You were right that we had an immediate connection that was unexplainable. That is something we can definitely agree on!
I am so glad I got to spend time with you in London. Thank goodness Silvie and I had planned those few days away. She’s a good friend. I felt terrible leaving her alone to have dinner with you that evening, but I think she could see that I looked the happiest in a long while. Well, approximately twenty-six years, I’d say!
I have kept and pressed that beautiful red rose you took from the vase on the table so that I can always remember our first meeting. It was rather naughty of you though! I do hope the cafe owners weren’t too annoyed when they noticed it missing. Still, it makes me smile every time I look at it. That rose shall remind me of our special day forever. It makes me think of the term ‘coup de foudre’. I heard that expression in a movie once. If you don’t know what it means, look it up.
Anyway, I suppose this is a test letter to make sure you receive it. Once again, it was so wonderful to meet you.
With much love,
Gx’
I place the letter on the table and gulp down some wine. She sounds so happy. We all go silent and sit around staring at the cardboard box on the table.
Eventually, Tomas speaks. ‘Life’s so short. We have to grab every moment. When do you leave Prague, Olivia?’
‘Another few days.’
‘Okay, let’s make sure we get through the other letters before you leave. But first we have Christmas and you’re here alone, right?’
I nod my head and try not to look too pitiful.
‘Will you please join us for our Christmas dinner? We have it on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to intrude.’ I think of that woman on the phone again. I don’t think that sounds like a good idea at all. Surely, she won’t want me around.
‘Tomas is a good cook, as you’ll have noticed tonight. You’ll enjoy his Christmas dinner,’ says Albert.
‘Yes, please join us. You’re definitely not intruding,’ says Tomas.
Both of them stare at me, and I don’t know what to say. I want to be here for Albert, but I really don’t want to cause any trouble for Tomas or a possible partner.
‘Oh, I really don’t know. I think the hotel will do something.’
‘Nonsense. You can’t stay in a hotel all alone. That’s terrible. What sort of family would we be if we didn’t welcome you into our home? You must come, and I won’t take no for an answer,’ says Albert.
‘Okay then. I’ll look forward to it. It’ll make a change to the beans on toast I had last year,’ I say.
‘You eat beans on toast for Christmas? Is this what British people do?’ asks Albert.
I laugh at the idea.
‘No, it’s just me because I was on my own last year. Other people have turkey and all the trimmings.’
‘I know which I’d prefer,’ says Albert.
Yup, so would I, but we don’t always have a choice in the matter.
‘Then maybe you need a dog for company, nobody is an island,’ says Tomas.
It’s okay for him to say that with his cosy little family around the fire, or whatever he does at home. Anyway, I guess I will get to meet them tomorrow, and hopefully, I can prove to this woman that she has nothing to worry about.
I look at Tomas with a frown. Is he so perfect? He seems to be hanging around a lot on his own too and quite possibly neglecting a wife.
‘I’m quite fine as an island, thank you. At least I get to choose who comes on shore.’
Tomas and Albert look at me, baffled. I thought that was quite good, personally.
‘Anyway, let’s get back to the letters.’
