Page 105 of The Village of Lost and Found

As she looked around the village at her friends, her uncle, Keith and then Tom, she already knew the answer. Why not? she thought. She had everything she had ever dreamed of in Cranbridge.

57

As the sun set low on the horizon later in the day, Tom tried to listen to the small talk as the other villagers chatted to him, but all he could think about was Lucy. She had done an amazing job organising the fete. There were so many people who had such positive reactions to both the hub and the newspaper. He was so proud of her.

And, for once, proud of himself as well. They had done it together. They were a team.

But he still wanted so much more. His lips still burned from where hers had touched them in those sweet kisses the previous evening. And he found that all he wanted to do was kiss her again. Somewhere private, away from the crowded lanes.

Word had got out about Tommy Starr’s impromptu set and, if anything, Riverside Lane was even busier that evening. The place was packed and yet everyone was relaxed, either sitting on the grassy banks, watching the children still wading in the cool water, or wandering along the lane hand in hand.

Tom could see the pub garden in the distance was absolutely packed and was pleased that The Black Swan would also benefit from the surge in sales.

But he was only interested in finding one person amongst the crowd. And when he finally saw her, he found he had to catch his breath as she walked towards him.

Lucy had got changed at some point and was wearing her denim skirt and that purple halter-neck top again.

Dear Lord, thought Tom, with a gulp. That top should come with a government health warning, such was the effect that it had had on his pulse. Normally she was pretty, casually dressed in her jeans or shorts and a T-shirt. But once more she completely bowled him over and he was having trouble even thinking straight.

She came over to him, smiling. ‘That’s the lady who’s thinking about starting up a craft club,’ said Lucy, leaning forward to murmur in his ear while pointing at someone who was walking by and nodding at them.

That didn’t help, thought Tom. Her breath was brushing his ear.

‘Excellent,’ said Tom, hoping his voice remained steady. ‘More the merrier.’

Lucy turned to look at him. ‘Are you OK?’ she asked, searching his face.

‘Never better,’ he said, reaching out to take her hand and finally relaxing.

Hand in hand, they slowly walked down the lane to where the crowds had dispersed and it was quieter. In the shade of one of the willow trees along the riverbank where they could finally be alone, Tom stopped walking and turned to face Lucy.

‘Let’s dance,’ he said, making his decision swiftly and taking her into his arms.

‘Here?’ she asked, with a soft smile.

He nodded and they began to sway to the music drifting down the river from where Tommy Starr was singing into his microphone.

‘So do you think it’s been a success?’ she asked, her hands wrapped around the back of his neck.

‘Absolutely,’ said Tom. ‘And the night’s not over yet.’

She moved closer and suddenly all he could smell was her soft perfume, the scent of her hair and her skin. He could barely breathe. Then she moved closer and their eyes met. He couldn’t look away and nor could she. She was looking deep into his soul and there was a look of love on her face. He held his breath. Was it true? Did she feel the same way as him?

Suddenly he could barely hear the music. All he could see, all he could feel, was her. Having Lucy in his arms was overwhelming all of his senses. He could feel her breath on his neck as they moved. His hand was on the bare skin of her back holding her close and he was surprised that it wasn’t on fire such was the intensity he was feeling. Unable to stop himself, he looked down and found her green eyes staring up at him. Her face and body language seemed to be mirroring his own feelings.

‘Tom,’ she said softly, drawing close to lean her head against his shoulder.

The music played on. The song was all about love, but Tom barely heard the lyrics. He couldn’t think of anything else. Just Lucy in his arms.

Time drifted. He had no idea how long they danced for. But, eventually, they drew apart.

‘Well, that was nice,’ she said, looking up at him. Her cheeks were pink from blushing.

The cool night air seemed to bring him slowly back to his senses. It was time to wake up from the glorious dream that he had found himself in. It was as if the haze that had lingered over him for so long had finally been lifted that evening and all he could see was Lucy.

They seemed to silently agree that they would head back to his cottage at that moment. He took her hand in his and they walked over the narrow bridge and back alongside the river until finally they were outside his cottage.

Lucy turned to look at him, still holding his hand. She shivered a little in the cooler night air and he quickly shrugged off the jacket he had been wearing and placed it around her shoulders.