Page 205 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

‘Don’t be,’ said James. ‘Tilly isn’t and neither am I.’

Clarrie felt suddenly awkward. ‘Well, then I’m glad to see you back,’ she admitted. They stood regarding each other. ‘Have you had breakfast? You must be hungry after the journey,’ she gabbled. ‘You were up so early. Shall we—’

‘Clarrie,’ James blurted out, ‘Libby said you’d confided in her about me – that you missed me – missed me a lot.’

Clarrie blushed. ‘She shouldn’t have. I said those things in confidence and asked her not to ...’

‘No, she was right to,’ James said eagerly. ‘Libby is usually right about matters of the heart. She knew I would do nothing unless I had a little encouragement.’

‘Do nothing about what?’ said Clarrie.

‘About telling you how much I care for you,’ James said, stepping nearer. ‘I know I’m not half the man that Wesley was – can never replace him in your heart – but I love you, Clarrie.’ He reached out and took her hands. ‘I don’t expect anything in return – I just hope you might hold me in a little affection – enough to put up with me coming over to visit now and again and for us to spend some time together.’

Clarrie felt a flood of love towards him. He was so boyishly gauche in her presence. She knew that inside this seventy-year-old man, a young, vigorous James was declaring his passion for her. She moved closer.

‘Dear James.’ She smiled. ‘Of course I want us to spend time together.’

‘Do you?’ He looked amazed.

‘Yes,’ she laughed. ‘A lot of time.’

She leant up and drew his face towards hers, giving him a lingering kiss on the lips, so that he would be in no doubt about how she felt. She saw the desire light in his eyes. James let out a cry of exultation.

‘God, what a lucky man I am!’

He pulled her to him, wrapping strong arms about her slim body, and kissed her roundly. Clarrie felt suddenly light-headed. She had never thought to feel such a physical response again for a man. Strange that it should happen in this same romantic glade where she had first fallen in love so long ago. She gave thanks for second chances and for the spell that this magical place cast over the young at heart. She gave thanks too for Belgooree, her beloved Belgooree.

They broke apart, but she held on to his hands as she gazed at him lovingly.

‘I want to share this place with you,’ said Clarrie, ‘if you want to. There’s no other man alive who understands what Belgooree means to me as much as you do, James.’

She saw his eyes shimmer. ‘Share it with me? What are you saying?’

‘Come and live here with me,’ Clarrie urged. ‘I don’t want to be alone any more.’

When he replied, his voice was full of emotion. ‘Oh, my darling, nothing would give me greater joy. If you’re sure that’s what you want?’

Suddenly Clarrie was very sure. She loved James – not with the deep passion she had felt for Wesley, but with a tenderness that had grown out of strong friendship. They had gone through so much together and she knew they would make each other happy. Clarrie was also certain that her family would welcome this dear man into their home too – Harry would be ecstatic at the news.

Clarrie gave him a broad smile. ‘Yes, James, that’s what I want more than anything.’ She leant up and kissed him again.

James laughed in delight and, like a man half his age, swept her up into his arms and carried her towards her pony.

The sun was filling the whole glade and warming their backs as Clarrie and James made their way down the jungle path towards the tea garden and the Belgooree bungalow – towards home.