‘Cheese!’ He delivers his heavy sarcasm with an exaggerated eye roll.
‘Imagine an Aston Martin DB5 has just pulled into the car park at Chapel Porth,’ Tom calls out.
Michael laughs at Tom’s prompt, and that sets me off too. The official photographer quickly clicks off a few more shots.
Michael has moved on from serial killer thrillers to spy action movies now and is presently making his way through every single James Bond film that was ever made. The films are much more my scene than the gory stuff he usually binge-watches, so Tom and I have been joining him on occasion, and it amuses me to see their reactions to all the cool cars.
Michael has really warmed to Tom over the last few weeks. It helps that Tom’s a car enthusiast too, plus he also knows every single model of aircraft that appears on-screen.
A couple of weeks ago, we all got together to watchSpectre. The baddie, played by Christoph Waltz, was flying in a sleek black helicopter when Michael paused mid-chomp of popcorn, his head shooting around comically to silently question Tom.
‘Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin N2,’ Tom replied without missing a beat as Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux chased itdown the Thames in a speedboat. ‘Formerly known as an Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2,’ he added.
‘How do youknowthat?’ Michael erupted with amazement.
‘I used to be a helicopter pilot,’ Tom replied with a shrug.
We were cuddled up together on one sofa while Michael had the other to himself. I tensed, but Tom’s chest was relaxed under my palm, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, his feet resting on the coffee table.
Meanwhile, Michael had shot upright, his jaw hitting the floor. ‘You used to be a helicopter pilot?’ he asked with astonishment.
‘Yep.’
And then Michael paused the TV and demanded to know about every single model of aircraft that Tom had ever been in.
Later, when we finally made it home to bed, Tom confessed that it had been nice to talk about flying without feeling the pressure of having to explain why he no longer can.
It was a lovely bonding moment between them.
We’re done with the photos, but I still need to give a couple of short interviews to journalists from the regional press. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rach giving Michael a hug. He’s all smiles and cuddles now that he no longer has to pose for the photographer.
I’m so grateful to my friends for making the trip to Middlesex with me. Dan and Amy are here too, even though they’re only three days out from their wedding. Tom is chatting to them, probably offering to help with any last-minute jobs, knowing him.
He catches my eye and smiles and I momentarily lose track of what I was saying.
As soon as I’m released from my duties, I go to him.
He tugs me into his arms and says in my ear, ‘I’m ridiculously proud of you.’
I pull away and kiss his cheek, noticing that Dan and Amy are watching us, smiling.
Amy was so pleased when she heard that Tom and I have booked to go to London for a couple of nights next week. It feels like a big deal as it will be the first time I’ve been away from Michael in years, although it made my heart melt when Tom asked if I wanted to invite him. I absolutely did not.
One, Michael wouldn’t have enjoyed it – the last time I dragged him into a gallery, he stood and loudly declared that it was‘Borrrrring!’
And two, I want a couple of nights away with Tom on our own. The thought of being able to wander around galleries and museums hand in hand, sharing my passion with someone who understands and appreciates it … I can’t wait.
I’m glad of something to look forward to, something to take my mind off the fact that it’s the anniversary of my parents’ deaths this Sunday and now I know for certain that Finn won’t be coming back for it.
Year after year, for five years, he returned unfailingly, but now he’s fallen head over heels in love with another woman. And not just any woman. How could I have ever hoped to compete with Brit Easton?
I used to dream about Finn leaving Brit, coming back to me, begging for my forgiveness, telling me that he’d move to St Agnes for me.
When I imagine that scenario playing out now, a cold flush comes over me. WhatwouldI do if I was faced with a choice between Finn and Tom? Finn and I have so much shared history – would I really be strong enough to turn my back on him?
I decide there’s no point in getting stressed contemplating a scenario that’s never going to happen.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
