‘You see, that is why we needed to talk. Guys never pick up on these things. I’d no idea you felt the same,’ says Tomas.
‘Well, I’m glad we’ve got to the bottom of how we both feel in the end. That’s all that’s important.’
By afternoon, the snow has cleared enough for us to go into town. Whilst I am fiercely independent and enjoy doing things for myself, I must say that it is incredibly handy having Tomas here to help get the car out. He scrapes the snow off the windscreen like a pro, and with his help, we manage to get the car down the track and out onto the main roads without any issues.
There isn’t anywhere near as much snow on the bigger roads. It makes me realise just how isolated the mill is when I see that the town looks as though there never was any blizzard, and the only tell-tale evidence are the patches of dirty slush that have washed up on the side of the pavements. But I am not complaining. Thanks to the blizzard, Tomas and I have had an incredible weekend and learned so much about each other.
Tomas takes my hand as we walk to Dewi’s office, and I snuggle into his shoulder. Why does it feel as though we have been together forever?
‘Well, hello,’ says Dewi when he sees us. He looks Tomas up and down, and you can see that he wants an introduction.
‘This is Tomas. Marek’s nephew.’
‘Ooh, right. Well, it looks like Santa has been good to you after all. Very, very good, I’d say,’ he says, giggling. This man really does have too much time on his hands.
‘Don’t embarrass me, please.’ I laugh.
‘All right. Better get down to business then, is it?’
‘Yes, please,’ I say.
Dewi gives me the last form to sign and tells me that we have completed everything. The first of the money will be in my account before long. I thank him for organising everything, and for all his time and help. If solicitors could be nominated for some sort of friendly, caring award, he would certainly be top of the list. I am not surprised that I read somewhere that he is up for an OBE because of all his community work.
I thank him once again as we get up to leave.
‘Did you read the letter I gave you last time, by the way?’ asks Dewi.
‘Yeah.’
‘I know it’s not my business, but, umm, I can’t help myself… What was it all about? Sorry, I shouldn’t ask, should I?’
I know how Dewi gets over-invested in everything, and although it was a private letter, he has done a lot for all of us, so I decide to tell him her last words.
‘She said if I ever found a love like she had with Marek, I must never let it go, because it might never come back again.’
‘Oh, now then. Your aunt was always wise.’
Dewi looks at me and then at Tomas and then gives me a not-so-discreet wink. I shake my head at him in frustration. ‘What are you like?’ I laugh. Between Dewi and Ken winking at me all the time, I’m beginning to wonder if a bout of conjunctivitis is in the air!
‘Oh, and now Tomas is here too, do you mind if I ask you if you spoke to him about you-know-what?’ says Dewi.
‘About what?’
‘You know, the, ahem, ashes.’
I feel awkward asking Tomas about it, but I suppose now might be the right time.
‘Do you want to ask?’ I say.
‘Ask me what?’ says Tomas.
‘Well, I said to Olivia that I thought it might be an idea for Grace and Marek to finally be together. I know it’s not my family, and I have no right to even say this, but knowing Grace like I did, and after everything she asked us to do to find Marek, I believe she’d want to be with him. I wondered if their ashes should be scattered somewhere together. It was only an idea, you understand.’
I look at Tomas, wondering what he will say. It is such a difficult question to ask.
‘I think that would be a fantastic idea, and I’m sure Uncle Albert would agree. I’ll ask him.’
Dewi looks pleased with himself, and he and I breathe a sigh of relief. I am excited about the thought of getting them back together, and we all agree that, with Albert’s permission, when the time is right, I will take Aunt Grace’s ashes to Prague to be with Marek. Dewi has even offered to write an official letter, at no cost, to ensure that I don’t get into any difficulty at customs. For which I am very grateful.
