Chapter 24 #2
‘Because the trustees want to offer you the manager’s job.
’ He smiled, even though his movements were still twitchy.
‘They contacted me to say how impressed they’d been with everything you’d done, and they wanted my opinion on whether to offer you the job permanently.
I told them you’d be amazing in the role.
’ He took a nervous step closer. ‘I know the salary might not be what you’re looking for, but even if you did it while you looked for something else, I think you’d really make a difference here. Even more than you have already.’
Sofia was stunned. She had a job offer already? And at the place she loved coming to, it was too much to believe. But then she realised what the job offer meant for Connor. ‘But what about you? Don’t you want the job? I wouldn’t feel right taking it when you’ve done so much for the place.’
He shook his head. ‘You don’t need to worry about me.’
‘But I do, Connor.’ She reached for him, before thinking better of it and lowering her hand. ‘You were here first, this is your project, your baby. You told me you didn’t want to volunteer here anymore because of me. So honestly, I’d rather step back and let you run things than take the job.’
He was shaking his head. ‘I meant, you don’t need to worry about me because I’ve decided to finish my degree.’
She hadn’t expected that. ‘You’re going back to university?’
‘It’s a way of reclaiming what I lost. I only dropped out because of what happened to me and the fallout. I’ve realised allowing it to derail the rest of my life would be like punishing myself for something I didn’t do.’
She leaned on the chair, needing to steady her legs. ‘I agree.’
‘By finishing my degree, I think it’ll help erase some of the resentment I feel.’
‘That’s great, Connor. Really.’ She forced herself to appear happy for him … and she was, but she was also sad about what this news meant for her. He’d be going away.
Connor ran a hand through his hair. ‘I need to stop wallowing in self-pity and take control of my life. This is the first step.’
She wanted to reassure him that his unhappiness was justified and understandable, but it was all she could do to form a simple sentence.
‘I’m really pleased for you,’ she said, hating the tremble in her voice.
She couldn’t let him see how upset she was, not when he was taking such a positive step forwards and improving his wellbeing.
She blinked away her tears. ‘Which university will you be going to?’
‘The Open University. That way, I don’t have to leave home, and I can continue volunteering here … with you.’ He hesitated. ‘If that’s okay.’
His words landed in her brain, a jumble of shock and joy. She was almost too afraid to ask, but she needed confirmation she wasn’t dreaming. ‘You’re not leaving?’
He shook his head, watching her carefully. ‘Are you interested in the job?’
‘Very much.’
He looked hopeful. ‘So you’ll accept?’
‘I will.’
His smile was all the answer she needed. He was genuinely happy for her. ‘I’ll text the chair now and let her know the good news.’
Overcome, Sofia closed her eyes and tried to assemble her thoughts. She had a job. Connor wasn’t leaving. It was all she could wish for, almost. There was one last question yet to be answered.
When she opened her eyes, a flutter of red caught her attention and a butterfly appeared in the room as if from nowhere. It circled the space, before landing gently on her shoulder. She watched as it opened and closed its wings, not daring to move in case she frightened it.
Connor finished texting and was smiling at her. ‘Mrs Hislop approves of your appointment as manager.’
‘Is this her? The ghost of Mrs Hislop?’ She inwardly groaned. ‘What am I saying, of course it’s not, that would be insane. There’s no such thing as ghosts, that would be bonkers.’
He laughed. ‘Sounds like something Luisa would say.’
She smiled. ‘In this instance, it’s apt.’
Connor’s phone pinged. ‘The chair’s delighted,’ he said, reading the message. ‘She’s going to contact you with a formal offer.’
On hearing that, the butterfly flew off, disappearing into the rafters, as if it had never existed. Sofia searched the room, but there was no sign of it.
‘This has been a very strange day,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘My mind’s playing tricks on me. I’m seeing butterflies, and now I can hear music.’
‘That’s not your imagination. The salsa class is starting in the hall.’
She frowned. ‘But it’s not salsa night?’
‘It’s a private booking.’ He glanced nervously at her before moving towards the door. ‘Come take a look.’ He offered her a shaky hand.
She took his hand and let him lead her out of the office, wondering what was happening.
The dark hall was a glimmer of fairy lights. The central glitter ball was slowly spinning and catching the light, sending flickers of dancing light across the floor. Soft salsa music played in the background.
‘What’s all this?’ she asked, looking around. ‘And why isn’t anybody here?’
‘Like I said, it’s a private booking.’ Connor cleared his throat. ‘For me—and you.’
