Tomas drinks up and pours himself another. ‘Do you think we need some food?’ he says.
‘I’ve got just the thing.’ I search in the bag for the chocolate snowman and push it towards Tomas.
‘It’s all yours,’ I say.
‘No, we have to share,’ he insists.
He breaks off a chocolate arm and stuffs it into his mouth. It is so nice to see a man appreciate chocolate as much as I do. This was well worth the thirty koruna.
‘Good choice,’ says Tomas, waving the half-eaten snowman around.
‘I love the chocolate here. Well, I love everything here.’ Thankfully, I stop myself from adding, ‘including you’.
Looking around this little bar, I can see its full potential and how wonderful it is going to be. I feel sorry that I won’t be able to enjoy it as I head back home.
‘I’m really going to miss Prague.’
‘And Prague will miss you.’
For a moment, our eyes do that thing again where we look at each other and it is as though we are the only people in the whole world. The vintage espresso machine in the corner could blow up, and I don’t think either of us would notice.
Chapter Twenty-Three
All through the next day, I can’t stop thinking about the way Tomas looked at me as we sat alone in the bar. Perhaps it is just as well that tonight we won’t be left alone at dinner. The presence of Albert and Zuzana should help stave off any romantic feelings.
Tomas arranged to pick me up to go to the restaurant, but as I hang around outside the hotel in the cold there is no sign of him. I begin to wonder if there has been a change of plan when I finally spot Tomas sprinting along from wherever he has managed to find parking.
‘Olivia! I’m so sorry I’m late. The traffic was terrible. Everyone’s leaving work to get home before the expected snow comes in.’
‘That’s okay. Don’t worry. You look as though you’ve been rushing. We can take our time, it’s fine.’
‘Thanks. I really didn’t want to leave you freezing out here waiting for me, so I’m going to have to quickly pop back to mine to pick something up. Do you mind if we swing by my house on the way to the restaurant?’
Tomas’ face is getting pinker, and I don’t know if it is because he has been rushing so fast or due to the cold, but he certainly looks flustered.
‘That’s no problem at all.’
I know I don’t want to be left alone with Tomas for fear of falling for him further, but I am quite interested to see where he lives. So, secretly, I am glad that he is running late and we have to stop at his home.
As we drive out of the city, the magnificent views of the castle and all the sights come into view as the snow starts to sprinkle down like a fairy tale. Luckily, the traffic that Tomas talked of is all going in the opposite direction, and we soon reach the warmth of his home without a hitch.
I wasn’t sure what his house would be like, but I can see right away that it has almost as much character as the mill and I am glad that we had to swing by. I always think seeing where someone lives gives you such an insight into their character.
It is painted a light yellow and has little wooden windows peeping out of the roof tiles where there is an attic room. The garden, just like at my mill, is full of apple and pear trees, although they are quickly being covered in snow.
‘I hope you like it. It’s an old house that I renovated,’ says Tomas.
As we walk into the hallway, I first notice the low wooden beams, followed by a varnished staircase and shelves with antique ornaments that would look quite at home back at the mill.
‘It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love that people renovate old places and give them a new lease of life. It’s a passion I have.’
‘Me too,’ smiles Tomas.
Why is it that every time I find out something new about him, it makes my feelings deepen?
‘Don’t tell me you watch DIY programmes on TV too. You know, those programmes where they renovate properties?’ I ask.
Tomas raises his eyebrows and gives me a wide grin. ‘I absolutely love them.’
