Chapter 18 #2
‘Back to the entrance. Come on.’
He took them back to the big green area she’d seen in front of a stage, and they sat down as more and more people joined them.
‘What’s happening?’
‘It’s Saturday night hits. I hope you’re a good singer.’
‘Better than Ada,’ she replied and they both laughed, reliving that moment.
Milly waited until the concert started and joined in with the hundreds of other people there, singing along to classic hits and old rock songs. As soon as she opened her mouth she saw Theo’s eyebrows shoot up and laughed at his shock.
‘You’re not just better than Ada, you’re very good.’
‘Thank you. You’re not too bad yourself.’
‘I can’t hit the high notes. Listen—’ He waited for the chorus and made a valiant attempt, but his voice cracked halfway through, making them both giggle.
‘Are you enjoying this?’ he asked, his brow wrinkling.
‘Definitely.’
‘I hoped you would. I brought you here tonight on purpose. I wanted you to see our most famous attraction and I thought you’d like this.’ He motioned to the stage and she grinned.
‘So this is a date?’ she asked teasingly. ‘An actual proper date’.
‘It is.’
She smiled and kissed him. ‘It’s perfect.’
Tom had never thought to take her anywhere so unusual.
Their early dates had been run of the mill – cinemas, restaurants – nothing like this.
Theo kissed her lips gently and as she wrapped her arms around him, the kiss deepened, the wonderful sensations of love and lust moving through every nerve in her body.
They kissed for as long as was socially acceptable, then pulled away, resting their foreheads together or a second.
A moment later, Theo pulled her in front of him so her back was against his torso and they could both see the stage.
His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and she too joined back in with the song.
She couldn’t believe the feeling of singing along with so many people, no one caring if you were good or not.
Children were dancing, excited to be up late, older people sat in the deck chairs at the back while others were swaying and turning in the middle of the throng.
Everyone was having a good time. It was like being at the happiest, most relaxed wedding disco.
With stars twinkling overhead, it was over far too quickly. Milly immediately wanted to come back again the following weekend, to experience it all again. A deep navy sky had crept around them, the expanse of soft, deep blue cloudless, and she and Theo made their way home hand in hand.
As they walked up the stairs in the canal house to the first floor, Theo’s fingers still entwined with hers, she had no idea what was about to happen.
All she knew was that she wanted him and as he looked at her, she thought he felt the same way.
This was all so new and tentative, nerves tightened her chest at the anticipation.
She was just about to kiss him when he spoke.
‘Well, goodnight then. I had a great time tonight.’
Rocked, Milly struggled to reply, her brain still wondering why he wasn’t kissing her. ‘Umm, yeah, so did I. I loved Tivoli Gardens. Thank you for Birgit.’ She wiggled the toy under her arm. ‘We should share her.’
‘No, no, no. You won her, she’s yours. You should take her home.’
Home. Clearly, the news that her sabbatical had only been extended by a month was playing on his mind, as it was hers.
His words were heavy with sadness and that sadness sunk into the air around them.
She wanted to hold him; to apologise she couldn’t get more time and promise they’d find a way through.
She wanted to kiss him and let him know that it hurt her as much as it hurt him but she didn’t want to give this thing up.
Theo cleared his throat. ‘Goodnight, then.’
Milly didn’t move. Was there no way for them to move past this time limit? To come up with a way to be together? Her feelings for him were real. Solid and clear. The only thing she was certain of at the moment.
Still, he didn’t move.
Her heart aching at the awkwardness between them, she stepped forwards, kissed his cheek, the scruff of his stubble soft against her lips, and made her way up to her room.
She shut the door, feeling the rush of defeat.
They were doomed and had been from the start.
She tossed Birgit into the chair, brushed her hair and removed her make-up and was just about to change into her pyjamas when there as a knock at the door.
Her heart leapt, pounding a heavy, hard beat against her chest. Her breath hitching, she opened it, already smiling as Theo stood there, as nervous as she was.
His eyes darted from her face to the floor and back up again.
‘I should have kissed you when I was downstairs,’ he said matter-of-factly, and her heart expanded in her chest, filling the centre of her body. She didn’t know how she’d contain it if he said or did anything else romantic. Her body ignited at his presence.
‘Yes, you should have.’
His eyes met hers and without speaking he took a step towards her, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her gently towards him.
The kiss was everything, obliterating all sound, all doubt and all other feeling.
Her brain stilled, concentrating only on this moment.
She sank into the warmth and strength of his body, her fingers tracing through the fabric of his T-shirt.
As they seamlessly moved back into her room.
Her mind and body focused only on his hands, his arms, his kisses, and as her dreams came true, she let herself fall completely and totally in love.