Chapter Twenty-Five
I can see the effort that Tomas has made for this evening as soon as the taxi pulls up outside the bar. The chairs we left leaning against the tables are now decorated with pretty gold ribbons. The tables are covered in white tablecloths with centrepieces of gold candles. With the orange glow of the lights from outside, it is enough to draw anyone in.
Of course, tonight, it is closed to the public, which makes me feel like a VIP who has been invited to a private party. Particularly since I am wearing my special jacket. My look is a million miles away from my beloved onesie.
The invitations only went out to Tomas’ friends and, when I enter the bar, I spot him talking to some people and wonder how close they are to him.
Tomas turns his head as soon as I walk in, and his eyes light up like they always do when he sees me. His smile tells me that he is pleased I have arrived. He waves and calls me over, which is a great relief as I don’t know anyone else here.
He kisses me on both cheeks, and I get the intoxicating smell of his aftershave again.
‘Hi, let me introduce you to my friends.’
Both men give me a friendly smile and shake my hand.
‘I’m Eric,’ says one of them.
‘Vlad,’ says the other.
They both look around Tomas’ age. Perhaps these are friends from his school days.
‘It’s good to finally meet you. Tomas has told us soooo much about you,’ says Vlad.
‘Yes, sooooo much,’ laughs Eric.
Tomas kicks Eric on the shin playfully.
‘What’s wrong? Come on, let’s be honest here,’ laughs Eric.
I wouldn’t mind knowing what he told them, but now isn’t the time to ask, as the three of them wave over to welcome a group of women who have walked in.
Tomas has hired some staff for the evening, and one of the waiters brings over a glass of prosecco. I swore I wouldn’t drink too much as I want to remember everything that Zuzana says about Aunt Grace when I speak to her. I have scanned the room but there is no sign of her so far. I have to find out when she will be here.
‘Is Zuzana here? And Albert?’ I ask.
‘They’re coming together. In fact, they should be here by now. They can’t be too far away.’
We both look towards the door as it opens with more guests, but it is another couple who walk in and then wave to Tomas.
‘I wish Zuzana and I could understand each other better. I’m sure she has stories about Marek and Grace. It would be so good to talk to her if only we could chat properly instead of just smiling, but I know you’re a bit busy to help with translating everything this evening.’
‘I’m never too busy for you.’ Tomas repeats his habit of putting his arm around my shoulders, and I feel joy in being so close to him again.
‘Gosh, I forgot to thank you for this incredible jacket,’ I say, as Tomas almost gets tangled on a sequin. ‘What a wonderful surprise! It really is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe you bought it for me.’
‘Only the best for you. It’s to thank you for coming into our lives. We’ve loved having you. You also worked your magic helping me here.’ Tomas strokes the top of my shoulder, and I feel like grabbing hold of him but refrain from doing so. He needs more time to sort his life out.
The bar is almost full to capacity when I see Albert walk in with Zuzana. As soon as I finish the smoked salmon canapé I am nibbling, I plan on saying hello. However, for the next ten minutes, Vlad and Eric chat away telling me stories about the history of Prague and asking what I think of the city they are so proud of. They recount funny stories about their school days and include me in their conversations as though I know the people they talk of. Vlad and Eric are so warm and make sure to look at me as they chat away. Despite not knowing them, they make me feel as though I am one of the gang.
I laugh along with their jokes and tell them how fantastic I think Prague is and how it compares to Wales. They are so entertaining that I could spend the whole evening with them.
However, Vlad spots someone he knows, and so he and Eric both leave us alone for a moment. I’m about to tell Tomas what lovely friends he has when he spots one of his suppliers who has been invited. I decide that it is probably the time to excuse myself and head over to Albert and Zuzana.
They seem pleased to see me and hug me, just as they did at the restaurant.
Albert and I chat as Zuzana smiles. I wonder how I can find out what she felt Aunt Grace and Marek should do together. I think how Aunt Grace obviously respected her.
‘Zuzana’s so lovely, Albert. I can see why you’re such good companions.’
I consider Tomas’ friends too.
‘Your family have so many lovely friends. You’re all so close.’
I am embarrassed when I consider the friends that I have neglected. I feel nothing but shame and regret. They were there for me and offered me a hand when I was at my lowest, but I shunned them all.
Zuzana smiles at me. She is so glamorous, and just like Aunt Grace, her make-up is impeccable. Had they ever met, I know they would have been best friends if they could converse.
Albert speaks in Czech, and then Zuzana replies and nods her head at me.
Albert and Zuzana talk, and Albert translates for her.
‘Zuzana is saying she wishes she’d met your aunt if she is as nice as you are.’
‘Thank you. That’s so sweet. I know, it’s such a shame my aunt never came here. She’d have loved it.’
‘I hope so,’ says Albert.
‘You know, I was thinking I want to do something to bring my aunt and Marek together so that their love can last forever.’
‘Marek would have liked that,’ says Albert.
‘Right, well, I’m definitely going to try to think of something.’
Tomas comes over and joins us and tells me that it is time for me to make a wish for the new year.
‘It’s a tradition in our family,’ he explains.
He leads me to a bronze bell in the corner of the bar. I thought it was a bell for telling the punters that it is time to go home when I first saw it, but Tomas assures me that it is a very important piece of equipment that can make dreams and wishes come true for the year ahead. Can a bell in the corner of a bar cause magic to happen? Probably not, but I am willing to join in on the tradition for a bit of fun.
I ring the bell and the crowd cheers.
‘Now, you have to close your eyes and make your wish,’ says Tomas.
I scrunch my eyes tightly and make my wish.
‘Did you make it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good, now you can’t tell anyone until the wish comes true.’
‘Ha, I doubt it will come true, but…’
‘Don’t doubt the wishing bell. You have to believe in its magic. It always makes wishes come true. Except when it comes to winning a lottery – it doesn’t work for material things.’
‘We’ll have to wait and see, then,’ I smile.
Albert and Zuzana ring the bell after me and make their wishes. I realise that Tomas hasn’t rung the bell yet.
‘How about you? You haven’t made your wish.’
Tomas closes his eyes. I look at his perfect features and try not to think how cute he would look in my hotel bed, or how I would like it if we could spend the last of my time here together as lovers.
When he opens his eyes again, he is grinning. ‘Let’s hope it comes true.’
I would love to know what his wish was. What if it is something to do with Milena? There is no sign of her at the party. I did wonder if she would turn up. I bite the bullet and ask.
‘I meant to ask, is Milena coming this evening?’
Tomas looks at his watch. I see that it is a few minutes before midnight.
‘No, she’s not. She wasn’t invited.’
I feel a giant palpitation hit my chest like a wave that almost tips me over. Then I remind myself that even if their relationship is truly done and dusted, and he has stopped the contact between them, it doesn’t mean he wants someone who is about to leave the country.
‘I have to quickly change the music. Stay right there.’
A Czech song I have never heard before plays, and then we do the countdown.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!
Balloons come down from a net that has been released above us, and golden confetti sprinkles upon us like magical gold dust. It is as though a spell has been cast, and a warm breeze seems to dance around the room as everyone huddles together to celebrate.
Tomas takes hold of my waist and kisses me on the lips. It is just a New Year’s kiss, to begin with, but then it turns into something much more passionate. This man is utterly delicious. What is even more fantastic is that we definitely feel the same way, if that kiss is anything to go by. I pull my hair away from my face and move back. We smile at each other, and I wonder if the wishing bell is working its magic already. Perhaps the timing is finally right between us.
But then, I get this feeling that someone’s eyes are boring into me. I lift my head away from Tomas’ shoulder and look around.
Milena is staring right at us with a horrified look on her face.