Page 69 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
His eyes rested first on her hair, and then on her lips. His head bent slightly. She closed her eyes and breathed in as his hand travelled until it just brushed the back of her neck. She breathed out. And then, ever so gently, standing by the side of the road, with only the wind and birdsong as witness to their joy, Amos kissed her.
‘Oh, Grace,’ he whispered. ‘What are we like?’
24
Once Amos was settled and his rucksack stowed safely on board, Grace started the engine. He hadn’t said a word the whole time, just grinned at her, but now, as she prepared to pull away, she paused.
‘So, where are we going?’ she asked.
‘I think we should head home, don’t you?’ replied Amos. ‘But there’s someone I reckon we should call in on first…’ He indicated the road up ahead. ‘Turn right just around this bend and the road will take you back towards the town.’
‘I wonder if she’ll be expecting us,’ said Grace.
Amos just laughed. ‘This is Maria we’re talking about. Of course she’ll be expecting us!’
Fifteen minutes later his words were borne out. Grace had only just climbed down from the van when she heard Maria’s shout of welcome.
‘Oh, my God! I knew it, I knew you’d find him!’ She rushed up to Grace and threw her arms around her, her cloud of bushy hair almost covering Grace’s face. She broke away, laughing. ‘I’ve been watching from the upstairs window,’ she confessed. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am.’
‘I’m pretty pleased myself,’ said Grace, grinning. ‘I nearly had heart failure on the way there, mind.’
‘Nah, I knew you’d be okay. You’re The One you see, I knew it the minute I set eyes on you.’
‘So did I actually,’ said Amos quietly, coming to stand beside Grace. ‘Except that it took me rather longer than you to realise.’ He held out his arms. ‘Hello, Maria.’
Neither of them needed to say any more, their warm hug said it all, as did the dancing light in their eyes. Despite Amos having been on the road so much, Grace could see how close he and Maria were. They had shared their journey, travelling the path that their grief had taken them together, not always side by side, but in every other way that was important. And in many ways this would mark a new beginning for Maria too.
Grace took the young woman’s hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said simply, knowing that without her she wouldn’t now be standing by Amos’s side.
Maria took hold of Amos’s hand as well and gave them both a hearty squeeze, before abruptly dropping them. ‘Right, wait here,’ she said, and dashed off back down the path.
Grace gave Amos a puzzled look.
‘I have no idea,’ he said, just as bemused as she was.
They didn’t have to wait long; within a minute, Maria had returned, carrying a wicker basket.
‘Now, I know I haven’t seen you in ages, Amos, but I think I understand all I really need to, and the proof of it is standing right in front of me.’ She looked at Grace. ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that you don’t usually drive around in a camper van, so there must be something significant about your choice of transport.’
Grace grinned, beaming at Amos. ‘You could say that…’
‘I thought so.’ She handed Amos the basket. ‘You may come in if you need to use the bathroom, otherwise it seems to me you’ve wasted quite enough precious time together already, so I’ve packed you a picnic – for wherever you’re going…’
‘Oh, Maria…’ said Amos, warmly. ‘You’ve been the best friend I could ever have hoped for.’
She grinned at him. ‘What do you meanbeen… None of this past-tense rubbish. I still am your friend, you ninny, and don’t you forget it. And once you’re done travelling for a while, I shall expect a visit so that you can update me with tales of your adventures, so mind you have some.’
‘Oh, we intend to,’ replied Grace. ‘Thank you, Maria, that really is the kindest thing.’
‘And make sure you look after Grace,’ she added, directing a look at Amos. ‘Or there will be trouble.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’ Amos swung the picnic basket. ‘Well, are we ready then, Grace?’ He took her hand and led her back to the van. ‘Ready for the rest of our lives?’
Grace nodded and sighed with happiness.
By the time she had climbed inside the cab, Maria had already walked back down the path and was standing by the cottage’s front door. Grace waved. ‘Thank you so much,’ she called. ‘For everything!’
Maria blew them a kiss. ‘I’ll see you next time you’re passing.’
