A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 12

12

Sophie and Tom walked the short distance from the pub to Sophie’s cottage, where Tom was intending to call a taxi home after he’d stayed for the coffee she’d offered him. It was a relief to have cleared the air because she hated the idea of there being any bad feeling between them.

‘Come on,’ she said as she approached her front door, taking Tom by the hand. Although she’d been living here for over six months now, she still felt the same buzz of excitement returning home, seeing her little chocolate box cottage, as she had the very first time she’d clapped eyes on the house.

It was only small, a two up, two down, but as far as Sophie was concerned it was so much more than just her home. It had represented the start of a new phase in her life where she could rediscover who she was and start enjoying some independence and freedom. No longer did she have to tiptoe around Kyle, or navigate his whims and bad moods. She could do what she wanted, when she wanted, and that came as a big relief. For far too long, she’d suppressed her own needs and desires to placate a man who had never been worthy of her time and energies. It was a shame that it had taken her so long to realise it, but she didn’t have time for regrets. She was all about looking forward and moving on, and getting to know Tom had proved to her that there were some decent, good men out there.

Inside, she switched on a side lamp, turned the fairy lights on in the fireplace and lit the two pillar candles that stood on the mantlepiece. Instantly, the room felt cosier and warmer.

‘Let me pop the kettle on,’ she said, wandering through to the kitchen.

Tom followed her and watched as she pulled out a couple of mugs from the cupboard and spooned coffee inside. It gave her a sense of normality and homeliness to entertain visitors, and of all her guests, and there really weren’t too many of them, Tom was definitely her favourite.

‘Here you are,’ she said with a smile, handing over a mug.

‘Thanks, Sophie.’ He took the coffee and placed it down on the worktop, reaching out to her and pulling her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into his broad chest, where she felt safe and warm. He leant back to look into her eyes, running a hand through her glossy brown hair.

‘You do know that this new job won’t affect what we have together in any way.’ His gaze roamed her face. ‘We’ll still get to see each other and I’m going to be making a point of getting to the traders’ meet-ups whenever I can. You’ve no need to worry on that front.’

‘No, I know,’ she said brightly, not sharing his certainty. ‘The thing is, despite all my talk about stepping out of my comfort zone, I’m not too good when unexpected change comes my way. Which I know is totally ridiculous and entirely unfair on you.’ She felt her cheeks colour as he looked at her, his touch sending a tingle the length of her body. ‘I’ve quite enjoyed this little bubble we’ve existed in. If it was down to me then things would stay the way they are, but I know that’s not possible or even very healthy. Things have to move on. That’s part of life.’ His thumb traced a trail along her cheek as she spoke. ‘I am really happy for you, though. I promise.’

‘I believe you,’ he said, seemingly distracted now. ‘Thousands wouldn’t.’ A smile formed on his mouth as he closed his eyes and leant forward to press his lips against hers. Her mouth parted automatically and she pressed her body up against his, enjoying the sensations his kisses elicited. She soaked up the scent of him, his masculinity. She could quite easily have succumbed to the temptation of Tom’s touch, but much to her disappointment, he pulled away and gestured to the coffees, although the look in his eyes suggested that he might have easily been persuaded otherwise. Judging by the smile lingering on his lips, he knew exactly how she was feeling too.

Sophie picked up her mug and led the way into the living room, where they both sat down on the small cosy sofa.

‘Today was fun. Thanks for pushing me’ – she stopped herself, rethinking her choice of words – ‘persuading me to take part in the workshop. I wouldn’t have done it without your encouragement, and it was so interesting chatting to the visitors. It’s always pleasing to get positive feedback and it’s given me lots of ideas for new items. I can’t wait to get back into the workshop to get started.’

Tom smiled.

‘I don’t know why you’re so surprised. You’re very talented and your jewellery always looks fabulous on the displays.’

Tom was so supportive of her work, which was another reason why she valued their budding relationship. She felt she could be her natural self in his company and wasn’t constantly holding her breath waiting for a barbed comment or a criticism of her pieces. Her ex, Kyle, had been mostly indifferent to her hobby, although at the time, it had been a great excuse for her to escape into the spare room to get away from him.

