“Yeah, it’s in the moneybag.” she climbed into the taxi and the driver pulled away.
Watching her go he wished that he was going with her, then he shook his head as that would have been the last thing she wanted, him hanging about all day with nothing to do, so he turned back into the house and made himself some breakfast.
In the back of the taxi Bella tried to relax then noticed that the driver wasn’t going in the direction Roman had driven the day before “You do know where I’m going , don’t you?”
“Yes love, this way is about five miles longer but thirty minutes faster.”
“Oh right,” she said hesitantly.
“Don’t worry, I know London and its’ outskirts like the back of my hand. Be there before you know it and without sitting in miles of traffic.”
Sure enough he was true to his word and they arrived at nine thirty five. Paying him she said “You were so right, I’ll have to remember that route.”
“Yeah, don’t take any notice of sat navs in London, love. You gotta `ave the Knowledge.”
Giving him a decent tip she asked if he could pick her up at four thirty and he said “Sure enough,” before he pulled out into the traffic.
Walking into the hall and the hustle and bustle of stall holders putting final touches to their pitches, and people gossiping with old friends they hadn’t met since the last craft fair, she felt a bit out of it. She wondered if she’d done the right thing in coming all the way to London, perhaps she should have gone to Bristol or Bath. The fear of bumping into Gervaise or Christine had kept her away from there but now she was regretting it. However by the time she’d made it to her stall she was feeling better. People said good morning to her and a few advised her to get her complimentary bacon butty and a cup of tea before the throngs arrived. Those on the stalls around her couldn’t have been friendlier and queueing at the buffet stall, stallholder badge stuck firmly to her chest, she started to feel like one of them already, as she realised that even the most experienced crafters still worried that they might not sell much.
By late afternoon she knew that such worries were groundless. At this craft fair shoppers were seriously looking for unusual Christmas gifts or the perfect finishing touch to their home decor. The coffee and occasional tables, she’d brought, were an instant success and now she was once again worried that she hadn’t brought enough or her prices were too low. She just hadn’t had the time to wander round looking at other stalls prices. Luckily she’d brought large quantities of cushions, throws, bags, and painted jugs watering cans and buckets, so by three thirty she unpacked them from the black bags she’d pushed under her stall. By the time she’d finished arranging them, selling some as she put them out she was happy that her stall was looking good for the next day. Since having the bacon butty and cup of tea that morning she’d also emptied her flask, had a large piece of coffee and walnut gateau, off a lady running a cake stall, and a few handmade chocolates, that a chocolatiere had brought round for people to try. Now that it was quieter she asked the lady on the stall next to her, who was selling the most delicious smelling soaps and bath products, to keep an eye on her stall and went to pick up the cake and chocolates she’d asked their makers to keep for her.
When she got back to her stall she did the same for her new friend, while she went to the loo, and bought some of her beautifully presented smellies for Christmas presents. At four pm on the dot the fair closed and there was a collective sigh of relief as stallholders set about straightening their stalls in preparation for the next day. A young woman, who had been talking to the lady on the next stall joined Bella. Holding out a card she said “Hi, I’m Lucinda, I have a shop on the King’s road and I’d love to sell your things for you.”
Bella took the card which read Magpies nest. “Well, the thing is I have a studio in Devon from which I sell my things and I wouldn’t want to pay a high percentage to have them sold.”
“I love what you make and am sure I could get more for them than you charge. What I’ll do is buy outright everything you have left tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes. It’s my loss if they don’t sell.”
“Ok, that’s very fair,” Bella said holding out her hand.
Lucinda shook it firmly and said “See you tomorrow.”
At four twenty five Bella walked outside to find her taxi waiting for her.she settled back in the seat and sighed. It had been a good day.
* * *
The taxi pulled up outside the house, Bella paid the driver and booked him for the next day. Smiling as she handed over another good tip he said “Thanks love, see you in the morning.”
As he drove away the front door opened and Roman walked out to greet her. She handed him the cake, chocolates and smellies and he said “These look good.”
She followed him into the house shrugging off her coat and money bag. “Yes, I tried them during the day and couldn’t resist buying some. The smellies are for Christmas presents.”
Putting the money bag on the kitchen table which was set for two, with flowers and candles in the centre she said “This looks lovely.”
“I thought you’d be tired and hungry so everything is ready, I’ve just got to cook the steaks.”
“I’m starving, but if it’s alright with you I’d love to have a bath first.”
“Yeah that’s fine, I’ll come and wash your back if you like.”
Shaking her head she laughed at him “And what time would we get to eat then? I won’t be long.”
“Take your time, have a nice soak, just give me a shout when you get out.”
