26. ANOTHER FINE DAY
‘Great wedding!’ said Orla, when Tess delivered a dress to the shop on Monday morning. ‘Best entertainment I’ve had in years – beats a disco any day of the week!’
Tess grinned. ‘Poor Lisa! Never mind, I have a gorgeous little grandson and I’ve met a gorgeous big man!’
‘Oh yeah? Well, Ricky got back from a long trip yesterday and do you know what? I think I might be in love with him.’
‘I was just going to tell you the same thing,’ Tess said.
‘What? That you’re in love with Ricky, too?’
‘Don’t be daft! But I am in love!’
‘What – you’ve fallen for Gerry all over again?’
‘Not likely! I’m in love with Simon Sparrow!’
‘That dishy actor who read the poem? I didn’t see you two together.’
‘That’s because we were under a weeping willow. He’s gorgeous !’ Tess gave Orla a brief account of what had transpired. ‘And I’m going to marry him.’
Orla put her hand to her heart. ‘You’re nuts! ’
‘Probably,’ Tess agreed.
‘I mean, you hardly know the man! He’s bound to be dramatic, he’s an actor!’
‘I think we both knew straight away,’ Tess said dreamily.
‘I’ve never heard anything quite so daft in my whole life,’ Orla ranted on. ‘You’re talking like a lovesick teenager! You’re both in your sixties, for God’s sake!’
‘All the more reason not to waste any time,’ Tess said. ‘I could murder a cup of tea. Shall we put the kettle on?’
She decided to check her emails while she waited for the kettle to boil, aware that Orla was still gaping at her in astonishment. And there it was!
Dear Mrs Templar,
Further to our recent correspondence we have agreed, in these special circumstances, to make an exception for your particular case, and we have therefore credited your account with the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds.
Yours sincerely,
MMM
All in all, it had been a very good weekend.
Two days later, Orla phoned. ‘How did it go last night?’ she asked. ‘The big romantic date?’
‘Exactly as I hoped it would,’ Tess replied. ‘We only wish we’d met forty years ago! But never mind, we’ve found each other now! ’
Orla gave one of her famous snorts. ‘Silver Singles become Silver Doubles? I’ll believe that when I see it!’
She’d been incredibly nervous as she waited for Simon Sparrow to collect her. Had she dreamed it all? Was it possible you could fall in love just like that ? It was the stuff of romantic books and movies, and things like that did not happen to Tess Templar. Probably he’d changed his mind. They’d both had lots of champagne, so it had most likely been the champagne talking.
Her heart had lurched when he’d arrived at her door.
‘Tess,’ he’d said. That was all. That and the enormous bouquet of red roses.
‘Simon,’ she’d said, wondering if she could stop shaking and think of something intelligent to say as well as ‘Thank you for the flowers.’
‘I haven’t changed my mind,’ he said. ‘Have you?’
‘No, neither have I,’ Tess said, her heart still hammering.
And so they’d set off in his yellow Triumph Stag.
‘I’ve booked at Giovanni’s,’ he said. ‘I did try Pelligrini’s but they were full.’
‘I’d much prefer Giovanni’s,’ Tess said, with fleeting memories of Benedict.
‘Good,’ Simon said. ‘We have much to discuss.’
‘Indeed we have,’ Tess agreed.
‘And we had a wonderful evening,’ she said to Orla. ‘I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I really, really love him. ’
‘What did I tell you?’ Orla said. ‘When you fall in love, you fall hook, line and sinker. And you’re planning to marry him?’
‘Yes, I’m going to marry him.’
‘We should celebrate,’ Orla said. ‘Do you fancy lunch today at Boulters?’
‘Good idea,’ agreed Tess. ‘Just one helping though.’
If you loved The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane and can’t wait to read more quirky, fun adventures from Dee MacDonald, why not try The Runaway Wife , another inspiring and joyously uplifting novel.