Chapter Nineteen
Clara
Clara stirred as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains.
She blinked slowly, her mind gradually piecing together where she was.
The solid warmth of Sam’s body against her back, spooning her, his arm draped protectively over her waist, brought a rush of memories from the night before.
For a moment, she held her breath, afraid to move in case she burst the bubble of contentment. Sam always had a way of making her feel safe, but this was like being a in a cocoon of tranquillity.
He stirred behind her, his breath tickling the nape of her neck as he mumbled a sleepy ‘good morning.’ Clara rolled over to face him, her insides turning to jelly at the sight of his tousled hair and the soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
‘Morning.’ She ran the pad of her thumb over the stubbly beard that covered his cute little dimples, and the two of them lay for a moment, simply gazing at each other.
Clara’s fingers traced the lines of Sam’s face, and he gently increased the pressure of his hold on her hips.
The morning light caught flecks of silver in his blue eyes; it reminded her of the sea.
‘Listen,’ Sam said, his low, raspy voice tickling her. ‘About last night…’
‘What about it?’ He wasn’t going to say he regretted it, was he? Or that alcohol had pushed them into it.
‘I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen.’
‘But?’
‘No buts. I don’t regret it. I enjoyed it immensely.’
Relief bubbled up inside her. ‘So did I. It felt… right.’
Sam’s hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her skin, mirroring what she’d done to him. ‘It was right. We both needed it.’
Clara nodded, and he pulled her closer, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
‘So what happens now?’
He smiled. ‘Now, we take it one day at a time. We’re friends. We can be adults about it. Let’s enjoy this moment and make the most of it.’
‘Aw, Sam. You’re adorable.’ She snuggled deeper into his embrace, loving the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart against her cheek.
‘I’m glad we can do this together because there’s every likelihood I’ll be moving on this summer. It seems sensible to seize the day with someone I like before I go somewhere else.’
Clara looked up at him, her heart twisting. ‘That’s so unfair that you can’t decide for yourself.’ Though she knew only too well how that felt.
He sighed. ‘I suppose I can. I could choose to stay in Glenbriar and not see the boys very often, but I don’t want that.
They deserve a dad who sticks around. My dad was the best. I loved him so much.
We were all crushed when he died, but at least we have those wonderful memories. I want the boys to have that too.’
Her chest squeezed even more as she nodded her agreement. Of course she wanted that for his sons too, but a tiny, selfish part of her wept that she wouldn’t have him for herself.
Later that morning, they were heading back to Sam’s mum’s house to pick her up – along with his nieces – for an Easter Egg trail at a local historic property.
A strange but wonderful sense of empowerment flowed through her veins.
Being with Sam last night had done something to her, lifted her somehow.
Maybe it was just the thrill of having it as their little secret, or maybe it was something deeper, but whatever it was, she felt good. Almost walking-on-sunshine good.
As she walked across the green in front of Moira’s house, she felt like bursting into song. Some kids were out playing in gardens, enjoying the warm day, and as they approached the house, Alisha and Mina’s voices reached them, sounding cheery and full of mischief.
‘They’re waiting for their naughty uncle to lead them further astray.’ Clara glanced at Sam with a smirk.
‘I’m sure that won’t be a problem.’ He winked at her.
‘Good morning, sweethearts.’ Moira opened the door as they’d just reached the gate. ‘How was the wedding? Come and tell me everything.’
Clara wouldn’t go quite that far – Moira didn’t need to know what she’d got up to with Sam last night – but she joined in with his chat about the wedding and the reception.
Moira took it all in as she called the girls in from the garden and started them getting ready for their outing.
‘So, is that all the fake stuff over?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ Sam said.
‘And what if Dominic invites you both to something in the future?’
Sam exchanged a glance with Clara. ‘Well, we haven’t thought that far ahead. I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’
Once they were all toileted and had their shoes on, they piled into Sam’s car.
‘I’ll go in the back with the girls.’ Sam climbed in. ‘We can let the senior ladies have the front.’
‘Excuse me.’ Clara put her hands on her hips. ‘How old do you think I am?’
Moira laughed and shook her head. ‘Cheeky boy.’
He grinned as he clicked his seatbelt, and Mina jumped in beside him.
Clara put the address into the satnav, and Moira admired it. ‘Very clever these things. I don’t have one in my car. Though hopefully we won’t need it. I think I remember the way.’
