Page 85 of Old Girls Go Greek
‘Well, tell us again,’ Anita said, ‘it’s very exciting. I might even phone Juliette later and tell her.’
‘Please don’t,’ I said, ‘nothing has happened yet.’
‘But it might,’ Effie said.
I turned away to hide my smile. And I wondered if indeed it might.
* * *
I got to the crowded car park of the Dog and Bonnet ten minutes early and sat in my car, not wanting to go in early and have to look around for him. It was busy here this evening, with younger couples sitting outside in the garden enjoying the view over the river and the unusually warm evening. I shivered despite the warmth; I was just nervous I supposed.
After ten minutes I decided to be brave and got out of the car. The driver of the car opposite mine got out of his car at the same moment and we stared at each other and then both burst out laughing.
‘It is you, I thought it was.’ Will chuckled as he bent to kiss my cheek. ‘I’ve been here for half an hour trying to pluck up the courage to go in.’
‘So have I,’ I admitted.
‘We are here now,’ he said, and we looked at each other for a moment and I had a terrible but wonderful flashback to the moment when he had kissed me properly, and I felt quite wobbly for a moment.
He was wearing a beautiful dark blue blazer, a blue and white striped shirt and dark jeans, and I could almost imagine what it would be like to slip my hands under his jacket around his waist and feel the warmth of his body through the thin cotton. I hoped I might have the opportunity later to do just that and equally I hoped he wasn’t a mind reader.
‘We should go in,’ I said, my voice a bit croaky, ‘but first of all, where’s my present?’
He laughed and went back to his car, returning with a wine carrier.
‘It took me a bit of time,’ he said, ‘but I hope you like it. I managed to get it home without breaking it, and then I… well, you’ll see.’
I pulled out a familiar bottle of Assyrtiko wine, but this one had a hand-painted label stuck over the original. I peered at it in the fading afternoon light. It was absolutely lovely. Beautifully done, each little detail exquisite.
The new wine label had a scene of the sea, high rocky cliffs and a single seagull drifting in one corner and underneath in immaculate script were the words:
Chateau Meg.
VinnotOrdinaire
Good with salads, fillet steak and chocolate digestives.
I almost felt like crying. He had listened to me and more than that, he had remembered.
‘Did you do this? It’s beautiful, absolutely wonderful. I think that’s the nicest present I’ve ever been given,’ I said, trying desperately to stop my lower lip from wobbling with threatening tears. ‘Thank you.’
He reached out and took my hand in his.
‘I had fun doing it. And you deserve it,’ he said, ‘because you’re notordinaireat all, Meg. You’re a wonderful, kind and funny woman. And I’ve missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you,’ I said, choking up a bit with the emotion of the moment.
‘I hope you’re hungry,’ he said.
‘Always, you know me.’
‘Yes, I rather think I do,’ he said, and he kissed me.
And the car park of the Dog and Bonnet this Wednesday evening was suddenly lit with a last burst of sunshine and was just as glorious and romantic as anything Santorini had to offer.
25
ONE YEAR LATER
