‘Yes, of course. You’re part of his pack.’
‘Right.’
‘That’s okay isn’t it? You’re happy to be here with us?’
‘I am, Tom. I love you both dearly.’ She reached out and took his hand. ‘Was everything okay at the surgery?’
‘Yes, and it wasn’t exactly life or death, more a case of blocked anus glands.’
‘Whose?’
‘Mrs Gilchrist’s poodle.’
‘Ah. So you squeezed them?’
‘Yep. Apparently she thought the way Penelope was dragging her behind around on the best rug was down to something far more serious.’
‘I expect it was for the rug.’
‘Ha! Ha! Yes.’
‘Tom?’
‘Hey, what’s up, Camilla? Why the frown?’ He stroked her cheek. ‘And don’t worry these hands have been thoroughly scrubbed.’
‘I need to tell you something.’
‘You can tell me anything.’
‘I hope so because this is kind of a big something and I’m terrified it’s going to come between us.’
Tom squeezed her hand. ‘Nothing could ruin what we have unless you tell me you’ve cheated on me or are in love with someone else. And then it would be pistols at dawn. For me and him, not you, obviously.’
Camilla ran her eyes over his handsome face, taking a mental snapshot of his happy relaxed expression and burning it into her mind, just in case she never saw it again. In case what she was about to tell him changed the way he looked at life and the way he looked at her.
‘Tom… I’m… I’m… I’m pregnant.’
She closed her eyes and held her breath, but the world didn’t crash down around her ears and Tom didn’t jump up and run for the door leaving burn marks on the wooden floorboards. Instead, when she opened her eyes, he was still there holding her hand and smiling at her, but now his eyes were glistening.
‘I’m so sorry.’ She scanned his face, trying to read him.
He blinked but didn’t reply.
‘Tom? I said I’m sorry. It was an accident and I’m not fully sure how it happened but I’ve done a test and it was positive and I suppose I really should do another one just to be sure, but I was a afraid to and I only found out yesterday and I’ve been trying to think of a way to tell you and… and…’
Tom gently moved HP off her lap then pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She breathed in his scent, felt his love and his strength enveloping her and knew that it was okay. Everything was going to be just fine.
‘Best news ever.’ Tom said as he ran soft kisses down her neck. ‘We’re going to be parents.’
‘We are. Are you sure you’re okay with that?’
He got up and helped her up too.
‘You’ve made me a very happy man, Camilla. Now let’s leave HP to kitten sit while we take some time out upstairs.’
‘Will the kittens be okay?’
‘Did you see him with them this morning? I swear HP thinks he’s their dad.’
So Camilla allowed Tom to lead her up to his bedroom, where he showed her exactly how tenderly he could love her and how much he treasured her — with his whole heart.
The next morning, Camilla woke to find the bedroom at Tom’s cottage turned the colour of warm honey with early morning sunlight. He had opened the curtains and the window that overlooked his pretty back garden, and the air that whispered into the bedroom was filled with birdsong and the scent of spring flowers from the hanging baskets and pots on his decking. She stretched out and turned over to greet him but he wasn’t there.
She sat up and listened.
From downstairs came the sound of Tom singing a song she thought she recognised. But he was doing it badly. She giggled. He was many things, but a great singer was not one of them.
Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she grabbed Tom’s big T-shirt from the floor and pulled it on. She went to the bathroom, swilled her face then padded across the landing to the top of the stairs.
‘I thought I heard you up and about. Get back to bed!’ Tom said from the bottom of the staircase.
‘What? Why?’
‘Go on and you’ll see.’ He smiled up at her, looking early-morning cute in his stripy pyjama bottoms and pale blue T-shirt with his dark hair sticking up.
‘Okay then.’
She went back to the bedroom, climbed into bed and pulled the covers up. The bed was still warm, smelling of lavender fabric softener and of them. It was comforting, this shared space where they made love and slept and she wished she never had to leave.