‘Then keep me right,’ Clara said. ‘I’m not sure I trust these roads to be the same twice. We drove around the same village about six times when we were looking for the cottage.’
Moira chuckled. ‘There are a lot of lanes, and many of them look the same.’
With Moira’s directions, it was a fairly easy drive to Winterbury Abbey, a magnificent Georgian estate nestled in the heart of the countryside.
The grand house stood proudly against the backdrop of rolling fields and manicured gardens.
A lake sprawled to the front with a large fountain in the centre, and grebes glided across the glittering water.
Sam took the girls to the reception to collect the clipboard and pen they needed for the egg trail, and they all set off towards a little woodland.
Moira chatted about various things that caught her eye as she walked alongside Clara, who was listening, but was constantly distracted as Sam read out the clues to the girls.
Honestly, he could read out the telephone directory in that voice, and she’d melt.
No wonder he was such a popular teacher at school.
He probably had them all mesmerised. She was sure she’d read a book at one point about a magician or a wizard who could control people with the amazing power of his voice – Sam was that wizard.
‘The café looked nice,’ Moira said as they made their way past a small fountain where there was another egg with a clue on it. ‘I noticed they had a basket of picnic blankets. We could get a takeaway and sit out on the grass. It’s such a nice day. I’m glad I put this dress on.’
‘It suits you.’ Clara smiled at the smartly tailored, powder-blue dress. ‘It goes with your eyes.’
‘That’s very kind of you to say so.’
‘I mean it. And your hair’s really well-cut too.’
‘Oh, my hairdresser will be happy to know that. I wasn’t sure about this feathery cut, but it’s growing on me. It took me long enough to get used to the colour. Obviously, it wasn’t always this white. I used to be blonde like Claire, but, well, that was a long time ago.’
‘I think you look great.’
Moira smiled at her. ‘You’re a lovely girl, thank you.’
‘I love the sound of a picnic.’ Clara shielded her eyes and looked around. ‘This is the perfect place for one.’
Once the girls had finished the egg hunt, they returned to the main building, where Sam accompanied them up to get their prizes.
‘Tasty,’ Moira said, eyeing the foil-wrapped chocolate eggs they ran back with. ‘But keep them until after lunch.’
The café was well stocked, and they piled up trays and took them out onto the grass.
Relaxing out in the sun was so pleasant.
And once they’d set up their picnic, Clara was happy to stay there just soaking up the heat.
After Sam had eaten, he got up to chase after the girls and play croquet with them.
Moira chuckled as she sipped her iced coffee. ‘He’s such a great uncle.’
‘He is,’ Clara agreed.
‘So good with the kids.’ Moria cocked her head, watching him with a slight sadness in her eyes. ‘I don’t know where the time goes. I really don’t. Seems like yesterday that Claire and Sam were little. He’s always been a good lad, so down to earth and caring. Very like his dad.’
‘And you.’ Clara smiled at her. ‘You’re very like that yourself.’
‘Ah, bless you for saying so.’ She put her hand on Clara’s arm. ‘I feel sad sometimes that Sam’s had rotten luck in life. Not all of it, obviously, but some of the business with his ex was bad.’
‘Yes, it was.’
‘I’m glad he has a friend like you. It’s nice to see him so relaxed and happy. He’s clever at putting on a face and pretending everything is ok, but this time, it’s different. I can see it in his eyes.’
Clara’s heart skipped a beat. Was it her friendship that had caused the shift? She’d help him in a heartbeat if she thought he needed it, but it always seemed like him who was helping her. ‘He’s been a good friend to me. We look out for each other.’
Recently, it had become a lot more than that. Starting last night.
‘That’s so lovely.’ Moira squeezed Clara’s wrist. ‘I appreciate you being there for him. He needs a friend like you.’
‘And I need a friend like him.’ Clara swallowed down an unexpected wave of emotion.
‘Perfect.’ Moira smiled at her before choosing another sandwich.
The day went by too quickly, or it maybe just felt like that because Clara and Sam were leaving the day after. Clara didn’t want to say goodbye to Moira and the girls that evening. It felt too soon.
‘We’ll see you again in just a few weeks,’ Moira said. ‘When we come up to Scotland for the May half term. I know you’ll be working, but I’m looking forward to visiting Glenbriar. It sounds like a wonderful place, and if you were free at all, we’d love to see you.’
‘I’ll do everything I can to make sure I get to see you.’ Clara hugged her tight. ‘It’s been so lovely meeting you.’