Page 54 of It's Now or Never

He dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief before kissing me on the forehead.

‘Anyway, where is that young man of yours hiding? I’ve not had a chance to speak to him properly yet.’

‘I’ll go and get him,’ I said. I spotted Alex over the other side of the room and gestured for him to come and join us. When I’d seen him for the first time that morning, dressed in a soft grey three-piece suit, my heart had filled and I’d known instinctively that I was doing absolutely the right thing. To be honest, Icouldn’t understand why I’d fought my feelings for so long. Alex had been absolutely right. Sometimes you just had to take that first step and see where it took you.

He was definitely the best looking man in the building, apart from Gramps of course, and to see the pair of them together meant the world to me. Even Harvey, another of my favourite men, was here too, sat in the corner, with some of Gramps’ friends from the bowls club, taking the opportunity to hoover up any crumbs of food that fell to the floor.

‘Mr Faraday,’ said Alex now, holding out his hand to Gramps and shaking it vigorously. ‘Many congratulations to you and your new wife. It’s been a marvellous day.’

‘Thank you, son,’ said Gramps, ‘and that’s mainly down to my clever granddaughter here. She’s organised it all, under Marcia’s instructions, of course. And please, it’s Harry. I don’t want any of that Mr Faraday nonsense.’

‘Harry it is then,’ said Alex, smiling. ‘I’ve just been chatting to Marcia actually. She’s been telling me all about the dance you’ve been practising. I can’t wait to see that.’

‘Oh dear. I was hoping Marcia might have forgotten about that now she’s had a couple of glasses of sherry, but it doesn’t sound like it. I just hope I can remember what I should be doing or else I will be in trouble.’

‘You’ll be brilliant, Gramps. Just let the music and Marcia guide you round the floor. You know everyone will be rooting for you anyway.’

‘Yes, I’ve been overwhelmed with everyone turning up today, and all the good wishes we’ve received. Right, well, I suppose I ought to go and find my good lady wife then,’ he smiled to himself, as though he couldn’t actually believe he could now rightly use those words again. Gramps wasn’t the type of man to be alone. He needed a good woman in his life and I was thankfulthat Marcia had filled that gap. Before we’d left for the registry office this morning, he and I had taken a moment together to remember Nan and Mum, and had raised a glass of champagne in their memory.

‘Thanks so much for coming today, Alex. It’s lovely to see Jen with a twinkle in her eye these days.’

‘Gramps,’ I said, groaning, giving him a surreptitious dig in the ribs.

Alex laughed. ‘It’s my absolute pleasure and thank you for inviting me. I’ve had a wonderful time.’ When Gramps had wandered off to find Marcia, Alex took me by the hand. ‘He’s a great guy, your granddad, and they make a lovely couple, don’t they? There’s something about love in later years that warms the heart, don’t you think? Well, love at any age, come to that.’

‘Oh definitely. I’m just pleased they’re so happy and have one another to look out for each other.’

‘Yep, isn’t that what everyone’s looking for? That special person to be with, who will always be at your side, someone to support, love and nourish you, whatever stage in life you’re at.’

He grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed my fingers tight and looking into his eyes I sensed there was a whole lot of meaning in that squeeze.

‘Yes, I guess so,’ I said with a smile. I felt as though I’d climbed a mountain, traversed a desert and swum the widest lake in the world these last few weeks. After my embarrassment of being exposed to the local community as a tomato and then having my near naked body spread around the internet, life had settled down into some kind of normality in recent weeks. I’d had so many offers of work it was untrue. Some very exciting and some highly dubious, but I was determined to consider each of them on their own individual merits.

Now I was ready to take that next step on my journey toopening up my heart and finding that special person to share the rest of my life with. I had a pretty good idea I wouldn’t need to go very far to find him now.

‘You know it really means a lot to me that you asked me to be your plus one today. I was surprised, but, as you can see, absolutely delighted to accept.’

We stood in silence for a moment watching as the four-piece band took up their positions and started warming up. They quickly started on their set, playing some oldie recognisable tunes and the energy in the room moved up a notch.

‘You know, I went back to collect your note. The one you left in the wine bar for me.’

‘You did? Oh…’ He narrowed his eyes at me, a half smile forming at his lips. ‘I thought you’d probably forgotten all about that by now. Well,’ he shrugged. ‘I always intended for you to read it, Jen.’

‘Yes,’ I gulped, swallowing the emotion that was bubbling inside me. ‘I was intrigued to know what was in there. I just happened to be in the wine bar and curiosity got the better of me.’

‘O-kay,’ he said, giving me a sideways glance that sent a flutter of excitement racing around my body. ‘So what did you think when you read it? Did you think I was a madman?’

‘No. Well not really,’ I laughed. ‘I know you only meant it as a bit of fun.’

‘No, that’s the thing, Jen, it wasn’t.’ His voice was impassioned, stirring a response from deep down within my tummy. ‘It wasn’t meant to be a bit of fun at all. I was deadly serious.’ His hand touched my cheek, his gaze roaming my face. ‘I meant every word in that letter. I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were the woman for me.’

He paused long enough for my pulse to pick up a pace as hiseyes, full of sincerity, locked onto mine. ‘Everything written in that note came from the heart and there was no one more surprised than me by the depth of feeling I instantly had for you. Although we’d only just met it was like I’d known you for ever. It’s never happened to me before and I wouldn’t expect it to happen to me again. The feelings I felt for you that day haven’t changed over all these months, Jen. Honestly. And that’s why I haven’t wanted to date anyone else in the meantime. That’s why I’m still here. Some things are worth waiting for.’

‘Really?’ My voice came out in a whisper.

‘Yes. I know you weren’t feeling it in the same way so I was just biding my time, waiting for you to come to your senses.’ His mouth curled up in a smile and he stroked my cheek with his thumb. ‘Took a bit longer than I expected, mind you. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to prove completely immune to my charms.’

‘Oh Alex, I didn’t know what to think. You were unlike anyone I’d ever met before, you were certainly not the type of person I usually go for and I suppose, after what Angie told me, I was just scared I would end up getting hurt. And I couldn’t face that, but now I realise how I feel about you and I’m prepared to take that risk. I really want us to try and make a go of it.’

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