If actions spoke louder than words, then why did hearing those three little ones matter so much?
BY VALERIE BOWES
She’d thought she was getting a Valentine’s Day card. A big hearts-and-flowers one, with a goofy teddy bear on it. The same as all her friends would have.
It had never seemed so long until the post came. When it did, Heather knew at once that the card hadn’t. The thought exploded in her mind that of course it wouldn’t be on the mat. It wouldn’t fit through the letterbox. She jerked the door open with eagerness, but no large rectangle of card stood propped against it to fall at her feet.
Perhaps he’d sent it to the office? She imagined it lying on her desk, the object of her workmates’ knowing smiles and nudges. But nothing awaited her. From the happy giggling in the loo, she knew exactly who had got cards and it seemed she was the only one who hadn’t.
At least she would be seeing David later. They were going to the little Italian restaurant they both liked and she was going to wear her new dress. Not the traditional red or white, but a delicate leaf green. It was David’s favourite colour.
“You look gorgeous in green,” he’d told her, his eyes soft with love.
Perhaps he’d bring the card with him or – her heart jerked – maybe it would be a ring? She knew he wasn’t the overtly romantic type, but a cosy Italian restaurant on Valentine’s Day would be the perfect opportunity, wouldn’t it?
When he arrived to pick her up, there was no sign of a card, but the warmth in his face was enough.
“That’s a beautiful dress and you look gorgeous,” he said, helping her into the car as if she was a queen and Heather felt happiness flood her cheeks with pink.
The meal was delicious and David’s dark good looks filled her with pride as she sat opposite him. As they savoured their coffee and nibbled chocolates at the end of the meal, David fished in his pocket. Heather held her breath. Whatever he had there was surely too small for a card?
He handed her something long and thin, wrapped tenderly in green tissue paper. Curious, she peeled the paper back to reveal a small, exquisitely carved wooden spoon.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.
She’d managed to conceal her puzzlement and her disappointment, especially when he told her he’d made it himself. She realised it meant more than merely buying a folded piece of paper with pictures on, but it was a friend at work who enlight
