Roman Holiday

Ferrari's and fun

Carrie woke the next morning feeling like she had slept for a hundred years.  The weight on her mind was gone, the pain in her chest that had previously been her battered heart was lessened and for once, she looked forward to the day - no make that days - ahead.

Turning over, she reached for her phone and smiled.  She'd woken briefly much earlier on and seen the note. She'd been so afraid.  After all, not only has she revealed her innermost demons to Tom Freaking Hiddleston of all people but she had fallen asleep on him - literally.  But now she smiled. Putting her phone to the side for a second, she unfolded the note again.

'Good Morning (he'd scribbled a smiley face) I hope you slept well?  Please don't worry that I left - I know you, you still will - I just wanted to make sure you knew I was sticking to the rules.  Call me when you're ready to, no matter how long that takes, I will be waiting.  Mas tarde, mi tesora (later my treasure)'

She lay back in the pillows and grinned, she was his tesora - his treasure.  That one phrase made her happier than a hundred false 'beautifuls'  she'd heard from Graeme.  With a contented sigh, she reached for her phone and called his number. 

"Ciao Bella!" he must have been sitting looking at his phone going by the speed with which he answered. "how are you love?  Sleep ok?  You got my note then!" he launched into a babble of excited small talk.  She'd called!  She'd actually called!

"Hi yourself!" she laughed as she pictured his face, all eyes and teeth and laughter. "I slept like the proverbial log, better in fact.  Like a dead log!" she snorted and that made her laugh more.  "Now you've made me snaffle,  that's  a punishable offence Hiddleston!" she pretended to chastise him. 

"Sorry - not sorry!" he countered cheekily, then softly "I'm just so happy to hear you laugh darling.  It's a beautiful sound" they went quiet for a moment, each just appreciating the moment. "soooooo" he continued  "what to do today eh?  Any plans?" he crossed his fingers.  He'd been up early organising things and he so hoped he would be able to share them with her.

"Nope, nothing that I can think of.  I fancy going to Pompeii at some point but not today. So basically I am a knotless thread, an un-shepherded sheep, a loose canon, a...." She was interrupted by a snort of laughter from the other end,

"A knotless thread?  I haven't heard that in years.  My Gran on my Dad's side used to say that. Oh Jess, you are a breath of fresh air you know that? " he paused "talking of which, go out onto the balcony love. There is something I think you might want to see... " she squinted at the phone for a second as if that would make things clearer then got out of bed.

"ok, I'm walking to the window... I'm opening the door... I'm on the balcony, I don't... "

"Look down"

"Down?  Ok but I still don't... OH MY GOD HIDDLESTON YOU ARE A NUTCASE!" she almost dropped the phone.  There, sitting outside the Hotel, on the bonnet of a bright red vintage Ferrari was Tom, the back seat filled with picnic basket, rug and the like, staring back up at her waving like a lunatic. 

People were staring and taking picture and looking up to where she stood in last night's clothes staring down.  Putting the phone away, she yelled over the balcony,

"How long have you been there? You muppet!  What if I'd slept late?" 

"Only 2 hours! No time at all.  Get ready and come down. Bring a swimsuit. We're off on an adventure!" he blew her a kiss and then turned back to the crowd that was getting larger by the minute.  Shouting in the street had done little to conceal his presence.  Right now, seeing her looking down, her smile radiating the happiness that he felt too, he knew it was worth it.