Clara laughed. ‘The boat, of course. I didn’t even notice a man there. Was there one? I only have eyes for you.’
‘Ooh, you’re a smooth talker.’ The remark made Tom want to kiss Clara and he couldn’t help himself as he leaned over to her.
Clara felt that tingle all over, the one Tom always managed to give her even with just a glance. She felt quite flushed and wasn’t sure if it was the sun or Tom. She decided it was probably the combination of the two.
Finally, letting go of Clara, Tom remembered an old friend.
‘You know, I was mates with someone who lived on a houseboat once. It was a great way of life.’
Tom was one of those people who had a story for everything but a wave of sadness came over him as he remembered yet another person that he had lost contact with. He thought back to the fun times he’d had with Ronnie on his barge.
‘Really? I’ve always quite fancied a canal holiday. Although the only holiday I’ve had recently – well, two years ago – was the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.’
‘No way. I’d love to do the Santiago pilgrimage. I’ve heard all about it. Maybe we could do it together one day.’
It was the first time Clara had heard Tom plan for a future together and despite the heat, she had goosebumps.
‘It’s truly amazing. One of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve only recently stopped going on about it.’
‘That sounds like a plan for the future then.’ Tom said it confidently, like he truly believed they would go the distance, not only on the pilgrimage, but their relationship also.
The sun might have literally been shining right down on them, but it felt like it was metaphorically speaking too. It truly was the perfect day!
As they reached the ruins of Godstow Abbey, Clara had an idea.
‘Shall we stop at the Trout Inn for a drink? I could murder a Pimm’s.’
Clara worried there might not be room in the beer garden on such a beautiful day but was thrilled to find one table left. Lady Luck always seemed to be shining down on her when she was with Tom. She was even starting to worry less about the students catching her having a drink with her handsome friend. She knew that she was hardly committing a crime and the more time they spent together, the more confident she became that he wasn’t some flash in a pan. She had a good feeling that this was someone she could get serious with.
Settling on a table with a much-needed umbrella and a cool breeze from the riverbank, Clara ordered a glass of Pimm’s while Tom ordered a glass of water.
‘You’re wise. I should rehydrate myself in this weather but I can’t resist a cheeky one on a day like this.’
‘Pimm’s was made for the summer weather. Enjoy it,’ said Tom, wiping sweat from his brow. ‘I’m absolutely dying of thirst after that walk. Thank goodness for the breeze.’
‘Yeah, it is a scorcher today.’
On such a nice day, it wasn’t surprising that the inn was packed full of people enjoying lunch and drinks out in the sun. Clara loved meeting strangers and smiled at a couple who were leaving on the bench next to them.
‘Beautiful day,’ said the man, nodding.
‘Isn’t it just. There’s nothing like Britain when the sun is shining.’ Clara looked over at Tom so that he could join in the conversation but she noticed he was off daydreaming again.
Clara watched the couple leave as people were now being turned away. She was glad they had arrived when they did.
In between the crowds a resident peacock strutted along.
‘Oh, look at the peacock over there,’ said Clara, breaking Tom’s spiralling thoughts.
Even though the peacock that was posing around the beer garden had moved on by the time she got his attention, he was grateful. Overthinking wasn’t good for anyone and he needed to focus on the lady in front of him, not the demons that lived rent-free in his mind.
‘Sorry, I missed him. I was just thinking about something. Lovely little place though, isn’t it? Look at those hanging baskets. I wish I was that green-fingered,’ said Tom, admiring the variegated pinks and purples of the begonias hanging from an archway.
‘Stunning, aren’t they. I do try but it’s so busy with my work. One day, when I’m retired then maybe I’ll have more time for gardening, although I am quite proud of this year’s hydrangeas.’
‘So you should be. I should probably make more of an effort myself, but with the maisonette I can only really keep pot plants and I’ve killed most of them.’ Although his indoor plants had struggled, Tom managed to maintain a couple of pot plants on his front doorstep, but that was mainly because the climate had looked after them. Rain always helped a lazy gardener.
Clara could have easily stayed on for another drink but there was an enormous queue for tables and she felt selfish to keep sitting there, so they headed back towards the Isis Lock. Walking along, she admired the gracefulness of the swans and stopped chatting for a moment to listen to the surrounding birdsong coming from the trees.
