‘Yes. Very sweet.’
‘I was going to offer to buy you a drink and maybe dinner…’ His attempt at sounding disgruntled made her laugh.
‘Dinner sounds good. I’m starving. I didn’t stop for lunch today.’
‘Excellent. There’s a really nice restaurant between the Charles Bridge and the Castle that I’ve been recommended.’
‘Of course you have.’ She fell into step beside him. unable to stop a little spring of happiness bubbling up inside her. Everything felt better when Leo was around. Perhaps she could school herself for that to be enough.
* * *
Despite it being a chilly October night, Charles Bridge was still alive, buzzing with tourists posing and taking pictures. No surprise, really, because in the dark, with the Castle lit up in the background and the glow of the riverside restaurants reflecting on the water, it was the most picturesque scene. Totally romantic, in fact, and Anna swallowed a pang of envy at the couples sauntering along arm in arm, enjoying the almost festive atmosphere. There was always something special about being on the bridge, no matter what time of day, whether early in the morning when she’d had it to herself aside from the odd runner jogging past and people coming back from the bakery with bags of bread, or at midday when the wide road thronged with tourists, artists and buskers. As she thought about it, her arm brushed Leo’s, their hands touching for a brief second. Then, to her surprise, he linked his fingers with hers and gave them a squeeze.
She sneaked a look at his face in profile but he didn’t look at her and kept walking as if holding hands was completely natural. Even though her pulse skittered along like a pony at a fast trot, she didn’t say anything, just relished the warmth of his hand around hers and the little spark of hope that danced in her breast.
Halfway along the bridge he stopped. ‘Selfie? With the castle in the background.’
‘Why not?’ she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
When he slung his arm around her, pulling her into shot, the moment was pure deja-vu… They’d posed this way a thousand times in dozens of places. The urge to nestle in and kiss his neck like she’d done so many times before overwhelmed her and tears pricked her eyes. She was as love with him as ever. Only now she knew that she’d made a terrible mistake. Leo was reliable and dependable. He’d shown it in so many ways while they’d been in Prague. Gradually she’d become aware of his true character. Back then she’d been too immature and stupid to see the real prize beneath Leo’s charming, sunny veneer.
Painful regret kicked through her. She could have had it all and she threw it away.
‘Smile, Anna,’ urged Leo, holding up his phone.
She dredged up her best cheesy grin, ignoring the hollowed-out sensation in her chest. Leo had made it clear there was no going back and she had to live with it. Could she manage, though, with these crumbs of friendship? The casual touches that came so easily to him? And what would happen when he did find another woman? How would she bear it?
* * *
‘I’m loving the Czech wines,’ said Anna, taking a big sip of the Pinot Noir Novosady from Cejkovice that the waitress had recommended to go with her duck breast with carrot, orange and lavender. It complemented the flavours perfectly, as well as going well with Leo’s dish of deer steak with kale, black mushrooms and seaberry, which of course she’d insisted on trying. The venison melted in the mouth, so tender she’d almost moaned out loud, and she’d had to stop herself because she didn’t want to make sex noises in front of Leo.
The restaurant with its open kitchen was small but embodied the clean, simple sophisticated style that she’d come to expect in the more expensive restaurants. The service was impeccable, with the knowledgeable owner taking her time to help them with their choices.
‘This is a lovely one,’ said Leo. ‘Maybe when I open my craft beer venue I’ll serve Czech wines as well.’
‘Great idea. Where will you open this mythical venue?’
‘No idea yet. I need to win the equipment first. What about you? What will you do if you win the equipment?’
‘That’s easy. Well … if I can persuade my uncle, it will be. I want to set up a small line at the Talbot brewery. As long as it doesn’t cost him anything, I think I can get to him agree. Although he’s still of the view that women don’t get involved in brewing. And he’s not interested in trying anything new … a bit like Jakub. Although at least Jakub prides himself on the quality of the beer. Uncle Henry churns out the same old.’ She sighed. ‘Don’t get me started.’
‘You could stay here.’
‘Here?’
‘Yeah. In Prague.’ He looked a little sheepish for a moment. ‘I’ve fallen in love with the place. I could imagine living here.’
Anna tilted her head. It wasn’t something she’d considered … until now.
‘I know what you mean. I feel at home here. More than I ever thought I would.’ Now the idea had been mooted, it lodged in her head like a small, determined tick. Maybe Jakub would keep her on. Maybe she and Leo could carry on sharing the apartment.
And maybe small pink pigs would go flying across the sky. She was daydreaming. Not like her at all. Leo’s influence. He always had made her think bigger.
When they’d finished their meal and said goodbye to the friendly staff, they wound their way through the quiet streets and historic buildings, their breath misting in the crisp night air.
‘Want to go up to the Castle?’ asked Leo. ‘Bet there’s a great view.’
She nodded her assent, and they wandered through the cobbled streets up the slope towards the buildings dramatically outlined against the sky by strategically placed lighting, the castle looking as if it had been conjured from a fairytale. For once there wasn’t a soul up there. Their feet echoed in the quiet lanes and they chatted in low tones, as if they had agreed not to disturb the sleeping streets. When they came to the viewpoint, they had it to themselves. The city spread out beneath them, glittering with soft lights, casting a magical glow over the river that curved round the buildings.