As she left the room Roman picked up the moneybag and said `Wow`, at the weight of it. Putting it carefully on the side he carried her coat through to the hall and hung it up, then returning to the kitchen checked on his potatoes and busied himself tossing the salad in the dressing he’d made earlier. Patting his jeans pocket for about the hundredth time that afternoon, he checked that the small box was still there. Half an hour later Bella called down that she was out of the bath and Roman put a heavy ridged skillet on the heat. When she walked into the kitchen dressed in baggy fleece top and pants he was just dropping the rib eyes onto the heat. Leaving them to cook he went to the fridge and took out a bottle of Crystal which he proceeded to open. As he poured it into two champagne flutes Bella said “Oh boy! I love being spoilt.”
“Well it’s not everyday that I get engaged,” he said handing her a glass, “to us and the future.”
After taking a sip from her glass Bella put it down along with his and moved into his arms. Before he kissed her she said “To us forever.”
As the kiss became deeper the steaks spat, as if to say `oi don’t forget us,` and they laughed and pulled apart. Roman flipped the steaks, which had sealed nicely and turned back to her. “There is one other thing,” he said, taking the box out of his pocket and going down on one knee. “I jumped the gun this morning but now I’m going to do it properly, will you marry me Bella?”
He opened the box and took out the ring. Taking her hand he waited until she said “Yes please,” before slipping the delicate white gold band onto her finger. It fit perfectly and she gasped as the 0.05 carat diamond picked up the light, sparkling it’s beauty before their eyes. Holding her hand up to make it sparkle even more she was speechless.
“Do you like it?” Roman asked still down on one knee.
Bella sank down to join him, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s perfect, like it? I adore it.”
“As I do you,” he murmured, then he kissed her long and deep before going on “perfect like you.”
Tears sprang into her eyes and he kissed them away. “We’d better stand up or we’ll be here for a while,” he grinned, “and the steaks will burn.”
She laughed and they stood up together, with one arm still around her he checked the steaks. “Perfect,” he declared as he lifted
them onto plates before adding hot peppercorn sauce. The potatoes were crisp and fluffy inside, with a hint of garlic and he laughed as Bella’s stomach rumbled at the delicious scent of it all. Carrying the plates to the table he asked her to bring the glasses and bottle of champagne over and they sat side by side and helped each other to salad. Roman poured more champagne and picking up his glass held it out to touch hers, the ping of the perfect crystal ringing out as he said “Forever.”
“Forever.” Bella replied.
“Take it off and look inside.”
She did as he said and tears sprang into her eyes as she read in italic `Forever`.
“How did you do this?” she asked.
“I ordered it a while ago,” he said, “when you said that one day you probably would say yes.”
Bella swallowed the lump in her throat and said chipilly “Sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“No never sure. I know I can never take you for granted, I just lived in hope.”
She smiled and stretching out her hand entwined her fingers with his “There is one thing you can be sure about, I love you with all my heart.”
Raising her hand to his lips he replied “And I love you too with all my heart.”
As they ate the meal Roman had so thoughtfully bought and prepared Bella told him about her day, the people she’d met, how friendly most of the crafters were and about Lucinda and her shop.
“So you had a good day?”
“Yes brilliant, I sold so much I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough to put on a good display for tomorrow. But it looks good, thank god I pushed so much into the van.”
“How much do you think you took?”
“I don’t know, I jotted down what I’d sold but didn’t have time to add prices. I’ll count it after we’ve eaten.”
“When’s the next one?”
“Early November, but I don’t know whether I’ll make that one. I might phone the organisers and explain that I can’t make it, they did say that they had a waiting list so if I give them plenty of time they’ll be able to re-sell the pitch, and I might get a rebate. Then I’ll be able to make enough stock for the later one.”
“Sounds like a good idea, especially if this Lucinda buys everything you have left.”
“Yes, if she sells at a profit she might continue to order things in the future. Could be quite lucrative for both of us.”
Meal finished they cleared away, stacked the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and took the remains of the champagne, coffee and two pieces of the coffee and walnut gateau, through to the sitting room. Having grabbed her money bag as she passed, Bella settled down to count her takings, including the receipts off her card machine. As Roman watched her he realised how much this meant to her and a slight frown formed between his eyes. When they got married he had thought that she would give up her business and help with the running of the house and estate. Now he realised that he couldn’t possibly expect her to do that. In her own way she was an artist, loved designing and making things and would probably be unhappy if she had to give it up. He would have to make changes if he wanted a fulfilled happy wife; it would take a great deal of thought to find a solution.
Unaware of Roman’s thoughts Bella was becoming more and more delighted as the figure in front of her grew. Finally she sat back and said “I don’t believe it. I’ve taken eight hundred and forty pounds.”
“What?” Roman snapped out of his musings.
“Eight hundred and forty pounds,” Bella said springing up and dancing round the room. “In one day!”
“That’s brilliant, I’ve always wanted to be a kept man!”
Bella giggled “I’ll try to keep you in the manner to which you are accustomed.”
Roman grinned and said “I’ll hold you to that. By the way did you sell any of Joy’s paintings?”
“Yes five, not as many as I sold in Devon, but I’ve got nearly five hundred pounds for her. I put her money in a separate pocket in my moneybag and I’ll deduct the ten percent when I write everything down neatly. It’s a bit of a scribble at the moment as I was so busy.”
