Artful Dream

Chapter 25

Maggie and Richard were having their last breakfast in Florence sitting across the road from the hotel at what had become their favourite café. The maids and butlers were upstairs in the hotel busy packing Maggie and Richarde cases ready for Sophia to take them to the airport.

For the last time, Maggie was reading the national newspaper when she said to Richard,

“I’m going to learn Italian at evening class when we get back.”

“Hope you are better at that than your pottery classes.”

“My work was classed as Avant Garde, anyway that’s what I kept telling everyone.”

She put down the newspaper and turned towards Richard. “I can’t thank you enough for being open with me that afternoon back in Chelsea. That moment when you said you loved me. We have had a wonderful time here. You were right in your thinking, it wouldn’t have been very enjoyable for us being awkward around each other,”

Richard kissed her hand, “I’m glad too I plucked up the courage to tell you.”

Maggie rested her chin on his arm, “I really do love you Ricahrd.”

He just ran his fingers through her hair. “Come on, let’s say goodbye to the hotel staff.”

Henri, shook Richard’s hand and kissed Maggie’s. “It has been a pleasure to have you both stay with us and on behalf of the staff and I we wish you the very best for the future.”

Sophia arrived just as the pair of them finished saying goodbye to the hotel staff. Once the cases were loaded into the boot of Sophia’s’ car and after one final goodbye, all three left the hotel. Alfonso too came out of the café in time to give them a wave off.

Sophia had the top down on her convertible for Richard and Maggie. They had got so used to seeing the deep azure sky. Even the beating heat of the sun had eventually became their friend. Both of them were going back home with a healthy tan.

The short journey to the airport was soon over and now every second in Florence was precious to Maggie and Richard. Sophia parked her car in the short stay car park and fetched a trolley for their cases. Richard soon had them stacked and all three walked to the British Airways check-in desk.

The queue to the desk was taking a lot longer than they would have liked. Sophia disappeared but soon returned saying to them, “Follow me.”

The flight attendants were booking in their cases when Sophia appeared with Richard and Maggie. After a word with the supervisor, they managed to get their cases checked through as crew members and after, were now free to wait in the departure lounge.

“I cannot go through there with you without my pass.” Said Sophia “So, I’ll say goodbye here.”

Maggie fought back her tears has the two women hugged each other.

Sophia wiped a tear from her own eye, “I want at least one text message a week from you OK?” she instructed Maggie.

“Try stopping me.” she said.

Sophia then went over to Richard giving him also a big hug plus a kiss on the cheek.

“You take of her, or you’ll have me to answer too.” she said joking with him.

“Thank you for everything Sophia.” She just shrugged of the shoulders.

They didn’t have to wait long when the voice came over the tannoy announcing their flight was now boarding.

“You better go.” said Sophia.

Then came the awkward moment when they had to say goodbye but no-one wanted to go first. It was Sophia who started to move away saying,