Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,40
even had any wine yet.’
Her laughter sounded hysterical but if she didn’t laugh, she’d cry right now and she couldn’t possibly do that. Even if her heart felt like a thousand angels were weeping inside it.
Chance looked as if he were trying to fathom out how he could’ve forgotten his soon-to-be fiancée so easily. He gave a small laugh, not quite as maniacal as hers, but close.
‘I think we both got a little caught up in the moment.’
She nodded her head like a rapidly bouncing ball.
‘And the argument. We both wanted to win. Or at least to come out equal.’
‘Yes. Er. Shall we order?’ He picked up his menu and hid his face behind it. ‘Are you still having that turkey pie thing?’
‘Turkey pie thing?’ She laughed again, but this time it sounded normal. ‘It’s not a thing. It’s heaven on a plate.’
He lowered his menu a fraction and glanced over the top, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
‘Really? A pie?’
‘Yes, mister. A pie. You’re such a heathen sometimes. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. But you’re not trying any of mine. So get your own.’
She held her menu right in front of her face and stuck out her tongue.
‘I know you’re sticking out your tongue at me. You used to do that with books when we were young.’
She lowered the menu and put it on the table, shaking her head in genuine astonishment.
‘How do you remember so much from those days? It really amazes me.’
He shrugged. ‘I suppose it was because being at your house was such an important part of my life. It’s as if I’ve cherished every memory and put it in a special box in my head and my heart. Not locked away. Wide open, so that I can pull things out in a second. Does that make sense?’
Molly nodded. ‘I think that’s wonderful.’
‘Things were pretty miserable at home, as you know. Mum and Dad were either arguing, or giving one another the silent treatment. I was always caught in the middle and felt as if they were trying to force me to take sides. Which of course Dad did, eventually. When Mum’s drinking got worse, Dad started spending longer out of the house. For me, coming to your place was like breaking free of some prison or something. And your parents were a breath of fresh air. They always made me feel so welcome. And loved. I really felt loved in your house.’
‘You were, Chance. We all loved you. Like a brother, in mine and Terry’s case, of course.’
She’d loved him, but it hadn’t been like a brother.
He didn’t need to know that though. There were so many things he didn’t need to know. But in a strange way, she almost wished he did.
He smiled. ‘I promised myself that if I ever got married, I would never behave like Mum and Dad. I want a marriage like your parents had. I think I only saw them argue a couple of times and each one lasted for about five minutes. Either your mum or your dad would stop, look at the other person, and say, ‘Truce’. And they’d kiss and make up. Terry and you would pull faces and laugh but to me, that was really something. That two people could put aside their differences and compromise because they loved one another so much.’
Molly swallowed the tiny lump in her throat. She still missed her parents and hearing Chance talk about them with such love and admiration brought tears to her eyes.
‘They were deeply in love from the day they met until … Well, I think they’re still deeply in love, wherever they are.’
‘Oh, Molly. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m so sorry.’
She swiped away a solitary tear from her cheek and smiled.
‘It’s fine. It’s wonderful to know they meant so much to you too. But if we could change the subject that’d be good. I might end up a blubbering wreck otherwise. And me with mascara trickling down my face is not a pretty sight, believe me.’
‘I think I’d disagree with that. You always look pretty.’ He cleared his throat and turned his attention to the menu once again. ‘But no. You’re right. Er. I’m having ‘The Three Wise Men’.
‘Oooooh good choice. The trio of smaller pies. You won’t regret it. The pies here are the best in Easterhill.’
‘The menu is more extensive than I thought. Some of the choices here would give the poshest New York restaurant a run for its money.