My Heart is in Venice: An uplifting, escapist, later in life romance by Helga Jensen

Author:Helga Jensen [Jensen, Helga]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hera
Published: 2024-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

I don’t dare check the dating site until the end of the week. However, I am shocked that when I eventually log on, there are numerous messages. My goodness, I never knew there were so many single men out there. Although I suspect not all of them are unattached, like the guy who is clearly wearing a wedding ring. Thank goodness for the delete button.

A kind-looking chap with a nice smile who is called Terry has messaged, and he looks like someone you could chat to. As I am looking for someone to go for dinners and to concerts with, rather than the love of my life, I decide to contact him back. We end up chatting and get along immediately, so much so that we chat into the wee hours of Saturday morning. I actually find myself enjoying this stranger’s company.

We get on so well online that we decide to meet up the following day. I ensure that we don’t go to his house this time. I wouldn’t risk that ever again after Simon. Although, that was completely unplanned. I make sure that we meet in town, somewhere with plenty of people around us. My previous experience has taught me that no matter how nice someone seems online, you still don’t know them properly.

Since we have decided to go for a simple ice cream together, I wear my loose trousers and a casual sweatshirt. I also decide on trainers, in case I have to run from him as I did with Simon. I won’t make that mistake twice.

I am waiting outside the ice cream parlour when I see Terry approaching. He looks just like his photograph, which is great as he could have been some ‘catfish’, as Dylan calls some of these dodgy people online. I notice he has a carrier bag with him and am wondering if he has brought me a gift. What a sweet man!

When he approaches me, he gives me a kiss on the cheek. My nose bumps into his, and it isn’t the easiest of starts. Still, I remain positive. After all, we got on so well online that I am sure there won’t be any awkward silences between us.

As Terry sits down, he keeps the carrier bag on his lap, as if it is a precious jewel and he is scared someone will steal it. In the end, I have to ask him about it. The suspense is killing me. What could possibly be so important that you can’t put it down?

‘What’s in the bag?’ I ask.

‘Ashes,’ he says.

‘Ashes?’ I begin to wonder if I heard him incorrectly but then remember we are not that far away from the local crematorium.

‘Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry. Did you just come from the crematorium?’ I ask.

‘No. Tommy died two years ago now.’

Now I am totally confused. Is Tommy his brother? Uncle? Surely if the ashes were his dad’s he would call him ‘Dad’?

‘Can I ask who Tommy is?’ I say.

‘It hurts too much to talk about it.

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