Page 57 of The Golden Girls’ Road Trip

Alex snorts beside me. ‘How is your mother?’ she asks, finally getting back to the reason we’re all here.

‘She’s pretty much out of it to be honest. I sat with her for a bit, but it’s not like she can hear me.’

‘Don’t they say that your hearing is the last thing to go before you do? Maybe she can hear you,’ Alex says.

‘I’ve heard that, too,’ says Leo. ‘Keep talking if that’s what you want to do.’

He stares pointedly at me and there’s an awkward moment where the three of us reach for something to say.

‘I need to check on the dog,’ Alex says suddenly. ‘Won’t be long.’

She doesn’t wait for a response, but leaves us standing in the middle of the reception area. Leo turns to me.

‘I am sorry, Connie,’ he says simply and sadly.

‘We’ve had a lovely time together and you’ve been a very good friend to me. I was very sorry to hear about the sad passing of your wife; that must have been incredibly difficult for you to deal with. Fiona told me a very little of your sadness.’ I take hold of his hand as a flash of pain crosses his expression, but he nods and it’s gone. I let my hand drop to my side. ‘I do think, though, that we rushed into the whole marriage thing and that perhaps we shouldn’t have done that.’ I pause to allow him to say what he thinks and I brace myself for some sort of protestation.

‘I agree completely. It was rushed into and not thought out properly. I was devastated after losing Brenda, and you’re probably right about me pushing to try and replace her. To be honest, Connie, I don’t think we really work. You’re more of a free spirit than me. I like being at home with my comforts, with my daughter. I think I need to look after someone and you’re far too independent. I want to be with someone who likes the same things and you’re not really that person.’

‘Right,’ I say, a little taken aback. This was not what I was expecting at all.

‘And, I did want to speak to you sooner, but you’ve been preoccupied, on the road with your friend.’

‘Yes, I’m sorry I just took off without talking to you. I was hurt that you hadn’t mentioned me to Fiona and about the ring too. I should have given you a chance to explain.’

And keen to go and see Alex, I think. My ego could do with a little crushing, it serves me right, frankly. It’s not as if Leo has rushed off to find someone else.

‘I wasn’t thinking, Connie.’

‘It doesn’t matter now. I just wish you all the very best, I really do,’ I say, taking his hand again and squeezing it. I realise that we haven’t used the words, it’s over, but we both know that it is.

‘Will you be okay?’ he asks. ‘I’ll cancel the wedding venue and all of that, just leave it to me.’

‘Thank you, and I will be, I’ll be just fine.’

He leans forward to kiss my cheek and I catch sight of Alex out of the corner of my eye. She’s walking towards us, her expression unreadable.

‘Well, I’ll leave you to it,’ Leo says, stepping back from me and dropping his hand. Relief radiates from him, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so animated. ‘Nice to meet you,’ he says to Alex, and she nods in response.

We both watch him as he walks away, a noticeable spring in his step.

‘Well, that was weird,’ Alex says. ‘Are you done for now? I’m happy to wait outside for a bit longer if not.’

‘No, I’m done. Said what I came to for now and might come back, might not. Simon should be around still, he’s not going away until tomorrow morning.’

Simon chooses that moment to reappear. He has a coffee cup in his hand and a troubled look on his face. I loosen my arm from Alex and stick my hand in my pocket.

‘Everything all right?’ I ask him.

‘Been on the phone to Diana. Is it normal to feel this tired when you’re halfway through a pregnancy?’ He looks at Alex as he says this.

‘Don’t ask me,’ she says. ‘I’ve never been inclined to put myself through it.’

‘Yes, it is,’ I jump in quickly. ‘The whole thing is bloody tiring. She’ll have to learn to get on with it.’ As soon as the words leave my lips I want to claw them back. I know it’s incredibly unfeeling of me and Alex raises her eyebrows at me. ‘Sorry,’ I say directly to Simon. ‘I don’t know why I said that; I’m just a bit tired myself.’

‘I was going to ask if you’ll keep an eye on Diana while I’m away—’

‘Of course I will,’ I interrupt. ‘Of course, and Elizabeth too. I’m going now, but I’ll probably come back tomorrow,’ I say, desperate for him not to think I’m completely heartless.