She turned to him. ‘You did this for me?’
His expression was shy. ‘With a bit of help.’
‘Don’t mind me!’ a voice called from the front of the hall. ‘Pretend I’m not here!’
Sofia turned towards the voice. ‘Luisa?’ What on earth was her sister doing here?
‘Who’s Luisa?’ came her sister’s reply. ‘No Luisa here, just an invisible fairy playing cupid. I’ll be in the back room out of earshot, away from prying eyes, and absolutely not crouched behind the curtains watching you two doing whatever it is you’re about to do.
Ignore me. I’m gone. Look how I’m gone.’ There was a thud. ‘Nothing to see!’
Sofia shook her head. ‘Why is my sister here? I’m confused.’
‘It’s Luisa’s way of apologising for what she did. I should’ve known it would end in chaos,’ he said, smiling. He was still holding her hand and he gently squeezed it, moving so he was facing her. ‘Will you dance with me?’
She was still unsure what was happening. ‘This is very unexpected.’
‘Hugh told me I needed to make a big romantic gesture.’
‘He did?’
‘To show you how I really feel.’ He waited, his eyes pleading, until she succumbed and began dancing with him. Only then did he smile. ‘I’m just glad you came here after your hearing. It would have been embarrassing if you’d gone home. But Luisa assured me you’d come.’
So that’s why Luisa had been texting asking where she was.
She rested one hand on Connor’s chest, as they slowly moved together.
This was the moment of truth. She couldn’t allow herself to hope until she knew for certain what this romantic gesture meant.
‘Last time we spoke you told me we couldn’t be together.
Does this mean you’ve changed your mind? ’
His thumb circled the back of her hand. ‘I was scared and an idiot. I’m sorry.’
She met his eyes. ‘Why were you scared?’
‘I couldn’t believe someone like you wanted someone like me. But I’m going to do better, I promise. I’m going to finish my degree and get a decent job, and I’ll be the man who deserves you.’ He hesitated. ‘If that’s still what you want?’
‘You don’t need to do anything for me, Connor. Finish your degree, if that’s what’s right for you, but please don’t think you have to do anything for me, or be anything different than who you are. I just want you, as you are. I love you.’
He stopped dancing. ‘You love me?’
‘You think I’d have put myself through all of this if I didn’t?
’ It was time for the truth, laid bare. ‘I started falling in love with you before we’d even met, the first day I saw you on the train.
I didn’t think you’d ever notice me, so I couldn’t believe my luck when the train broke down and you spoke to me that day.
That’s why Luisa and I showed up here to volunteer. It was because of you.’
His eyes had widened. ‘I spent every train journey trying not to stare at you in case you thought I was a creep. And the whole time you wanted to talk to me?’
She nodded.
He closed his eyes. ‘Remind me to thank Network Rail for unreliable trains.’
‘Having made so much effort to get your attention, you can see why I was upset when you rejected me.’
‘I didn’t reject you,’ he said, on a rush.
‘Or, that’s not how it felt. I think I was saving myself from being rejected, I couldn’t believe you wanted to be with me.
But when I spoke to Elena, she told me you’d never lie, and I should listen to you and trust what you say.
So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m putting my trust in you and praying you really do love me, because I’m completely and stupidly in love with you.
Like totally in love with you.’ He grimaced.
‘I just said “totally”. What am I, fifteen?’
Sofia laughed, but felt a catch in her throat. ‘You love me?’
He nodded. ‘I do.’
She felt her cheeks grow warm. ‘Does this mean we can be together?’
His smile was the gentlest and softest she’d ever seen, a smile that made her insides melt. ‘If that’s okay with you?’
‘How much longer are you two going to be!’ Luisa shouted from the front of the hall. ‘I’m getting cramp! Just bloody kiss, will you!’
Taking her sister’s advice, Sofia kissed Connor.
She knew she needed to take the lead, she’d be waiting all night for him to kiss her. It was up to her to show him she meant every word and she was in this for real. So she kissed him, unabashed, pulling him close, so he’d be certain this was what she wanted.
There was a brief hesitation on his part, a moment where his body flinched as if he was shocked into immobility, and then it was like someone had flicked a switch and he kissed her back, leaving her in no doubt as to how he felt.
He really did love her.
They continued kissing, and kissed some more, letting their bodies do the talking.
They continued kissing, even when Luisa started bowing to an imaginary audience and proclaimed, ‘Thank you, ladies and gentleman, my work here is done.’