It All Started on the Eve of Valentine's Day: Love in five seasons, #1

By Jo Ann von Haff

Can you fall in love through texting?

When Flora receives a declaration of love from a stranger on Valentine’s Day that’s not intended for her, she doesn’t have the heart to ignore the message.

Moved by the words that are full of regret, Flora notifies the mysterious author: someone, somewhere, is waiting for this message, but it’s not her.

The story could have—should have—ended there. But to Flora’s surprise, “C” answers her.

Thus begins an exchange of messages between the jovial young woman and her taciturn correspondent in which they gradually reveal themselves to each other.

And even if she makes it her mission to reunite “C” with the person the message was actually intended for, Flora will quickly discover that playing Cupid is much more complicated than she thought. Especially when her own feelings become involved …

 #virtuallove #secretrecipient #wrongnumber

Meet the Demaria sisters

Between Leeds, London and Paris, four sisters, four stories, four romances.
Each story is a stand-alone and can be read independently.
1 - It All Started on the Eve of Valentine's Day: Flora & C
2 - A Very Bright Summer Sun in the London Sky: Summer & Ifan (to be published in 2021)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Ann von Haff
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667405278

Book preview

Thursday, February 13

The sound of birds chirping and a fountain burbling gently wakes me from my sleep. I stretch lazily, suppressing the urge to bury myself deeper into my duvet. It’s so soft ... so fluffy ... like a cuddly embrace. I take a deep breath as the sound effects increase and the light becomes more intense, then push back the blanket and sit up, planting my feet firmly on the floor.

Hello, Universe, I say, keeping my eyes closed. Thank you for this new day. I’ve a feeling it’ll be lovely. I hope everyone close to me and all the people I meet today are well. However, as there are too many people to list and I have a schedule to keep, I must get going!

I finish my mantra by clapping my hands together, then jump to my feet, turn on my bedside lamp, and shut off my alarm clock. The fountain and the birds are now silent and will remain so for the next twenty-four hours. I remove my cell phone from the top drawer of my dresser where it sleeps in a small box―made just for that purpose―lying in the midst of a nest of knickers. I’ve received dozens of messages, most of them from my sisters. I delete the alerts and send a Hello, suns of my life! to my family’s WhatsApp group. Out of curiosity, I take a quick glance at some of the other messages as I choose my underwear for the day: canary yellow. It’s a gorgeous colour, canary yellow.

[On this Valentine’s Eve, I’m thinking of you ...]

I lower one eyebrow in surprise. This message isn’t for me. I’m not in a relationship ... I don’t even have anyone in my thoughts at the moment, no man, no woman ... nobody. The phone number it’s been sent from isn’t in my contacts list either. Before I have time to read it fully or to tell the sender about the mistake, the alarm on my phone rings. I must take a shower and go and wake up Johnny.

Once I’m washed and dressed and my hair is done, I enter the room next door and sit on the edge of my little protégé’s bed. I run my fingers through his curly hair and caress his neck. The little boy moves in his sleep and snuggles against my thigh. He always needs time to emerge from his dreams, and our rituals give us enough time not to have to rush around like mad every morning. After a few moments, Johnny moves his warm little body into my arms. I hug him and kiss him on the forehead as I sway, humming, so he can feel the vibrations in my chest. When he finally opens his eyes, still a little sleepy, he smiles at me. I pull back just enough to show him both my thumbs to sign good and then touch my shoulders one at a time with one hand to sign morning.

Good morning, sweetie, I say out loud.

He signs a vague hello and only then do I pick up his hearing aids.

Ready? I ask him, signing.

He nods.

So, brush your teeth and come and have breakfast. Off you go!

I definitely prefer walking or cycling but, unfortunately, Johnny’s school is twenty-five miles from the house, and we need to wake up at dawn to get there by 8.45 a.m. Consequently, during the week, I take the car. Fortunately, Mum forced me to get my driving licence, although I told myself in London it would be useless and a waste of money. I strap Johnny into his seat in the back of the Ford KA+ before settling in behind the steering wheel and plugging in my mobile.

Shall we go? I ask Johnny, looking at him through the rear-view mirror.

Go!

I manoeuvre the car out of the driveway and onto the street. After listening to the traffic report on the radio, I decide to bypass Leeds and avoid any hold-ups. I glance in the rear-view mirror every so often to look at Johnny, who’s busy contemplating the fields we’re crossing.

If I were his mother, I’d give some thought to the next twelve years he’ll be spending at this special school and move to Wetherby so as to skip the daily commute. But I’m not his mother and sometimes it’s hard to remember that. The other option would be boarding school but just the thought of that twists my heart. It’s impossible to imagine Johnny among all those children without my hugs and kisses to help get him out of bed or letting him take the time he needs. He gets grumpy when he’s woken in a way that’s different from our special routine!

I finally reach the school car park, switch off the engine, get out of the car, and greet the other parents. I free Johnny from his restraints, adjust his coat, hat and scarf, help him put on his backpack, then squat down in front of him.

I hope you have a good day, sweetie, I say to him.

He wraps his arms around my neck. I stroke his hair one last time before kissing him and encourage him to join his friends. Then I collect my own bag and lock the car remotely.

Hiya, Flora! Emilia says, joining me.

Hey there! Everything OK?

Ah’ve never wanted to move house so much! Eee but it’s a long drive!

Yes, I was thinking the exact same thing coming in today. Johnny takes such a long time to wake up. He could sleep longer if we lived closer.

Poor wee lad ... have you talked to his da about the idea? Emilia asks me.

It is not up to me to suggest it, I frown.

Ye don’t have to tell him to move. When ye’re next chatting with him, just tell him the school be proper far and the drive be reight long.

I blush with embarrassment at the thought of sitting down with Cal and pretending nothing is wrong. He’s never given me enough freedom to state my opinion on such matters. I’m happy to take care of Johnny but change cities altogether? That would be pure madness!

If he had to drive Johnny to school every day, he’d understand, Emilia insists.

He used to do that then he engaged me.

We head towards the back of the building where we have our British Sign Language course. Although my sister Harlow taught me the basics, I’m far from perfect. In the eight months I’ve been working for the Button family, however, I’ve made great strides. It’s really not surprising because there’s no better way to learn than through full immersion. And the rule that we’re not allowed to speak during class also helps. Arriving in the classroom, we’re greeted by the smile of our level three teacher. We’re no more than a dozen students and we sit at three tables to form a U.

The morning seems to pass at warp speed between doing practical exercises and watching videos. Once I get out of here with all six levels completed, I’m sure I’ll be ready to jump into silent theatre. Emilia and I leave our respective cars in the school car park and walk ten minutes to the high street where most of the neighbourhood restaurants are located. We order butties―chickpea for me―with chips and fizzy drinks, and lean back in our seats.

Ah’m going to start me own business, Emilia tells me. Then ah’ll be able to adjust me schedule and keep me mornings free for classes.

That’s a brilliant idea. And you could work from your car! You’ll no longer realise you’re spending an hour behind the wheel.

As long as ah still hear summat though, innit? she blurts out with a disillusioned pout.

Your hearing’s not going to disappear by level six, I reassure her. You’re not going to wake up totally deaf tomorrow.

She shrugs, brings her hand up to her right ear and plays with her hearing aid.

But for how long? she complains.

Until it’s time, I answer seriously.

Emilia bursts out laughing. Well, there’s nowt ah can do about it!

We’re finally served and start eating our lunch. Emilia explains to me that she’s been thinking