‘Oh, how wonderful. And together.’ She leaned in with a smile. ‘The two of you do make a lovely couple.’
Anna stared at her for a second. The woman looked sincere. It gave Anna an unexpected jolt. She always assumed that everyone wondered how on earth she’d managed to snag Leo, who was so obviously out of her league.
‘Make the most of it. I wish I’d done something like that at your age. How wonderful to be able to immerse yourself in the city. This is my fourth visit and I love it. Can I give you a tip? The Wallenstein Gardens. They’re not far from the Charles Bridge on the other side and on a busy day there are never that many tourists. It’s a really lovely place to sit and be quiet right in the middle of the city.’
‘I’ll add it to my list,’ said Anna, taking out her phone and opening up the notes app.
‘I’m guessing that could be a very long list,’ the other woman teased. ‘You should go to one of the theatres. You’re spoilt for choice here. Opera, ballet, plays and black-light theatre – you don’t need to speak the language. There’s mime, puppets and quite a few English-speaking productions.’
After another snack, ofchlebícek, open sandwiches, which they ate in a little covered arcade between the butcher’s and a charming bistro called Sisters, Agáta rounded them up and like obedient sheep they trotted after her. Leo fell into step with Anna still munching on one of the sandwiches.
‘Who knew egg and sundried tomato would be such a tasty combination?’ he said as they walked along.
‘I don’t know where you put it.’ Anna’s waistband already felt a little snug and they were headed to a restaurant for lunch where no doubt there’d be more treats in store. Thankfully it was a half-hour walk to their destination, which she hoped would help build her appetite.
Leo gave her his usual disarming smile. ‘High metabolism, Love.’
The word gave her a start and she wondered if he’d even noticed that he’d used it. She remembered the first time he’d said it to her. They were going out for dinner and, emboldened by his admiration, she’d opted for a slightly more daring dress than she’d normally wear, which was daring in itself because she hardly ever wore dresses. It showed what little cleavage she had and clung to her hips. Leo’s dumbstruck look when she’d walked in the room in the bright red dress amazed her and all her self-consciousness had faded away the minute he said, ‘Looooove,’ and walked up to her and kissed her soundly on the lips. She wondered if he still fancied her or was indifferent to her now. Her heart lurched in her chest, as if shying away from the thought that he might be indifferent. It shouldn’t hurt because she shouldn’t care, but she did, a little bit.
The restaurant contrasted dramatically with the pub they’d started in. A wall of glass windows formed a backdrop for a long table where they seated themselves, with smart waiting staff in black and white hovering attentively.
‘Reminds me of our first date in London,’ murmured Leo in her ear, as, with those impeccable manners of his, he pulled out one of the bentwood chairs for her.
Anna’s mouth quirked at the memory. The date had been a disaster, the restaurant too formal and the hushed silence inhibiting. It was only when they’d stepped outside into the dark rainy night and he’d hurriedly confessed with boyish earnestness that he was trying to impress her that she’d realised he was serious about her. Leo Knight was interested in Anna Love. It had been one of those magical earth-tilting moments. It would be so easy to fall back under Leo’s sunbeam-fuelled spell, to enjoy the sunshine of life with him and a carefree existence … though one she knew was without substance. And she couldn’t do that. He treated everyone with the same easy charm. With a fixed smile she turned to her neighbour on the other side, the nice American woman, Louella.
‘What do you think of the tour?’ she asked, almost wincing at the trite small-talk opening.
‘It’s a gem,’ said Louella. ‘It was recommended by some friends who were here last fall. It’s quite a marathon but that girl’s so knowledgeable and it’s like she really wants us to find the best food in Prague. I love that she’s so enthusiastic. Almost evangelical. It makes a nice change, you know, when someone’s really proud of their country. It’s only a little place but they punch above their weight. Have you been to any of the towns outside of Prague? Just gorgeous.’
‘I’ve got some on the list.’
‘Well, you make sure you visit them, honey. Life is too short not to do as much as you can while you’re on this earth. My Walt died last year and we didn’t travel because there was always a reason we shouldn’t. I really regret that. Make the most of every moment.’ Her eyes shone with tears and she put a hand on Anna’s wrist. ‘Don’t ever think there’s always tomorrow. Do things now because you can, don’t put them off.’
The insistence in her quiet voice as her eyes held Anna’s made her remember her mother and her positive attitude. When she answered, ‘I will,’ she felt like she was making a promise to her mother.
‘Make sure you do,’ Louella said, patting Anna’s hand. ‘You make sure you do.’ And with a complete about-turn as if the moment between them hadn’t happened, she said, ‘What do you think of this wine. Rather lovely, isn’t it?’
Anna agreed as she took a sip of the pale golden wine. This one was atramínfrom Znojmo in South Moravia and was characterised by its hints of roses, or so Agáta told them. Anna knew she liked the delicate floral flavour of the dry wine.
The group worked their way through another succession of delicious dishes, including an amazing piece of beef with a rich root-vegetable sauce, which Anna decided was her absolute favourite. The beef was melt-in-the-mouth and the thick accompanying sauce was sweet and creamy. She was also taken with the bread dumplings, which were light and fluffy, like no other dumplings she’d ever tried, as well as thePrešticepork sausages and the grilled asparagus in hollandaise sauce. Everything was perfectly cooked and it was difficult not to eat too much because it was all so wonderful.
The next call was Eska, a buzzy, busy bakery with a trendy vibe within that Agáta explained was an old fabric factory. With clever styling, the interior retained its open airiness but also managed to be welcoming, bright and chic. Initially they were served the house speciality: burnt potatoes with ash and cream espuma, a foamy concoction that set the subtle potato flavour off to perfection. Anna really didn’t think she could eat anything else but then the pastries appeared, modern takes on traditional Czech desserts, so she had to try a tiny bit of each. Once again Leo was sitting next to her.
‘Do you think we could take some home?’ she whispered to him. ‘I don’t want to waste them but I can’t eat any more. Thisvetrníkis divine. I love the caramel icingandthe cream fillingandthe choux pastry.’
‘I’ll eat yours,’ said Leo, a hopeful gleam in his eye as he looked at her plate.
‘Leo, you can’t possibly eat any more,’ she squealed with mock outrage.
‘Try me.’
‘You can’t.’ She laughed as he pouted.
He pretended to think about it for a moment before giving her a rueful smile. ‘No, don’t think I can. God, we’ve been spoiled today. I’m definitely going to ask for a doggy bag – and take these home. We can have them for breakfast tomorrow. My treat,’ he said with a mischievous wink.
‘Your treat, you cheeky beggar. Don’t think I’ve forgotten you helping yourself to my bolognese sauce.’
‘Yes, you have,’ he chided with a teasing smirk. ‘You know you have.’
