Chapter Twenty-Seven
When the weekend approaches, I decide that I am going to ask Elias more about his home life. He has visited me in my apartment, yet I don’t even know where he lives in Manchester. Is it Bolton? Is it Altrincham or Stockport? When I googled a map of Manchester, it looked huge. Soraya was right in saying that he keeps his cards close to his chest. This time, however, I am determined that he is going to tell me more.
The moment Elias arrives at Swansea train station for the second time, it is like a new start. I feel warm and fuzzy as I see his cute grin as he walks through the station. I’m immensely proud that it is me he is coming to see as a few women take a second glance at him. I feel like wearing a T-shirt with an arrow pointing towards him saying, ‘I know, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he!’
Elias embraces me at the station and there is no mistaking that he’s missed me. He doesn’t notice the admiring glances he is getting; his eyes are purely focused on me, as they always are.
Back at the flat, he apologises again for not being sure what to believe about Michael and me. I realise that we are both treading in unchartered territory and neither of us are quite sure how to navigate this blossoming and unexpected relationship. So, I start by tiptoeing very carefully.
‘How were Danny and James when you got back?’ I ask over the ice-cold Sauvignon I picked up for his arrival.
‘Yeah, they were okay. James is at uni, so he’s been back and forth. Danny, as I mentioned before, took over the business. He was about to move out when Jane died, actually. After that, he decided I needed someone to stay with me, and so he let the flat that he’d planned to move into fall through, and that’s how it’s been ever since.’
‘That was kind of him.’
‘Yeah, he’s a good lad. His heart’s in the right place. Although I do tease him that he’s doing it to save money on renting somewhere,’ jokes Elias.
I want to ask if that is why he is so reticent about me going to Manchester, but I tread carefully.
‘Would the boys be okay about you seeing someone?’
‘Ah. Well, no, quite honestly. Of course, they think their mum is irreplaceable, which is understandable, but more than that, they think every woman who speaks to me is a gold digger. I’m like, umm, can a woman not like me for my sparkling personality and not be after my wallet?’ Elias laughs.
‘Well, that’s definitely an attraction. I mean, your personality. Not your wallet! But, no, I’m sure they have to look out for you after your win. That’s only natural.’
‘Yeah, it’s hard enough trying to tell them I’m ready to move on with my life after their mum. It’s doubly hard when they think every woman is after my money.’
‘Yeah, I can sympathise. When did the tables turn and we get told what to do by our kids?’
‘When we got too soft, I think.’
‘Too true. I’ve never been able to say no to the girls, and now I’m definitely paying the price. They get away with everything.’
‘You and I should run away together like you suggested before. That’ll teach them,’ says Elias.
As he smiles, something in his eyes tells me he is serious. He is really thinking about my off-the-cuff remark in France.
I sit back and look at him curiously. ‘Can you imagine if we did?’
‘Yes, I can, and it would be bloody marvellous!’ He doesn’t hesitate. ‘We could rent one of those places near the sea. Just one summer, you and I.’
‘Oh, don’t tempt me.’
‘I am trying to tempt you! In fact, forget that – I’m inviting you. It’s not quite June yet. How about me and you together for the rest of summer? We can lie by the beach, drink cocktails in the evening and then, well, we can let the nights dictate how they’ll end. What you reckon?’
‘You are quite serious, aren’t you?’
‘I am. Look, since you live all the way down here and I live all the way up in Manchester, and since we seem to have dramas with our kids in this country, let’s just run away. It’ll be like the reverse, and we’re the youngsters who are in love and disappear together.’
Did he just say in love ? I get a bit flummoxed and carelessly spill some wine on the coffee table.
‘Poppy and Jasmine would never forgive me,’ I say as I mop up the mess.
‘James and Danny wouldn’t either.’
‘Yeah, we have our commitments. Even though the kids are older, they still need us. They’ve all been through quite a lot for such a young age,’ I say.
‘Of course, I shouldn’t have said that. I’d never want to come between you and your precious girls. I caused enough trouble when poor Poppy caught me staying over. Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. I get excited by things and am far too spontaneous for my own good.’