‘Pia was making me laugh today. She was trying to wheedle from me and Katy the plans for her hen night, but we’ve all been sworn to secrecy. She’s worried that there’s going to be male strippers and Katy and I were really winding her up by neither confirming nor denying it.’

‘And are there? Going to be naked men?’

‘Is it a proper hen night without them?’ Sophie quipped. ‘Actually no, thank goodness. I think it’s all going to be very civilised, although with plenty of good food and booze involved, and a few surprises along the way.’

‘That sounds like a very fun evening, although it will probably get messy knowing that lot. You’ll definitely have to blank out the next day for recovery. You’ve reminded me. I need to speak to Jackson to see what he wants to do for his stag night. Assuming of course he still wants me to be his best man!’

‘Don’t be daft! Who else would he have at his side on his wedding day, other than his brother? It’s obvious that Jackson is very fond of you. I think he really appreciates everything you did for him during the summer, helping out at the hall when he was in hospital and then dashing across to France to support Rex and Ronnie, after your dad’s heart attack. Pia’s always telling me that. You’re his right-hand man now, his confidant. Don’t take his reaction about your job personally. It probably took him by surprise, like it did me, and he’s needed some time to adjust to the change.’

‘Perhaps you’re right. Come here,’ he said, reaching out an arm and pulling her into his embrace. Sophie shifted up the sofa, snuggling into his side, looking up into his gaze. She loved these times spent together and it was only natural that her thoughts might wander to imagine a situation where it might always be like this. That she and Tom could have some kind of permanent future together. Not that she would want to mention anything along those lines just yet. They were still finding out about each other, having fun together. The last thing they needed was the additional pressures that came from a committed relationship.

‘So are you excited about starting your new job?’

Tom looked down at her and his brow furrowed.

‘I’m not sure excited is the right word. I’m more relieved than anything else. It means I’ll be able to start making some proper plans.’ He dropped his head back, lifted his chin to the air and closed his eyes for a moment. ‘You know it was you that gave me the push to actually get out there and find this job.’

‘What?’ She sat up and turned towards him, her surprise evident in her reaction. ‘How come?’

‘Well, spending some time with you here, sharing a drink and a meal, it’s been great. Simple pleasures, I know, but it’s brought home to me that I don’t actually have a lot to offer you in terms of prospects,’ he said, with a twiddle of his imaginary moustache.

‘Aw, come on, don’t say that.’

‘But it’s true. I live in a flat the size of a broom cupboard, not somewhere I would want to invite people back to or where I can entertain. There’s no outdoor space and it’s generally a bit of a dump. I’d love to have somewhere we could hang out together, where I could return the favour and cook a meal for you for a change.’

‘But that’s the thing, I don’t mind, Tom,’ she reassured him. ‘In fact, I love having you round. You might have noticed that I’m a proper home bird, never happier than when I’m pottering here, either making my jewellery or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen.’

‘Yeah, I get that, but even so it would be nice to have the option. Besides, you haven’t tried my vegetarian moussaka yet, or one of my deadly cocktails.’

‘Well, I like the sound of those, I must admit, but you could always use the kitchen here if you wanted to. I know it’s not the same, but…’ Her words trailed away as his expression told her that she wasn’t getting the point. She knew from experience that there was nothing worse than living somewhere that made you unhappy.

‘It’s not just where I’m living,’ Tom said, as though reading her mind. ‘It’s everything else that goes with it. Anna and I had a great lifestyle together, exotic holidays, meals out, theatre trips, and we always made a big deal of birthdays and Christmases. I took all of that for granted at the time, and now I hate having to think twice about whether or not I can afford to do those kind of things.’

Sophie nodded, hearing the frustration in his words. She supposed it must be difficult to have a big change in your circumstances like that. She’d never earned a big salary, but she knew how to budget and economise, although the fact that she didn’t really have expensive tastes probably helped her to manage her money effectively.

‘It shouldn’t be too much to ask to be in a position where I’m able to spoil you, Sophie.’ His dark brown eyes locked onto hers. ‘To whisk you away on a European city break or take off for two weeks in the sun.’

