Page 56 of The Runaway Wives

‘Tomorrow, Maria will meet you in the square in the town and take you to see some townhouses,’ he said when the call was finished.

At last! Now we might find something more suitable,Babs thought.

Geoff was silent all the way back in the car. Babs wondered if he was sulking because she’d asked to view some town houses. She waited until they were back in the villa and broached the subject.

‘I think it’s a good idea,’ he agreed. ‘We need to see as many properties as possible, and I think you would be happier living in a town.’

Actually, I’d be happier living in the UK,Babs thought, but she didn’t say anything. She had promised to give Spain a fair chance.

They drove out to a nearby Spanish restaurant for supper and had a glass of wine on the terrace before they went to bed. It was an enjoyable evening and Babs felt more relaxed when they went to bed that night. Maybe a house like this, on the outskirts of the town would be okay.

The next morning they were woken by barking. It sounded like it was coming from the villa’s garden. Geoff jumped out of bed and hurried over to the window, pulling open the blinds. Sunlight poured in. Babs joined him at the window. Two border collies were running around the garden barking trying to round up what looked like a herd of goats who were chewing the hedge.

‘We must have left the gate open when we came back last night,’ Geoff said. ‘I hope the goats don’t destroy the garden.’

Babs sank down onto the bed. She was glad they were going to see town houses today. Surely there were no goats, rats, barking dogs and huge drops off a mountain in the town.

* * *

The town houses were big and spacious, there were people and shops around, but it was obvious Geoff didn’t like them. And Babs had to admit that she didn’t fancy living in a town either. There were no gardens, only courtyards or terraces and they were all very noisy. They could hear the next-door neighbours talking. And their dog barking.

‘You don’t like?’ Maria asked, looking worried as she showed them around the final house. They had already viewed five.

‘Well—’

Geoff butted in. ‘Not for me,’ he said adamantly. ‘Too dark and no views.’

Maria smiled. ‘No problem. We have big apartments with beautiful sea views. Tomorrow I will show you them.’

Now that was more like it, Babs thought happily. She fancied living by the sea. She could imagine Molly and Lennon would visit a lot then.

37

DEE

Dee arranged with Andi to finish work early on Thursday so that she could see the solicitor. It wasn’t something she was looking forward to doing, but she knew she had to get the ball rolling. Edna would be back home in a couple of weeks and, although Dee was on a few estate agents’ books, none of them had come up with a place for her to rent yet. Sylvia had suggested she tried further afield but Dee really wanted to live in Port Telwyn.

The solicitor, a man called Mr Peabody, was very helpful, assuring Dee that she would definitely be entitled to half the house and some of Nigel’s private pension. ‘We’ll start the ball rolling with an application for a decree nisi on the grounds of adultery,’ he told her.

Adultery. Divorce. It all seemed so unreal. She knew that was what she wanted though, that it was the right thing to do. She was also pretty sure that Nigel didn’t think she would go ahead with it and would be shocked when he got the solicitor’s letter.

She went home to change quickly, grab a sandwich, feed Snowy and then hurry to the Slaters’ house to walk Betsy. They were delighted to see her and the little dog danced around happily when she saw the lead. Dee took her over to the sand dunes which the locals called the Towans, letting Betsy off the lead for a while. On the way back she stopped to look at the new estuary development. It was coming on leaps and bounds and she was impressed with how aesthetically pleasing it was looking so far. The designer had taken a lot of care to ensure that it fitted in with the surroundings.

The Slaters insisted she stay for a cup of tea and a chat so it was gone seven by the time she set off for Primrose Cottage. As she was about to put the key in the door her mobile rang. She fished it out of her jeans’ pocket and looked at the screen. Edna. She immediately pressed to answer.

‘Edna. How are you?’

‘I’m fine, dear,’ Edna said. ‘How are you? Have you settled into Primrose Cottage?’

‘I love it. It’s very cosy.’ She paused, Edna had probably phoned her to inform her of her imminent return. ‘I’m guessing that you’ll be back home soon.’ She pushed open the door and stepped inside. ‘Well don’t worry, I’m on the books of all the local letting agents and am sure they’ll find me something soon. If not, I can go to the local B&B.’

‘Are you definitely intending to stay in Port Telwyn then?’

‘I’m hoping to, if I can find somewhere suitable to buy. I’ve started divorce proceedings against Nigel, and it seems that I’m in for a decent settlement. Plus, I have some savings.’ And Simon had messaged her to inform her that there had been a lot of interest in her grandmother’s brooch, so it was being auctioned this weekend. Hopefully that would be another few thousand to add to the pot.

‘I’m pleased to hear that. I’m really enjoying staying in Brean with Mabel. I won’t be coming home yet, so there is no rush for you to leave the cottage.’

Dee was relieved, not only because she didn’t have to move out yet but also because she knew that it was going to be a long time before Edna could manage on her own and she was worried how the elderly lady would cope. She would keep an eye on her, of course, but she was at work all day and there was the nighttime too.

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