Thinking back to last night, her stomach fluttered. Confessing to Tom about the accidental pregnancy had been tough but he’d been so accepting, so calm and wonderfully happy about it, as if it was all fine and would be even better. Camilla wanted to believe that it would be; she loved Tom and wanted to think that they could be a family but she was still scared that bringing a baby into the equation would disturb the lovely balance they’d created.
Time would tell.
She heard Tom padding up the stairs, then the sound of panting as HP plodded across the landing and up to the bed. He had a good sniff around then came to her, licking her outstretched hand and grinning up at her. His big brown eyes were so warm and kind and she realized that she really did love the soft old bulldog too.
‘Morning HP.’
‘He said he wanted to come say hello.’
‘Are the kittens okay?’
Tom nodded. ‘Fed and gone back to sleep. After a thorough washing from HP, that was. He’s a really good mum.’
They both laughed at that and HP’s little tail wagged.
‘Is he coming up?’
‘Bunkup, HP?’ Tom asked and the dog placed his two front paws on the bed then Tom pushed him up. Once in bed, he sniffed around again before sitting next to Camilla.
‘Looks like I’m redundant then.’ Tom raised his eyebrows.
Camilla wrapped an arm around HP. ‘You just go and get us some breakfast.’
‘Actually, that’s exactly what I was doing.’
‘Ooh, don’t let me stop you. I’m eating for two now after all.’ They both froze. ‘I still can’t believe it, Tom.’
‘Me either but you know what?’
She shook her head.
‘I am over-the-moon, Camilla!’
He kissed her then headed back downstairs.
Ten minutes later, she was snuggled up to HP, thinking about the small life just beginning inside her when Tom returned, carrying a tray that he placed on the bedside table.
‘For madam, we have freshly made pancakes with fresh fruit salad and maple syrup. I wasn’t sure if you could face bacon.’
‘That looks delicious.’
HP sat up and peered over her shoulder.
‘HP thinks so too.’
‘Don’t let him eat your share,’ Tom said. ‘I’ll be back in a moment with the drinks.’
Camilla lifted a plate and started to eat, enjoying the light fluffy pancakes with the sweet fresh strawberries, grapes, raspberries and blueberries. Along with the maple syrup, they were a heavenly combination. She shared a few plain pieces of pancake with HP and had almost finished when Tom returned.
‘Good?’
‘Amazing. Thank you! I didn’t know I was so hungry.’
‘No nausea this morning?’ he asked as he placed a large mug of tea on the bedside table along with a glass of orange juice.
‘Not so far. It’s strange really. I don’t feel right but I haven’t felt queasy yet. As long as I relax and think pleasant thoughts, it seems to stave it off.’
‘That’s good.’ He sighed as he walked around the bed and placed his own drinks on his bedside table.
‘What?’
‘It might get worse though… before it gets better.’
‘I know. I’ve seen Dawn go through it three times.’
‘Budge up HP.’ Tom sat on the bed and encouraged HP to move over so he
was squashed in between them. He started to pant almost immediately.
‘He’s too hot.’ Camilla rubbed HP’s velvety ears.
‘I knew he would be. Come on HP.’ Tom stood up and helped HP off the bed then the dog wandered into the hallway and dramatically collapsed onto the wooden boards.
‘It still makes me jump when he does that.’ Camilla watched HP as he stretched his short muscular legs out then settled for a snooze.
‘He’s a bit dramatic isn’t he? Likes us to know he’s there.’ Tom got back into bed.
‘Thank you for this delicious breakfast in bed. I should get pregnant more often.’ She flashed him a smile.
‘It’s good news, Camilla. Really good news.’
‘Did I tell you Allie’s news?’
‘I don’t think you did.’
‘My head was full of how to tell you about the baby yesterday, so it slipped my mind. She’s only gone and got engaged.’
Tom’s mouth slowly opened then he covered his face with his hands.
‘What? What’s wrong?’ Camilla placed her empty glass on the table then shuffled around to face Tom.
‘That’s great news but lousy timing.’
‘Why?’
