By the time we have finished our tour of the museum we are both in tears. What awful things this home has witnessed.
‘Oh, Sandy. I’m going to give Nigel a ring now. I need to speak to him.’
‘Yeah, of course. I’ll leave you to sort things out. I’ll just pop into a shop around the corner.’
‘I won’t be long. Just give me two minutes,’ says Debbie.
I walk around the corner to a vintage store that I’d heard about. However, as I look at all the beautiful old clothes, it feels so superficial after where we have just been. I am not sure there is much that can lift my mood right now. No beautiful silk scarf is going to make what we have just seen any less horrific.
Chapter Twenty
By the time Debbie finds me, it is obvious from her face that she has finally made up with Nigel.
‘Oh, we are a pair. As bad as each other. We’re friends again now. Life’s just too short for all this nonsense, and I’ve told him we need to put things into perspective.’
‘Too right. I’m glad you’ve both finally seen sense.’
‘Yeah, sometimes you need a huge fight and a reality check to make things better. It was a long time brewing, and now I am actually looking forward to seeing him again. Never thought I’d find myself saying that!’
‘Well, that’s great. So now that you and Nigel are all sorted, do you want a quick snack? All this walking’s made me peckish, even though we had a humungous breakfast.’
‘Oh, yeah. Now you mention it, I could do with a little something.’
‘Right then, I’ll take you somewhere really special.’
I noticed that we passed a hole in the wall selling croquettes earlier and I can’t wait to introduce Debbie to one of my favourite snacks.
At first, she looks a little dubious as I put the euros into the vending machine.
‘Umm, I thought you said you were taking me somewhere special?’
‘I am. You haven’t tried it. Reserve judgement for after you’ve tasted it, please.’
‘Are you sure I won’t get food poisoning?’ she asks jokingly.
‘Nope. You won’t.’
I hand over her hot ham and cheese croquette and she bites into it nervously.
‘Oh my god, this is delicious.’
‘Told you, didn’t I? Looks can be deceiving!’
Debbie enjoys it so much that she finds a couple of coins in her pocket and buys another.
‘I knew you’d love it once you’d tried one,’ I tease.
‘Better than a lunchtime pasty any day.’
‘That’s the problem, the food is just too good here. You could eat everything. Which reminds me, where do you fancy going this evening?’
‘After being so greedy I’m not sure I’ll eat, but I wouldn’t mind trying somewhere authentic. I’ll be back on the pie and chips in a few days; I want to make the most of the experience.’
‘Okay, I’ll ask Abe. He was on about a restaurant he wanted to take me to that he said was authentic.’
‘Ah, I knew there was more to it than you’d let on. He asked you out for dinner?’
‘Well, kind of, but obviously I was busy with you arriving and… We’ll see. As you said, I don’t want my situation to change here. I’m happy as I am.’
