Page 79 of The Old Gals' Bucket List
‘So do you,’ she said with a smile. He did too. He was wearing high-waisted black flared trousers, a gold cummerbund, a black bolero embroidered with gold over a white, frilled shirt and black patent shoes.
He took her hand and looked at her bright red nails, decorated with a single black gem in the middle. ‘These are beautiful.’
She smiled. ‘Thank you. Are you taking your guitar?’
He shook his head. ‘There will be a crowd and I might lose it, or it could get damaged.’ He crooked his arm. ‘Shall we go? Keith and Mary will be waiting.’
When Keith and Mary had told them they were joining in the local tradition of gathering in the square by the church, wearing fancy dress, to see the New Year in, Patti had wanted to join in. She’d spotted the flamenco dress in a charity shop and immediately bought it, suggesting that Leo wear his flamenco outfit too.
She thought of Sandra over in Australia, ticking the big thing from her bucket list. They’d both achieved such a lot over the last few months and had so much fun.
Leo was driving then leaving the car in one of the car parks on the outskirts of the town. They beeped their horn at the gate and Mary and Keith came out, dressed in 1920’s outfits. Mary in a fringed Charleston dress, complete with a string of pearls, headband and a cigarette holder, Keith in a black suit, with a white shirt, braces, trilby, black shoes and a pair of spats. They looked amazing, and happy. They’d started an Instagram page themselves, sharing photos of their life in Spain.
Patti couldn’t believe how many people turned up in fancy dress, throngs of people in a wide assortment of costumes filled the streets, all piling into the square just before midnight. It was an amazing scene and a real festive atmosphere. People were gathered on the surrounding balconies, eager to join in the celebrations.
‘Do you have your grapes?’ Mary asked. She’d bought each of them a small tin of twelve grapes, explaining to Patti that when the clock chimed midnight it was the custom to eat a grape on every chime.
‘They are in my pocket.’ Leo took them out and handed a small tin to Patti.
‘Thank you.’ She pulled the silver foil lid of the tin, relieved to see that they were small seedless grapes and would be easy to swallow.
There was a chorus of cheers as the clock started to chimeand everyone began to count in Spanish, popping a grape into their mouth at every chime. Midnight was greeted with even louder cheers and bottles of fizz were uncorked, spraying everywhere, showering the crowd. Everyone was kissing, hugging, wishing each other happy new year.
‘¡Feliz año nuevo!’ ‘Happy New Year!’ The shout went out in Spanish and English.
Mary hugged Patti. ‘I’m so glad you plucked up the courage to visit us. It changed everything.’
It certainly did.
‘Happy New Year, sis.’ Keith kissed her on the cheek.
‘Happy New Year!’ she replied.
A hand wound around her waist and Leo turned her towards him. ‘¡Feliz año nuevo!’ he said softly. He lowered his lips to hers. ‘Te amo, carino.’
For a moment she was stunned. He said that he loved her. His eyes were searching hers, waiting.
What the hell, ‘Grab life by the horns, Patti!’ She kissed him back. ‘I love you too.’
And that was the last thing off her bucket list.
For now.
EPILOGUE
SANDRA
‘Oh my goodness, look at Don!’ Laila exclaimed, pointing out to the sea.
Sandra followed her gaze and saw Don standing on the surfboard, riding a wave. He held the pose for a moment then wobbled and fell off into the sea. Laila got to her feet, shielding her eyes with her hand, then breathed out a sigh of relief as Don surfaced, laughing.
‘He’s really taken to it, hasn’t he? Who knew?’ Sandra remarked.
Rana and Kali had both begged for surfing lessons and to their astonishment Don had not only agreed but joined them. She was sure that was mainly so he could keep an eye on the kids, but he seemed to be actually enjoying it.
‘You’ve been a good influence on him, Sandra. He’s seen how you’ve been determined to pick yourself up and live your life to the fullest and it’s encouraged him to do the same.’
Sandra smiled. ‘I’m pleased to hear it. Now he’s stopped worrying about me he can relax and get on with his life instead.’
‘We’ve all decided to go on the air balloon with you this afternoon,’ Laila told her. ‘It will be an adventure for the girls.’
Well, that was another turn up for the books. Don had been aghast when she’d first mentioned going up in an air balloon but Becky, Hogan. Zac and Honey were all going too. Don must have decided he didn’t want to miss out. Kali was now seven which meant both girls met the age and height restrictions so Don and Laila had agreed they could go with them on the half an hour flight. They were all so excited.
‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ Sandra said as the air balloon floated serenely through the almost cloudless sky over the scenic valley below. She felt overwhelmed with happiness at taking this flight with her family, all together, enjoying the experience. For a long time she thought she would never be happy again but now she was looking forward to the future.
‘That’s the last thing off your bucket list, isn’t it Mum?’ Becky asked when they had landed, collected their photo that the organisers had taken and were having lunch before they went home. ‘Has Patti completed hers?’
Sandra opened up The Old Gals’ Instagram page, uploaded the photo of them all in the air balloon, ticked it off the list and added something to the bottom of the list. Then she turned her phone around so that Becky could see the screen.
‘For now. But I’m sure we’ll both be adding a lot more to the list in the future.’
