Chapter Thirty-Four
Prague, eleven months later
Christmas Eve
I look across to the dressing table where I left Aunt Grace’s ashes until the time came to reunite her with Marek.
Wearing the red dress that I bought for today, I take the ashes in my hands. Red was always Aunt Grace’s favourite colour, and it was quite the search to find something that suited me for this occasion.
‘You look lovely,’ says Tomas.
‘Thank you. I can’t believe the time has finally come,’ I say, fighting to overcome my emotions.
‘Are you okay?’ asks Tomas.
‘Yeah, I’m fine.’
‘You must remember that today’s a happy day. We’re reuniting them.’
‘Yeah. I know.’
I place the ashes on my lap as Tomas drives towards a place that I haven’t visited before. Just like everywhere else I have seen in Prague, it is in another beautiful setting. It even has three parks surrounding it, and the gardens are impressively well-maintained. As soon as I see its location set high above the city, I realise that Tomas was right to choose this place. It is the perfect spot to spread the ashes.
We meet Albert and Zuzana at the car park so that we can find the final resting place together. My eyes well up when I see them both walking towards us. Albert carries Marek’s ashes, and I head towards them carrying Aunt Grace’s. Finally, they meet again. We all pause for a moment of silence.
We begin to walk around the gardens until we find the right place. However, above us, some clouds are threatening to erupt. Oh no, this is not what we had planned for today. The sun had been shining earlier. It looks now as though it can’t decide whether to rain or snow, and a plop of slushy rain lands on my coat. Tomas notices my concern as I try to protect Aunt Grace from the elements.
‘It’s just a shower. Don’t worry. Let’s go under that tree until it stops.’
The four of us take shelter under a huge old tree on which someone has carved a heart. All it needs are the initials G & M to be complete. But, of course, I would never graffiti a tree!
As we wait for the rain to stop, the four of us talk about how happy Aunt Grace and Marek would be if only they could have known that one day they would be together again. Then, just as quickly as the shower started, it stops, and the sun pops out from behind a cloud. It looks like the right moment to spread their ashes has arrived.
We walk a little further and discover the most beautiful resting place in a patch of greenery overlooking the city and the Vltava River.
‘This is it,’ I say.
‘Definitely,’ says Albert.
Zuzana smiles and nods as she holds on tightly to Albert’s arm.
‘Perfect,’ says Tomas.
‘You ready?’ I say to Albert.
‘Yes.’
We unscrew the lids of our respective urns and scatter the contents together. The ashes fly about and dance together before merging into one another and forming a single cloud.
We all hug each other. Albert pats me on the back. ‘We did it! We reunited them, and it’s all thanks to you.’
I look up to the sky and see that a bright rainbow has appeared above us. It frames the four of us, the ashes, and the view of the Vltava River.
Aunt Grace always told me that after a storm comes a rainbow, and it is as if she is reminding me that after hard times, there is always hope. I look at Tomas, his eyes shining with emotion, his hair swept by the wind, and realise that I am grateful for those dark days after Craig left me, as I can truly appreciate the happier moments and will never take anything for granted.
‘So, we’ll see you both later for dinner, hey?’ says Tomas, reminding Albert and Zuzana about the Christmas Eve meal we have planned for tonight back at our home.
‘Looking forward to it,’ says Albert.
‘Sorry we have to rush off, but there’s somewhere I must take Olivia now,’ says Tomas.
‘We understand,’ smiles Albert.
Tomas won’t tell me where he is taking me, but he told me yesterday that he had a surprise planned for today after we had reunited Aunt Grace and Marek. So, as Tomas drives us away from the park, I sit quietly, trying to work out where we are going until I realise we are heading towards Prague Castle.
It is almost a year since I first came to this enchanted castle that stands out amongst the views of Prague. The soggy sleet has turned into snow by the time we arrive, and it is falling fast. It is getting slippery underfoot, and I try to steady myself as I walk along the white ground beneath me, heading towards the castle. I am glad of the strength of Tomas’ arm, which I grip onto tightly to make sure I don’t fall head first.
We walk towards the castle that I saw last year when I was a tourist. Now, I am more of a resident, and I look around, remembering the stories Tomas told me about Franz Kafka and the bookshop here, the Gunpower Bridge and the tales from within these castle walls that have been told over centuries.