‘No, it’s fine. It’s such a lovely thought. Imagine, you and I waking up with the sea lapping against the shore. The smell of jasmine flowers or frangipani in the air, all that good food and snuggling up to you. I can’t think of anything better. It’s a lovely idea.’
‘It’d be absolute bliss. I tell you what, how about we start with you visiting Manchester? I’d like the boys to meet you. If that isn’t too fast for you? I want to take our relationship further – if you’d like that too – and if I’m to do that, then I think I need to tell the boys about you.’
I am thrilled. He has finally invited me to Manchester! I couldn’t be happier.
‘That would be wonderful. Would that be okay for James and Danny though?’
‘It’ll have to be. You know what they say, there’s no time like the present. Why put it off any longer? I mean, it doesn’t get much more serious than wishing I could run off with you to France. Why don’t you come up next weekend? It’ll give me all week to prepare them for your arrival.’
‘Oh, I can’t stay with you. It wouldn’t be fair to the boys when they haven’t met me before.’
‘It’s fine. They use the house like a hotel anyhow. They’re always having someone stay over. I can put you in the spare room if you prefer.’
‘Yeah, I think that might be best.’
‘Right, it’s a deal then. I’ll take you to my favourite restaurant in Cheadle.’
I memorise the name of Cheadle and am content that I will finally see where Elias lives, who his friends are, and learn so much more about my gorgeous Mancunian.
‘Okay, but that means I have to take you to my favourite restaurant in Swansea this evening. Deal?’
‘Sounds good to me, but first…’
Elias draws me to him, and we forget all about food for a while.
When we do finally walk up to the front of the restaurant, Elias tries to pronounce the very Welsh name. I laugh and tell him that I was born here and even I can’t pronounce it. Looking at this place, you would think it was somewhere serving hearty Welsh grub. I can’t wait until Elias realises what is on the menu.
The staff are attentive, and Elias is impressed with the service, but he still has no idea what is to come. Our little wooden table, decorated with freshly picked tulips, is tucked away in a corner near the window. Elias insists I have the pretty view of the restaurant gardens outside as he pulls his chair around to face me.
‘So, what do you usually have here? Any recommendations?’ he asks as we wait for the menu.
‘Chips?’ I tease.
‘Sounds good. I’ll have whatever you suggest.’
When the waitress brings over the menu in Welsh, English and French, Elias gives me a big smirk.
‘ Moules marinière, soupe a? l’oignon, canard? ’
‘I thought we should get used to the cuisine… Just in case we do decide to run off to France.’
‘I love it! Who’d have thought this Welsh restaurant would have such a fabulous French menu?’
‘It’s a hidden treasure.’
‘Just like you. Where have you been hiding all this time?’ says Elias.
‘Ha. In my apartment watching the latest TV dramas, probably, instead of living my life.’
‘Well, I hope that’ll all change now.’
‘So do I.’
Elias looks across the table at me with that irresistible smile of his, and I can’t help grinning. This man makes me feel so incredibly happy. When our moules arrive, it is just like being back in Monaco and all the happy memories flood back.
We wash the moules down with a bottle of French white wine, and when we walk back to the marina, Elias takes my hand.
‘What is it between us, hey? Sometimes you just connect with someone. It’s like I knew you in a past life.’
‘Well, I don’t really go for that sort of thing, I’m not even superstitious.’ I quickly let go of his hand and run under some scaffolding we pass to prove my point.
‘You see? I don’t believe in anything we can’t explain. But I definitely can’t deny we have a huge connection.’
Elias takes my hand again and kisses it as goosebumps enshrine my entire body. I have never met anyone who makes me feel like he does, and if I wasn’t so sensible, I’d think he had put some sort of spell on me.
When we get back to the apartment, we kiss from the moment we walk through the door, then stumble over the corner of the sofa and into the doorframe of the bedroom as we are so desperate for each other. We tumble onto the bed, and I am engulfed with happiness as Elias pulls me to him and we make love.
We spend two wonderful days together without leaving the apartment, and I have never been so happy to stay confined in this small flat, chatting about our childhood memories, our family and how fond we are of each other so quickly. But when Elias has to leave to head back to Manchester, it becomes so hard to say goodbye. The last time he left was in very different circumstances. Having that miscommunication has brought us so much closer. Don’t they say making up is the best bit? The past few days have certainly been pretty amazing.
