Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Clara was a bag of nervous energy on the morning of the charity afternoon tea.
It was her time to shine and she pictured exactly how the day would go.
She had already picked up the large punnets of fresh strawberries from the farm shop the day before so all she had to do was put them in the clear glass bowls she kept specially for the occasion and then drizzle them with heavy whipping cream.
Although they were her late mother’s bowls and technically vintage, she didn’t mind using them as this was for a good cause.
Thankfully, only once had someone managed to smash one.
She had washed the strawberries, laid out all the dainty teacups and saucers that had also been her mum’s, and by mid-morning was getting herself ready.
She chose one of her favourite long maxi dresses that covered the tops of her arms, which she hated, and was short enough not to drag along the grass.
That was one of the benefits of being taller than Eleanora who always had to get things shortened.
She put her hair into a long ponytail to keep her hair in place since she would be serving food and, when she was ready, felt as though she was floating around on a big fluffy cloud as she drifted around the kitchen in her maxi dress.
She looked around, pleased as punch. Her preparation had already paid off and all that was left to do was to serve and entertain the guests with the help of Eleanora, who took the day off each year to help.
As usual, Eleanora was the first person to arrive. She always made sure she was early in case Clara needed a hand, even though she knew that by the time she arrived most things would have been done. Still, it was always nice to have a catch-up and a bit of a gossip before everyone turned up.
Eleanora flicked her long dark curls behind her ear. ‘I’m so blinking excited! You and Tom are going to be the biggest announcement since George Clooney married Amal! I’m still devastated about that though. Not that he’d have ever looked my way.’
The cute gap between Eleanora’s two front teeth made an appearance as she laughed.
Clara remembered how self-conscious she had been about that when she was in school, but it suited her.
When Eleanora’s ex-husband, Matthew, had first left, she had once half-heartedly joked that she was tempted to go to Turkey on holiday to get it fixed, but thankfully, that was just a fleeting phase.
Her confidence might have taken a bashing after her unexpected divorce, but Eleanora was famous for that warm congenial smile, and Clara had insisted she wouldn’t be the same with a new set of gnashers.
‘You and George Clooney. What are you like?’
‘As you know, he broke my heart. Nothing more to say. But I’m over it. More of a Tom Hiddleston obsession now. Plenty more celebs in the sea. What is it about guys named Tom being so cute? On that note, when do you think you’ll make the big announcement?’
‘I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I guess I’ll let everyone settle in. Maybe when I do my speech and let everyone know how much we’ve raised and thank them all. I was thinking I’d get Tom to stand beside me. We can announce it together. What you reckon?’
‘Sounds like the perfect plan. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see Tom again. I’m so happy for you. It’s about time you had such happiness.’
‘Thank you. I can’t ever remember feeling so euphoric. It’s like all my dreams came true suddenly.’
‘Brilliant. I could give him the biggest hug for the way he treats you. At long last a true gentleman.’
‘Totally. Maybe you need to get off those dating apps and find someone like Tom in the real world.’
Eleanora sighed. ‘If only it were that easy. Men like Tom are like gold dust. I haven’t had a chance to tell you about the idiot I met last week.’
‘Oh no, what happened?’
‘So, his photo was gorgeous. We arranged to meet. Then, as I’m getting ready, he messaged asking if it mattered if he was a bit older than he’d said he was.’
‘I said, “I guess it’s okay. How old are you?” He’d said he was 54.’
‘Right. How old was he?’
‘He was 76! Can you believe that? I cancelled. What a toad!’
‘Wow. Some guys sure do lie. That’s unbelievable.’
‘Yup. I’m definitely coming off there now. I’ve had enough.’
‘Don’t blame you. Maybe Tom has a nice friend we can fix you up with.’
‘Ooh, a double date. Wouldn’t that be fab.’
‘I’ll ask him.’ As Clara said this, she thought again about how he never spoke about any of his friends, apart from his mate from Japan and that time he mentioned someone he knew who lived on a barge. She wondered if he was in touch with any of his friends, let alone whether he had any single ones.
‘Ooh, what are these?’ said Eleanora, changing the subject as she examined a curious-looking sandwich. ‘Did you make strawberry sandwiches this year? How random.’
‘I had a load of strawberries left over. The farm shop had an offer on so I bought too many. Remember when Marks and Spencer launched them a few years back? Thought it would be a bit of fun to make some myself.’
‘I’m still not convinced about strawberry sandwiches, you know.’
As Clara and Eleanora hotly debated the sandwiches, the first of the guests arrived. Clara hoped it would be Tom and was disappointed to see that it was Julie.
‘Hello, ladies,’ she said, looking Eleanora up and down. Eleanora wondered what Julie would find to disapprove of today.
‘Lovely day, Julie,’ said Eleanora.
‘Is it? As I’ve told Clara before, I don’t like the heat. Much prefer the winter months.’
‘Prefer the rain then, do you?’ said Eleanora with a note of sarcasm in her voice.
‘Well, it is better for the garden. My grass is getting scorched.’
Clara ignored Julie’s complaint; today was all about making everyone happy.
‘Come on in, Julie. I’ve reserved a nice table in the shade for you.’
Eleanora led Julie to her table and poured her a cup of tea. She knew how a cup of tea usually managed to put a smile on Julie’s face and Eleanora was convinced she saw a hint of a grin there as it was placed in front of her.
By the time Eleanora returned to Clara in the kitchen, the doorbell went again.
Eleanora was keen not to miss it since she wanted to be one of the first to greet Tom.
Disappointingly, it wasn’t Tom and instead they found Janet, Margaret and Brian on the doorstep, who they sat at Julie’s table.