I take my time looking at the building, but Tomas seems to be in a rush to get around the sights of the castle today. Perhaps he wants to catch the changing of the guards, like the last time we were here. Although, I am also aware that we have a busy day and a lot to do before tonight.
He seems a little stressed, even though I have promised to help with the cooking for Albert and Zuzana. Fortunately, Tomas managed to find someone to hold the reins at the bar tonight. The culinary tours he now runs around the city have also been cancelled for the day. I am so glad he liked my idea, and they have become the success I knew they would.
‘Let’s head to the gardens. We don’t have much time,’ says Tomas as I stop to explore a colourful building on the Golden Lane. I am not sure why he wanted to come here today if he is going to be so worried about getting back home.
We rush along to the next part of the castle and make our way to the Royal Gardens, which is slowly becoming a blanket of brilliant white snow.
‘Gosh, this is so beautiful, Tomas.’
I look around to see that we are the only two people about. Perhaps the inclement weather has kept people away.
‘I thought it would be perfect here. Come closer,’ says Tomas.
He takes one hand and then the other and pulls me close.
‘Olivia, I have something to ask you.’
Suddenly, I feel nervous. I hope it isn’t that he wants us to leave Prague. Surely not, as we love running the businesses. I also enjoy living here near Albert and Zuzana. I love that Zuzana’s English classes with me mean that we can now communicate more. Although I am also trying my best to learn Czech, and fortunately, Tomas is a wonderful teacher.
The mill is so popular as a holiday rental that the regular visitors would be disappointed if I took it off the market if we were to ever think about going back to Wales. Everyone loves it, and it even has four and a half stars on Trip Advisor. Of course, there is always the meanie who has to complain about something, and someone knocked off three stars because they were woken up by the sound of foxes procreating in the bushes outside the back bedroom. Like it was my fault!
Looking at Tomas’ serious face, I begin to worry. I enjoy my life here, and it has all worked out so perfectly. I have everything I never knew I wanted and so much to lose if Tomas doesn’t feel the same way.
‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.
Tomas reaches into his coat pocket and fumbles about. Is my nose running in the cold and he wants to give me a handkerchief? How utterly mortifying!
Thankfully, it isn’t a handkerchief but a little purple box. I immediately recognise that special box.
‘Olivia, it’s been a year since we first met, and I’ve never been happier. I want to make sure we never lose each other. I’m a bit nervous, to be honest. But…’
Tomas opens up the purple box, leaving what is inside in full view.
‘Would you do me the honour of being my wife?’
Snow falls down right in the centre of the ring, and the diamond shines under the glistening snowflake. Tomas removes the solitaire from the box, wipes it over and holds it in his hand.
‘What do you think?’
With the snow gently falling, the castle turrets watching over us, and Tomas looking at me in anticipation, there could only be one answer.
‘Oh, Tomas! Yes, yes, yes!’
I almost rip my mitten from my hand, and Tomas puts the ring on my finger. It is the perfect fit. Tomas must have remembered that the ring was too small for me and had it re-sized. I hold out my hand and stare at my ring finger. Marek had such good taste. It is the most perfect engagement ring I have ever seen.
I stand for a moment, trying to take it all in. A castle, a handsome man in the snow and the engagement ring of my dreams almost make me want to pinch myself. Tomas has given me my fairy-tale movie moment once again.
‘You’d better put your mittens back on. It’s cold,’ says Tomas, as I stand staring at my hand.
Tomas brings me back down to earth, and as I feel the cold at my fingers, I am grateful that my fairy-tale prince is not only gorgeous but caring and practical too.
‘Is that why you were rushing me along?’ I ask.
‘Yes, you wouldn’t believe how nervous I was.’
‘Oh, silly, there’s nothing ever to be nervous about with me.’
‘What if you’d said no?’
‘Well, there wasn’t much chance of that. You and I are perfect together. Just like Aunt Grace and Marek. They’d be so proud if they saw us now, wouldn’t they?’
As we turn to walk towards where Tomas has parked, a little robin suddenly appears. I am not sure if it is the chilly temperature or something more, but I shiver and get goosebumps all over me.
‘Are you cold?’ asks Tomas.
‘Yeah, I guess so.’
‘Come on, let’s get home and get everything ready for tonight.’
I turn back to look at the robin one last time, but just as quickly as it appeared, there is no sign of it.