Once the bed is made and I have removed some storage boxes from the room, I make myself a bit more presentable. Then I rush back downstairs nonchalantly and tell him that his room is ready. Due to Tomas’ height, he has to bend down to enter the room or risk hitting his head on one of the old oak beams, but he seems to like the character here.
‘What a lovely room. I’m going to sleep well.’
‘I hope so.’
I leave Tomas to rest and go downstairs, where I smile to myself. The lovely Tomas has come all this way to find me in the snow. Could this finally be my movie moment? I look over at Aunt Grace’s snow globe in the living room for reassurance that this is not a dream of some kind. If it is, then I certainly do not want to wake up.
Even though Tomas is resting upstairs, it feels nice to have company here. By the time he gets up, right in time for the snack I have prepared, I am showered and, for once, not dressed in my onesie.
‘That bed’s so comfortable. I feel so much better,’ says Tomas, walking into the living room dressed in jogging bottoms and a tight white T-shirt.
I can hardly take my eyes off him.
‘It’s the least I can do after your eventful journey. Now, are you ready for something to eat?’
I spoon out the leek and potato soup and serve it with a warm baguette. I do hope that it is as tasty as the food Tomas makes, although that would be hard to beat.
‘Thank you. This is exactly what I need,’ says Tomas, as he breaks off some bread.
And you are exactly what I need, I think, smiling to myself. I admire him as he tucks into the soup. Gosh, he really is so lovely.
‘I have to confess, I didn’t realise you lived so far away from the airport.’
‘Well, I like being tucked away up here out of the way.’
‘I can imagine. It’s a beautiful place.’
‘I’m glad you like it, and I’m sorry you had such an eventful journey to find me.’
‘It’s fine. What’s life without adventure?’ says Tomas.
Even after his trudge through a snowstorm, Tomas amazes me with his positivity.
When he has finished his lunch, and I put the bowls in the dishwasher by the kitchen window, I see something in my peripheral vision. Amid the snow and all the trees, something is running around. I strain my eyes to look closer and see that it is a badger. I call Tomas over quickly.
‘Look, there’s a badger in the snow!’
He rushes over and catches sight of the badger as it runs in and out of some bushes. We both marvel at the scene.
‘You do like snow, don’t you? I love the way you act when you see snow,’ smiles Tomas.
I grin back at him, full of happiness. Then he pulls me towards him, tucks my hair behind my ears and cups my face in his hands. At the kitchen window, where I have stood alone so many times, we kiss, and I don’t ever want it to stop. Sometimes you don’t need the excuse of mistletoe.
Chapter Thirty
There is nothing quite like sharing a bottle of Baileys in front of an open fire, especially when Tomas is sitting right beside me, confessing how he feels. I lean deeper into a cushion as he tells me everything.
‘So, I know New Year’s Eve was a disaster, but I hope we can start over. As I said, I came here to apologise and tell you that I, well, I have such strong feelings for you. I can’t ignore them any longer. I know we’ve only known each other a short space of time, and maybe that’s too soon for you to rush into anything, but that’s just the way I feel.’
This has certainly happened very fast, but I also realise that I have never felt such chemistry with anyone.
‘I’ve very strong feelings for you too, Tomas. But, before we go on, there’s one thing I need to know… What about Milena?’
Tomas lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
‘I want to be clear, she’s not on the scene.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate that. Was everything okay after the party?’
