Chapter Thirty
There is nothing quite like sharing a bottle of Baileys in front of an open fire, especially when Tomas is sitting right beside me, confessing how he feels. I lean deeper into a cushion as he tells me everything.
‘So, I know New Year’s Eve was a disaster, but I hope we can start over. As I said, I came here to apologise and tell you that I, well, I have such strong feelings for you. I can’t ignore them any longer. I know we’ve only known each other a short space of time, and maybe that’s too soon for you to rush into anything, but that’s just the way I feel.’
This has certainly happened very fast, but I also realise that I have never felt such chemistry with anyone.
‘I’ve very strong feelings for you too, Tomas. But, before we go on, there’s one thing I need to know… What about Milena?’
Tomas lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
‘I want to be clear, she’s not on the scene.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate that. Was everything okay after the party?’
‘I had already told Milena that I’d met someone I cared for. You remember when I said I was sorting things out with her? It didn’t take much for her to realise it was you. I told her how she and I were so different, and she’d easily find someone who was better suited for her. We’ve discussed our break-up so many times, but she can’t accept it when she doesn’t get her own way. So she still turned up when she heard from someone I was having the party in the bar. Then she went mad with me after you left and grabbed my phone and smashed it in a temper. So, I lost your number. I thought I’d see you at Albert’s, but I missed you. Then I wanted to call the hotel, or maybe visit you there, to apologise for putting you in such an awkward situation at the party. That wasn’t fair on you at all. I picked up the phone to the hotel so many times. But each time, I put it down. I figured you wouldn’t want to hear from me as it didn’t look too good with her showing up. I was worried you wouldn’t believe me. By the time I plucked up the courage to speak to you, the hotel said you’d already checked out. Luckily, Albert had your address.’
‘Ah, of course. I wondered how you found me.’
‘He insisted I fly over. He told me not to lose you. He didn’t want me to miss my chance at love like Marek did. He could see I thought you were someone special and said that I have to come and tell you how I feel. He was right, and now I have.’
‘Well, you can’t have two people not tell each other how they feel, can you?’
Tomas smiles at me, and I melt as fast as a snowman defrosting in the sunshine.
‘So, all thanks to Albert, you tracked me down here.’
Right now, I could throw my arms around Tomas and tell him how much I adore him. But I still feel slightly guarded, so I refrain from telling him quite how much my feelings for him grew in Prague and how I felt it best I disguise them. I simply nod my head understandingly.
‘When you left, I knew I had to find you. You’re not on social media, by the way?’
‘No, it doesn’t interest me. I’d much rather live an isolated life. As you can probably see looking around here.’
‘It sounds like the best way to live.’
‘It is… Most of the time. It can get lonely though.’
‘Well, you needn’t ever feel lonely now,’ says Tomas.
We both take a sip of Baileys simultaneously. I can’t believe I have allowed him to see my more vulnerable side, so I quickly backtrack.
‘Anyway, it’s fine. It’s really no big deal. I like my own company. But yeah… I’m not on social media. I didn’t even have a mobile phone for the past two years. By the way, don’t you have stuff to do for the bar? How come you managed to escape all that work?’
‘Some of the paperwork isn’t ready for us to open to the public. It was the perfect excuse to come and see you, and I can’t tell you how lovely it is.’
Tomas stares at me, and I feel my cheeks burn.
‘Don’t you think that it pays to be clear about what you want? I think if anyone has taught us that, it is Uncle Marek and Grace,’ says Tomas.
‘Yeah. I agree.’
‘Well, in that case. I want to be clear here.’ Tomas takes another sip of the ice-cold Baileys. ‘I really don’t want to lose you. How about we become more than friends who were thrown together because of our family? I have stronger feelings for you than that. I tried at first to pretend it was just friendship, that I was just taking care of a friend of the family, but I always knew it was more than that. I feel we have a connection I can’t explain. We were brought together by an old love story, and I wonder if – I hope – we might have a love story of our own. I needed to come and tell you how I feel. Do you think we might have a chance?’
Oh, my goodness! This is my movie moment, after all!
I need a big glug of Baileys before answering, or I might screech out my response in happiness. Thankfully, the fire crackles and a piece of ash flies out, giving me a moment to compose myself. If I didn’t know better, I would think it were a ghost of Christmases past telling me to hurry up with my answer.
‘I’d like that very much.’
‘Oh, that’s a relief. I was so worried about telling you how I truly felt.’
‘It’s better to be honest with each other, and sometimes you have to take that chance.’
I draw Tomas towards me, and then we kiss again. Not a polite, friendly kiss, not even one like our New Year’s Eve kiss, but a real, deep kiss as though we have been lovers forever.
It feels amazing to have that closeness to another person again, and it hits me how much I have been missing all this time. The mixture of Baileys, an open fire and the handsome, kind Tomas feels like bliss. Before too long, we can’t keep our hands off each other, and I decide that he may have to move his things out of the spare room and into mine since we are certainly no longer in the friendship zone.
Craig and I never managed to make love in front of an open fire. Maybe that is another reason our marriage didn’t last, because I would certainly recommend it.
For the rest of the evening, we lie in each other’s arms, eat what is available in the larder and watch a Christmas movie that I have seen at least ten times before. As the snow comes down all around us, we are warm, well fed and happy. I cannot think of anything more perfect.
When we wake up the next morning, tangled together, Tomas leans over and kisses me. We stare at each other from our pillows and smile.
‘I’m so glad I followed you over here and found you.’
‘That makes two of us.’
‘So, what shall we do today?’ asks Tomas.
‘It depends on the snow. I was supposed to go to the solicitor’s to sign some papers, but I’m not sure we’ll get out.’
I leave the cosy duvet and the warmth of Tomas’ body to take a look out the bedroom window.
‘Hmm, definitely looks like a snow day to spend at home. Don’t think we’re going anywhere.’
‘Oh really, that’s disappointing,’ laughs Tomas.
‘Yeah?’
‘I can’t possibly imagine a better day than being stuck at home with you in the snow.’
We both smile, and then I get back into bed. We spend the morning snuggling under the duvet and only get up to grab a cup of tea to bring back to bed. This must be the most delightful morning ever.
‘I don’t know that I’ve ever had a more enjoyable day of doing nothing,’ I say.
‘This is certainly the best snowstorm I’ve ever had,’ says Tomas.
I kiss along Tomas’ chin, which is starting to get a five o’clock shadow. I stop to look at him for a moment.
‘I don’t know what’s going on between us, but how can it be possible to feel this close to someone you haven’t known for long?’
‘You know, sometimes, people are made for each other. Even when they’ve lived different lives, like we have.’
‘Why did I not meet you years ago?’ I say, looking into Tomas’ eyes.
‘Because some things are worth waiting for, Olivia.’
Tomas throws the duvet over us, and we sink into its depths and the day goes by in a lazy love-making haze.