Chris came to her and slid his strong arms around her waist. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his strong regular heartbeat. She loved him so much and losing him would break her.
‘Allie?’
She looked up and met his brown eyes. They searched her face and he opened his mouth as if to speak, then he sighed instead.
‘Why don’t you go and have a nice bath and I’ll make us some dinner?’
‘That’s an offer I can’t refuse.’
‘Good.’ He smiled but there was something in his eyes that made her heart flutter; he was worried about something. ‘Just… don’t have the water too hot.’
As she accepted a long kiss then slipped from his embrace, she couldn’t help but wonder what was on his mind. And since when had he ever worried about the temperature of her bath water?
The delicious aromas of steak, mushrooms and garlic, sizzling in the frying pan met Allie as she entered the kitchen. The table in the corner was laid with pretty vintage style flower-patterned napkins, stainless steel cutlery and crystal wine glasses. A thick ivory candle burned in the centre, its light casting a warm glow on the ceiling above the table.
‘Wow! What did I do to deserve this?’ Allie went to Chris and hugged him from behind. He squeezed her hands then turned in her embrace.
‘You’re a very special lady and I love you. Do I need another reason to make you dinner?’
‘Well… no. But this is just lovely.’
It wasn’t the first time Chris had made her dinner but usually she knew about it in advance, as they discussed their dinner plans and did the weekly food shop together.
‘I think the steaks are ready, Allie.’
Chris kissed her head then turned back to the frying pan. Allie went to the table and sat down, noting the olive-wood salad bowl full of dark green spinach, juicy red vine tomatoes, fat green olives and thick slices of cucumber.
Chris set the steaks and mushrooms on two plates and brought them to the table then he went to the fridge and brought out a bottle. When he placed it in front of her, Allie read the label, expecting a pinot grigio or a sauvignon. She wasn’t sure why he’d gone for white, as they had plenty of reds in the wine wrack that would go well with steak, but the label told her it was non-alcoholic wine.
‘Are we cutting down?’ She pointed at the bottle.
Chris nodded. ‘Think it’s best.’
‘Right.’
What is going on?
Chris poured the sparkling drink into the glasses then handed one to her.
‘To us.’
‘To us.’
They clinked glasses then drank.
‘I feel a bit underdressed now to be honest.’ Allie looked down at her fluffy pink pyjamas and her beige slipper boots.
‘You look beautiful, as always, and I would prefer you to be comfy. Besides, I love you in those soft pjs.’ He winked at her and the familiar warm glow of love and desire for him flickered in her belly.
‘Before we eat…’ Chris took another sip of his drink. ‘I need to ask you something.’
‘Okay.’
Allie put her cutlery down and rested her hands in her lap.
‘Allie… for a while now, I’ve been trying to ask you something but we always get interrupted or I feel that it’s not quite the right time.’
She watched him carefully, running her gaze over the familiar lines of his strong jaw, his straight nose, his salt and pepper hair and his deep dark eyes. It was a face she’d known since childhood and one she had missed when he’d disappeared from her life. When he’d walked back into her world last summer, everything had changed except her feelings for him; they were back and more powerful than ever. Chris had become a part of her life that she couldn’t bear to lose.
‘Yes… see… I’m going to ask now but I don’t want you to think it’s because of what I found out today. If you thought that, I’d be devastated. Because it’s not about what I discovered today; it’s about how much I love you and because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you always, Allie, do you understand that?’
She nodded, her throat tightening with emotion. She was torn between wondering what he wanted to ask her and wanting to know what he’d found out today. Oh god! He wasn’t ill was he? Was she going to lose him to some horrid illness or had he been asked to go abroad to work on a movie adaptation of one of his books, so she wouldn’t see him for months, even years, at a time?
‘Chris… you’re kind of scaring me a bit here.’
He shook his head.
‘No, my angel. Don’t be scared. I love and adore you and you are my world. See, that’s why…’ He got up and pushed his chair back then pulled something from his pocket. When he dropped to his knees, then took her left hand, Allie gasped.
‘Allie, will you be my wife?’
She held his gaze, her heart reaching out to him and enveloping him with love.
‘Of course I will!’
Chris smiled, his eyes shining, then he slid a beautiful platinum band with a large square diamond onto her ring finger.
‘Thank you.’ He kissed her hand.
‘Thank you for asking.’ She leant forwards and kissed him, running her hands over his face, through his hair and over his broad shoulders.
When she leant back to look at him, he was frowning.
‘What is it?’
‘I know this isn’t very romantic but my knee has locked.’ He grimaced.
‘Oh no!’
Allie got up and took his hands and helped him to stand.
‘You’re not that old, Chris.’
‘I know but it’s my old footy injury plus the hours I spend sitting at a desk writing. It’s not conducive to spending any length of time kneeling.’
‘We’ll have to get you to Honey’s yoga classes. Keep you supple.’
He sat on his chair again and smiled. ‘Oh, so you want me more flexible do you?’
Allie laughed.
‘It’s meant to be good anyway, isn’t it? You know for…’ He pressed his lips together.
‘For what?’
‘That’s the other thing I wanted to speak to you about.’
