They all clinked their glasses then drank.
“It’s very early days yet anyway and I don’t actually know what Tom wants or if he likes me that much. I’ll take it a day at a time.”
“That’s all you can do.” Allie nodded. “That’s all any of us can do.”
11
The next three days flew past as Camilla worked, visited Dawn’s to spend time with Laura, James, Lulu, Wallace and Wallace’s offspring, and tried to keep herself from texting Tom. Which she failed to resist, of course, but she tried to keep the texts light-hearted and amusing. With her travelling into London and Tom’s long hours at the surgery, there was no chance of bumping into him unless she went walking early in the morning, and she was so tired that she convinced herself to stay in bed until a reasonable hour each day.
She’d also been trying not to worry too much about her parents and their situation. Hoping she was doing the right thing, she’d kept what she’d seen from Dawn, and she put her faith in her parents to tell Dawn that they were getting back together when they were ready. She knew they were going round to Dawn’s for a cuppa that morning but hadn’t heard anything, so assumed it all went well and that Dawn wasn’t suspicious about their rekindled love affair. Although Camilla now wondered how Dawn would react anyway. She’d been so much happier since Rick had quit his City job to work from home that she didn’t seem to get fazed by things anymore. It was as if accepting her third pregnancy, and finding out that her husband loved her as much as when they got together, had released her from anxiety and Camilla loved seeing her far more relaxed. So perhaps Dawn would just take it all in her stride once she did find out. Camilla was also hoping it would work out for Jackie and Laurence, because if it did then life would be easier for all of them. Camilla would feel less responsibility on her own shoulders and that would be very nice indeed.
Friday afternoon arrived and Camilla was itching to see Tom again. She wondered if he felt the same. She’d arranged to meet Allie, Chris and Honey at The Red Fox for the pub quiz that evening, and decided to ask Tom if he’d like to join them. After all, it wasn’t really like asking him out on a date, because there would be other people there, but she could ask him if he wanted to be on their team.
She sent a text at four thirty-five then waited.
And waited.
At four fifty-five her mobile buzzed.
Hi Camilla,
Thanks so much for inviting me but I’ve already agreed to go with Dane. He’s new to Heatherlea too and I bumped into him on my run yesterday. We could meet you there though? Two doesn’t make a team, after all.
Tom X
She replied.
Okay, great. See you around seven. X
Then she sent a text to Honey.
Dane will be at pub with Tom. On our team! X
Her mobile buzzed again.
Yes I know. I’m looking forward to it. Tom X
Camilla groaned. She’d accidentally sent the message as a group text, including Tom and Honey. The darned touch screen buttons were so close together and she didn’t always take her time when sending messages.
When her mobile buzzed again, she was afraid to look. But she had to.
Yay! Both our lucky nights then! Honey XX
Another buzz.
Indeed! Tom X
And another buzz.
Oh no! Is this a group text? Camilla!!!! Read them before you send them. Honey Xx
Camilla placed her mobile on the arm of her sofa and lay back. Oh well, at least there was no danger of Tom being ignorant of how much she liked him. If her behaviour the other evening hadn’t given her away, that was.
Now all she had to do was to find something to wear that would say casual and attractive without screaming I want you in my life. But I don’t want to commit. Well at least I don’t think I do but, hey, you know some romance would be nice…
She went upstairs and opened her wardrobe door. At least if she narrowed it down to four or five outfits now, it would save her time later on. She laid a few blouses and jumpers on the bed then opened her drawers and pulled out some of her jeans. The advantage of earning a good income and being single and childless meant that she had plenty to choose from when it came to clothes, shoes and bags. Her disposable income was hers and her alone, so she could buy herself whatever she wanted. Although sometimes, after a shopping spree, it would have been nice to come home and show someone, to have someone approve of what she’d bought, rather than just doing her own mini fashion show for her plants.
Camilla shook her head. She was getting soft and she blamed her parents and their love revival. She was getting carried away and it would have to stop. Tom probably wasn’t even as good looking, intelligent, funny or kind as she thought; she’d probably built him up in her mind since Monday and when she saw him tonight in the pub, she’d be disappointed. Then she’d laugh and get on with her life without giving the vet a second thought.
Yes, that’s how it would be.
Wouldn’t it?
“Wow!” Camilla’s jaw dropped as Honey patted her arm furiously. They were sitting in the corner of the pub near the fireplace with Allie and Chris, and Honey had just drawn her attention to the fact that Tom and Dane had arrived. “Do you see that, Camilla? They’re gorgeous.”
Camilla forced her mouth closed then dragged her eyes from Tom’s handsome face.
“I see them.” She met Honey’s eyes and they both burst into laughter.
“What’re you two giggling about?” Allie asked.
“Look.” Honey nodded at the bar.
“Oh yum.” Allie smiled.
“Excuse me, darling… ahem.” Chris nudged Allie and she turned back to him.
“Sorry, my love. Just approving the girls’ choices. I only have eyes for you, of course.”
