Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,60

and nuzzled closer.

Vicky laughed. ‘He’s fine. Look at him. Chance was on the phone to Asher immediately and rushed him over to the surgery. Asher said it would probably work its way through between ten to twenty-four hours, but as it had only just been swallowed, he gave Miracle something to induce vomiting and shortly after, Miracle threw it up. Asher checked him over and pronounced no harm was done and no sooner had Chance brought the poor baby home than Miracle was munching down his lunch as if nothing had happened.’

Molly couldn’t help but smile as she stroked and kissed his head.

‘And the ring?’

‘Asher washed it under the tap, and Chance brought it home.’

‘Eew. I hope he doesn’t tell … Jolene what happened to it.’ Molly struggled to say her name.

‘I told him not to and that what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. He just gave me a very odd look and, after washing it again, put it back in its box and changed the subject.’

‘And Miracle’s definitely okay?’

She tickled him under his chin and rubbed his tummy as he rolled onto his back.

‘He’s absolutely fine. You can see he is. Asher said it hadn’t gone down far and I believe he took an X-Ray. I know that Chance – and Asher, would’ve done what was best for Miracle. And as I said, he wolfed down his lunch with no problem and he’s eaten a lot more since then.’

Molly stood upright and sighed. ‘I wish I’d known.’

Vicky shook her head. ‘I don’t think Chance wanted to worry you. But if he’d thought there was any real danger, I know he would’ve called you. Or asked Asher to do so. Honestly, sweetheart, there’s nothing to worry about. At least not as far as Miracle is concerned. As for Chance. Well. I’ll let you know the moment I hear anything. Now I’ve got to go to the cottage and wait for the rest of his furniture to be delivered. Well, most of it. The bed’s not arriving until New Year’s Eve. Not that it matters now. He won’t be here to use it.’

Molly managed to hold back the tears until Vicky had waved goodbye, but as soon as Vicky and the dogs were out of sight, she ran back to her brother’s, raced upstairs, fell on the bed and wept.

Chance had gone back to New York and she would probably never see him again.

But how could he have left his mum like that?

And Miracle.

And her.

Twenty-Nine

‘Have you heard from Vicky?’ Sarah asked, the following day, after coming back from a trip to the shops. Although invited, Molly had decided not to join her.

Molly felt herself tense.

‘Not since yesterday. No. Why?’ She sat upright on the sofa. ‘Has he come back? Has he brought her? Has something happened?’

‘Not to Chance. No. But I’ve just seen Vicky and I can’t quite believe it. Actually, she did ask me to mention to you that she would give you a call and tell you all about it, so I don’t know why I asked if you’d heard from her. It must be because I’m in shock.’

‘Why? What is it? For God’s sake Sarah, tell me!’

‘Vicky’s got a boyfriend.’

Molly’s mouth fell open but no words came out.

‘I know!’ Sarah continued: ‘I think I did the same. I was gobsmacked. The pair of them were having coffee in The Cherry Topped Café. Apparently, he’s been delivering parcels to the cottage since Chance bought the place. Vicky’s been there a few times when he’s done a delivery, and they struck up a conversation. They talked for longer each time. Yesterday – no doubt after she’d seen you – he turned up with another delivery and she asked him if he had time for a cup of coffee. Apparently, he did. One thing led to another and he texted her this morning and asked her if she’d like to meet for coffee at the café.’

‘Really? Are you sure?’

‘Yep. Vicky told me herself. And they looked very cosy together, believe me. They were holding hands across the table. I wasn’t sure whether to let her know I’d seen them, but she spotted me and beckoned me inside. We chatted for a while and she introduced me to him. His name is Bruce. He’s five years older than Vicky, and a widower. He delivers parcels to keep himself occupied. And to keep himself fit. And I have to say, he was rather fit for a man in his late sixties. Quite