Chapter Eleven
Before I begin my search for somewhere nice to eat for dinner in ‘Staré Mesto’, as I heard Tomas call it, I decide to give Dewi a call. That way, if there is any more pressure from Tomas and Albert about the letters, I can quote the correct legal terminology. I ring his office and keep my fingers crossed that it is still open before they all slink off for the Christmas break. I am relieved when the receptionist answers and tells me that I have just caught him before he leaves for the care home. He comes on the phone with his usual chirpy tone. Does this man never have a bad moment?
‘Hello. Nice surprise to hear from you again. What’s the latest there?’
I explain about the letters that have been discovered and how I respect the law.
‘I see what you’re saying, and you are correct about the Postal Services Act 2000. It is an offence to open someone’s mail, and you could be prosecuted.’
‘Yes! That’s exactly what I tried to tell them. Thank goodness I never—’
‘Ah, but let me stop you there. What I was about to say is that there is a but coming… If you don’t have consent to open the post, which you obviously don’t, an acting executor of an estate can give you the authority. I give you full authority to open those letters. I mean, they’re practically your belongings now, and besides, don’t you want to know what Grace wrote to Marek?’
‘No, I don’t. It’s between those two.’
‘Oh, come on now, where’s your sense of romance, Ms Edwards?’
‘It left with my ex-husband!’
‘Fair enough, but then if anyone needs some romance in their lives, surely it’s you.’
‘Pfft.’
‘Well, I think you should spread their love and read the letters. You have to admit, this is all so romantic. Especially at this wonderful time of year.’
‘But it wasn’t a happy ending. My aunt chose to be a full-time carer over love, and Marek died, in case you’ve already forgotten.’
‘No, I haven’t forgotten, but they kept each other in their hearts forever. Now that is true love.’
Why does Dewi have to see the world with rose-tinted glasses all the time?
‘Now, I’ve got to rush off because my sleigh is waiting for me outside. I’m off to a kids’ Christmas party to give out presents after I’ve been to the care home.’
‘Since when does a solicitor have a sleigh waiting outside for them?’
‘Well, no. It’s a Dacia estate covered in red velvet, but don’t tell the kids.’
I laugh as I imagine him piling his Santa sack into the boot. He certainly is a character, no matter how annoying he can be at times. I can’t believe a solicitor, who deals with wills, disputes and fights among people, can be so upbeat about everything.
After we bid each other goodbye and say another round of Merry Christmases, I remove the itinerary from my pocket. Dewi didn’t give me the name of a restaurant to go to tonight; he left that decision to me. In fairness, I suppose he doesn’t know what food I like. I quite fancy something traditional though. Thus, I juggle my way through the busy Christmas market and stroll around the side streets until I find something I like the look of. I am tempted by quite a few places but determined to try traditional food whilst I am here. A blue building with lanterns offers a pizzeria, but I feel sure there must be a Czech restaurant here somewhere.
It is bustling in the town, so I walk down the alleyways to find a quieter spot that might not be so geared towards tourists. A little further away, I spot a hidden alley. I eagerly rush down the narrow cobbled street, passing artisan shops with steamed-up windows due to the cold air outside. Then I come across an iron sign hanging from a building with decorative arches over the windows. The menu at the doorway is exactly what I have been looking for.
I am greeted with the loveliest of Czech welcomes, and the waitress sits me down in an alcove with a menu offering local dishes. She recommends the local beers and Moravian wines and I order a wine that she suggests. While I wait for my drink, I scan through the menu. There are so many intriguing dishes, like starters of spicy pickled sausage, or baked brie with cranberry sauce and even cabbage pancakes. Now I’m in trouble. I wasn’t even planning on having a starter.
For my main course, I plump for beef and beer goulash, and when it arrives, I am pleased with my choice. The lovely red Moravian wine washes the goulash down delightfully. I am enjoying myself so much that, as I push my empty plate to one side, I realise I haven’t given much thought to being at home in the mill. It is the first time I have properly relaxed. I do hope the little robin is doing well though. Hopefully, there will still be plenty of food for all the wild birds if the ground freezes over. I trust Ken will keep an eye on them.
I decide to order another glass of wine when I hear my mobile ringing. Surely, it can’t be Dewi? He must be playing Santa by now.
I look at the phone and see that it is the number I saved for Tomas. Oh, what does the family want now? I hesitate before answering it but decide I may as well get whatever it is over with.
‘Hello.’
‘Hi, it’s Tomas.’
‘Oh, hi. How did you get my number?’
‘It came up on my mobile when you called me.’
How silly of me; of course it would. That is why I was never keen on having a new mobile. Now anyone can get hold of me at any inconvenient time. Like when I’m enjoying a lovely smooth glass of red.
‘What’s up?’ I ask.
‘It’s Albert. He’s asked me to call you.’
‘Oh. Is he okay?’
‘Yes, he’s fine, but he’s going on about the letters.’
I take a sip of the red wine.
‘I told him you’re busy sightseeing. But he says he’d love for you to come over and talk about them. He enjoyed meeting you. It’s been exciting for him.’
