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

Chapter 20

20

‘Bye! Love you. See you soon.’ Sophie blew kisses as she walked backwards out of her mum’s room. She always felt a mix of emotions whenever she left after a visit to the Rushgrove Lodge care home. Feelings of love, regret, sadness and guilt rushed up inside her. Guilt that she couldn’t stay longer and regret that she was leaving her mum behind. It never got easier, but she could only reassure herself that her mum was safe, well looked after and relatively happy, and that was the most important thing. And today’s visit had been one of the best yet.

‘Thanks so much for coming today,’ she said to Tom as she climbed into the passenger seat of his car. She laid a hand on his leg.

‘No need to thank me. It was a good day and Nina is great fun.’

‘She was on top form today. She has her good days and she has her bad days, and I’m never sure what I’ll be walking into, so it was great to see her so bright and engaging.’

Sophie felt sure that Tom’s presence had only added to her mum’s high spirits. They’d loaded the wheelchair into the back of the car and put Nina into the front seat, before driving the short distance to Primrose Woods. Although it had been bitterly cold, it had been a clear day, and wrapped up in their coats, hats and scarves, they walked along the main track, which led through the woods and around the lake. At this time of year, with the trees bare of their leaves, the woods opened up to offer an insight into the deepest depths of the forest, which were usually hidden from view. There were lots of other people about, couples holding hands, families exploring the wooden sculptures and dog-walkers, but the woods were vast enough that you could easily believe that you were the only ones there. Tom took charge of the wheelchair, for which Sophie was hugely grateful. She would take her mum out on more day trips, but she found wrangling the unwieldy chair and having the sole responsibility for her a lot to bear. With Tom at her side, everything seemed more manageable and she’d been able to enjoy the day without her anxiety getting the better of her, and most importantly, Nina had enjoyed herself too.

Sophie let her head drop back on the seat and breathed a sigh of contentment, giving an appreciative glance to Tom in the driving seat. Seeing her mum so happy, chatting away with Tom and becoming animated noticing the dogs, squirrels, ducks, swans and coots in the park filled Sophie with joy. Nina had been through a difficult time, struggling with ill health for many years now, so any moments of light relief were welcomed all round. Sophie knew her mum would be absolutely shattered this evening, but that she would think it was entirely worth it after the lovely day they’d had, and would soon be tucked into bed after a light supper provided by the carers.

Now, she turned to watch Tom as he guided the car out of the grounds. His well-defined jawline, his distinctive cheekbones and his wide mouth were features that she’d become so familiar with, but still they attracted her gaze as though she was seeing them for the first time. Most of all she appreciated his kindness and patience in dealing with both her and Nina.

She felt a wave of gratitude for everything he’d done today. He would downplay his role, say that it was nothing, but it had made a big difference to her having him by her side.

‘I’ll cook supper as a way of thanking you for today,’ she announced. It seemed only fair. They’d had tea and cake when they’d returned to the care home, but now Sophie’s hunger was stirring in her stomach and her thoughts drifted to what they might eat tonight.

‘No, you don’t have to do that. Why don’t we pop into The Three Feathers on the way back, have a drink and then we can pick up something on the way home.’

‘How do you do it?’ she asked with a grin. ‘You always know exactly the right thing to say.’

‘Well, you’ve had a full-on day, you don’t want to be cooking. A takeaway is a much better idea.’

‘Sounds good, if you’re sure you’re okay with that? I feel bad that I’ve taken up most of your day already. There’s nowhere you need to rush off to?’

‘Absolutely nowhere I need to be, other than here with you,’ he said, turning to glance at her with that sexy half-smile on his lips. She knew she shouldn’t compare, but she couldn’t help but be reminded of Kyle and how uncaring and uninterested he’d been in her mum’s welfare. There were only a couple of occasions when Kyle had gone with her to visit the home, but she’d quickly realised that it was better if she went without him. While her mum had never come out and said anything derogatory about Kyle, Sophie knew that she had never really liked him.

In contrast, it was clear how much Nina liked Tom. Her whole demeanour changed in his presence and Sophie might even go so far as to say that she caught her mum flirting with Tom, giggling and blushing when he spoke to her. Mind you, Sophie could understand her reaction completely. Tom had a way about him that made you feel cared for, supported and safe, and she counted herself lucky that she had him in her life now.

After a quick drink in The Three Feathers, they called into the fish and chip shop and picked up their dinner before heading back to Sophie’s cottage.

‘What a treat this is,’ said Sophie, unwrapping the fish and serving it up onto plates. The aromas of the battered cod, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce made her mouth water. They sat down on the sofa together and tucked in.

‘I meant to say we had an invitation from Pia to spend Christmas Day with them at the hall.’