‘Because… oh Camilla, there’s something I’ve been trying to do for ages and every time I try, something interrupts us or I have to wait. I was going to do it yesterday, then you seemed unwell and so tired, so I planned on doing it this morning… but now you’ve told me that and…’ He blew air out of his mouth and shook his head. ‘Blast it.’
‘Tom,’ Camilla put her hand on his arm. ‘Whatever it is, you can do it. I love you. We’re… going to be parents. Together.’
‘And that’s the other issue. I don’t want you to think I’m doing it because of that either. I want to do it because I wanted to anyway, and was going to and then… you know what? I’m going to do it anyway.’ He stood up and opened the drawer of his bedside table then pulled something out. He walked around the bed and stood next to Camilla.
She gazed up at him, her heart pounding with realization.
Tom lowered to his knees then took her hand.
She waited.
HP started to snore in the hallway. The birds sang in the trees outside. A plane passed overhead, the whine of its engine cutting through the peace of the morning.
‘Tom? What is it?’
He shook his head but kept his eyes fixed on the wooden floor.
‘Tom?’
Camilla reached out and gently raised his chin then sighed. His eyes were shining and he was biting his lower lip.
‘Tom, come here.’ She opened her arms and he moved into them then she hugged him tight. ‘What is it? Too soon? Too much? Change of heart?’ Her stomach lurched at the last question but she had to give him an out if he needed it.
‘No. Course not.’ His voice sounded strangled, as if the effort of speaking hurt.
‘Then what?’
‘Just… a lot… of emotion.’ He leant back and met her eyes. ‘I was, as you know, married before. But it didn’t feel like this.’
‘Well that’s good.’
‘And now… now there’s a baby too.’ He placed his hand on her stomach, and his palm was warm, his proximity comforting, his scent intoxicating as always.
‘Yes there is. We can do this, can’t we?’
He nodded.
‘Okay then.’ Camilla raised his hand and kissed it, then slid off the bed and knelt in front of him. Holding hands, they gazed into each other’s eyes, learning more about each other by the second, knowing that they were in this for the long haul, that they both wanted this more than anything.
Camilla took a deep breath.
‘Tom Stone, I love and adore you. I have done since we first met, but it took me a while to accept that. I now know it with every fibre of my being. Therefore, I would be delighted if you would do me the honour of becoming my husband.’
His eyes widened. ‘I was going to ask you.’
‘But I got there first.’ She smiled. ‘That’s okay, right?’
‘Of course it is.’
‘So…’ She squeezed his hands.
‘So?’
‘Is there a ring?’
‘Yes!’ He looked around him then pulled a small black box from underneath his leg. He opened it and there, on a white satin pillow, sat a platinum ring. At the centre was a round emerald with a sparkling diamond either side of it.
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘The emerald is to match your beautiful eyes and to remind you that I love gazing into them.’
Tom took the ring from the box then slid it onto Camilla’s finger.
‘How did you know the size?’
‘I measured it when you were sleeping.’
‘Really?’
‘No!’ He laughed. ‘I had a look at your other rings in your jewellery box then gaged it from them.’
‘It’s perfect.’
‘Just like you.’
They got back into bed and Tom slid his arm around her shoulders as they sipped their tea.
‘I guess we have to celebrate with tea now?’ Camilla held up her mug and Tom gently tapped his against it.
‘I guess so.’
‘That’s fine by me.’
‘Me too.’
‘Love you.’
‘Love you more.’
And they sat that way for some time, as the sun climbed in the sky, HP snored and the kittens slept soundly in their box downstairs. It was such a perfect moment that neither of them wanted to leave it until they had to.
So they didn’t.
27
EPILOGUE - ONE SATURDAY IN JULY
The atmosphere in Jenny Talbot’s small salon was electric. It was hot because of the surprise spring time heat wave that had swept across the country, and the four fans that Jenny had placed around the salon just seemed to be moving the warm air around. Jenny had also propped the front door open but the warm July morning meant that little air was coming in to help cool the place down.
