Chapter Twelve
I look at my watch and realise that Tomas has been on the phone arguing with this woman for ten minutes. I gesture to him that I am leaving. I can’t stand around waiting any longer. He waves at me and indicates that he will catch me up.
The cold air bites at my nose and cheeks as I make my way alone to Wenceslas Square. I pull my scarf tighter around me to keep me cosy. Looking up towards the sky, it appears as if it may snow, but Aunt Grace always used to tell me as a child that in this sort of temperature, it is too cold to snow.
When I arrive at the Christmas market in Wenceslas Square, the smell of food hits me right away, just like the one at the Old Town. I am beginning to think that I could become an expert at sniffing out Christmas markets at this rate and decide on yet another creamy hot chocolate to warm me up. I feel like I could do with some comfort as I worry about Tomas. He is obviously in trouble with someone. Perhaps he is cut from the same cloth as Craig. After all, Tomas is pretty gorgeous. I am sure he could have any woman he wants and who knows if he takes full advantage of that. I clutch onto my hot chocolate for solace. But I soon put it down when I hear a funny tone come from my new mobile phone. When I take it out of my bag, I see that it is my factory-setting message tone. My first text message has come through, and it is from Tomas.
Sorry about that. Where are you?
I decide to ignore the message and put my phone back in my bag. I don’t want the woman I heard during his call stumbling upon a message from me if I respond, no matter how innocently.
So, instead of replying, I look around the little wooden cabins full of foodie treats and then come across some charity stalls that sell local crafts. One of the stalls sells cute puppets on a string and it reminds me of when Aunt Grace gave me a ballet dancer puppet when I was small. Just like her, it was so glamorous. I loved that little toy. She also gave me my first hobby horse. I thought I was a jockey on that thing and took it everywhere. Aunt Grace always had the knack of knowing what to buy me. Seeing the puppets cheers me up, and I remind myself I have done the right thing for her by coming here. As Dewi said, she would do anything for anyone. It makes me realise that I should be more like her. Perhaps I will consider helping the community when I get back home, just like Dewi does, instead of only helping animals and staying away from people.
I am about to make my way to Letná Park when my phone bleeps again. I can see the message without having to open it.
Wait. I can see you.
I look around and see that Tomas is looking directly at me. He waves and then weaves his way through the stalls and the crowds of people, quickly getting closer towards me. I can’t escape.
‘Hi, you disappeared.’
‘I thought I should leave you on the phone. You seemed to be having an issue with something… Or, well, someone.’
‘Oh, it’s nothing. No big deal.’
That’s what they all say. It sounded like a pretty big deal to the woman on the phone.
‘Right.’
‘Anyway, where are you thinking of going next?’ asks Tomas.
Typical! Men always change the subject. But I suppose his personal life is nothing to do with me.
‘Letná Park.’
‘Ah, can I take you somewhere before you go there?’
‘Where?’
‘It’s a surprise. It’ll be fun. I promise.’
I follow Tomas through the streets until we reach what looks like a shopping centre. I’ve not met many men who like shopping centres; perhaps he really is trying to be sweet.
‘Why are we here?’
‘Just wait and see.’
When we get inside, I see it is no ordinary shopping centre. Tomas leads me to a statue of a horse hanging upside down. The horse’s tail hangs towards the floor.
‘See that tail? Whenever I arrange to meet someone, I say I’ll meet them under the horse’s tail. Quite fun, isn’t it?’
Then he rushes me over to a grand piano that is suspended from the ceiling. I’m beginning to feel like I have vertigo!
‘But you’ve not seen the best bit…’
My life flashes before me as we go around a corner and I see a paternoster lift! Please tell me Tomas doesn’t want me to go in that. The lift at the apartment block is bad enough.
‘Come,’ he says.
‘No, I can’t go in there.’
‘Yes, you can.’
I watch in horror as the open lift quickly moves up.
‘How am I supposed to jump into that?’
‘Come on. I’ll show you. I promise it’s worth the ride.’
Tomas grabs hold of my hand, and we jump in the lift together. It reminds me of my panic trying to get on a chairlift once in Innsbruck. However, much to my surprise, I manage the lift much better than I did the chairlift.
Once I am safely on board, I laugh with Tomas as I watch the different floors go past in front of my eyes.
‘That’s bonkers,’ I smile. I notice that Tomas is laughing at my reaction.
‘You get used to it.’
The lift is much faster than the one at the apartment block, so I soon have to work a way to get out of it. Tomas acts like a gentleman and grabs my hand to help me.
‘Well, I’ve certainly never done that before,’ I say with relief once I am on the outside.
As I catch my breath, Tomas leads me outside onto a rooftop garden. In front of us is the most gorgeous 360-degree view over the city.
‘Oh wow, this is something else.’ I smile at Tomas, who is watching my expression.
‘You see, I bet this wasn’t even on your itinerary, was it?’
‘No, I’ll be having words with Dewi. I’d say his itinerary is lacking a few crucial things.’
‘Fancy a drink while we’re here? Or are you ready to go back down in the lift?’
‘No, I think a drink sounds like a good idea before I go back in there.’