I consider bringing up what Dewi told me about the legality of the letters but then decide against it. I still feel they might be too personal to read, and I can’t quite make my mind up.
‘I don’t know what to say, really.’
‘I understand. Even though I’m strongly against it, I guess we could burn them all and never find out what’s in them – if that’s what you really want,’ says Tomas.
‘Oh, I don’t know. My solicitor would probably be annoyed with me. Look, tell him I’ll sleep on it. I’ll have a think, okay?’
‘That’s great. I’ll let him know. I hope you’re enjoying your evening, by the way.’
‘Yes, it’s lovely. Thank you.’
I wonder what Tomas is doing tonight. It seems as though he is alone as there is no sound of anyone in the background.
I leave the restaurant thinking about Albert and Tomas. I have only just met them, but I suppose I should agree to open the letters. Family is important and you need to learn all you can while people are still around. Sadly, with Aunt Grace and Marek no longer here, this is the only way I can find out more about them.
By the next morning, I am ready to face opening the letters and I am even looking forward to seeing Albert and Tomas again. Well, particularly Tomas. I realise it’s been nice to talk to someone who isn’t my postman or lawyer.
Today, my itinerary says to go to the markets at Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. However, I can’t think of anywhere I want to be more than at Albert’s cosy apartment. I decide to phone Tomas to tell him that I have finally made a decision about the letters.
‘Albert will be so pleased. Thank you,’ says Tomas.
‘I’m glad I can make him happy. Although he should have probably read them years ago.’
‘I think it was all a bit fresh after Uncle Marek died. Then I don’t think he gave them much thought over the years. The box was stacked up high on top of a wardrobe until you came along. Perhaps he feels it’s finally the right time.’
‘I guess so. When shall we open them? Should I head over there now?’
‘He might be resting at this time, but we can go there later. Maybe early evening?’
‘Yeah, that’s fine.’
‘Great, so what are your plans for the morning?’ asks Tomas.
‘Well, my itinerary says I need to go to the markets at Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge.’
‘Fantastic, how would you like some local knowledge? I mean, uh, to help you navigate the streets of Prague. I’m not a bad tourist guide, and I can tell you some things that you may not know. Like, I could take you to the lucky dog.’
‘The lucky dog?’
‘You see. You haven’t heard of it, have you?’
‘No, that’s not on my itinerary.’
‘Can you give me half an hour and I’ll take you to it?’
‘Do I have a choice?’
‘No,’ laughs Tomas.
‘Okay. See you in half an hour then.’
I make my way to Charles Bridge and see Tomas rushing towards me as he crosses the Vltava River at the same time as I arrive. Even amongst all the crowds, he stands out. I think it’s the way he walks so confidently and that smile as soon as he sees me.
As I go to shake Tomas’ hand, he moves to kiss me on the cheek, which is all a bit unexpected. I giggle nervously as I return his kiss and then completely miss as he has moved away. Why am I so clumsy around him? Fortunately, Tomas laughs it off.
‘I’m so glad I get to see you again. I was a bit worried you were upset with us after disagreeing about the letters.’
‘No, it’s okay. Anyway, even Aunt Grace’s solicitor has authorised us to read them. He seems obsessed with their love story.’
‘Well, from what my uncle tells me, they sounded good for each other. Not everyone finds the right person. It’s just a shame they found each other but never got to be together,’ says Tomas.
I smile up at Tomas who is looking at me with those big brown eyes. I turn away before I find myself blushing.
‘Yes, indeed.’
Tomas is making me nervous. I am not used to such candid conversations about love, even if it is involving other people.
‘So, where’s this lucky dog?’ I ask, to get him off the subject.
‘Just over here.’
Tomas is excited as we rush towards a bronze plaque on Charles Bridge. The plaque is of a dog that is fixed to a baroque statue of St John Nepomuk. For some reason, the dog is shinier than the rest of the statue.
‘Rub it,’ he says.
‘Rub what?’ I ask.
‘The dog. It’s supposed to bring you luck.’
‘Oh, the dog. Okay.’
I rub the dog and ask for luck. To be fair, this trip hasn’t been particularly lacking in the luck department. I was lucky to bump into Tomas near the stairwell that day, I was lucky to find a gorgeous restaurant last night, and I suppose that I am lucky to be standing here on Charles Bridge, the day before Christmas Eve, in the cold with a warm coat and a hat keeping my head toasty. In fact, I would say Prague is practically oozing luck for me right now. I am also lucky that I will be going home in a few days, and I have practically completed my mission.
Tomas touches the dog after me and then gives me a high-five.
‘There, maybe luck will change for both of us now.’ He smiles, and those beautiful brown eyes light up his face again. Then his phone rings and he looks at the number before answering it.
‘Or maybe not. Sorry, I just have to take this.’
‘Yes, of course.’
He speaks in Czech, and even though I don’t understand anything they are saying, I overhear an angry-sounding female voice down the line.
I hope I haven’t got him into trouble. What if one of my hairs fell out in his car and he has a wife who thinks he is having a torrid affair? As I watch Tomas frown and sound as though he is trying to reason with the woman, I begin to wonder if that dog is so lucky after all.