Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
brAY
The Beginning
Vic’s heart was beating out of her chest when Albie dropped her in the public car park in the stunning Berkshire riverside village of Bray. She waved her brother off, then checked the text message that Jerico had just sent her. He had instructed that, from the car park, she should head in the direction of the river down to Ferry Lane. Here she would see The Waterside Inn on her left and in front of her a single bench looking out to the Thames.
Bless Albie for collecting her from the drop-in centre, then waiting at home for her to get ready and bring her to Jerico’s suggested meeting spot. She had rushed inside and quickly changed into her favourite powder-blue halter-neck summer dress, which she knew accentuated her eyes. To keep herself cool, she had tied her hair back from her face in a low ponytail, which cascaded down her back like a silky chestnut wave. She had even put on sandals with a little bit of sparkle on them. A light, smoky eye and a smudge of lip gloss over her red lipstick had finished her look.
The evening sun, low and still warm, beckoned Vic towards the riverside and through the picturesque village she’d often passed but had never visited. Her pace slowed as she took in the beauty of the water glistening in front of her. After the past few months of waiting for this moment, the tension in her shoulders eased, her breath deepened and the soothing murmur of boats on the river provided a balm to her butterfly mind.
A few metres ahead, a family of swans glided near the riverbank. And further across the water, she could make out the most sumptuous riverside homes.
And then she saw him with his back to her, sitting on the bench. His raven-black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail and poked out beneath a stylish sunhat. He, too, had changed – into a gaudily patterned short-sleeved shirt and the long beige shorts he had worn in Windsor the day of the kiss .
Vic was within a few paces of him when she started to tiptoe. Then, gliding down slowly she sat at the opposite end of the bench to him, saying nothing. A gentle breeze stirred the pages of the book he was reading. He loudly snapped it shut, and turned to face her, making her jump out of her skin. His soulful eyes were twinkling with amusement and kindness as he smiled warmly at her.
‘Queen Victoria! Fancy seeing you here.’
‘In your special place, you mean?’ she replied, grinning from ear to ear.
‘Like I said, if I tell you that, then it won’t be special, and Mr Pigeons may have to kill you.’ Jerico’s face remained straight. Vic ripped at the gold embossed wrapping paper and when she saw what was inside, her whole face lit up. ‘You spoil me with your Vettriano bounty.’ She let out a little squeal. ‘And Ae Fond Kiss, I love this print SO much.’ She looked intently at the simple but poignant painting of a couple about to kiss intimately under the mistletoe.
‘I kind of thought you would,’ Jerico offered, moving along to join her at her end of the bench. ‘Are you going to open this then?’ He retrieved a small envelope that had been thrown to the floor in haste.
Vic opened it to find a card with the same beautiful calligraphy that she had so joyfully come across in the Christmas present he had given her.
Kiss me again and let’s get these souls dancing, shall we?
Yours, hopefully
Jerico Pigeons
X
‘Pigeons!’ Vic squealed.
He put his finger to her lips to shush her, then gently putting the painting down beside her as their eyes met. A palpable tension. A magnetic pull. A comfortable silence between them until Victoria whispered, ‘Kiss me again, Mr Pigeons.’