When the doorbell rang again, Clara had a strong feeling it would be Tom.
He was always punctual, a quality she adored about him, and it was now the time they agreed he would arrive.
However, rather than Tom standing at the door she was greeted by Professor Binton.
She sent him outside with the others and, as she was boiling the kettle to start getting the next round of teas ready, the door went again.
‘Shall I get that?’ asked Eleanora.
‘No, that’ll definitely be Tom. Can you carry on with the teas for me?’
‘Of course.’
Clara straightened her floaty dress and opened the door with a smile to find Charlie.
‘Oh, hi, Charlie. Come on in.’
‘Is it my imagination, or do you look disappointed to see me?’
‘Goodness, never. It’s always a pleasure to see you. Sorry, I just thought it was someone else at the door. Ignore me.’
‘In such a pretty dress, how could anyone ignore you?’
‘Hello, young Charlie,’ shouted Eleanora who had been keeping an eye on the door from the kitchen.
‘Nora! Long time no see.’
Clara was glad that the two of them could chat as it gave her time to recover from her disappointment. Once most of the guests had arrived, Tom was nowhere to be seen. Where on earth could he be?
She checked her phone in case there was a message but found nothing.
Susan, one of the ladies who attended the charity event every year arrived next. She was a generous benefactor and always gave a large donation to the chapel. Clara remembered that she lived out in Tom’s direction.
‘How’s the traffic out there, Susan? Is it busy?’
She couldn’t help but catastrophise even though he was only ten minutes away. If there was a car broken down or an ambulance due to a big crash, then Susan would surely know.
‘No, very quiet. I suspect nobody wants to be cooped up in their cars on a day like this.’
Clara was relieved yet also disappointed that he wasn’t stuck in any hold-ups. There must be another very good reason for Tom’s delay.
When all the guests had arrived and been seated, and the strawberries had been served, she sat back to relax for a moment as the guests caught up with each other in between enjoying their tea.
Even though the majority of guests came from the congregation, some didn’t see each other from year to year, and Clara watched how they happily caught up with long-lost friends.
She was also pleased with the quality of the strawberries this year.
So red and plump, it was just a shame that Tom hadn’t arrived to devour them.
Following a generous raffle, thanks to local businesses, she couldn’t hold off any longer. It was time to do the speech, before the guests relaxed and had their annual afternoon of croquet when no doubt Lawrence would be a sore loser.
Whilst it wasn’t quite the speech she was hoping to give, Clara got up and tapped the glass of Prosecco that she had poured for those who wanted some, and cheerily thanked everyone for attending.
‘We’ve raised a grand total of ￡850 thanks to your generosity today. So, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
The guests clapped and Clara had that feeling of satisfaction that she got when an event had gone well. She decided that unless there was carnage over croquet, the day had gone perfectly to plan, apart from the fact Tom was still missing.
‘You’re a star, Clara. Already looking forward to next year,’ shouted Charlie.
Would there be an afternoon tea next year? Possibly not if her interview at King’s College was successful. What was she thinking? She hadn’t even been shortlisted yet but she would certainly miss this event if she were to move to Cambridge.
‘Right then. Enough praise. How about more tea, vicar?’ shouted Professor Binton and everyone laughed.
‘Got the hint. I’ll make a fresh brew,’ said Clara, with a snort. How she adored the congregation, her colleagues and the lovely environment she lived in. Not to mention Tom, who she was already missing.
As much as she wanted to pick up her phone and message him, she could hardly leave her tea duties to check her phone. It would have to wait.
Only when she had served everyone more tea, with the help of Eleanora, could she make an excuse to run to her bedroom and lock herself in with her phone.
Where are you?
The message went through immediately and Clara willed for him to pick it up whilst she was sat on her bed.
‘Come on, Tom. Answer me,’ she said to herself.
She heard the voice of Professor Binton outside her room. It sounded like there was a queue outside the nearby bathroom. She would have to get back out there soon to make sure everyone was okay. Then she saw the message had been picked up. Tom was typing. Hooray!
And then he stopped.
Clara heard Professor Binton shouting her name.
‘Are you around, Clara?’
She had no choice but to open the bedroom door and get back to everyone.
‘Oh, yes. Sorry.’
‘I just came to get some tissues. I’ve managed to spill the tea. Sorry. Do you have any tissues or kitchen paper anywhere.’
Clara found some kitchen paper and helped mop up the mess.
Lawrence, Brian, Margaret and Charlie were already playing croquet, and as Clara was about to sit down with Susan to thank her for being such a wonderful benefactor, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
As she pulled it out, she hoped it would be Tom, but Professor Binton interrupted her before she could check.
‘I would never have thought strawberry sandwiches could be so delicious, Clara.’
‘Well, I thought if it’s good enough for M&S, it was good enough for us. We still need to persuade Eleanora, mind you.’
‘I’ll have words with her. One would never think it would work. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste. She’ll come round.’
‘Absolutely.’
Professor Binton carried on chatting away under the garden umbrella as Clara tried not to get impatient as he spoke about work, his wife and the new dog the family had rescued.
She smiled and nodded but she was far away and couldn’t think of anything else but checking whether the message was from Tom.
Finally, Charlie called Professor Binton for his turn at croquet and Clara sighed an audible gasp of relief as she looked at her phone. The message was indeed from Tom.
Hey, I’m so sorry but something’s come up at the last minute. Have fun.
Have fun? Is that all he could say? She had told him about the date weeks ago.
He had confirmed he would be here as late as yesterday!
He knew it was an important event on her social calendar and, more importantly, that they were making a big joint announcement.
What could be so significant that he couldn’t make it?