The Women Who Ran Away - Sheila O'Flanagan Page 0,69
Bordeaux: 190 km
They were halfway through their two-hour drive to Bordeaux the following day when Deira’s phone rang. It was her insurance company, informing her that the Audi had been considered a write-off. They were agreeing a settlement, the agent told her, and would be emailing her some more forms to complete.
‘The valuation as a write-off won’t be as much as it was worth,’ she told Grace, ‘but it’s better than nothing.’
‘Are you going to call your ex and tell him?’
‘When I get the forms,’ replied Deira. ‘I’d better look through them first.’
Grace nodded, and they continued the journey without much more conversation. Deira found herself feeling almost cheerful as they drove past swathes of fields bursting with the bright purple and yellow of lavender and sunflowers while Kylie Minogue’s greatest hits played in the background. As they approached the Dordogne, the river more grey than blue under the bright sun, the landscape began to flatten out, and the colourful fields gave way to more and more buildings. Grace continued towards the city, and the wide bridge that crossed the equally grey Garonne.
‘Given that there’s no clue to solve, I could have kept going till Pamplona,’ remarked Grace as she followed the satnav’s instructions.
‘It would’ve been a long drive,’ Deira pointed out. ‘Extra tiring on your own.’
‘I guess.’ Grace slowed down and allowed a van to overtake her. ‘I still wonder if Ken really expected me to do all this by myself.’
‘You were doing it by yourself until I latched on,’ Deira pointed out.
‘True.’ Grace turned and smiled at her. ‘I’ve got so used to your company already that I’d kind of forgotten that.’
The two women grinned and then Grace shrieked and stamped on the brakes as another van cut in front of her. ‘Honestly,’ she said, ‘you can’t afford to let your concentration lapse for a second.’
The hotel that Ken had booked was in a built-up area but had an easily accessible car park, which, said Grace, must have been why he’d selected it. ‘Like I said before, he rarely drove into cities.’
‘Maybe he thought you’d be better at it than him,’ Deira said as Grace parked the Lexus in the first available space. ‘You’re an excellent driver.’
‘Thanks.’ Grace switched off the engine, and they took their bags from the boot and went to reception, where they checked in.
‘Would you mind if we went our separate ways tonight?’ she asked after they’d been given their keys.
‘No problem,’ Deira told her. ‘I’m sure you need a bit of down time without me hassling you.’
‘You’re not hassling me at all,’ Grace assured her. ‘All I want to do this evening is call the children, then chill out.’
‘I want to make some calls myself,’ Deira said. ‘So that’s fine. We can meet up after breakfast. Have a good evening, Grace.’
‘You too.’
The first person Grace FaceTimed was Aline, who picked crumbs out of her son’s hair as she talked to her mother. She said that she was delighted that Grace seemed to be enjoying herself, but expressed some anxiety about her hooking up with Deira.
‘You’re a very trusting woman, Mum, and I don’t want anyone taking advantage,’ she warned.
I trusted your father to take care of us, thought Grace. I trusted him not to break our hearts. I’ll never trust anyone again. She didn’t say the words out loud. Instead she told Aline that Deira was a good travelling companion but she’d watch out for any attempts by the younger woman to hit her over the head and make off with the Lexus.
‘You know that’s not what I meant,’ said Aline.
‘I do. I’m just teasing you.’
Aline’s face disappeared from the screen for a moment as she chased after Declan, who’d wriggled out of her hold. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘He was climbing up the back of the sofa.’
‘You’ve got your hands full,’ said Grace. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Have a good time, Mum,’ said Aline. ‘Take care of yourself. Stay safe.’
‘I will,’ said Grace. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you too.’ And Aline disappeared to deal with her son again.
It was almost midnight in Beijing but the ideal time to catch Fionn, who was watching YouTube videos in the apartment he shared with two of his colleagues.
‘You look well,’ he told her. ‘This trip is obviously good for you.’
‘I’m enjoying it,’ said Grace, suddenly realising that she was speaking the truth and not having to pretend for the sake of her son. ‘The weather is great and the driving has been easy enough. La Rochelle was lovely.’