Now that the first-date nerves were over with, Clara was enjoying Tom’s company even more – despite the fact that he wouldn’t talk about his life before arriving in Oxford.There would be no mystery about any of us if we told each other everything,thought Clara. Although she hoped he would let her in on one thing that was puzzling her.
‘So, are you going to give me the recipe for your scotch eggs? I’m sure I could raise a lot of money with a bake sale selling these,’ said Clara.
‘Ah, I can’t take all the credit for it. It’s a secret family recipe. If I told you, I’d have to kill you. But I can let you in on one little secret. It’s the smoked haddock that’s been substituted for sausage meat that gives it the flavour.’
‘Well, who’d have thought. Just delicious. Although I am super full. I don’t think I could eat another thing, ever, ever again.’
‘That’s a shame as I was going to ask you if you fancied lunch sometime, but if you’re never going to eat, ever, ever again, then...’
‘Oh, in that case, let me think. Okay, maybe one day I’ll eat again.’
Clara and Tom laughed. It felt like they were the only two people in existence, and even the barge in the distance seemed to drift away as they sat together, seemingly without a care in the world. The chemistry between them was undeniable and as Clara leaned back, letting out an infectious roar of laughter, Tom couldn’t help himself. He placed his hand gently on her face, moving her fringe out of the way, and kissed her softly on her forehead.
Tom’s light touch felt like silk as he tenderly ran a finger along her cheek. Clara felt as though she could burst with happiness as they snuggled up closer on the picnic blanket and chatted about everything from Eighties pop groups to their favourite musicals.
‘Has to beEvita,’ said Tom.
‘Oh, yes, that’s a good one. Although I sawMiss Saigonmany moons ago. That was excellent. Oh, andPhantom...’
‘Ooh, and have you seen Jason Donovan inTheRocky Horror Show? The music is amazing.’
‘Oh no, now I’ve got “Time Warp” stuck in my head.’
Tom held his hand out to Clara and pulled her up from their picnic blanket.
‘Fancy a dance?’
Clara never imagined she would find herself jumping about a meadow with Tom singing ‘Time Warp’, but as they jumped to the left and the right, they were giddy with laughter.
Tom was so amusing to be around that before they knew it, the sun was going down and they realised how late it was.
‘How on earth can it be evening already?’ said Clara.
‘Time flies when you’re having fun and I certainly have had lots of fun. I love spending time with you, Clara Bennett.’
‘Me too, Tom Hartley.’
Reluctantly heading off before it got too dark, they walked back to their cars. Tom carried the picnic basket in one hand and took Clara’s hand with the other, although only after he had politely asked her if she minded. Clara wanted to almost skip along as she held Tom’s hand tight. However, she reminded herself that she was an un-fit 58-year-old, who had just danced in a field. Skipping along the bridge too was probably not the best idea if she wanted to be able to walk in the morning.
ChapterSix
Clara couldn’t wait to tell Eleanora about her wonderful picnic and called her as soon as she got home.
‘I have to meet him. Please bring him punting as an excuse for me to have a nosy,’ begged Eleanora.
Since Eleanora had taken over the family punting business, she was always trying to get Clara down to the Magdalen Bridge Boathouse and, finally, she had the perfect excuse. Whilst Clara and Tom had only been on two dates, somehow it felt right to introduce them this early on. Eleanora was normally a good judge of character who always read between the lines. She never stood for any nonsense. After all, she needed to be strict when she ran a business where a river and inebriated students sometimes merged.
Clara had to agree that spending an afternoon punting with Tom did sound rather nice so, on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, following a welfare visit to Janet who had fallen down her stairs, suffering a broken wrist, Clara finally arranged to meet Tom at the boathouse.
Eleanora’s punting business was busy from March through to October and by the time they reached the boathouse, Clara could see that there were only a couple of punts left. However, before taking one out on the river, the moment had come where she had to introduce Tom to her beloved friend. She had seen Tom get along famously with others, but she hoped the informal meeting would go well. She would hate for the two of them not to hit it off.
Eleanora was energetically pushing a punt out when they reached the boathouse. Her bright yellow waterproof gilet had caught Clara’s eye immediately. She could watch her best friend at work all day. She always thought it was as though Eleanora was in her natural habitat when she was down by the river.
Clara waved over as Eleanora noticed them.
‘Nora, this is Tom. A friend of mine.’ Clara tried to be casual in her introduction, but, truthfully, she was on tenterhooks.
‘Hello, Tom, friend of Clara’s.’ Eleanora reached her hand out to shake his. ‘Sorry if my hand’s a bit rough. Outdoor work will do that, even with the best hand lotions you can buy. But you know what they say, rough hands, warm heart. Oh, no, maybe it’s cold hands, warm heart. Well, same sort of thing. Anyway, brilliant to meet you.’