There were women everywhere and Honey’s head was buzzing. Even though she was a bridesmaid, Jenny had roped her in to help and she’d done everything from making coffee to plucking eyebrows to holding clips as Jenny pinned them into hair.
However, Honey had to admit that it was an exciting morning. One of her best friends in the entire world was getting married and every time she looked at the bride, her heart squeezed.
‘Honey?’ She resisted the urge to sigh as Jenny called her name yet again.
‘Yes, Jenny.’
‘I think we’re just about ready to open the champagne now, don’t you?’
‘What, you mean we’re all done?’
‘Yes, sweetie!’ Jenny waved a hand in front of her face. ‘It’s so warm in here. Think we should have the bubbly on the terrace. Come on everyone, outside!’
As Jenny ushered her friends and clients outside, their heels click clacking in unison as they went, Honey got the two bottles of champagne from the fridge in the small kitchen. She stood in front of the open fridge and let the cold air drift out over her legs and toes. Her toes looked really pretty with their pearly-pink nail polish that complimented her strappy white high-heeled sandals. Honey wasn’t much of a one for wearing heels, but these were so pretty that they made it worth the discomfort. The sandals had been chosen to match her pale pink bridesmaid’s dress. It was made of silk and chiffon, in a Jane Austen style with short sleeves, a fitted bust and a skirt that fell from below the bust to the floor. It had two knee-high side slits so her sandals could be seen when she moved or sat down. She had a necklace of tiny freshwater pearls and matching dropper earrings, revealed today by her hairstyle, with some of her bobbed hair clipped back from her face and the rest falling in soft sausage curls. Jenny had put in more purple and pink streaks before styling her hair, so it now complimented the dress perfectly.
She’d left Dane at their cottage two hours earlier and wouldn’t see him again until they met at
the café for the ceremony, so he hadn’t seen her dress or her hair yet and she couldn’t wait to find out what he thought. She was getting used to enjoying his compliments and the way he looked at her, as if she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and she knew she’d always appreciate it. This was the first wedding they’d attended together and it was going to be a very special day.
She carried the bottles outside and placed them on the table that Jenny had set up outside the village salon. Dawn had already brought the glasses out, so Honey popped one of the corks then started to pour, assisted by Allie’s mum, Connie, who was positively radiant in a light blue dress and matching jacket.
Dawn looked around at her friends and family. Seeing her daughter, Laura, in her bridesmaid’s dress and her mum, Jackie, sporting a cream and gold outfit with a matching hat that would’ve made the Queen proud, was making her emotional enough, but seeing Honey, Allie and Camilla all dressed up too was enough to tip her over the edge of the emotional precipice. If she tumbled over, she didn’t think she’d ever come back. Seeing as how she didn’t want to ruin her makeup, she picked up a flute of champagne and took a swig. Even though she was still breastfeeding, Dawn thought a sip of bubbly would be okay on this special occasion, then she’d stick to soft drinks for the rest of the day.
The champagne was cool and crisp and it fizzed in her belly, increasing her feeling of euphoria. She’d left Rick and James at home that morning, taking Laura and Alison with her to the salon. Her daughters were both wearing pretty gowns that matched those of the older bridesmaids, but with fuller skirts. It had been hard work getting Laura and James away from the cats they had adopted back in the spring, as her children adored Meowly Cyrus and William Shakespaw. Camilla and Tom had helped them to choose names for the then kittens, and Dawn found them highly amusing whenever she had to call the cats in for their dinner.
Alison was currently napping in her pram just inside the door of the salon, which was a good thing as Dawn knew she’d be ready for the ceremony at noon. Rick and James would meet them at the café because James was a pageboy and Rick was best man. He’d been delighted to be asked and was taking his role seriously. He had looked so handsome in his light grey suit with the silver tie and Dawn had given him a long tender kiss before leaving home.
A Wedding at The Cosy Cottage Café: A delightful romantic comedy to make you smile this summer Page 9
