Yes, great day. I think they missed you at choir. It’s not the same without you there. x
You’re so sweet. I’ll see you at your tea, yeah? Just in the middle of something, sorry!
As Tom typed, he was grateful she couldn’t see him. There was no need to worry her.
Oh, of course. Speak tomorrow. Night night. x
Night night, my dear Clara xx
She held the phone to her chest. What a lovely bedtime message. Women’s intuition. Pah! There was nothing to worry about when it came to Tom. He was different. He was lovely and she couldn’t wait to tell the world that they were together. She would shout it from the rooftops. She began counting down the days until her relationship would be public knowledge and she could introduce him as her boyfriend.
‘This is Tom. My boyfriend,’ she practised, glancing at herself as she passed her mirror with another glass of wine in her hand. Then she snuggled down on the sofa, full of hope for the future, and flicked over the TV channel.
Life was being so good to her and she thanked her lucky stars.
ChapterSixteen
Clara was a bag of nervous energy on the morning of the charity afternoon tea. It was her time to shine and she pictured exactly how the day would go. She had already picked up the large punnets of fresh strawberries from the farm shop the day before so all she had to do was put them in the clear glass bowls she kept specially for the occasion and then drizzle them with heavy whipping cream. Although they were her late mother’s bowls and technically vintage, she didn’t mind using them as this was for a good cause. Thankfully, only once had someone managed to smash one.
She had washed the strawberries, laid out all the dainty teacups and saucers that had also been her mum’s, and by mid-morning was getting herself ready. She chose one of her favourite long maxi dresses that covered the tops of her arms, which she hated, and was short enough not to drag along the grass. That was one of the benefits of being taller than Eleanora who always had to get things shortened. She put her hair into a long ponytail to keep her hair in place since she would be serving food and, when she was ready, felt as though she was floating around on a big fluffy cloud as she drifted around the kitchen in her maxi dress. She looked around, pleased as punch. Her preparation had already paid off and all that was left to do was to serve and entertain the guests with the help of Eleanora, who took the day off each year to help.
As usual, Eleanora was the first person to arrive. She always made sure she was early in case Clara needed a hand, even though she knew that by the time she arrived most things would have been done. Still, it was always nice to have a catch-up and a bit of a gossip before everyone turned up.
Eleanora flicked her long dark curls behind her ear. ‘I’m so blinking excited! You and Tom are going to be the biggest announcement since George Clooney married Amal! I’m still devastated about that though. Not that he’d have ever looked my way.’
The cute gap between Eleanora’s two front teeth made an appearance as she laughed. Clara remembered how self-conscious she had been about that when she was in school, but it suited her. When Eleanora’s ex-husband, Matthew, had first left, she had once half-heartedly joked that she was tempted to go to Turkey on holiday to get it fixed, but thankfully, that was just a fleeting phase. Her confidence might have taken a bashing after her unexpected divorce, but Eleanora was famous for that warm congenial smile, and Clara had insisted she wouldn’t be the same with a new set of gnashers.
‘You and George Clooney. What are you like?’
‘As you know, he broke my heart. Nothing more to say. But I’m over it. More of a Tom Hiddleston obsession now. Plenty more celebs in the sea. What is it about guys named Tom being so cute? On that note, when do you think you’ll make the big announcement?’
‘I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I guess I’ll let everyone settle in. Maybe when I do my speech and let everyone know how much we’ve raised and thank them all. I was thinking I’d get Tom to stand beside me. We can announce it together. What you reckon?’
‘Sounds like the perfect plan. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see Tom again. I’m so happy for you. It’s about time you had such happiness.’
‘Thank you. I can’t ever remember feeling so euphoric. It’s like all my dreams came true suddenly.’
‘Brilliant. I could give him the biggest hug for the way he treats you. At long last a true gentleman.’
‘Totally. Maybe you need to get off those dating apps and find someone like Tom in the real world.’
Eleanora sighed. ‘If only it were that easy. Men like Tom are like gold dust. I haven’t had a chance to tell you about the idiot I met last week.’
‘Oh no, what happened?’
‘So, his photo was gorgeous. We arranged to meet. Then, as I’m getting ready, he messaged asking if it mattered if he was a bit older than he’d said he was.’
‘I said, “I guess it’s okay. How old are you?” He’d said he was 54.’
‘Right. How old was he?’
‘He was 76! Can you believe that? I cancelled. What a toad!’
‘Wow. Some guys sure do lie. That’s unbelievable.’
‘Yup. I’m definitely coming off there now. I’ve had enough.’
‘Don’t blame you. Maybe Tom has a nice friend we can fix you up with.’
