Chapter 41
Ihadn’t been able to stop smiling following my call with Jules. As I put the finishing touches to the dining table, news of her and Harry’s pregnancy felt like the best Christmas present they could have given me. I knew they were going to make wonderful parents and I’d never felt so happy for them.
I stood back to admire my efforts. There was no sign of the wallpaper pasting table I’d had to buy during that morning’s visit to Wildeholt. Thanks to Aunt Lillian’s stash of beautiful coverings, it sat hidden under a brilliant white cotton cloth. And the mismatched crockery I’d laid out looked wonderful in its disparity. Made up of antique and near antique pieces in both bone china and ironstone ware, there were various designs. From Royal Albert to Mason, from RH & SL Plant to Royal Doulton, there hadn’t been a complete dinner service amongst them. What was complete though, was the set of Waterford crystal wine glasses. As was the canteen of silverware. I took a deep breath and let out a contented sigh, more than pleased with how the ensemble had come together. “Perfectly imperfect,” I said. “Just like my guests.”
I checked my watch to see if I had time for a quick shower before heading round to Lizzie and Seb’s, but both it and a knock at the door told me I didn’t. I looked down at my sweater and jeans, before putting a hand up to straighten my untidy hair. Like it or not, I’d just have to do.
Heading out to answer the door, I opened it to find Oliver stood there. Wrapped up in a black woollen thigh-length coat and wearing a beanie, he looked gorgeous as ever. “You ready?” he asked.
Frank came racing out of the lounge at the sound of Oliver’s voice.
“Someone’s honoured,” I said, as Oliver reached down and gave the dog a fuss. “I haven’t been able to get him to move all day.” I reached for Frank’s lead and passed it to Oliver and while he secured it to the dog’s collar, I grabbed my coat and put on my bobble hat and gloves.
“Very fetching,” Oliver said, taking in my ensemble.
“And practical,” I replied. “If I thought it was cold before, that’s nothing to what it feels like tonight.”
Closing the door behind us, we set off to walk to Lizzie and Seb’s and despite the freezing temperature, I felt a warm glow as Oliver took my hand.
“I don’t know what you put in Granddad’s tea,” Oliver said. “But he hasn’t made one single complaint since your visit. And he’s taking this Santa gig very seriously.”
I laughed. “Maybe he’s enjoying doing something useful. Something fun, even.”
“Well, whatever the reason is,” Oliver said. “Thank you.” He stopped walking and while Frank took the opportunity to have a good sniff at the ground, Oliver took both my hands in his. “For asking him. Granddad can be such a grumpy old so-and-so, he’s the last person people usually turn to for help.”
Oliver’s expression was full of appreciation and the love for his grandfather undeniable. As was my attraction to the man before me. My gaze went from his intense green eyes to his soft tender lips and as he drew me near, butterflies didn’t just flutter in my tummy, they flapped and flitted all the way up into my chest cavity. Letting go of my hands, Oliver pulled me into a gentle embrace and brought his face closer to mine and as we began to kiss, the world around us seemed to disappear. It was just him and me.
Frank let out a short sharp bark, bringing me back to reality and our kiss to a reluctant end. I pulled back and smiled at Oliver, just as something cold and wet landed on my nose. I looked around to see huge thick snowflakes falling all about us, while Frank jumped up and down trying to catch them in his mouth.
“Merry Christmas,” Oliver said, with a smile.
He took my hand again and as we continued walking in companionable silence, I relished the calm around me. Refusing to think about what Oliver and I were getting into, I was determined to enjoy what time I had left in the village.
As we passed the shop, we both glanced in the window to see Lewis and Marianne perched on stools either side of the counter. Lewis talked with his hands as much as he did with his mouth, while Marianne threw her head back and laughed at whatever it was Lewis had just said. I smiled as Oliver did a double take.
“Did you see that?” Oliver shook his head as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I did,” I replied. I wore a knowing expression as we crossed the road and headed for a terrace of cottages similar to Bluebell Row.
“Please don’t tell me you had a hand in that too?” Oliver asked.
I grinned.
“You’re incredible. You know that?”
While I chuckled in response, Oliver slowed in his step, eventually bringing me to a standstill with him. Gone was his smile. Oliver held my gaze, his face earnest. “Stay,” he said. “Don’t go back to London.”
Oliver had previously joked about me stopping on in Little Leatherington, but unlike then, on this occasion he seemed serious. I let out a nervous laugh.
He took both my hands in his for a second time. “I’d like to get to know you more. For you to get to know me more.”
Don’t say I didn’t warn you, said my brain.
Tell him yes, of course you’ll stay!said my heart.
“Oliver, I…”
Seb’s voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the moment. “Antonia!” he said, racing out of his front door and towards us. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
Forced to tear my eyes away from Oliver’s, I let go of his hands and plastered a smile on my face. “It certainly is, young man. So why aren’t you in bed already?”