Allie waited, wondering what he meant.
‘Today, when I came to the café to get the car keys, I found something in your bag.’
Allie frowned. Had she left an open bar of chocolate in there again? The last time she’d done that, Chris had thought one of the cats had used her bag as a litter tray. Or had he found her bag of old pound coins that she’d been carrying round for ages? Pound coins that were no longer legal tender and that she kept forgetting about.
‘I was going to propose before I found it and when I did, it didn’t affect my intention, except maybe to strengthen it… because I love you and would love you whatever happened. Even if it was really unexpected. As this was.’
Why was he speaking in such a stilted way? As if he was having trouble processing his thoughts into words that wouldn’t offend her.
‘Allie, I found the test.’
‘Test?’
He nodded.
‘What test?’ Allie was trying to think about what he could be referring to.
‘The pregnancy test.’
Allie giggled. ‘I haven’t done a pregnancy test.’
Chris pulled his chair closer to the table and took her hands. ‘You don’t have to hide it from me, Allie. I know that you’re pregnant and I’m happy about it. Honestly. We’ll do this together.’
‘I’m not pregnant.’ She broke eye contact and stared at the steak on her plate, the mushrooms fat and gleaming, and cooling rapidly in front of her.
‘But why did you have a positive test in your bag?’
She shook her head. ‘I have no idea. It’s the strangest thing. You’re not having me on are you?’
‘No. I wouldn’t joke about something this serious.’
‘Of course not.’
‘I’ll show you.’
Chris got up an
d went out into the hall. When he came back, he was brandishing a small white stick.
‘This isn’t yours?’ he asked as he sat down.
Allie took the stick and stared at the twin blue lines.
‘It’s not mine.’ She looked up at him. ‘Oh no… are you disappointed? It’s just you said you were happy about it and now you know I’m not and… did you want a baby then, Chris?’
He took the stick from her and shook his head.
‘No, I really didn’t. It’s not that we’re both in our forties, because that doesn’t matter these days, but your children are grown up and you have the café and I have my writing and… well… there are things we want to do. If you had been expecting then I would have been happy and we would have managed, adapted our lives, but knowing that you’re not is actually a relief.’
‘Thank goodness for that. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.’
‘You never could.’
‘So where did this come from?’
‘I have no idea and that’s why we both really need to wash our hands. Someone peed on that stick and we don’t know who it was.’
He laughed then helped her to her feet, took the stick from her and placed it on the windowsill then led her to the sink where they both gave their hands a thorough washing.
‘Right then my beautiful fiancée,’ Chris said as he handed her a towel, ‘Shall we eat our first meal as an engaged couple before it gets really cold?’
‘Yes, I can’t wait.’
And they sat down together, clinked glasses once more, then ate the meal that Chris had prepared. The candlelight flickered, the bubbles in the non-alcoholic wine winked at the brims of the glasses, the diamond sparkled on Allie’s left hand, and she fell even deeper in love with Chris
He would have been happy if she was expecting their baby, even though it hadn’t been in their plans. He was, however, glad that she wasn’t, and that was a relief for Allie. She wanted Chris all to herself and to enjoy the things they had planned, like holidaying in hot destinations, driving across America and drinking champagne in New York.
The difference was, that now she would be able to do it as Chris’s wife.
25
Dawn
Dawn hurried up the path to the café. It was early morning and she was quite tired after the events of the previous day, but Allie had sent a text late last night asking to meet her and Camilla first thing. Allie had said it was urgent, but she couldn’t tell them anything else until they were face to face.
It was another beautiful morning, the air fragrant with spring flowers and the garden of the café was an array of bright colours, with forget-me-nots, tulips and crocuses in the borders and the tree to the left of the cafe was heavy with pale pink blossom that drifted gently to the grass in the light morning breeze.
Dawn pushed open the door and went inside then closed it behind her. Allie was sitting on the leather sofa to the right of the entrance and Camilla was next to her. The familiar smells of coffee and baking met her nostrils and her mouth watered.
‘Morning.’ Dawn took one of the chairs opposite the sofa. ‘What’s this about then?’
She met Allie’s eyes.
‘Would you like a drink first?’
Dawn shook her head. ‘Better not. Alison is due a feed soon, so I can’t stay long. Thought I’d get here asap then head back before she wakes.’ She crossed her fingers. ‘Hopefully! Or Rick’ll have an early-morning earful and boy can she make a racket when she wants something. Wilful little thing she is. Just like her auntie.’
‘Ha ha!’ Camilla poked out her tongue.
‘This won’t take long.’ Allie picked up her bag from the floor next to the sofa and opened it. ‘I just wanted to find out if either of you know anything about this.’
She pulled out a small clear plastic bag with something inside it.
‘What is it?’ Dawn peered at the bag.
‘Take a closer look.’
Allie handed her the bag and Dawn blew out her cheeks. ‘Ah…’ She passed the bag to Camilla and her sister’s face crumpled.
‘It’s mine.’ Camilla sniffed. ‘Sorry, Allie. I did the test here yesterday then dropped it into your bag when Tom came in because I couldn’t face telling him.’
