Ethan looked at her in open admiration as she bent her head over her keyboard, and Albie sighed. He hoped romance would bloom between them, but wasn’t convinced Tori was ready. Not like… He gazed over at Clover, tucking a secret smile away.
‘What?’ She eyed him inquisitively.
‘Nothing.’ Clambering to his feet, he held his hand out. ‘Come with me, I have something to show you.’
Mouth curving, she stood up and clasped his fingers in hers. ‘Lead the way.’
As they left the table and crossed the courtyard, no one noticed how the pastel pink roses edging the doors of the vacant stone cottages blossomed and unfurled. Slowly, vines crept and wound their way down the doorframes until they reached the floor, new rose heads flowering to provide a perfect frame to welcome any future visitors.
Albie led Clover into the front bedroom of Friendship Cottage, where he’d placed lit candles around the darkened room. He was glad he’d set this up before the association meeting, though a little worried at the potential fire hazard. However, all was well. The bed was freshly made with a white embroidered duvet, and a jar on the hand-crafted corner cabinet held a swathe of fruity-scented yellow primroses, her favourite flowers. Beside that were two glass flutes and a chilled champagne bottle in an ice bucket.
‘Albie, what’s all this? Are you trying to seduce me? I told you we could wait…’
Turning her to face him, he wrapped his arms her narrow waist. ‘I’m taking a friend’s advice. I want to do something special and romantic, spend time holding you and talking. I need to share some of who I am and what I’ve been through, so you can do the same. Sex is important at any age, though I don’t expect to do it four times a night like I did as a young man, but connection, communication and intimacy are just as important.’ As her eyes sparkled and she opened her mouth, perhaps to make a pun about the four times a night comment, he kissed her softly. Pulling back, he went on, ‘I know I made a terribleblunder before, and I don’t want to make the same mistake again. I loved my Rose a great deal, but I know she’s gone, and want to make room for you in my heart. I might struggle with guilt and confusion at times, and maybe a hint of insecurity. But…’ Taking a deep breath, and recalling how scared and sad he had been when thinking he’d lost her, he blurted, ‘I hope you’ll be patient?’
‘Oh, Albie,’ she breathed, ‘I think that’s the most you’ve ever said to me in one go. This is all wonderful, thank you. And of course I can be patient, because I think you’re worth it. I would very much like to make room in my heart for you too.’
‘Thank goodness.’ He let out a relieved sigh. ‘I felt it might be easier away from my flat, which is full of belongings I owned with Rose. This cottage, even though workers might stay here for a while, can be ours. A place we can share.’
‘I’d like that.’ Extracting herself gently from his arms, she sauntered over to the ice bucket and deftly opened the champagne, filling their glasses and setting them down on the bedside table. Reclining on the mattress, she propped her head on one arm, and patted the covers. ‘Come here.’
‘Is this where you ask me to draw you like one of my French girls?’ he quipped nervously, quotingTitanicas he took off his yellow jacket and gingerly lay down beside her.
Her red mouth widened into a wicked grin, and she shook her head, silver hair settling over one shoulder. ‘Not today. Now, tell me a story. Tell me how you met Rose and what your life together was like. Help me understand what made her so marvellous.’
‘You’re marvellous too,’ Albie uttered, ‘in an entirely new and refreshing way, although there are similarities between you. Not in looks, but in your wisdom, courage and innate goodness. Before I tell you about her though, and you share in return about the life you led with your husband, there’s something I want youto see.’ Sliding a piece of folded page out of his trouser pocket, he reached behind him to switch on the little bedside lamp. Then, in the act of unfolding the paper, he hesitated.
Clover peered at him. ‘What is it? Did you write me a poem?’
He guffawed. ‘You don’t know me well, do you?’ Sobering, he supplied, ‘Let’s remedy that. It’s a sort of summary of my life and might clear up a few things.’
Sliding it from his hand, she flattened it out, lips moving as she began reading, ‘Your eulogy?’
‘I re-write it every five years, because my brother died when he was young and no one knew what to say about him, or his life.’
‘Seems sensible.’ She read on, eyes filling as she reached the end. ‘I haven’t lived an extraordinary life, but I will always, always remember I once had an extraordinary love.’ Setting the eulogy aside, she gazed into his eyes. ‘Oh, Albie. I’ll wait for as long as it takes. Any woman would be lucky to be loved by someone in that way. I’ve never met any man kinder, or with such a huge capacity for compassion and care. You’re the one who’s extraordinary.’
Albie gazed back. Moving forward wouldn’t be easy, and their path might not always be strewn with roses, indeed at times there may even be thorns to fight their way through, but at her words, his chest expanded with happiness. ‘I think you’re extraordinary too, and can’t wait to get to know you better.’
If he hadn’t come to Little Beaubrook, he never would have met her and received this second chance. He opened his arms, and she scooted closer to lie with him, resting her head over his heart. Inside his head, he murmured,thank you Rose, for bringing her to me, but mostly for bringing me to this special place.
As they lay together with matching smiles and drifting into sleep, the lamp winked off and the candles dimmed to create a more relaxing glow. On the bedside table, the yellow primrosesunfurled, and their sweet, tangy scent laced the air of the cosy cottage bedroom. The door, which had been left open a few inches, gently clicked shut.
CHAPTER 34
Tori
Try to Practise Forgiveness
Dear Notebook,
So proud of myself, can’t believe what have achieved.
Following association meeting about dick developer letter, fired up by everyone’s positivity and willingness to help, drafted skeleton article and over next few days interviewed Albie, Kirsten and Vanessa to get some hooky quotes. Phoned Ethan one evening as well – a great angle as Conservation Officer who oversaw manor conversion and is advising on cottages. Somehow chatted for three hours about other stuff too, including films, music, travels and food. Ended call sometime after eleven, with a smile.
Sent article to Margot and next day she sent minor edits back saying she loved it, and readers would too as there was a clear call to action, and touching human-interest angle. Was pubbed in print and online, with links to Little Beaubrook social media accounts, and comments and like counts exploded. So delighted, called parents to update them.
Considered again what Ethan had said about how not decidingwasa decision, and the quiet determination which had been building became more urgent. I needed to do this. Except, when I called my solicitor, he unexpectedly told me Ricardo had changed his plea to guilty, so the next step would now be an expedited sentencing hearing. Sinking onto kitchen floor, I sobbed into my raised knees. Relief, shock and grief pouring out of me. After twenty minutes ofare you sureandhow long might he go away for?and listening to Mr Finch’s sympathetic explanations and reassurances, I agreed to provide a victim impact statement in court. Was ready to facehim,and important for the judge to hear what the assault had cost me before making a sentencing decision.