“You’d better.” Chris kissed Allie softly, his eyes full of her.
“You two are so in love.” Camilla smiled.
“You will be soon, no doubt.” Allie covered her mouth with her hand then muttered, “They’re coming over.”
Camilla straightened in her chair and licked her lips while Honey gathered her colourful hair over one shoulder and played with the ends nonchalantly.
“Evening.” Tom smiled at everyone then his gaze lingered on Camilla. “Does anyone want a drink?”
“Yes please,” Camilla raised her empty wine glass. “I’ll come and give you a hand.”
“Great.”
Camilla stood up while Tom took a list of drinks then she walked to the bar with him. Dane had taken the seat next to Chris, which meant that he was opposite Honey, and they’d been speaking like old friends as Camilla and Tom walked away.
The quiz turned out to be great fun and Camilla laughed, joked and whispered as her team wrote their answers down to each question in turn. Tom had a broad scientific knowledge, Chris had a wealth of knowledge about the latest bestsellers in the crime fiction chart and Dane knew lots about political history. Allie knew all about baking and maths and Honey answered the art history questions and the sport ones. As for Camilla, she answered when she knew something that no one else did, but on the whole she just enjoyed listening and watching as her friends had a good time.
She was also enjoying being able to sit so close to Tom, to watch him as he thought about the answers and encouraged their teammates. He was kind, caring and attentive and made an effort to include everyone, even trying to coax them into answering questions they found challenging. The more time she spent with him, the more impressed she was.
When the final question had been asked, their answer sheets were collected in and they were told that the results would be announced in thirty minutes.
“Time for another round then?” Chris asked.
“Oh go on then.” Allie stood up and they took the empties to the bar.
“That was great fun.” Tom turned to Camilla. “We have a good team here.”
Camilla nodded. “Might even win.”
He frowned. “Maybe but
I did notice that the team over there,” he gestured at a group of elderly men and women who had whispered furiously throughout the quiz as they debated the answers, “seemed to know them all.”
“Ah…” Camilla smiled. “Makes sense. That’s Judith Burnley’s team. We don’t want to challenge their quiz crown.”
“Do they always win?”
“They have whenever I’ve been here for the quiz.”
“That’s right.” Honey leaned over to join in. “And Judith Burnley is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t mess with her whatever you do.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Dane pretended to quiver.
The results came in early with Burnley’s Bards winning with nineteen out of twenty correct answers, closely followed by seventeen from Allie’s All Stars.
“Do you want another drink or do you want to go?” Tom asked Camilla.
She gazed at him, drinking him in, knowing that she didn’t want to leave him and the great evening they’d had but also aware that she was really tired.
“I suppose I should go on home. It’s been a tiring week.”
“Come on then, I’ll walk you home.”
“There’s no need.”
“I’d like to if you don’t mind.”
They got their coats and said their goodbyes, earning big knowing smiles from Allie and Honey, and even a wink from Chris, then they made their way out into the December evening.
“Hand?” Tom asked as he held his out.
Camilla stared at it in surprise.
“In case the ground is icy.”
“Oh! Of course.”
She slid her hand into his and heat spread through her at the delight of having his skin against hers. She was glad she’d forgotten her gloves and glad that he wasn’t wearing any, even though it was certainly cold enough to justify wearing them.
“What’re your plans for the weekend?”
Camilla exhaled, watching her breath curl like smoke into the darkness.
“Nothing much, really. I mean, I suppose I’ll need to go to see Mum and Dad.” She shivered. “Although I’ll make sure to give them fair warning before I turn up.”
“Oh?” He glanced at her and she paused for a moment, causing him to stop too.
“It seems that my parents are… very friendly now he’s back.”
She watched his face under the glow of the streetlamp, wondering what he would make of this information.
“Very friendly as in… getting on well or as in… hanky-panky?”
“As in the latter.”
“I see.” He nodded. “And how do you feel about that?”
She sighed then shook her head. “It’s strange. I want them both to be happy, of course I do, but I can’t help being concerned too. I mean… at their age and after they’ve been apart for so long. What if it’s not real? What if they wake up after Christmas and look at each other and realise they’ve made a big mistake? Or what if he does and then he lets her down again? What if… there are so many what ifs.”
Tom took her other hand and stepped closer to her.
“Camilla, I completely understand your concerns here, believe me. But at the end of the day, they’re adults. They’re old enough to make their own mistakes and to learn from them. You could, of course, try to interfere but where would that get you other than upset? Because I suspect that you would get upset when they didn’t listen. It’s so difficult trying to advise people, especially your parents and in this case, I think you have to let them get on with it. It might work out and they might be happy. I really hope that’s the case. If not… they will deal with it in their own way.”
Camilla ran her eyes over his strong jaw, his cheekbones that were highlighted by the streetlamp and the dark hollows of his eyes. He moved forwards a fraction and she could see the warmth in his gaze.