‘Oh…’ She paused to allow his words to sink in. A holiday? With Tom. Suddenly an image popped into her mind of her and Tom walking along a soft golden beach, the warm rays of the sun kissing her skin. She sighed dreamily. The idea of a holiday hadn’t even crossed her mind, but now Tom mentioned it, the thought filled her with excitable anticipation. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d got away. It must have been when she went with Kyle’s family to a caravan park on the Welsh coast when it had rained for the entire five days.

‘Honestly, Tom, it’s never occurred to me that I’m missing out on any of those things. Although…’ A smile appeared on her lips as she was transported to another place. ‘Now you come to mention it, some sun wouldn’t go amiss, but really though, I’m a girl of simple pleasures. Aren’t we having a great time doing what we’re doing? Walks over at Primrose Woods, going to the pub or having supper together.’

Could she really be held responsible for Tom’s decision to change his job?

‘I’ve never once looked to you and had any level of expectation of…’ Her words trailed away. ‘I like you as you are, spending time together. That’s enough for me.’

Tom puffed out his cheeks and exhaled a sigh.

‘I appreciate that, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m not enjoying what we have, but I’m looking to the future, Sophie. I know it’s early days for us, but this new job is about me having the financial freedom to have more control over my life. To do the things that I want to do, the things we might want to do together.’ He gave her fingers, threaded between his, a squeeze. ‘You know, when I look at Jackson and Pia and the life they have, it makes me realise that I need to be more focused and forward looking.’

Sophie shook her head.

‘You have to stop comparing yourself with Jackson. There aren’t many people who live in a house like theirs. Jackson is a great guy, but so are you and from where I’m sitting I definitely know who is the more attractive and most charismatic brother.’

‘You see, I always knew you were a deeply wise woman. Although I’m pleased you didn’t mention my pitiful financial situation,’ Tom said dryly.

Sophie supposed it was only natural that Tom might compare himself unfavourably to Jackson. It was only a little more than a year ago that he even discovered he had a brother, coming on top of the news that the man he thought was his father wasn’t related to him after all. It had been a turbulent and emotional time for Tom coming to terms with his new reality, letting go of all the old misconceptions he held about who he was and where he came from. He was incredibly pleased and grateful to have Rex and Jackson in his life, but Sophie sensed that he still sometimes felt insecure in those relationships and the feeling of being an outsider hadn’t yet left him.

Tom shifted on the sofa to turn his body to face her, and she shuffled up to his side, pulling herself up to his chest so that she could wrap her arms around his broad frame and see into his always enticing brown eyes. He stroked a hand over her cheek.

‘I can honestly say it’s never even occurred to me to think about your financial situation. I’m not that sort of person. I’ve never had a lot of money myself, but I always think there’s so many other more important things to worry about. Seeing my mum get ill when she was still quite young and having her move into a care home has really brought home to me what’s important in life. I know how much she would give to have her independence back so I don’t ever want to take for granted the simple pleasures like going for a walk over at Primrose Woods or popping into town for a coffee. It makes me realise how lucky I am. And if I can get to do those things with someone’ – she lifted her chin, her lips pursed, and her gaze travelled around the room – ‘oh, I don’t know, someone attractive, funny and really good company, then that has to be a bonus.’

‘Hey, keep those compliments coming. Look.’ Tom glanced at his watch. ‘This has been great, but I should call that taxi.’ He stretched his arms over his head. ‘Thanks for the pep talk, Sophie.’

‘Do you have to go?’ she blurted without really thinking. All she knew was that she didn’t want this day to end. ‘You’ve said yourself you’re not in a hurry to get back to your flat. And tonight you could stay here, if that works with your plans.’

His gaze settled on hers and the look that passed between them simmered with a promise that re-ignited all those sensations Sophie had felt earlier wrapped in his arms.

‘Well, you do know I make a mean fry-up: sausages, hash browns, mushrooms, eggs and beans, the full works. I could do an early morning dash to the supermarket if needed.’ He narrowed his eyes at her and she thought nothing had ever sounded quite so tempting.

‘In that case, you simply have to stay,’ she said with a smile.