Chapter 32 #3
Together we cleared the table and put the dirty crockery in the dishwasher.
The tablecloth was shoved in the washing machine and the table cleaned.
Calm restored in the dining room and with the dishwasher whirring away, Mia made us both mugs of tea, and we sat at the table contemplating what had just happened, while Brian leapt onto my knee and Honey settled under the table.
‘You mustn’t keep blaming yourself,’ Mia said kindly. ‘You couldn’t possibly have foreseen this would happen.’
‘Maybe not, but it’s still my fault.’ I cradled my mug of tea feeling miserable and wretched. ‘The thing is,’ I said suddenly, ‘I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to do anything to fix this. I have no idea how I brought them here, so how can I send them back?’
She frowned. ‘Did you say any words at the ceremony? Anything at all?’
I tried to remember, but as far as I could recall I hadn’t said anything. It was just the brooch and the cup that had drawn me to them and heated up as I’d put my hands on them.
‘Well,’ Mia said thoughtfully, after I’d relayed that information to her, ‘maybe the only thing you can do is to recreate what happened that night. We’ll do it all.
Fresh pumpkins on the pumpkin path, switch the fairy lights on again, and borrow the cup from Mrs Brown.
Callie already borrowed the brooch back to show Mrs Alexander, who, you’ll be relieved to hear, is nothing like Charlotte, but an absolute sweetheart.
Callie’s devastated that she has to send her back, but we all feel that the two of them came through together and need to return together. ’
‘And what if it doesn’t work?’ I whispered. ‘What if I can’t return either of them?’
Brian leapt off my knee as tears spilled down my cheeks. I’d seen the upheaval Charlotte was causing and whatever anyone said, I knew that was down to me. Why had I been so stupid?
Mia moved her chair closer and put her arms around me. ‘Don’t cry,’ she said softly. ‘If it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else. We’re all on your side, you know.’
She stroked my hair and despite my worries I couldn’t deny that she was having a physical effect on me that was making me almost forget why I was upset. I turned to look at her and the breath hitched in my throat as I saw the expression in her eyes. This couldn’t be real.
Worried I was misinterpreting her actions I gazed at the floor, where Honey was snoozing, her head on her paws.
Mia gently tilted my chin so I was facing her again, and I saw a look of such tenderness on her face that I couldn’t resist any longer.
I reached out and nervously stroked her cheek with my finger.
She took my hand and kissed it, and we gazed at each other for a moment before she leaned towards me and kissed me.
There were things occurring in my body that I could never have put into words.
I’d never experienced anything like that kiss, and I had no idea what was happening to me.
All I knew was that I didn’t want it to end, because being this close to Mia was everything I’d ever dreamed of or hoped for.
The scent of her perfume, the softness of her skin, the warmth of her lips on mine… It was almost too much to deal with.
Eventually she broke the spell and I blinked, wondering if I’d dreamed it all.
‘I’ve wanted to do that since the day you followed me into this kitchen and told me all about your love for cannoli,’ she said, her grey eyes twinkling.
‘Have you?’ I gasped. I couldn’t imagine why. I’d looked a fright in that sloppy jumper and baggy jeans. Was it possible she’d really been attracted to me, even then?
‘So much,’ she murmured. ‘Didn’t you notice? I thought it was obvious to everyone. Callie certainly guessed.’
‘I-I suppose I wasn’t looking for it. I’ve never… I mean, I’ve had a couple of boyfriends before but never…’
She tilted her head, clearly surprised. ‘But you were attracted to me? I wasn’t imagining that?’
‘God no! I mean, yes. I mean, no you weren’t imagining it and yes, I was attracted to you. I just didn’t think for a minute that you could ever look at someone like me.’
‘You’re way too hard on yourself,’ she told me, taking my hand and kissing it once again.
‘You’re beautiful, Verity. I’ve had other relationships with women, although not for quite a while now.
But I’ve never felt an attraction so intense as this one, and I promise you that’s not a line.
I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you brought Charlotte and Grace back, and I know that’s selfish of me, but I might never have seen you again if you hadn’t. ’
I honestly couldn’t believe what she was saying. All I knew was that I didn’t want this – whatever it was – to end.
‘I’ve missed you too,’ I said. ‘I tried so hard to put you out of my mind, but I couldn’t. You were all I thought about.’
Her face lit up and she moved her chair even closer. ‘Your tea’s getting cold,’ she whispered, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
As she pressed her lips to mine again, I managed to hold on to logical thought just long enough to wonder why on earth I should care about the tea.