining room and a centrepiece with three mini flags in. Bunting in the shape of crowns hung in the conservatory which was filled with red, white and blue balloons. Flo had loved sprinkling platinum glitter across the table and was excited at the prospect of her and Phoebe setting up a mocktail bar.
‘Mum and Dad don’t think we should have a royal family,’ said Flo. ‘But they admire the Queen for all her years of service and are looking forward to the party. They say she has a stiff upper lip. It sounds painful. You might have had that last year, Dolly, when you found it more difficult to talk.’
‘Let’s change that Carly Simon record for a funkier one,’ Leroy said, as he and Phoebe came into the room having made sandwiches and cut them into triangles. Flo had insisted everyone should wear Union Jack colours. Phoebe wore red tracksuit bottoms with blue socks and a white top. Leroy navy trousers with a polo neck shirt covered in white and red flowers.
‘What time is Steve coming over?’ asked Dolly as he put on ‘Native New Yorker’.
Leroy couldn’t control his hips that were now swaying. ‘Around four. The new assistant manager is working out well, he’s happy to leave him for the evening.’
The doorbell rang. Flo ran to answer it. Anushka was due any minute. The two girls were still full of the Guides camping trip they’d been on last weekend, to celebrate the Jubilee. Dolly heard excited comments about a trifle and moments later Fred appeared in the lounge.
Leroy clapped him on the back. ‘How’s planning your year of firsts going, Freddy?’
Fred side-stepped in time with the beat and Flo joined in. ‘I always thought this tune was one of the catchiest of the 1970s. As for the list? Great, thanks. We’re fine-tuning it at the moment. Travel’s going to be a big part of the next twelve months.’
‘I thought it might be,’ said Leroy. ‘I’ve talked to Steve about going back to the Caribbean in August and him coming with me. I fancy Puerto Rico’ He coloured up. ‘We’re… seeing each other. Nothing official. He’s good company.’
‘He must be. You’ve spent all your weekends with him since I got back from Paris,’ said Dolly.
Flo and Phoebe exchanged grins.
‘He hasn’t had a holiday for years either,’ continued Leroy, ignoring her. ‘August is a bit cheaper there, hot but still comfortable. I can see it now, us dancing in clubs to Ricky Martin music. What I’m trying to say is… why don’t you two add it to your list and come along too?’
‘Wow!’ said Flo. ‘The Caribbean has the most amazing sand fleas and mosquitoes.’
‘And you can help us research exactly how to deal with them, Flo,’’ said Leroy quickly, seeing Fred’s face.
