‘You know, I have a good friend at the airport. Which airline are you flying with? Let me see if he can arrange something for you. Lucky for you, airlines don’t close on Christmas Day.’
‘Really? You can do that?’
‘Leave it to me. How about you stay until the New Year? We have a party every year on New Year’s Eve. You’re invited… Unless, of course, you already have plans back home?’
I pretend to think about it for a moment. I am usually in bed by 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve with a cocoa that I forget about that eventually gets cold.
‘What about the hotel? It’s not cheap, and it might be full.’
‘Let me make a few phone calls. I’ll let you into a secret. I used to be the head chef at your hotel before I started my business. I know the right people, and I still get discounts.’ Tomas winks at me, and I wonder if any man on earth could be more gorgeous.
‘You never cease to amaze me,’ I laugh.
‘So, if you can leave me to arrange everything, will you stay?’
‘You know what? We do have quite a few letters to go through. Give your friends a call and see what they say. Why not?’
I feel excited at the thought of doing something so unexpected. This is so different for me. I never thought I would extend my stay. It means I still have to leave in a few more days, but at least I have a reprieve for now. Who knows, it might give Tomas and me the chance to get to know each other better?
As Tomas speaks on the phone to his friends at the airline and then the hotel, I drain my champagne glass.
‘Would you like another?’ asks the hostess. I would normally say no, but it’s Christmas and a whole day intended for indulgence and sheer gluttony.
‘Ooh, why not?’ I smile.
By the time the hostess has finished pouring my fizz, Tomas has put the phone down.
‘All sorted. I’m so pleased you can join us for our party.’
‘Me too.’
As if by magic, the sky opens up, and flakes of snow drop down upon our boat. It feels like my every wish is coming true – snow on Christmas Day!
‘Oh, Tomas. Thank you for arranging everything so that I can stay. And for this today. I’ve had the time of my life.’
Tomas smiles shyly. I notice how he always gets uncomfortable when someone hands him a compliment. He does the same shy smile when Albert compliments his culinary skills.
As the snow collects on the bow of the boat, I sit back and enjoy myself. The birds will still have plenty of seed left in their feeders, and nobody is going to miss me back home. I am confident that I made the right decision by extending my stay.
In fact, looking at Tomas as he gazes out at the river, IknowI have made the right decision. I snuggle deeper into my blanket with the biggest smile on my face, even as I try to deny my feelings towards Tomas.
What I don’t realise is that Tomas has arranged a further treat for us after our boat trip. I assumed we would visit Albert right away to wish him a Merry Christmas, but Tomas insists that he doesn’t get up until late at this time of year. Not even the thought of opening more of the letters can get him out of bed on Christmas morning.
So, after we leave the riverside, we head back towards the Old Town where two beautiful white horses and a carriage are standing. It is just like the carriage I saw when I first arrived here.
‘Your carriage awaits, madame,’ says Tomas.
‘We’re going in this?’ I am flabbergasted. This was not what I expected.
‘It has to be done. You’re not a tourist if you haven’t done a horse and carriage ride aroundStaré Mesto pražské.’
I can’t hide my excitement and clamber in, almost diving into the pink velvet seat for two. It isn’t the most gracious entrance, and I dread to think what Tomas must have thought of me. But then, I haven’t had much practise at climbing into a carriage.
As soon as we are seated properly, the horses start clip-clopping along the cobbled street. I feel like a princess in a horse-drawn carriage as people move out of the way to let us go ahead and tourists admire the scene. My cheeks start to hurt with all the grinning I am doing.
‘Are you enjoying this, by any chance?’ asks Tomas.
‘It’s amazing.’
