...Not bothering with breakfast, Darcy showered and sorted out her most presentable clothes. She hadn’t much to choose from. Her homeless days had meant that her belongings were kept sparse ...and there was nothing she could do about her shoes. They would just have to do, with a bit of a clean.

Part 35

At ten o’clock on the dot, Darcy was sitting on the side-door step. She’d opted for a short soft skirt over knitted tights, as her boots had proved to be the most presentable under a rough polish. This was topped with a denim jacket and a long floral scarf flung around her slim shoulders, which she hoped gave the outfit an artistic flair.

A big part of her was eager to see who would appear, but a smaller part didn’t want to know who the mystery person was in case it spoiled things. Her life was moving in the right direction at last. She didn’t want to tarnish what she had achieved so far.

Take a breath to calm the mind

Determined not to misconstrue

Fingers pluck at tattered fringe

As tapping toe beats soft tattoo

While personal mystery appealed

Now keen to see whose face revealed

At that moment, the lumbering form of Hugh appeared round the corner with a big sheepish grin on his face. He looked immensely pleased with himself. Patting her clumsily on the shoulder, he beckoned her to follow him as he set off back the way he had come.  Darcy’s heart beat fast, as much from struggling to keep up with Hugh’s giant strides as from pleasure at the thought of this giant of a man being her secret bearer of gifts.

They finally stopped outside an antique shop and Hugh produced a key and unlocked the door. Leading the way through to the back of the shop, Hugh pulled out a beautifully carved chair and motioned her to sit. Darcy sat and ran her fingers over the birds and flowers in the rich upholstery, gazing in awe at all the wonderful furniture around her.

Imagine all the sumptuous homes

That held such glorious things displayed

Finest honed and polished wood

All elegance, with gold brocade

On fabrics, silks and tapestries

Portraying past life histories

Darcy’s mind was suddenly transported back to the home of Mrs Judd and the two little dogs, Fortnum and Mason. That all seemed like a lifetime ago now.