Page 37 of Love Me Till Wednesday

‘How very convenient for him.’

‘Yes. Not so convenient for him now though. me. He’s stuck out there, and quite frankly, I don’t care if he never comes back.’

‘I’m sorry it didn’t work out.’

‘Oh, it’s alright. I was half expecting something to happen. Ever since George slung his hook, I’ve been cursed as far as men are concerned. The most annoying part is we had a spa day booked for tomorrow in an exclusive hotel on its own island in the lagoon. I was looking forward to feeling like a movie star.’

‘Why don’t we go on one instead? I could do with a break from decluttering.’ Lisa said, looking at the pile of books in the corner, waiting for her to sort through them.

‘You’re on.’ Mel sounded perkier now. ‘Where shall we go?’

The following day, Lisa lay on a rattan recliner with her eyes closed. Mel had found a new day spa on the outskirts of Richmond and negotiated an excellent last-minute deal, including a facial and a massage. Lisa was starting to feel human again. ‘It’s so lovely not having to think for a fewhours. It feels like the first time I’ve had nothing to do in weeks.’

‘How’s the house sale going?’ Mel asked.

‘All the searches have come back fine, apparently. We’ve agreed we’ll complete the sale in a fortnight. So I’ve been going full steam ahead on the decluttering.’

The downside of living in the same house for most of her adult life was Lisa had never had to thoroughly declutter before. ‘They know me by name at the tip now. They’ll be allocating me my own parking space next.’

‘Swedish death cleaning.’

‘What?’

‘Swedish death cleaning,’ Mel said again slowly.

‘I thought that’s what you said the first time. What the hell is that?’

‘You keep what has meaning or is useful and get rid of the rest so you don’t leave a load of rubbish behind for your nearest and dearest when you snuff it.’

‘Isn’t that what decluttering is? Why does everything have to be about death once you’re over 50? I’m getting inundated with pay for your own funeral adverts now. And cheap life insurance. My gran was 90 when she popped her clogs. I’m hoping I’ve got a few more years left yet.’

‘You must be clicking on the wrong things. I just get bombarded with over 50s holidays,’ Mel said, sipping on a peculiarly coloured smoothie. ‘Where are you going to live? I thought you hated all the flats you’ve seen.’

‘They’ve all had something wrong with them. I’m looking at rented places now. They’re worse, but I don’t mind compromising to give me more time to find the perfect home.’

‘And how’s the songwriting going?’

‘Good. I’m enjoying it again.’

‘Enjoying the writing or spending time with Pete?’

‘It’s been like old times before the spilt.’

Mel raised her eyebrows.

Lisa could see where she was going with this.‘Not exactly like old times.’

‘So when are you back off to the Lake District again?”

‘Actually, he moved down here just after you went on holiday.’

‘I thought he had a job up north.’

‘They made him redundant.’

‘Poor Pete. Where’s he living?’

Lisa decided to have some fun. She opened her eyes and looked at Mel. ‘With me.’

---