‘Twelve o’clock,’ smiles Tomas.
I hear the sound of a trumpet and pomp and ceremony as the changing of the guards takes place. The guards, with their rifles tucked into their shoulders, march and walk to their little guard boxes and change places with the next person on duty. They are like little tin soldiers.
‘What timing!’
‘Yes, sorry, I had to rush you, but I wanted you to see that. Anyway, I’d better head off. You have your ballet, and I have lots of cooking and preparations to do for tonight.’
As Tomas puts his hand on my arm to say goodbye, I feel a tingle down my spine. Perhaps it is for the best that I am heading back home soon. I remind myself that I don’t know all the facts about Milena, and so this can’t possibly happen.
Before Tomas leaves, he asks me if I want him to drive me to the theatre, but I insist I am fine as I need the fresh air. I will find my own way there.
As the temperature warms up, I realise that so too have my feelings towards Tomas and that is not good for anyone.
‘See you later,’ I smile.
I walk away from the castle, looking back at it, and see that same view from my snow globe. I always knew that the little snow globe was magical, and the castle is just as special in real life.
I make my way to the theatre for my afternoon of ballet and try to stop any thoughts of Tomas from entering my head.
As the show begins, I focus on the ballet dancers, the music, the scenery ofThe Nutcrackerand everything else, but no matter how hard I try, Tomas’ smile keeps flashing back into my head. I remind myself of the ring he wears. Perhaps Milena gave it to him. Someone like that was never going to be single.
The ballet enchants me as a male performer takes a female into his arms and spins her around in the air. Watching them gives me a flashback to a pink jewellery box that Aunt Grace bought me one Christmas. It was the most precious thing, with its mini wind-up ballerina that would spin around as I opened the box. I start smiling to myself, and once again, I feel as though Aunt Grace is somehow here with me, watching me and making sure I am okay. Subconsciously, I stroke the arm of my theatre seat and almost scream out loud as I realise that I have just touched the hairy hand of the man sitting next to me. I give him apologetic gestures as he glares at me. Fortunately, the show is coming towards its finale, so I don’t have to face this hairy stranger for much longer.
I dash for a taxi before the lights go up fully and notice that I don’t have that much time to get ready. I tell the taxi driver I am in a hurry. I have to pick up a Christmas gift for Tomas and Albert from the market before I get dressed up for tonight.
I want to look my best. After all, in two hours’ time, I will see Tomas again, and maybe even get to meet Milena.
Chapter Fifteen
I only have one pretty top in my whole wardrobe. Not that my wardrobe is that extensive. I don’t know why I even threw this top in my small suitcase, but now I am super thankful that I did. For tonight’s Christmas celebration, I decide I’ll wear my favourite comfy black trousers as I figure there might be lots of food on offer. Then I throw over the black and gold sparkly top.
As I look in the mirror, I am surprised to find my hair isn’t looking too haywire after using the hotel hairdryer, but then again, the hotel is quite posh, and it isn’t one of those usual bendy hairdryers that are stuck on the bathroom wall. I don’t look too shabby for someone who hasn’t taken any care of themselves for the past two years. With a little make-up, I can even see Aunt Grace’s legendary cheekbones under there somewhere.
When I get downstairs to reception, happy families are entering the hotel to celebrate Christmas Eve. They laugh and chat amongst themselves, completely oblivious to me walking out through the revolving doors alone. I feel like some kind of invisible ghost.
It makes me grateful to Tomas and Albert for being so hospitable. They could easily have left me on my own over Christmas. Until now, I didn’t think I wanted company at this time of year, but having been given this opportunity, I find myself relieved to be celebrating with somebody. It was so incredibly generous of them to include me in their plans, and I keep their Christmas gifts close to me as I jump into the taxi.
I bought a little glass robin that can hang from a Christmas tree for Tomas at the Christmas market. It reminded me of the robin from home. As soon as I saw it, I had to buy it for him. I will tell him that it means he should have faith in the future, even though he probably doesn’t need to be told this since he seems quite confident. But I thought it would be something to remind him of the strange Welsh woman who turned up unannounced one Christmas.
For Albert, I have bought some local honey. I thought he might enjoy it on his toast in the morning. I didn’t know what else to buy a man in his eighties who rarely leaves home. I do hope they will both like their gifts.
When the taxi pulls up outside the apartment block, I begin to feel nervous again. I tell myself not to be so silly. I have been here before. I just can’t help but think that if I see Thomas with Milena, I may feel awkward. I remind myself that he invited me, and if he didn’t want me there, surely he wouldn’t have just done it merely to seem polite. Perhaps he has explained to Milena who I am and that I am absolutely no threat.
I listen to the sound of Christmas carols as I knock on the door. I hope they can hear me over the music in there. Then I hear a woman’s voice near the door saying something in Czech. I brace myself to smile and be pleasant to her. I can smell the scent of her floral perfume clashing with the smell of cooking as the door swings open. I plaster a big smile on my face. She is every bit as sophisticated as I imagined in my head, but much older than Tomas.
I hold my hand out to greet her.
‘Hi,’ I smile. She returns my smile and calls for Tomas, who shoots out from the kitchen. I look around for other family members. I thought that Tomas might have children who might be here, but it is only Albert and, I assume, Milena.
‘Hi, so glad you could make it. I hope you enjoyed the ballet?’ says Tomas.
‘It was fantastic, thank you.’ I decide to keep the escapade with the hairy hand to myself.
The woman moves away from us and sits with Albert. She chats to him in Czech. They seem to get on well, considering what he has said about her.
Tomas points over to her. ‘I’m afraid she doesn’t speak much English. Only Czech.’
‘Oh, no problem. A smile is universal.’