‘Again? That’s so kind of them! How lovely. It was an amazing day last year, although getting to know a certain Moody brother over a delicious lunch and sipping on the ever-flowing champagne probably added to my positive view of that day. Can you imagine if someone had told us then that we would be in a relationship within a year? We would have called them mad!’

‘I know. Definitely something mysterious at work, if you believe in those kinds of things, which normally I don’t, but who knows, perhaps there’s something in it after all.’ He flashed her a sideways glance, and her stomach tumbled. She wasn’t sure about fate either, but it was certainly a coincidence the way they’d found each other at a time when they were both starting over again, finding their place in a world that suddenly looked very different to the one they’d each known for years. Their friendship came at the right time, when they could simply enjoy each other’s company without any undue pressure on either of them.

‘Anyway, have a think about it,’ said Tom, ‘and see what you want to do.’

‘Do I really need to think twice about that kind of invitation? I’d love to spend Christmas at Primrose Hall. I’ll speak to Pia and see what I can take along. They are always so generous, it would be nice if I could help out in some way.’

‘What about your mum?’ Tom asked, genuinely concerned. ‘You’ll want to see her on Christmas Day?’

‘She’s going to my brother’s for a few days down on the South Coast. They have a downstairs bedroom and bathroom where she can stay and it means she can spend some time with her grandchildren. He’s coming up on Christmas Eve to collect her and then he’ll bring her back on Boxing Day. She went last year and while it’s a lot for her, she enjoys the change of scene. I’ll worry about her, but then I always do, even when she’s at the lodge, but Ian is very good with her and he’ll make sure she’s well looked after.’

‘That will make a nice break for her, and for you, I’m guessing? I know how close you are, but it must be draining emotionally, being your mum’s main source of support.’

‘It can be. Not that I would change anything. I’ll do whatever I can for Mum, but sometimes it doesn’t seem enough,’ she sighed defeatedly. ‘I wish I could do more, but I’ve come to realise that it isn’t always possible, that her illness and her care are out of my control. I mean, Ian is really good, and I’m pleased that he’s there at the end of the phone to chat things over with, but because of his work he can only get up to see her every couple of months. I think that’s one of the reasons he’s keen to have her over Christmas so that it gives me a bit of a break as well.’

‘That’s understandable. Look, perhaps we can visit her together when she’s back in the days after Christmas. And if you wanted to, you and I could do something together on Boxing Day? Maybe we could go to the races, or the cinema, or if there’s something else you fancy?’

‘Yes, to all of the above,’ said Sophie, laughing, wondering if she should have feigned a degree of coolness, but she hadn’t been able to help herself. She was excited at the prospect of having Christmas plans and sharing them with Tom.

‘Thanks for everything, Tom. You know, for being so kind and lovely.’ Whoops, there went any vestige of nonchalance. ‘It means a lot.’

After being with Kyle for so long, it was a revelation that a man could treat her with such thoughtfulness and appeared genuinely interested in her.

‘Aw, Sophs, you don’t have to thank me. It’s what you do, isn’t it… for someone you love.’ Sophie quickly glanced at Tom, expecting him to laugh and correct himself, but he didn’t. He simply fixed her with a gaze that was full of warmth and honesty. The words hung in the air around them and she gave an embarrassed giggle.

‘Err… what did you say?’

‘Yeah.’ His head tilted to one side, his gaze travelling to the ceiling, as though what he’d said came as a surprise to him as well. Now it was his turn to give a soft laugh, before turning back to look at her. ‘I suppose I hadn’t expected to say it like that, but the words just slipped out. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely meant it, but sorry if that’s taken you by surprise. I love you, Sophie, and have done for several months now.’

‘Oh…’ she said, feeling a heat rush to her cheeks, momentarily taken aback, as she struggled to find something to say. Tom must have seen her hesitation as he was quick to reassure her.

‘I hope that’s not too much.’ He held up his palms to her. ‘I don’t want to put any pressure on you and have no expectation of you feeling the same way about me, but I’m not going to deny it, or pretend I didn’t mean it. I love spending time with you, Sophie, and the more time for me the better.’

‘That’s lovely, unexpected, but… thank you,’ she said, feeling a sense of joy as tears prickled in her eyes. ‘And a huge relief as well, because… well, funnily enough, I love you too, Tom.’

‘Really?’ Tom’s expressive brown eyes widened, her own happiness reflected in his features.

She nodded, biting on her lip, goosebumps running down the length of her arms.

‘I love you, Tom,’ she said, repeating the words aloud, putting them out there in the universe.

‘Well, that is pretty darn special,’ said Tom with a wide smile. ‘I really do love you too, Sophie.’