‘You’re pregnant?’ Allie asked and Camilla and Dawn nodded, as Allie wrapped an arm around Camilla. ‘Well that’s a good thing, surely?’
‘Is it? It certainly wasn’t planned.’
‘Well sometimes that’s how it happens.’
‘Look at Alison.’ Dawn nodded. ‘And what a lovely surprise she was.’
‘I’m not sure Tom is ready for this though.’
‘He loves you.’ Allie rubbed Camilla’s arm. ‘He’ll be happy.’
‘You think?’ Camilla raised red eyes to meet Allie’s, so she nodded.
‘He will. He’s a good man and he loves you.’
Camilla accepted a tissue from Dawn and wiped her eyes then blew her nose.
‘Sorry you found that in your bag. I meant to let you know but I was so distracted last night. When we got back, Tom had brought the kittens into the house to keep an eye on them and I was busy trying to act as though I wasn’t worried about anything, then I fell asleep on the sofa… I’m just so tired at the moment… and before I knew it, Tom was waking me to go up to bed and that was that.’
‘I didn’t find it.’ Allie grimaced.
‘Who did?’ Camilla asked.
‘Chris.’
‘Oh no!’ Dawn gasped.
‘He thought it was mine.’
‘What did you tell him?’ Camilla sat up straight. ‘Does he know it’s mine?’
‘Well, no, because I wasn’t sure whose it was. I had an idea but thought I’d find out first.’
‘Thank goodness for that.’
‘It made for an interesting evening.’ Allie laughed. ‘When are you going to tell Tom?’
Camilla stared at her jeans and splayed her fingers over her legs as if they had the answer to her worries.
‘Camilla?’ Dawn prompted.
‘Today. I have to, don’t I? Things like this have a way of getting out and I don’t want him finding out from anyone else.’
‘Good.’
They sat in silence for a few minutes, mulling over what had happened and what was to come. The café had seen so many important moments in their lives, including revelations and confessions, laughter and tears, hopes and dreams. It had even seen the recent arrival of little Alison and that had been an eventful day indeed!
‘Allie?’
‘Yes, Dawn.’
‘Do you have something to tell us?’
‘Uh… like what?’ Allie smiled at Dawn.
‘Well I’m surprised you can even lift your left hand today.’
‘What? Why?’
‘Wow!’ Camilla grabbed Allie’s hand and held it up then turned it from side to side. ‘Look at the size of that diamond.’
‘Are you…’
‘Engaged?’ Allie nodded. ‘Yes!’
‘EEEK! Congratulations!’ Dawn and Camilla enveloped Allie in a group hug then the three of them laughed and cried as Allie filled them in on the details.
‘What wonderful news,’ Dawn said when she sat back in her seat. ‘I’m going to be an auntie and my best friend is getting married. It’s going to be an exciting year.’
‘Indeed it is.’ Allie nodded.
‘Oh shit,’ Camilla buried her head in her hands. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be a mum.’
26
Camilla
Back at Tom’s cottage, Camilla sat on the floor in front of the sofa with HP’s head in her lap. He was snoring gently, his pink tongue sticking out the side of his mouth and Camilla was absently stroking his velvety ears. The kittens were snuggled up in a cardboard box on her other side, enjoying the luxury of full bellies and their fleecy blanket.
When Camilla had returned from the café, Tom had told her he had an emergency appointment coming in and he
’d rushed off to the surgery, but he’d promised to be back as soon as he could. Camilla had been glad of the time alone to get her thoughts in order. Allie and Dawn had helped her to prepare for telling Tom and she knew she had to get it done, but every time she thought about saying the words, her stomach rolled. She was so afraid of ruining what they had, of taking the shine off their lovely relationship by bringing another dimension to it. Even if it was their own child.
What if the news came between them and Tom drifted away from her? It had taken her so long to trust him with her heart and to let her guard down that the idea of going back to how she used to be was abhorrent. Camilla didn’t want to be that woman anymore, to be afraid and hesitant; she wanted to be the woman she had started to become: happy, confident and trusting.
She heard the front door creak open and she pulled air deep into her lungs.
This was it then.
It was make or break time; the moment when she’d find out if Tom wanted her and their baby.
Tom appeared in the doorway, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright. He always looked like this after he’d helped an animal; it was happiness and pride and Camilla knew that he loved his job. His joy in it was one of the things she loved about him. He was straightforward, uncomplicated, decent and honest. And absolutely gorgeous, of course.
‘Everything all right?’ he asked as he came over and kissed her, being careful not to disturb HP.
‘Yes they’ve all been out cold since you left.’
He sat next to HP and the dog’s nose twitched then he opened his eyes a fraction, showing he was aware that his master had returned home.
‘It’s okay, HP, don’t get up to greet me or anything.’
HP’s little tail wiggled but he stayed where he was.
‘He loves you as much as I do.’ Tom rubbed HP’s back. ‘You’re his mum now.’
‘His mum?’ Camilla coughed, the word almost choking her.
What a word to choose…
A Wedding at The Cosy Cottage Café: A delightful romantic comedy to make you smile this summer Page 8
