Page 108 of From Notting Hill with Love…Actually
“I think it would, yes.”
Rose sat back in her seat and lifted her coffee cup. “I think that deserves a toast, don’t you? Here’s to friendship with a total stranger you met in a cinema, and nothing else!”
I lifted my teacup in agreement. “Yes, here’s to that—nothing more, nothing less…”
***
I went straight back to the house after Rose and I had parted in Kensington Gardens, Rose promising to call me the next day to arrange another meeting.
I didn’t even glance in the direction of Sean’s house as I climbed up the steps and let myself inside. I swiftly dealt with Buster, threw my coat on to the chair in the hall, and then hurried into the lounge to open up Rose’s box.
I don’t know what I expected to find in there—some old diaries maybe, a pair of baby booties, that kind of thing. But what I found as I lifted the lid on the colorful box momentarily took my breath away.
Inside were lots of tiny presents—all gift-wrapped in brightly patterned paper. There was one with pink rabbits hopping about on it, and another with numbers, one that was covered in lipsticks, and the next flowers. All the boxes were small, but all were beautifully wrapped with bows and ribbons.
There was a note lying on top, so I opened it—
My darling Scarlett,
Although I was not able to be with you for any of your birthdays in the past I want you to know thatI always thought about you on your special day, and never forgot you.
Every year after I left, I bought you a small gift on your birthday, wrapped it up, and placed it here in this box.
As every year passed and it became fuller, I lost a little more hope that one day you would be able to open the gifts for yourself.
But now I have been given a chance to pass this on to you. I hope you will understand that although I may not have been with you in person on these very special days, I never forgot my little girl.
Mum x
I read the letter through one more time before placing it to one side, and as I carefully picked up the box covered in the pink rabbit paper, I noticed my hands were shaking. The tag attached to the present read—
Onyour1st birthday.
I hesitated. I knew that by opening up this box I was going to be opening up so much more than just a gift.
Cautiously I peeled the paper off the box. Inside there was a tiny red teddy bear. I looked at the label around its neck.MynameisScarlettbear, it proudly announced,Pleaselookafterme.
I held the teddy close to my face for a moment and closed my eyes. Then I sat it down carefully next to me, so we could do the rest of the present-opening together.
Youare2!the next gift declared. Inside this one was a soft cloth book,Amelia’s Alphabet. The front cover had a picture ofAmelia—a cheerful-looking rag doll, with ringlets and a red checked dress.
There followed a succession of toys just perfect for a toddler. Then there were more books, a wooden game, and a real rag doll, who looked very much like Amelia. Then we moved into my teens—where I opened cassettes, and then CDs, of music that strangely I had actually liked when I’d been that age. Some jewelry followed, and a tiny jewelry box, a small evening bag, a couple more books, some earrings, and a bracelet. Then the final few—a beaded makeup bag, an ornate photo frame, and a beautiful silk scarf. When finally I came to the last present, I held it carefully in my hands. The last few minutes had been like traveling through time at supersonic speed, watching my life unfold in front of me.
The truth was, every single present my mother had bought for me was something I knew I would have loved at that age; she’d got it spot on every time. I peeled the paper off the last gift as carefully as I’d opened all the others, trying to rip it as little as possible.
Inside this one was a small red velvet box. I gently lifted the lid and found inside a heart-shaped locket. I could tell the locket wasn’t brand new, because it had that slight tarnish all antique silver has. I lifted it up in my fingers to examine it; it was surprisingly heavy, and the floral engraving on it was exquisite. There was a tiny note caught inside the box lid. Carefully I pried it out.
Dear Scarlett,
I wore this necklace on my wedding day, as did your grandmother many years before me. I don’t know whythis of all years it seems the right time to give it to you. But something tells me in my heart that perhaps it is.
So happy 23rd birthday, my darling, I hope this year is the year that true love will cast its spell upon you.
Mum x
I cradled the locket in my hand for a few more seconds before folding up the note, placing it inside the box, and firmly closing the lid.
Then I placed it down alongside all the other twenty-two gifts, which now sat in a huge semicircle around me on the floor. Each gift sat upon the carefully folded wrapping paper it had been encased in for so many years.
