He laughed with delight and they sang it so well together the crowd were clapping and cheering when they finished with a flourish. Out of breath and laughing Bella stepped off the stage and straight into Roman’s arms and a breath stopping kiss.
“Well, who would have thought that you could sing like that?” Lydia said.
“I can’t,” Bella said.
“You just proved that you can,” Roman said as he led her back to their table.
“It was just a fluke that they sang a song I know.”
“It was amazing, do you need a drink?” Lydia said.
“I am a bit dry, but no more alcohol please, can I just have some water?”
Louise went off to the bar and came back with a glass of sparkling water, two beers and a glass of coke for herself. The group were playing the last few numbers all of them slow and smoochy and the evening was drawing to a close. Finally with one long chord the music ended, Terry and the group joining some of the girls who followed them from pub to pub.
Edward finished his beer and said “Well I’m just going to see Lydia home, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then Lydia kissed them both goodbye and said she’d see them soon, then they left.
Bella hid a yawn and Roman tucked her arm into his and said “Time for bed.”
“Mmm, it’s been a lovely evening. I like your friends especially Edward and Lydia.”
Roman gazed at her speculatively “What about the group?”
“They were very good, Terry’s got a great voice but I think he’ll be better when he grows up.”
They were walking along the quiet streets towards Roman’s house, hand in hand. Giving her hand a squeeze he said “We had a lot of fun together at uni, but Edward and I were always more serious about getting our degrees than Terry and Keith. But like everything else in their lives they sailed through exams.”
“That’s fine when you’re young but we all have to grow up sometime. Living for now is great for a while but eventually I should think it becomes boring.”
Swinging her into his arms he kissed her and said “For an artist you are so wise grasshopper.”
Bella laughed out loud and swatted his arm “And for an old man you are so cheesy, master.”
“Ha, I knew you’d remember that old film,” Roman said as they continued their walk home.
By the time they’d let themselves into the house, Bella was yawning almost continuously. Once she’d washed her face and cleaned her teeth she fell into bed and was asleep the minute her head hit the pillow. Roman looked down at her ruefully, tucked the duvet around her and climbed into bed reminding himself not to ply her with rich food and alcohol when he wanted to make love with her.
Chapter 13
Bella was woken with a kiss the next morning. Opening blurry eyes she smiled up at Roman and the mug of tea he was holding out to her. Pushing her pillows behind her she scooted up the bed and accepted the hot drink.
“This is what I call room service, especially the toplless waiter bit.”
Roman grinned and flexed his abs “Only the best for my songbird.”
He was only wearing his Calvin Kleins and as he climbed into bed beside her the cold off his body made her shiver.
“Gosh you’re frozen!”
“Mmm, it’s colder than I thought, but I’ll soon warm up,” he said as he proceeded to show her how by wrapping himself around her. She giggled and gasped as his cold hands brushed over the sensitive points on her body, then she wasn’t cold anymore as she gave herself over to his teasing love making. Wrapped in his arms and with his now hot body next to her she finally got to drink her mug of tea which had been cooling on the bedside table.
“How long do you think it will take to to get to the hall?” she asked.
“About three quarters of an hour if we’re lucky.”
“We can set up between four and seven, so if we leave at three o’clock we’ll have plenty of time. It won’t take me long to set up as I’ve got the layout in my head.”
After a leisurely shower and even longer full English breakfast they were lounging on the sofa, sharing the daily paper that had been delivered that morning, when Edward finally arrived home.
“Just passing through I’m afraid,” he said, “got a meeting with my agent at two o’clock.”
“Ok, we’ll be heading off at about three, to set up Bella’s stall, then we’ll probably have a meal but we won’t be late back as it’ll be a busy day tomorrow and Sunday.”
“I’m going to a showing of Lydia’s photographs tonight at a little gallery in town. God knows when I’ll get home, so I’m afraid we’ll be like ships that pass in the night. Might catch up with you Sunday night.”
“No problem Edward Bella’s got a couple of fairs in November and one the beginning of December so you’ll be seeing quite a bit of us.”
Bella put in “Lydia’s photographs? Is she a photographer?”
She’s a first class photo journalist and she has taken pictures all over the world, mostly for magazines and newspapers, but she’s finally managed to put together a collection of her work and this gallery offered to display it.” Edward told her.
“That’s fantastic. I’d love to see her work.”
“Perhaps you could pop in tonight if you’re not too tired?”
Bella looked at Roman who said “We’ll try, give me the postcode for my sat nav and if it isn’t too late when we finish setting up we’ll drop in for a while.”
Edward did that then dashed off to change into a clean pair of jeans, smart shirt and jacket before a taxi picked him up at one o’clock.
* * *
By the time they’d arrived at the venue, for the craft fair, Bella understood why most Londoners took the tube or a taxi and didn’t drive, even on the outskirts the traffic was dreadful and it was four thirty before they pulled up outside the old palladian style building where the fair was to be held. They couldn’t drive into the building because of the steps leading to it and all her goods had to be carried up them and along to her stall. As they put the last black bags containing her cushions and throws on the floor, she said “Thank god I only make light things.”
