Each person’s personal story is their own. The group concept is superseded by each person’s requirements.
Grazia is sitting upright on a chair, beautifully dressed in white linen. There is no sign of Bernard.
With Dan in Corfu Town, there are only four out of the six present but that’s OK.
Rose smiles hello to them all.
‘Love the no-wig,’ she says to Keera.
‘Isn’t it fabulous?’ asks India.
‘Thank goodness you’re here, Rose,’ blurts out Keera.‘I’m terrified my mother will charge down here and interrupt us all.’
‘She’s in the dining room,’ says Rose, who had personally accompanied Bobbi there.
Keera groans. ‘I simply can’t face her.’
‘But you did face her,’ says Rose.
Keera nods slowly. ‘I did.’
‘Go you!’ says India to her friend.
‘I wanted to say more but I didn’t think she’d get it.’ Keera looks lost and Rose interrupts.
‘I just talked to your mother, Keera. Don’t give up hope yet.’
A surprised smile spreads over Keera’s face.
‘I can’t believe it’s nearly over,’ says India. ‘Feels like only yesterday we were all strangers and now look at us!’
Rose smiles.
‘Now look at you indeed.’
‘Can we talk about Julia?’ India adds. ‘I’m afraid she’ll rock up here too.’
‘She’s in an Airbnb,’ Rose explains.
‘Phew.’ India sits back cross-legged on her lounger. ‘I felt sorry for Julia when Dan talked about her but she’s not what I expected.’
She fills Grazia and Dianne in. ‘She’s saying she’s engaged to Dan. She said they’re getting married in October, that her father’s a millionaire, her mother has a wardrobe full of couture and that she’s a trust-fund person. It’s all made up!’
‘Julia sounds like totally the wrong person for him,’ Keera adds. ‘Can we tell him that?’
She and India look eagerly at Rose.
‘You can but it’s not up to you what Dan does in
the future.’
‘I know,’ groans India. ‘We can’t control other people but …’ She stops. ‘I care about him.’
‘I know,’ says Rose. ‘How are you, Dianne?’
‘Not bad. Tired,’ Dianne says thoughtfully. ‘It’s nice without the men. No offence but I’m nervous of men. It’s easier to tell the truth now that it’s only women.’
Everyone waits quietly.
