Page 47 of Sunny Sundays at Primrose Hall

‘That’s so lovely. It will give them all something to focus on and look forward to. I must admit I’m looking forward to the wedding myself. It’s been years since I’ve been to one.’

‘Well, knowing those two, it promises to be a great day. Jackson has asked me to take on a few more responsibilities at the hall while he’s out of action so I’ll be spending a bit more time over there myself.’

‘How do you feel about that? I know you mentioned possibly looking for another role.’

‘Yeah.’ Tom picked up his wine glass and took another mouthful. ‘You know it’s no hardship being at the hall. I enjoy the variety of the role, and working alongside Jackson too. We work pretty well together, actually, and being outside too brings a freedom and rewards of its own. I’ve decided to leave it until the new year and then make a decision on what to do next. One thing is for certain. I want to get out of that flat as soon as I can and find something bigger and brighter. I’m ready for that change now.’

‘I understand that. I feel so lucky to have found my cottage. Every day when I get home, I close the door behind me and shut out the real world and relish the calm and peace of those four walls. It’s my safe haven. Everyone should have one.’

‘It is a lovely home.’ Although Tom wasn’t certain if it was the cottage he was so enamoured by or Sophie’s presence within it. Either way, he always found it a warm and welcoming space. ‘Anyway, how’s your mum doing at the moment?’

Sophie appreciated how Tom always asked after her mum after she’d previously told him how she lived at Rushgrove Lodge, a local care home, and how her health had slowly declined over recent years. It was sad, but a huge relief too when her mum had reluctantly accepted that she needed full-time care and Sophie was reassured that she wouldn’t receive the late-night phone calls telling her that her mum had sufferedyet another fall. Now she was in a safe environment where she received the best possible care.

‘She’s not too bad at the moment. I saw her today and she’d had her hair and nails done so she looked really pretty, and they’d had a speaker in this afternoon, who talked about local history, which Mum’s always found interesting, so she was on good form.’

‘Well, if you ever fancy some company when you go to visit your mum then let me know. I’d be happy to come along with you.’

‘Really? That’s so kind. I’ll definitely take you up on that.’

Kyle had rarely joined Sophie when she’d visited her mum, and Sophie should have taken it as a warning sign that she absolutely preferred it that way. The thought of taking Tom along with her was a much more pleasing proposition and she knew her mum would be delighted to meet a new face.

The food was delicious and they took their time savouring each course, enjoying a glass or two of white wine with their meal. For pudding, they shared a creamy tiramisu and as Tom took a spoonful, popping it in his mouth, his gaze roamed her face.

‘Thanks, Sophie, for coming tonight. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I know I’ve had a great time.’

‘Oh, it’s been lovely, a proper treat.’ She couldn’t remember the last time she’d shared a romantic dinner with a good-looking guy, but it had been as delightful as she might have expected it to be and she couldn’t imagine anyone else she would rather have sitting opposite her than Tom.

‘I’ve been wanting to do this for ages,’ he said, ‘but I wasn’t sure that you’d say yes, so I’m really pleased that you did.’

The taxi dropped them off at Sophie’s cottage. The evening had been so wonderful that she hadn’t wanted it to end and she invited him inside for a coffee.

‘I’d love that, thank you.’

With the candles on the hearth lit, the curtains drawn and some Classic FM playing in the background, the cottage was cosier than ever tonight. Sophie made coffees and they sat together on the sofa, still chatting away as they had done all evening. There’d been no awkward silences and they’d never run out of things to say, until now. Tom’s arm, which had been resting along the back of the sofa, now found its way onto Sophie’s shoulder and she lifted her legs up to the side of her, nestling into Tom’s side.

‘So would you like to do this again some time?’

‘I would,’ said Sophie, turning to look up at him, catching his gaze. There was no point in playing coy. She’d had a lovely evening and she would love to repeat it again soon.

‘Great!’ said Tom, sounding relieved. ‘I know you said once that you were happy being single, so I was conscious of not over-stepping the mark or of offending you at all.’

Sophie laughed, snuggling up further into Tom’s side.

‘Yes, it’s funny how you change, isn’t it? Although… I think you may have said the same thing too.’

‘Did I?’ Tom’s brow furrowed. ‘I was clearly lying.’ Which only made Sophie laugh more.

‘Really,’ he said, turning to look into her eyes. ‘I love spending time with you, Sophie. I think you’re a great girl and I hope that this is only the beginning, that we can get to know each other much better.’

Sophie gazed up into those dark brown seductive eyes, willing him to kiss her, and her powers of suggestion were obviously spot on tonight as he leant down to meet her lips with his. It was every bit as magical as she’d imagined it to be as his kisses sent all the delicious sensations to every part of her body.

She was looking forward to getting to know Tom much better too.

32

It had been another successful day at the stables. The sun had shone, they’d had a record number of visitors and Sophie’s new range of jewellery based on the natural elements had proven to be a big success with her customers. She’d sold so many more items than she had expected to and she’d had several requests for specific items in her catalogue of products that she would make to order. It would certainly keep her busy over the next couple of weeks.

There had been something of a celebratory atmosphere in the air, not only because it had been Cecily’s birthday in the week and Maddie had brought in two tins of cupcakes and a couple of bottles of Prosecco, which had been shared between the traders during the course of the day, but Pia had popped in a few times to chat to everyone and her infectious personality had brought some summer cheer to the day’s proceedings.

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