Ellie almost collapsed with relief. Neil held her in his arms and told her everything was going to be OK as they watched Tommy go up and give his grandmother the Memory Hat. Ellie was so happy and proud that it had all worked out, and Tommy and Lily were clearly delighted.
‘Well done,’ said Neil as they joined the family party. Later they danced the Hucklebuck, the Birdie Song and a Butler family version of ‘The Walls of Limerick’ to the tune of ‘Riverdance’, and ate vol-au-vents, cocktail sausages and chicken tikka. They managed two plates of birthday cake while sipping congratulatory glasses of champagne.
‘ ’Tis the least we could do,’ insisted Mary Butler, inviting them to join them, ‘after all the trouble you went to over Tommy.’
‘The hat is a gorgeous piece of work!’ declared Lily Butler appreciatively, squeezing Ellie’s hand, when Tommy introduced her as the hatmaker lady. The curious centenarian demanded to know who the handsome gentleman with her was.
‘Just a friend,’ she smiled.
Ellie was so happy that she had not let her youngest customer down. Of all Lily’s vast brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tommy was clearly his granny’s favourite.
‘She’s a great old girl,’ remarked Neil, standing beside Ellie, watching as Lily Butler took another few steps around the dance floor with her youngest son, Pat. ‘I wonder will the two of us be as good as her when we pass the century mark?’
‘I doubt it,’ she laughed. ‘Our generation are big softies. Lily and her crowd had it tough.’
As the music slowed Neil pulled her closer. She rested her head against his chest, aware of his breathing and his face against her hair. Ellie was struck with the very serious realization that she really, really fancied him.
After another twenty minutes they decided to leave the Butlers to enjoy the rest of the evening as a family.
‘Come on, I’ll drive you home,’ offered Neil as they said their goodbyes and collected the other hatbox from Tommy.
Neil put it carefully in the boot of his car.
‘It wouldn’t do to get them mixed up and give your mother the Memory Hat,’ giggled Ellie, realizing she felt slightly tipsy once the fresh air in the car park hit her. She should never ever touch champagne. Ever.
They were both silent in the car and Ellie had to admit to surprise at what good company Neil had been and how relaxed he’d been with Tommy’s family. He was actually very charming, and kind, and sexy, and what was the phrase Lily had used to describe him? ‘A true gentleman.’
As they drove in the darkness listening to Frank Sinatra, she wondered would he ask her out, ask her for a drink, a meal, but he said nothing as they pulled into Hatch Street. She could sense he was staring at her.
‘Ellie, thanks for bringing me along to something totally different on a Saturday night,’ he teased. ‘Not my usual scene, but I did enjoy it.’
Ellie cringed. It was awful. She had probably messed up some big date of his or dinner with that girl Gayle he was seeing. No wonder he’d wanted to get home!
‘Neil, thanks so much for turning up trumps and helping me and driving me there and being nice to Tommy and everyone. It was way beyond the call of duty and I’m sorry if I’ve ruined your night.’
‘Shh,’ he said, reaching forward and kissing her. Ellie was momentarily stunned, then she found herself responding to him.
‘I wouldn’t be here with you if I didn’t want to be,’ he said, pulling her closer. ‘I can promise you that.’
Ellie felt giddy.
‘And besides, getting to meet someone like Lily was very special,’ he admitted. ‘Seeing her with all her sons and daughters and grandchildren and great-grandchildren around her – it makes you think, Ellie. That’s what it’s all about.’
She nodded in agreement, feeling his arm round her neck. She tilted her face towards his, wanting him to kiss her again.
‘We’re not meant to be on our own,’ he said slowly, staring at her in the dark.
Ellie could feel her eyes well with tears, thinking of how alone she really was.
‘Are you OK?’
She sniffed. ‘It’s silly, just me feeling a bit sad and emotional.’
‘I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said, stroking her hair and the side of her face.
‘I know.’
He kissed her again and Ellie felt the warmth of his breath and tasted his lips as she kissed him back. It was just as she remembered. Perfect. They kissed and kissed until she felt dizzy and giddy and wanted more.
‘Ellie, are you sure?’ he asked.
She considered, blowing her nose on a tissue. She wanted him to come inside, to have him finally kiss and stroke her and talk to her and hold her and stay with her.
‘I know I’m emotional after Lily and upset about things, Neil, but I really do want you to stay . . .’
‘Giggly, sexy and sad!’ he sighed. ‘Too much champagne! I should get the picture!’
He thought she was drunk again.
‘No, it’s not that,’ she protested uselessly, as he pulled away from her.
Ellie felt the happiness of the past few hours she’d spent with him deflate, like a big red balloon becoming smaller and smaller till it was nothing. Everything good between them suddenly gone! Blown away like thistledown.
He kissed her on the cheek. Ellie was tempted to pull his dark head down towards her again as they said polite goodnights.
‘I hope that Rosemary likes the hat,’ she called after him, watching the tail lights of his car disappear into the darkness.