Free Let Love Win by Nicola May Page A

she had said before it was a good thing to not wear it, when it slipped on, it had felt as if a little piece of her darling husband was still with her.
    Cali’s words made her think. She hadn’t even considered that her wearing her ring would bother Michael. I mean, if it did, surely he wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble to replace it for her. But that was Michael all over. So lovely. So thoughtful. She really must make more time for him, but work was mental at the moment. She thought back to their lovemaking in the Soho Hotel and suddenly got the urge to do it again.
    ‘I’d shag you, Cali,’ Jimmy suddenly announced in all seriousness, without an utterance of swear word.
    Simon took a huge slurp from his vodka mug, then clapped his hands together. ‘More tea, Vicar, then let’s get serious, shall we? The real subject of tonight is Can Men Only Actively Love One Woman at a Time – discuss!’

– Chapter Thirty –
    ‘Blindfold me?’ Ruby enquired slightly nervously as Michael pulled his old grey Peugeot convertible into a layby in a quiet Devon country lane.
    ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to rape and pillage you - unless you want me to that is?’
    Ruby laughed.
    ‘Right, let’s get this roof down first shall we?’
    ‘Michael, it’s freezing.’
    ‘Wrap your scarf around you and put this on.’ He threw a blue beanie hat at her.
    ‘I don’t get it.’
    ‘Ooh, you will.’
    ‘Michael! Stop it!’
    ‘It’s your mind being filthy now, not me. But you will get that too with bells on it later, I promise.’
    ***
    Michael gently helped Ruby out of the car and removed the blindfold, kissing her on the tip of her nose as he did so. ‘You can look now.’
    Ruby blinked a few times to refocus her eyes and then bit her lip.
    ‘Oh Michael. This is just so, so beautiful!’ She jumped up and down on the spot like a little girl.
    They were at the top of a big hill with a view overlooking the Dart estuary, so wonderful it literally took your breath away. It had been one of those lovely late-winter days, crisp but bright, and the setting sun just made the moment perfect.
    ‘Happy Valentine’s, Ruby.’
    ‘It’s not until tomorrow, but Happy Valentine’s too, you luscious hunk of man.’ She looked up at him and smiled. ‘You’re actually quite special, aren’t you, Mr Bell?’
    ‘I have my moments.’ He span her around, looked right into her moist green eyes and kissed her gently.
    ‘Now, what was that you promised me with bells on it?’ she whispered.
    Michael felt a stirring. ‘We’ve got to find the cottage first.’
    ‘Cottage! Wow! I thought we were going to a B&B.’
    ‘Only the best for my little ginger Sarah Burton.’
    ‘What did you call me?’ Ruby had to shut her eyes and inhale deeply.
    ‘Sarah Burton - you know, the royal designer.’
    ‘I know who she bloody is!’ Ruby snapped. She had relived over and over her final moments with George, and this flashback washed over her like a massive tsunami wave.
    ‘Why - do you not think she’s good enough to be compared too? ’ Michael was perplexed by her response.
    ‘Look, it’s nothing.’
    ‘Well, it is obviously something or you wouldn’t have asked me not to say it again.’
    ‘George… he… on the last day I saw him…’ She paused again, then blurted out, ‘Called me by the same name.’
    ‘Oh Rubes, I’m sorry. It’s so hard not to upset you and I try my best. A - I don’t know how to say this without it coming out wrong. But maybe I’m not good enough to be compared to either.’
    ‘Michael. Don’t say that. It’s not about comparing. It’s about coping and learning to love someone again. And when you have never stopped loving the person you were in love with before, it’s bloody difficult.’ She bit her lip and looked to the sky. ‘I don’t expect you to understand and I’m so sorry. Michael. You’ve been brilliant with everything and I am so happy that we are here together