If I could get past the barrier at the train station, it would probably be like a scene from Brief Encounter as I wave at Elias until his train is out of sight. However, this is modern-day Swansea, and I can’t get past the barrier, or the station guard, who is standing at the turnstile making sure nobody is dodging the price of a ticket.
As I walk back to the car alone, I arrange to meet Soraya and Carol to cheer myself up. I don’t feel like being alone, and thankfully, Carol’s salon is closed today.
Within thirty minutes, the three of us are huddled around coffee and carrot cake at a cafe in the centre of town.
‘Wow. Your skin’s glowing. Are you using a new moisturiser?’ says Soraya, as she steps back to look at me after kissing both cheeks.
‘It’ll be that man she’s seeing,’ says Carol.
‘No, it’s just…’
‘Yeah, it’s that gorgeous man you’re seeing,’ says Soraya.
‘You don’t need a man to have glowing skin, you know. Nivea works just as well,’ I insist.
‘Well, whatever it is, I want some,’ says Carol.
‘How’s it going with your new man, Carol?’
‘Oh, he was using me for hair weaves. He asked me if he had to pay next time. I said yes, you bloody well do, and, well, that was the last I saw of him. Blooming cheek.’
‘Aww, I’m sorry to hear that. But probably best you find out now and not further down the line when he’d had a few freebies,’ I say.
‘Yeah, and besides, I think he was telling Michael everything about you as he was always asking about you and Elias.’
‘Really? That’s shocking. I bet Michael put him up to it.’
‘Yeah, no doubt. Talking of which… I took a screenshot of this. I’m back on the dating sites now, and…’ Carol removes her phone from her bag and flicks through her photos, then holds it up for both of us to see.
I look at the photo of Michael, wearing the same Hawaiian shirt he wore when he tried to get us back together. I read the bio he has written.
Tom, 45, looking for good-looking, chill female, below 35…
Tom? Who’s Tom? Chill female? Below thirty-five? What planet is that man from? I think his midlife crisis has found new depths. And he’s taken ten years off. Although he’s given his age away, calling himself Tom. I bet he’s named himself after Tom Selleck. He was obsessed with him when we first met. He’ll be growing a moustache next.
‘Lucky escape there, Lucy,’ says Soraya.
‘To think that man broke my heart. Amazing, isn’t it? He just looks such a fool and a liar now.’
‘We don’t always see it when we’re with someone, unfortunately,’ says Carol sympathetically.
‘I just need Poppy and Jasmine to understand why it’s so over between us now.’
‘Maybe you should show them this,’ says Carol.
‘No, I’ve always tried to shield them from his behaviour. I’d be horrified if they found out what their dad is really like.’
‘You’re a good mam. I wouldn’t have been able to resist telling them. Especially after they were trying to get you back together like that,’ says Carol.
‘It’s not worth it. If they find out for themselves, then so be it. I can’t protect them from that, but you know how much they idolise him and think I’m to blame for our breakdown because he’s just let them think that.’
‘That’s so unfair though,’ says Carol.
‘It’s fine. Anyway, it’s behind me, and the girls have stopped trying to get us back together for now.’
‘Good, I’m glad. So, how’s the book going?’ asks Soraya.
‘I’ve just a couple of chapters left to write, and I’m very happy with it all so far. I’m so grateful to you for getting me out of that slump.’
‘I’m so pleased for you. That was Michael stifling all the creativity out of you. You needed a change of scenery,’ says Soraya.
‘Thank you. I did, more than I realised. It’s all thanks to you and Andrew for being the most generous friends I could ever have. I promise to pay you back one day.’
‘We don’t ever need paying back. That’s what friends are for. You’d do the same for us. I know you would. Anyway, let’s get back to more exciting matters. So, when will you be seeing Elias again?’
‘Next weekend, and I can’t wait. I’m going to Manchester to meet his sons.’
‘Oh, that does sound serious.’
‘Yes. I just hope it doesn’t go as badly as it did when Elias met Poppy.’
‘Oh, I’m sure they’ll love you. Why would they not?’ says Carol.
As I take the last bite of carrot cake, I consider James and Danny’s reaction when they meet me. Will they like me, or could this be our biggest challenge yet?