Page 67 of A Wish For Wilma
Wilma rummaged in her pocket and pulled out her phone and glasses. She ignored the spiteful message and focused on the image. Both Gus and Shirley were considerably younger, now she looked more closely. ‘How did you know she sent me this?’
‘It didn’t take long to figure out that she’d thrown another spanner in the works,’ said Gus. ‘I knew you must have a good reason to be avoiding me, and I didn’t need a detective to guess Shirley’s involvement.’
‘So you asked her and she admitted it?’ From her knowledge of the woman, Wilma doubted Shirley had put her hands in the air and pleaded guilty.
‘No. She snooped in my phone to get your details, but two can play that game. She hadn’t changed her password, so I checked her messages and found it.’
‘Why didn’t you call me to explain, instead of leaving me to stew in misery?’ huffed Wilma. ‘Oh, yes: you tried, but I didn’t answer. Stupid me.’
Gus took the phone and squeezed Wilma’s hand. ‘I wanted to see you right away, but first I needed to send Shirley packing. Literally. I stood over her as she wept and wailed, cramming her ridiculous nightwear into her cabin bag. I booked the first available flight back to Majorca and escorted her to the airport, in case she missed the plane accidentally on purpose. And I spent a few days there, too.’
‘What?’ Wilma snatched back her hand. ‘I know I’m slow on the uptake, but why didyougo?’
‘To do what I should have done a long time ago. Put the bar on the market, ready to pay Shirley her share when it’s sold and draw a line under it. She’s not happy, needless to say, but she’ll have enough money to do something different. So long as it doesn’t involve her coming anywhere near us.’
Us.Never had such a tiny word sounded more beautiful.
‘Wilma, am I forgiven for being a pillock and letting my ex over the threshold? Please say yes, and make a silly old man very happy.’ Gus took Wilma’s hand again, and she savoured the warmth of his touch.
‘Let me think about it.’ Wilma laughed at his distraught expression. ‘I’ve thought about it, and you are one hundred per cent forgiven. And less of the old: you’re officially my toy boy.’
‘I like the sound of that.’ Gus chuckled. ‘Now, is this toy boy allowed to give you a wee kiss?’
Their lips met, and it was as magical as the last time. Well,almostas magical.
‘Whoops!’ DJ stood in the doorway, sporting a pair of pink Marigolds and an amused expression. ‘Sorry to interrupt, m’lady, but would you like me to mop the kitchen floor?’
‘That would be great, DJ, and there’s no need to be so formal. Wilma is just fine.’
With an exaggerated bow, DJ left the room backwards, giving Wilma a broad wink.
Gus frowned. ‘That lad seems a little odd. Where did you find him?’
In an old oil lamp that once lurked in a cupboard, along with two other lamps housing his equally odd parents.
‘Through a cleaning agency,’ said Wilma, vowing to check out cleaning agencies when Gus departed. ‘Maybe he’s a bit eccentric, but he’s harmless enough.’
‘As long as you’re sure.’ Gus kissed Wilma again, the sound of the kitchen tap running suggesting that the coast was clear. ‘Now, call me presumptuous—’
‘I prefer Gus.’
‘Ha ha, very funny. Anyway, a friend of mine owns a holiday villa in Lisbon and he’s had a last-minute cancellation, so I’ve booked us in for a week next month. There’s three bedrooms, so we can take our pick.’
‘And here I was with my heart set on a dirty weekend in Dundee,’ teased Wilma. ‘How could you know I’d been thinking of a trip to Lisbon? Amsterdam was up there too, but we can put that on the calendar for another time.’
Gus pulled Wilma into his arms. ‘I think we should book every trip we can. Fill the calendar, and make every day matter. I read something the other day about never knowing when you’ll have your last hug, your last kiss, or hear the last words from someone you love.’
‘Talk about putting a damper on things!’ Wilma laughed, but she knew both of them were smooching in the last-chance saloon. Get this wrong, and they’d end their days alone. She had her family, but Gus… ‘So we’re an item now?’
‘If that’s the modern way of saying it, we definitely are.’
‘And you’ll keep Shirley at bay? No’ be swayed by her insidious ways and revealing garments?’
Gus pulled Wilma closer. ‘Why would I choose a manipulative mare when I’ve a fine filly who makes me laugh and feel good about myself, and reminds me that each day is a precious gift?’
‘I think I’m more ready for the knacker’s yard, but I appreciate the sentiment. Now, judging by the silence from the kitchen, my cleaner’s either fallen asleep or he’s about to grace us with his presence again.’ Despite delighting in Gus’s embrace, Wilma itched to know DJ’s solution. She liked the idea of things being tied up, with an ending that made sense and brought closure.That damned word again.
‘I’ll love you and leave you then, Wilma. For now. But keep safe and keep being you. Marvellous, bonkers, age-defying you.’