“You’re right. I know you are and it’s what I’d already decided to do. I just needed to hear someone else say it.”
“Glad to have helped.” He smiled. “I do have a question though.”
“Fire away.”
“If you don’t have any definite plans tomorrow, do you fancy going somewhere?”
“Like where?” Camilla’s heart skipped a beat.
“Like… to a Christmas market perhaps?”
“That sounds like something I might like to do.”
“Fabulous! If you come with me, I’ll buy you lunch.”
“Deal.”
He squeezed her hands then released the one and they carried on walking.
When they reached her gate, he squeezed her hand again.
“I’ll call for you about nine in the morning. Is that okay?”
“Bright and early?”
“Well I’m always up with HP anyway and we want to be on the road, so to speak, fairly early.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Goodnight, Camilla.”
“Goodnight, Tom.”
He raised her hand and pressed his lips to it, and her heart beat faster as he raised his eyes to meet hers. Then he pulled her towards him, gently lifted her chin with his forefinger and lowered his mouth to hers.
His lips were soft and warm, his breath was sweet and his scent was intoxicating.
When Tom pulled away, Camilla was breathless.
“Now go on in so I know you’re safe before I leave.”
“Okay…” she squeaked.
“Sweet dreams.”
She nodded then opened her door and went into her home, wondering how she’d ever be able to sleep after that kiss. But she did, and she had the sweetest dreams she’d ever had.
12
The barren winter landscape whizzed past outside the car window. Dark branches of naked trees pierced the sky and the clusters of houses blocked the light at intervals. But try as she might to focus on the outside world, Camilla was acutely aware that next to her, in the driver’s seat, was Tom.
He’d knocked on her door at five minutes to nine and she’d been ready and waiting; her excitement hadn’t allowed her to sleep past six-thirty. She’d got up, showered, dressed and tried to force down some breakfast but her stomach had been so fluttery that she’d only managed half a piece of toast.
Tom had refused to tell her where they were going other than that it was a very nice Christmas Market and it was less than an hour away. When she’d locked her front door then walked down the path, she’d gasped when she’d seen his car. A brand new Range Rover Velar, it was sleek, black and so shiny that she could see her reflection in the door as Tom opened it for her to get in. The interior was just as luxurious with smooth leather seats and touchscreen controls. It had that new car smell but the confined space meant that she could also enjoy Tom’s scent of sandalwood aftershave and something lighter that she suspected was a citrus shower gel.
As Tom drove, Camilla allowed herself to relax. It was actually nice to have someone else taking care of things and making the decisions. This was unusual for her, because she liked to control where her life was going and when, but something about Tom made her feel relaxed, and that she could trust him. And this surprised her, even as it pleased her.
“Will HP be all right while you’re out?” she asked Tom as they drove through a country lane.
“He’ll sleep all morning then use the dog flap if he needs the toilet. He only eats twice a day, and had breakfast before I left, so he’ll be fine. Besides, we won’t be out late.”
Camilla nodded.
“Did you enjoy the quiz last night?”
“I did. It was a good evening.”
“Me too.” He glanced at her and her stomach flipped as she recalled their goodnight kiss.
“Right we’re about ten minutes away so do you want to know where we’re going?”
“I think I have an idea…”
“You do?”
“Yes but I don’t want to say in case I’m wrong.”
“No harm in guessing, Camilla. It’s okay to be wrong about some things. And you probably won’t be any
way.”
“Okay then… is it Reading?”
He nodded.
“I’ve been shopping there before but not to the Christmas Market.”
“I did some research and it’s meant to be a good one.”
“I’m excited now.”
Camilla gazed at his profile, taking in his strong jaw, dark eyelashes, short brown hair and straight nose. His skin was clear and he was freshly shaven. It made her want to run her hand over his cheek then up through his hair. More than that, being so close to him made her want to hold him close. And that was not something Camilla was used to feeling.
Tom pulled the vehicle into a space in a large open-air car park and cut the engine.
“Do you need to get much today?”
“A few things. Mainly for Dawn and the children. And I suppose I’d better get something for Dad too, now that it looks like he’s here for Christmas.”
“No problem.”
“What about you?”
“If I see anything suitable for my parents I’ll pick it up.”
“Are you going back to Brighton for Christmas?”
He shook his head. “Not over Christmas because of work but I am going back next weekend for a few days to drop gifts off and show my face.”
“Is your mum okay with that?”
He shrugged. “She understands that I needed a fresh start and that my work is here now. She’ll be fine. It’s a surprise but Dad’s whisking her away this year to Paris. He thought that seeing as how I’ve moved away, it would be a good plan to take her somewhere so she’s not moping around. He’s always fancied Christmas in France, so now he has the perfect opportunity. He’s not a big fan of the festivities anyway.”
“Really?”
Tom shook his head. “He says it’s all a waste of time and money and that we’d be better off scrapping it altogether.”
Winter at The Cosy Cottage Cafe_A deliciously festive feel-good Christmas romance Page 8