Roman nodded in agreement “Did you see those people struggling up the steps with their sack trucks piled high? One poor woman dropped a box and from the noise it made the things inside were breakable.”
“Yes, it’s not exactly a good venue for potters or glassmakers. Let’s hope they sell loads so they don’t have as much to carry down those steps on Sunday evening.”
Once all her goods were inside it didn’t take Bella long to set out her stall. To her delight it looked as good as those around her and some of the other stall holders had stopped by to say hello and admire her stall. Before they left Roman helped her to lay a thin new tarpaulin over everything just in case there were any leaks in the old building. The fair holders were supplying security so although she didn’t like leaving her things unattended she crossed her finger and hoped they’d be OK.
Separating, they took the smart clothes they’d brought with them into the ladies and gents loos, to change . Bella brushed out her ponytail, leaving her hair to curl around her face and shoulders, washed her face and applied a light makeup, then she took off her baggy sweatshirt and slipped on a pretty tunic top, deodorant and a squirt of perfume. Her jeans were clean and smart so she removed her trainers and socks and put on a pair of wedge heel pumps and the transformation was complete.
She emerged from the ladies, with her old things in a bag, to discover Roman waiting for her. He’d washed his face and shaved and was wearing a smart shirt instead of his scruffy rugby shirt he’d worn to work in, and had changed his trainers for smart brogues. As she joined him he did a double take and said “I’m sorry but I’m spoken for. You didn’t see a scruffy urchin in the loos did you?”
&n
bsp; Laughing she replied “You don’t scrub up too bad yourself considering.”
“Considering what?” Roman frowned.
“That you are such a country oink.”
Swatting her bottom he chuckled, they said their goodbyes to the stall holders they’d met and went out to the van where they’d left their smart jackets, Bella’s being a wool poncho she’d made and Roman’s a sports jacket. They’d decided to eat at a small Italian restaurant located between the craft fair venue and the gallery where Lydia’s photos were to be displayed. Being early the restaurant was very quiet so they were served very quickly with both settling for just a main course, then coffee. Bella ate a delicious spaghetti alle vongole and Roman enjoyed pollo alla cacciatore, both with sparkling water, then a very good coffee and biscotti. They were tired after their busy afternoon and meal and would quite happily have gone home and chilled out for the evening but they didn’t want to upset Edward and Lydia by not turning up at the gallery so Roman paid the bill and they went out to the van. Although it was evening and dark, the streets were still bustling and Bella said “I don’t know how people cope in these crowds all the time.”
“Many people like the hustle and bustle and would hate to be`buried` on Dartmoor. I’ve had friends to visit who live in London and our slow pace of life drives them mad after a few days.”
“Bristol is busy, at least I thought it was ‘till I came here,” Bella said, “but I hadn’t been out much in the last few years.”
Roman glanced at her and saw how her lips had compressed so didn’t question her, just held the door open for her to get into the van.
The streets around the gallery were lined with cars and he drove along slowly hoping for someone to move. When a man walked to a car ahead of them he positioned himself perfectly and as the car pulled out he swung the van into the gap, beating two other people to the space. The drivers of those cars swore and stuck up fingers but he blithely ignored them and leapt out to hold Bella’s door for her, then pay for two hours on the parking meter. The gallery was a block away, and the night was cold but luckily not raining so Roman draped his arm around Bella’s shoulder and they strolled along admiring the lights and buildings around them. Closer to the gallery they could hear music and the babble of people talking, as the doors were flung open to welcome those who’d only come for free wine and nibbles, and those who were prospective buyers. Holding her hand tight Roman eased through the crowd to find a young woman who took Bella’s poncho and handed over a ticket. Moving through the first small area she was surprised to see that all the photographs were of people’s faces. Their feelings of joy or sorrow leapt out at her and she was mesmerised by each one.
“My god,” she said to Roman, “it’s almost as if you can feel what they are feeling.” Then her eyes filled with tears at the sight of a group of young children, half starved and in rags, cowering in terror .
They moved on through an arch into a larger room and at the far end they saw Lydia, Edward at her side, looking beautiful and petite and far too young to have witnessed the horrors she must have seen if you looked at the pictures on the walls. Classical music played quietly and in here people weren’t laughing or talking loudly but were looking intently at the mounted photographs, which had caught each subject unknowingly and put such depth and meaning into their expressions. As they moved through the crowds Edward saw them and waved them over .
“Hello,” he said, “so glad you could make it. Here let me get you a drink,” and he waved at a young waiter who immediately came over and offered his tray of red or white wine.
Edward drew Lydia to his side and she said “So pleased to see you,” then she lowered her voice, “please stay, protect me from pretentious snobs.”