“You realise that means you took over thirteen hundred pounds, no wonder you’re tired.”
“Mmm. It was a bit shattering to be honest, but exciting that sophisticated Londoners love what I make.”
“Of course they did, your things are beautiful and unusual.” Bella swallowed the lump in her throat, “oh Roman, all my silly dreams seem to be coming true. It scares me!”
“Come here,” he said and she left her piles of money on the coffee table she’d been using and went to where he was sitting . Pulling her onto his lap he wrapped his arms around her and said, “You have no reason to be scared , I’m here and I’m going nowhere. I don’t say `Forever` lightly.”
Bella put her left hand on his cheek, her ring sparkling as she moved and said “It’s forever for me too.”
The glow of the log fire illuminated their love making as they sank onto the thick sheepskin rug, and under his tender caresses her fears flowed away; the only thoughts in her head being of each other.
Chapter 14
The next morning he saw Bella off in the taxi, then turned back into the house, made a cup of coffee and carried it through to the office. Inside two desks faced each other, one with Edward’s computer and papers and the other Roman’s. Firing up his computer he looked at his emails, then opened a new document, which he headed `Future plans for the Manor`.
For a few years now, as the cost of maintaining the old house soared he’d toyed with the idea of turning his home into an event and wedding venue. There were enough bedrooms to accommodate many people, some of them so large they would easily divide into two rooms. So far the logistics and expense of doing that and putting in ensuites for each bedroom had held him back, but after the realisation he’d had the night before, now seemed the ideal time to put his plan into practice. It meant a great deal of work and expense but should pay off in the long run.
Bella loved her little cottage and business, but the cottage was too small if they wanted to start a family in the future. As it wasn’t listed or thatched they could probably get permission to knock it down and build a new house. However as he put the idea on his list he grimaced at Bella’s reaction to that idea. Then he pictured the large solid double barn, which housed her workshop and studio, turned into a large airy conversion. The quaint cottage would make a terrific workshop and display area; as he listed these ideas he felt excited at the prospect. All he had to do was persuade Bella that it was a great idea. The fact that she could help design and furnish a large new home should fill her with excitement.
* * *
The object of his thoughts was having another fantastic day. Edward and Lydia had called by to see her and enthuse over the things, which were selling as well as they had the previous day. Louise had bought a soft throw in grey and lilac wool, backed with a really pretty Laura Ashley material, and a metal jug in Aylesbury duck egg blue, with a motive of a garden chair, straw hat hung on the back, in a pretty garden. The day passed so quickly, that when Roman turned up at three thirty to take her home, she was taken by surprise.
“Gosh, is it that time already?”
“Yes it’s half past three. Looks like people are starting to pack up already. You haven’t got much left.”
“I know. Hope Lucinda’s not disappointed. There’s only two throws and eight cushions left. Oh, and I did keep four hessian bags back, as I think they’ll be good sellers on the King’s road, and repeat orders for them will be easy to do and deliver.”
“You’ve no painted metal ware left at all?”
“No, oh, Lydia and Edward came by and bought a throw and metal jug. I gave her a friends discount.”
“I saw. They arrived home before I left. Lydia is cooking dinner for the four of us.”
/> “That’s nice.”
Lucinda arrived at that moment, arms full of bags of stuff she’d bought off other crafters.
“You’ve had a good day,” she said, “is this all that’s left?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so, but I did put four bags aside for you.”
“That’s good, I’m sure they’ll sell well, so get working the minute you get back to Devon.”
Bella laughed “That’s my intention.”
Roman helped Lucinda carry all the things she’d bought out to her car while Bella folded up the cloth she’d used to cover her stall. When Roman returned she was putting her receipt book and the money Lucinda had given her into her money bag. They made their goodbyes to the other crafters who were already talking about the next fair and with Roman carrying a black bag containing the cloth, left the hall and went out to the van. With a contented sigh Bella sat back, her busy mind already planning the things she was going to make for the next fair. She’d stripped her studio of everything to have enough stock for this one and didn’t intend to get caught out again.
Back at the house they discovered Edward and Lydia in the kitchen, surrounded by the ingredients for an aromatic green Thai curry that Lydia had already started to cook,
“Hi” she said, “this will be about an hour. We’ve opened the wine already so help yourselves. If you’d like to shower and tidy up or just chill, there’s nothing needs doing here.”
Realising that she was politely telling her that she’d prefer to have the kitchen to herself, Bella said “If you’re sure, I’d love a shower and glass of wine.”
Roman poured out two glasses “Come on, I’ll bring these, let’s leave the chef to it.”
They all laughed, Bella picked up her coat and money bag and followed Roman out of the room and up the stairs. Sitting down on the window seat she asked “Have you told Edward that we are engaged?”
“No, I haven’t had a chance, thought I’d tell them tonight.”
The Wishing Well Page 16
