We all, as one, look up at the clock. It’s almost seven thirty now.
‘They were probably held up by this incident,’ Ruth says.
‘Yeah.’ I nod. Rationally, that is true. But why isn’t Lola answering her phone?
‘I’msurethey’re alright,’ Ruth says. ‘Were you also…?’ she probes delicately in Nadia’s direction.
‘Yes, but, you know, I…’ Nadia looks round the circle that we’ve more or less formed ourselves into. ‘It was a blind date. And I wasn’t totally sure about it. And if I’m honest, I don’t think he was going to turn up anyway. So really don’t worry about me. And I’m really not worried abouthim; I’m sure he isn’t involved in the incident. Well, I hope he isn’t. No, I’m sure he isn’t.’
We all mumble that we’re sure Nadia’s possible-blind-date is absolutely fine, especially since there’s still no news of any casualties of any kind, while obviously not wanting to agree with her that – given how late he already was – he was probably not going to turn up, because it never makes anyone feel good to be stood up. It’s odd, actually, because Nadia’s very attractive-looking and on first meeting seems very nice, so why would a blind date not turn up? Saying that, people do get cold feet. And who knows how anyone comes across on a dating app or however they got in touch.
‘Yeah, no, honestly, it’s fine.’ She clearly wishes we would all shut up, and fair enough. ‘Bea, you were in the middle of telling us about how you and Ruth met.’
‘Oh, yes, well, I’m not sure…’
‘I’d love to hear the story,’ Nadia says.
Roger and I agree that we would too. Carole seems to be having a bit of a silent strop, and who can blame her if this really is a break-up based on something Roger’s done.
‘Our relationship goes back nearly sixty years. We… Actually, maybe you should tell it, Ruth.’ Bea looks lovingly at her.
I can’t help wondering if this is kind of how Lola and I will be once we actually find each other tonight. Obviously, since we’re thirty-five, we do not have a sixty-year relationship, but ten years of mutually thinking about each other on and off (and in my case experiencing a failed marriage during that time) and then getting back together – tonight – is pretty impressive.
‘Let’sbothtell it.’ There’s something very endearing about Ruth. ‘We first met at university when we were eighteen. And we became very close friends, but, well, speaking for myself, I’m not sure I even understood my feelings then. Things were very different in those days. And we both ended up in relationships with men.’ She pauses and looks at Bea.
‘Yes. And to give my husband his due,’ Bea says, ‘he was a good man and I did love him.’
‘And neither of us can ever regret our marriages, because we both have children,’ Ruth adds.
‘Exactly,’ Bea agrees. ‘We obviously both love our children immensely. I have three daughters and Ruth has two sons. All in their forties now.’
‘But, something was missing. Sexually. And we’ve found it.’ Ruth does averydirty laugh, which makes all the rest of us laugh, which is impressive, because I’m internally worrying about Lola every few seconds and Carole’s still shooting homicidal looks at Roger pretty regularly.
‘If it isn’t too indelicate a question,’ Nadia asks delicately, ‘howdidyou find it?’
‘You want the sexualdetails?’ Ruth asks.
‘No, no, no!’ Nadia squeaks. ‘I meant how did you find each other again?’
Bea sniggers and then says, ‘We’d stayed in touch over the years and we ended up at the same barbecue recently, and talked late into the night. And then Ruth…’
‘Thought to myself I’ve just turned seventy-six and I’d realised in recent years that I’m a lesbian and that Bea was the great love of my life and I just suddenly decided that I wanted to give it a shot.’
‘So she told me.’
‘And then we kissed. And it was wonderful.’ Ruth’s all misty-eyed and itisbeautiful. And I can’t stop thinking about Lola and hoping that she’s alright.
‘And then we both had family commitments and had to leave, and we agreed to meet here, this evening.’
‘And when we got here…’ Ruth pauses and looks up at Bea, and then they relink hands and squeeze.
‘Ruth proposed. And I said yes.’ Bea looks tearful in a happy way.
I congratulate them again and think about Lola as Nadia says, ‘Oh, that’s so, so wonderful. I’m so happy for you.’
Roger shifts around a bit where he’s standing and then says, ‘Good on you.’
Carole says, ‘Congratulations.’ And then she suddenly changes the subject. ‘Well, we’re stuck here, aren’t we. Why don’t we do this too, Roger? Tell them our news?’
