‘Yes, you’re moving to King’s College. I know all about that.’
‘Really?’ Clara wondered if he had been in touch with someone from the chapel but then remembered the newspaper article.
‘I guess it’s no secret. I’m glad you know.’
‘Yeah. That’s what spurred me on to get better. I had to get out before you left.’
‘I had no idea. All this time I assumed you didn’t know.’
‘I knew. That’s why I had to see you again. It doesn’t change anything for me. I still want to be with you.’
Tom looked down and played with the corner of the table.
‘But it’s too late for us, Tom. I’m heading off for a new start.’
Clara thought of all the preparation she had done for her new role. She was practically packed and ready to go. This was not what she was expecting at the eleventh hour and, as lovely as it was to see him, this felt like a mighty big spanner in the works.
‘I can come with you. I’ll happily move to Cambridge if it means us being together. I don’t have anything here to stay for. You’re all I want. The only thing that matters is that we are together, wherever we are. It could be on the moon for all I care. And, for the record, if you did ask me to move to the moon to be with you, I would. I’d do anything for you, Clara. Absolutely anything.’
Clara could see that the look in Tom’s eyes was genuine as he pleaded with her from across the table. Tom sitting opposite her having such a candid conversation brought all her feelings back. How she had tried to persuade herself she didn’t miss him, but deep down she had craved Tom every single day. Now he was offering to leave his home and go anywhere with her. This was so unexpected. She was all set to go alone to Cambridge. Did she want to move there as part of a couple? It sounded wonderful, but it was also too soon to commit to something so big when he had just left rehab, no matter how fond she was of him. Tom picked up on her doubts as she nodded her head.
‘I get that a move like this would be a big commitment for us. But just so you know, I don’t mean that I would want us to live together. I could get my own place nearby. I want to be close to you, that’s all. I will completely understand if that’s not something you want at this stage. Obviously, I hope it is though.’
‘Oh, Tom. You couldn’t have timed this worse if you’d tried.’
Tom gave Clara a rueful smile. ‘I’ve never been known for my timing, I admit. All I’m asking is if you could please have a think about it.’
‘I’m most flattered. I promise I’ll have a think about it.’
Tom’s face lit up. Seeing him smile again brought back such happy memories of being together. She felt the least she could do was consider his proposal.
‘You promise?’
‘I promise.’
What a ride this relationship had been. They’d had their moments, but she would never have expected that they would be sat in her kitchen having this discussion when he asked her out on that first date.
‘I know we haven’t known each other for a long time, and a lot has happened between us in the time that we have, but I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone. You make me feel complete.’
Clara knew exactly what he meant as she felt the same. Even though she never admitted it to herself, she felt as though a piece of her was missing when they had been apart.
‘You make me feel complete too, Tom.’ Clara smiled.
‘I’m glad to hear that. I really am. Although, there’s one more final thing you need to know. There’s something I need to talk to you about but it has to be the right place. Not here.’
Clara stroked the prominent beauty spot on her arm. It was something her mother had always told her to stop doing when she was young, but it seemed to comfort her now as she hesitated. She’d had enough surprises for one day. What else did Tom want to tell her?
‘Is there any chance we could go for a walk along the river tomorrow? Just like we did before. For old times’ sake. There’s something I have to share with you. It’s really important.’
‘If it’s important to you, then why not?’
‘I promise you won’t regret it. I’ll meet you at our usual spot at lunchtime if that works.’
‘Okay. I’ll be there.’
Tom knew that what he needed to do next wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing he had done so far to win the hand of his fair maiden had been straightforward. If they were to have any chance of a future, the time had come to be truly honest. That meant laying all the cards on the table, including the truth about what led to him and Josh becoming estranged, something he had never told a single soul before.
ChapterThirty-Four
