Twenty-five
Every time her phone rang, Hope’s heart leapt to her mouth, but each time it hadn’t been Tom calling.
Hope took Lady E to the beach to try to clear her head. It had been a whole day now since she had left him that message and she had heard nothing from Tom. Not even a text to say he’d meant it about the hook up.
But then again, not hearing from him was probably an answer itself. If he felt for her what she felt for him he would’ve called her back and told her.
The beach was beautiful tonight, as it always was. Or nearly always. The moon was full and it lit up the sand like a stage. This was obviously a one-woman show and it always would be now. Well, one woman and the family dog.
She was later tonight and she thought she would be here alone at almost midnight, but she had seen a couple holding hands and another person walking their dog. And now there was someone running. At this time of night. Blimey. He must be dedicated.
Oh no. Not him. Hope couldn’t deal with him tonight. She thought Rob had left already, but there he was running along the shore in the moonlight. His blond hair and his tanned body glistening as if he was in the spotlight. The last thing she wanted was Rob feeling sorry for her because it had no doubt got around that Tom had been on the cliff that day and he’d seen her and Rob together. Barbra Brimble would make sure everyone knew. Hope would try to ignore him.
Lady E had other ideas. She ran towards him and did her little dance. The same one she had done the first night she saw him. But then again, that crazy little dog did that dance for everyone. She just wanted as much attention as she could get. And who could blame her?
He stopped, bent down, and petted lady E and then he looked up and scanned the beach turning his head until he saw Hope. Now she couldn’t avoid him.
and even from here she could see he was smiling.
She could also see that he was smiling as he got closer and yet he looked a bit different. Very different, the closer he got.
And that was because … it wasn’t Rob.
Hope held her breath for so long it was a miracle she didn’t pass out.
Tom Hardy stopped right in front of her, his breathing rapid and his chest rising and falling as he looked at her.
And then the broadest smile swept over his face and his eyes shone with love and desire.
‘Hello Hope,’ he said.
‘Hello Tom’ she replied.
He stepped closer and his eyes scanned her body. ‘You look beautiful.’
She scanned his. ‘So do you. Did you get my message?’
He nodded slowly. ‘Loud and clear. I drove here as fast as I could, but as it was so late I thought I’d better wait until tomorrow.’
‘Why didn’t you return my call?’
‘Because I wanted to say what I have to say in person. And because despite what you said I thought you might hang up. Or not take my call. Because there are some jerks who do that.’ He was pointing at himself. ‘Can you forgive me for believing the things that woman said? And for seeing two people hugging and assuming the worst?’
She nodded. ‘Absolutely. I think, if I’m honest I would’ve believed it too if I was in your shoes.’
‘I should’ve realised it might not be what I thought it was. I should’ve stayed and asked you. Especially after you had said you loved me the night before, and I had said I loved you. And I do love you, Hope. I really do. You’ve got that special something that I’ve been looking for my entire life.’
‘Ditto,’ she said.
‘There’s just one tiny problem. I live in Bournemouth and you live here.’
‘I’m willing to come to Bournemouth at some stage, if you’re asking.’
He shook his head, ‘I’m not.’
Her heart missed a beat.
‘No of course. It’s too soon to think about that.’
He raised his brows. ‘Too soon? Is it? Only, I think it makes sense for me to come to you. I can’t bear the thought of being so far away from you again. I drove like a madman and it still took me ages to get here. What do you feel about me finding somewhere to live in Folkestone? My tools are sold in stores but mainly online so I can live almost anywhere. Your family are in Betancourt Bay just a mile or so from my sister and her fiancée, so it makes sense for me to come to Folkestone.’
‘I … I think that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Well, not the best news. The best news is that you love me.’
‘I do, Hope. More than you can imagine.’
‘Oh I don’t know. I can imagine a lot.’ She stepped closer so that their bodies were touching and he slid one arm around her waist ‘Are you staying in the same hotel? Because if you are I have an idea.’
He nodded. ‘I like where this is headed.’
‘I just have to take Lady E home first, and then I can join you at the hotel.’
He shook his head. ‘Nope. I’m coming with you and I’ll wait outside while you grab what you need, because if you think I’m letting you out of my sight tonight, you’re wrong. And I might try to persuade you to stay all day Monday too. Because Monday recently became my favourite day of the week. Although if you’re by my side, every day will become my favourite.’
‘Ditto,’ she said. ‘Now please kiss me.’
‘Anything you say.’
He held her tight and kissed her deeply and passionately and she kissed him back with the same intensity.
She still didn’t know was that special something was but whatever it was Tom Hardy had it in spades, and it seemed Tom thought the same about her.