Tomas is grinning at me, and I notice his kind smile as we go to a pop-up rooftop bar that looks just perfect. That smile will get women everywhere falling at his feet, thinks the cynic in me.
‘Now, are you going to try some local drinks while you’re here?’ Tomas asks.
‘Oh, I don’t know. Might be a bit strong if I have to time it right to jump back into that lift.’ Besides, if I had something too strong, I might not be able to resist his charms.
Tomas orders a beer, and I choose a small glass of wine. I quickly begin to realise how nice it is to have company for a drink.
‘So, what time shall we go over and read the letters?’ I ask as we wait for our drinks. Although Tomas said it would be sometime this evening, I would still like to do Letná Park quickly if possible.
Tomas doesn’t reply and appears to be thinking. Then I realise that he has a life and the woman on the phone that he probably needs to be with.
‘I’m just thinking of somewhere I should be next. But, you know what, it’s fine. I can change my plans.’
‘Oh no, please don’t do that on my account.’
‘It’s okay. I just have to go and buy a carp for Christmas, that’s all.’
‘Carp? Like the fish?’
‘Yes, that’s what my family eat for Christmas. We don’t have turkey like you do.’
I picture Tomas sitting down with his angry partner and, I assume, children for a family Christmas meal with a huge carp. At least I won’t be having beans on toast alone this year. Maybe I can get something at the hotel.
‘But, no, it’s fine. It can wait. Let’s start on the letters as early as we can. I just need to do a few things first.’
When we have finished our drinks and I manage to get back down in the lift again, Tomas drops me off near Letná Park where I wander around until he is ready to collect me again. It overlooks the Vltava River, and the bridges of the city are clearly in view. I use my camera on the phone for the first time to take the most incredible shot of Prague. It is a lovely way to spend the remainder of the afternoon, but I am happy to have the company of Tomas again when he picks me up.
When we walk into Albert’s apartment, it has been transformed since my last visit. Candles have been lit, and the smell of food is coming from the kitchen.
‘What’s all this?’ I ask Tomas.
‘I thought I’d make us all a meal, and we can relax a little before we start opening the letters. I got in a nice bottle of Moravian wine. I hope you like it.’
I think back to the wine I had in the local restaurant. I am sure it will be very nice, but it feels a little strange to have dinner with Tomas when he has upset the lady in his life. Surely, he should be wining and dining her?
I look over to Albert, who is smiling. He has a naughty grin, and I get the impression that there is much more to this man than it might seem. He is up to something, and I can’t work out what.
Tomas opens the wine for me while I wait for him to plate everything up. I offer to help in the kitchen, but he insists I relax. It feels nice to be waited on, but I can’t help thinking this should all be done for someone else.
‘So, Albert… How are you doing?’
‘Yes, very good, dear. Did you have a nice time with Tomas today?’
‘Oh, he told you what we did today ?’
‘Yes, I suggested it.’
‘You suggested it?’
Albert looks a little flustered. ‘You know, I just thought it would be nice for the two of you to get to know each other.’
‘Get to know each other?’
‘Yes, for you to see Prague.’
‘Oh right, yes. I learnt a lot. Thanks.’
‘Tomas is a very good guide.’
‘He is indeed.’ I smile.
‘He’s a very good man too,’ says Albert.
I nod my head in agreement but don’t quite know what else I am supposed to say. Thankfully, Tomas tells us that dinner is ready, and we get to move away from the topic of what a wonderful person his uncle thinks he is.
Tomas is clearly used to entertaining and brings out a delicious-looking Czech mushroom soup to start off. I wonder if he made this from scratch. We finish our bowls, and I am already feeling content when Tomas brings out the main course.
‘What’s this?’
‘ Sví?ková with Houskové knedlíky .’
My face must give away the fact that I have no idea what he is talking about.
‘It’s like braised beef with bread dumplings.’
‘Sounds delicious. I love a hearty meal.’
‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. More wine?’
Tomas tops up my wine glass. He is such a good host.
He has even added cranberries and whipped cream to the dish. It looks terrific.
‘This is my favourite meal. Tomas is such a great cook, you know,’ says Albert. I smile at how Albert is once again drilling into me how wonderful his nephew is.
‘I can see that,’ I agree.
When we finish the main course, Tomas offers us dessert, but I simply couldn’t. I don’t think I could stay in Prague too long or none of my clothes would fit. It is like comfort food heaven here.
I offer to help with the washing up, but Tomas is having none of it. He demands I sit down and enjoy the rest of my wine.
When Tomas finishes in the kitchen, he brings out the box of letters and puts it on the living room table, just like the first time I saw it.
‘Are we ready to start?’ he asks.
I take a sip of my drink and look at the box.
‘I’m ready to hear all about this love story. I just hope this is the right thing to do,’ I say.
Tomas and I pick out an envelope at the same time. It feels like a tug of war with a Christmas cracker as I hold one end and he holds the other.
‘Sorry,’ we both say simultaneously.
Finally, I take it, and my hands shake ever so slightly as I carefully peel at the corner of the floral-embellished envelope.