Countdown to Love by Allyson R. Abbott

Author:Allyson R. Abbott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: hen lit, valentine, romantic love story, older romance, mature adult romance, silver age, british romantic comedy, older adult romance

Project Completion

I sat and sobbed for ages. Richard got me a large bourbon to help calm me down.

I felt such a fool. An old, silly fool. He was awfully patient as I poured out my heart, my anger and my anguish at being a failure.

“I’m just a silly old woman who –”

“You’re not old, Marie. I’m not old and you’re only ten years older. You’re also not silly; you’re a highly intelligent, warm and loving woman.”

“Thank you for saying that, but I should have known what –”

“You can never fully know what a person is like if you only work with them. You only find out about a person when you live with them and then they’re not what they seem after a few years.”

“That’s particularly insightful, Richard, but all the –”

“All the training in the world cannot prepare you for men like that, Marie.”

“I thought I was happy and content on my own, but –”

“You should never be on your own, Marie. You’re such a warm and loving person, with a wicked sense of humour.”

I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but I did wish he would stop interrupting me. How would he know I was warm and loving?

“How can I face my colleagues at –”

“You’ll go in tomorrow, with your head held high. With your sense of humour, I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t start a little rumour about William’s little problem.”

“Oh, I’m not sure I can do that, I don’t seem capable of doing anything right.” I was still crying and now wondered what my face looked like. I excused myself and went to my room to check the disaster.

Cleansing my face and changing out of my clothes into my comfort clothes - jogging bottoms and a baggy jumper, I realised just how wrong I’d been. Both Barry and William were not as I had imagined and built them up to be and practically thrown myself at Graham and been made to look foolish. I’m obviously not a good project manager or judge of character. I’d not only failed myself, but poor Richard as well. As for my wardrobe, did I dress like a tart? I thought it was power dressing. Are my clothes too short or revealing for someone my age? I needed to seriously rethink my life and abilities. What a sad, silly, lonely old woman I am.

I slowly walked back to the lounge and flopped on the sofa, putting my feet up as I did so.

Richard had tidied away the bottles and glasses and now came and sat on the settee with me, picking up my feet and putting them on his lap.

“I’m sorry Richard, for my silly breakdown, it’s not like me at all. I’m not going to let this incident stop your chances though. We still have a week to find someone for you, but I’m giving up the chase. I’ll be speaking to my wand instead.”

“Wand?” His hands were gently rubbing my feet.

“Just my little joke,” I exhaled deeply. “My wand and I go back years and I usually turn to it for comfort.

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