That Special Something: A heartwarming, small town romance to fall in love with

Nineteen

‘Will you be able to spend some of today with me?’ Tom asked the following day.

‘It’s Valentine’s Day, Tom.’

‘I know it is.’

He produced a card, a bouquet of the most exquisite blooms with only one red rose in sight, much to her relief, and a bottle of the same champagne they’d drunk on their first night together.

‘Two in one week!’ she said, handing him the card and the voucher she had bought for him.

‘For me?’ He roared with laughter. ‘I sounded like a girl then, didn’t I? But I’m truly surprised. I’ve never had a Valentine’s gift before.’ It was a couple’s, full body massage at the hotel spa, and Tom was clearly delighted. ‘I was going to say all I want today is you, but now I get to have you and a massage with you. Wait. Did that sound wrong?’

‘It sounded perfect. I’ll see you at noon for the massage and then maybe we could come back here and have room service. I’ll have to be at Bishop’s Books this afternoon to set everything up for Della’s proposal this evening, and the arrival of the horse, Brilliant Day, but I’ll see you there later, yes?’

‘Oh yes,’ he said. ‘I just pray Alice says yes too.’

‘Do you think there’s any chance she won’t?’

‘No. And now that she’s fully recovered from that tummy bug, we know she won’t be throwing up or dashing off to the loo.’

‘You old romantic.’ Hope rolled her eyes.

‘Sorry. Too much information?’

Hope nodded and kissed him and half an hour later than she should have, she left to go to The White House.

She couldn’t believe her eyes when she walked into the kitchen.

‘Wow! What are all these flowers doing here?’

‘It’s Valentine’s Day,’ said Granny Joy.

‘I know,’ said Hope. ‘But Mum and Dad don’t buy flowers for one another. Ah. Did Griff forget to tell the florist that Grace’s address has changed. She’ll be a bit annoyed.’

‘They’re not for Grace,’ said Pat, ‘they’re for you. And I see you have some more.’ She nodded to the bouquet Hope held in her arms. ‘Are those from your friend?’ Pat grinned. ‘They’re beautiful. Give them to me and I’ll put them in water.’

Hope was still trying to digest the fact that seven bouquets of red roses were for her. Surely Tom hadn’t sent them? She had told him where she lived, mainly because they were discussing their lives and how they lived them. He told her he had a three-bedroomed house in Bournemouth; she told him she lived with her parents and had no intention of moving unless they threw her out.

‘I love it there,’ she said. ‘Properties are hard to come by in Betancourt Bay. I’ve thought of moving to a flat in Folkestone like my best friend Fi did. But she moved in with her boyfriend. I don’t really want to live on my own. I like coming home to a house full of people. And our dog.’

‘I know how you feel. Della lived with me until she moved here to live with Alice last November. The house feels empty with just me. Perhaps I should get a dog? Or someone to share my home with?’

The look he gave her sent the joyful sound of bells ringing out in her head.

‘Don’t you want to know who they’re from?’ Pat asked.

‘Yes,’ said Hope, and she opened the cards attached to the bouquets one by one.

The first was from Russell Betancourt and she sucked in a breath but when she read the handwritten note within the card, she smiled.

‘I bought these to say I still love you, Hope. But I know now that you will never feel the same for me, and you were right when you said I should find someone who does. So these are for our friendship. Maybe next year, or the year after, or sometime in the future, I’ll be sending roses to the true love of my life. I hope you find yours too. Love Russell xx’

The second was from Laurence Lake. The card read: ‘To Hope. My inspiration. My muse. My friend. xx’

It seemed he’d thought about what she had said at his book launch and decided she was right.

The rest, to her great surprise, were from Rob Mills. Only one card contained a note.

‘You know how I feel, Hope. Today is a busy day for you but I think we need to talk about us. Please meet me on the beach on Thursday, weather permitting. If it’s raining, we’ll meet somewhere else. I love you, Hope, and if you’re honest with yourself I’m sure you’ll realise you love me. I’ll see you on Thursday. Text me and let me know what time is best for you. Love Rob.’

The fact that he hadn’t added kisses irritated her for some reason. She grabbed her phone to call him and tell him he was wrong, but she thought better of it. He might’ve left her eight years ago but at least he did it face to face. She owed him that much. She would meet him on Thursday. And tell him she had fallen in love with someone else.

Because she had.

She definitely had.

She had fallen in love with Tom.

Yes it was fast. But did love have a time-frame?

People fell in love at first sight. She had fallen in love after their first conversation. Or maybe the second.

Perhaps she just liked him after the first.

If Rob asked her why, she wouldn’t be able to tell him. She could only say that she did.

She loved Tom Hardy.

She adored Tom Hardy.

She wanted to be with Tom Hardy for the rest of her life.

Because … he had that special something.

She still had no idea what that was, but whatever it was, Tom Hardy had it in spades.