Bella, who had just taken a sip of her wine choked and Roman slapped her on the back. “Oh gosh,” she sputtered, “sorry about that, went down the wrong way.”
“You’ve had a great turnout,” Roman said.
Lydia laughed “Most of those in the front and spilling out onto the pavement are only here for the free booze and nibbles. They’ll go on somewhere else soon, then we’ll be able to close the doors.”
A slim middle aged man dashed over to her and said “I’ve got an American who wants to buy a load of photos for his office in New York. You need to talk to him Lydia.”
She pulled a face at Edward and said “I may be a while, have a look round, help yourselves to nibbles and I’ll try to catch up with you later.”
As she hurried off Edward said “It’s so hard for her, she’s so talented and brave but always doubts that her stuff is good enough. It took me ages to persuade her to have a show. All the photos here are from her private collection, the magazines and newspapers want photos of war and destruction, but as well as taking those she took photos of all the people she met along the way, and she remembers the story of everyone. I’m hoping that one day we’ll write a book together, about her work.”
Bella nodded “You can almost see what each person was thinking or feeling. I’m so pleased we came.”
They walked round the room with Edward who told them what he knew about many of the people in the photos until Roman looked at his watch and realized that their parking meter would be running out shortly, so they made their farewells quickly and walked briskly back to the van. Roman hadn’t drunk his glass of wine, having passed it to Bella, so he started up the van and they headed for home.
* * *
The alarm clock woke them at seven. Roman who had been spooned around Bella with one leg over hers swore, rolled over and stuck out a hand to silence it. Before she could move he’d rolled back captured her legs under his and slid his hand around to caress her breast as he kissed and tickled the sensitive skin under her ear.
“Mmm,” she murmured as delicious heat pooled in her belly and her body tingled in response to his caresses, “we really don’t have time for this.”
Easing her over so they lay face to face he feathered kisses over her eyes and nose and chin. Finding her lips he kissed her, lightly at first then as her lips parted against his, deeper until all that existed for her were the sensations flooding through her. When he entered her she groaned with pleasure and her body tightened around him. As her orgasm built he plunged deeper until she called out his name, `Roman`. Together they fell over the precipice until they lay together waiting for their bodies to stop quivering.
“We’ll always have time for this,” he said, “everything else comes second to how I feel about you.”
She cuddled into him and said “I love you Roman.”
“Then say you’ll marry me!”
She went still and he held his breath. “Yes I’ll marry you.”
It was his turn to be still, then he sat up and looked down at her. She smiled up at him tentatively and he laughed with delight.
“When?” he demanded.
“After we’ve been engaged for a year.”
He frowned “A year? That’s too long.”
Bella sat up. “No, actually it’s quite normal to be engaged for even longer than that. There’s so much to organise, after all.”
“That’ll be in the winter, let’s make it June or July, the weather’ll be good. We could have a marquee in the grounds so we don’t have to worry about looking for a venue. Say yes Bella.”
She looked into his eyes, saw the love there and gave in. “Alright, July.”
With a `Yes` he pulled her into his arms and kissed her but before he could take it further she pushed him away and said,”I’ve got a craft fair to go to and I thought you said that you’ve got an appointment in the city.”
“Spoilsport,” he grumbled as he watched her slide out of bed, appreciating her pert bottom as she turned away towards the ensuite.
She sashayed across the room, turned and gave him a wide eyed look and said “you could always join me i
n the shower.”
Jumping out of bed he grinned as she squealed and dashed through the door. He caught her just before she entered the large shower stall and spent the next half hour showing how delighted he was that she’d said yes.
By the time they’d showered and dressed and entered the kitchen the clock on the wall read eight twenty.
“Is that clock right?” Bella asked as she hurriedly poured a bowl of cereal while waiting for the kettle to boil. “I thought it would be later than that.”
Roman grinned “The alarm clock is forty five minutes fast. I set it last night.”
Her mouth dropped open “Do you mean to say that I was woken up at six fifteen?”
“Yes, we were in bed by ten thirty and went straight to sleep. I thought something might come up between us this morning,” and he waggled his eyebrows at her.
Speechless, Bella shook her head, then she grinned at him and said “Not just a country oink but a sex mad one at that.”
Putting on a hurt expression he said “Oink I’ll accept but sex mad only for you.”
She softened and going to him wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest “Forever I hope.”
Knowing how badly she’d been hurt and how hard it had been for her to trust again he said “Forever or until you get bored with me.”
“You’ll never bore me Roman Cowle, infuriate, exasperate and annoy me but never bore.”
They were interrupted by a knock on the front door. “Oh god there’s my taxi. Will you ask him to wait while I collect my things?”
Roman went through, opened the door and asked the taxi driver to wait, then he returned to the kitchen to help Bella to collect her coat, moneybag, a thermos flask she’d quickly filled with tea, and her mobile phone. Carrying the flask he asked “Is that it, got your float?”
The Wishing Well Page 15
