Chapter 34 #2
‘Thank you. And yes, it’s been tricky …’ She underplayed it. ‘The whole situation really.’
‘We thought you made such a good pair,’ Dan added. ‘And we so wanted you both to find happiness again.’
‘Hey, all that matchmaking for nothing,’ Cath quipped, trying to keep her tone light, and not reveal her minced-up heart. Darn it, she hadn’t escaped from thinking about Will by coming over here, either.
‘Are you really okay, petal?’ Andreas asked.
His caring words suddenly got her feeling all choked up.
‘Ahm, I’ll be all right. Worse things have happened in my roller-coaster life, of late.
’ She tried to brush it off before she got teary-eyed.
Losing a marriage after thirty-two years had been so hard, but this situation with Will had really got to her.
Maybe it was because she’d got her hopes up, all over again, and had recklessly opened her heart.
It was a bruising she hadn’t needed at a time when she was still trying to heal.
‘We’re always here, you know. Anytime …’ Dan started.
‘If you want to chat, or gorge yourself on baklava, or drink strong coffee …’ Andreas continued, with a gentle smile on his lips. ‘And hey, we know Will cares for you – that much is plain to see.’
‘Thank you, lads, I really do appreciate that.’ And their warm friendship bolstered her. She felt thankful for that, at least.
‘I could box his ears, the silly man.’ Andreas was shaking his head. ‘However sad the situation is.’
‘Maybe it’s just too soon.’ Cath found herself sticking up for Will. ‘It’s not an easy situation with his girls just now. I think he’s trying to protect them.’ She held back from sharing the details of the Christmas tree evening with them. It seemed far too private.
‘Well, some other hunk will be sure to pick you up in the new year, if Will doesn’t watch out.’
Cath had to laugh at that. It was the last thing she’d consider …
someone else, someone new on the scene. No, she’d had it with romance.
No more hurt, no more being let down. She’d look forward to a very quiet new year, learning to love this new life on her own, enjoying her cottage, and anticipating the spring breaking though, with its bulbs and birdsong.
‘Now then, with all that doom and gloom, we’ve forgotten to have our Christmas toast.’ Dan passed the glasses of bubbly out. ‘Cheers, Cath. Happy Christmas, lovely.’ Dan raised his flute.
‘Cheers, petal.’
‘Cheers. Merry Christmas to you both. And thank you for all your kind support since I’ve moved in.’
‘You’re most welcome, lovely lady,’ said Dan.
‘Oh, I’d almost forgotten, I have a little gift for you.
’ With that, Andreas nipped out of the room, coming back with two sheets of A4 card with printed twirls of festive holly to each corner, each with a beautifully handwritten recipe on.
‘A couple of my favourite Northumbrian-Greek-Cypriot recipes, for you.’
‘Oh, wow. This is so thoughtful and lovely, Andreas. Thank you.’ She read aloud, ‘Lamb Kleftiko and Melomakarona cookies. I’ll have to give these a go.’
‘In fact, I’ve made two cards for every member of the supper group. You’ve all got something different. I hope you enjoy testing them out.’
‘It’s a ploy, you know, to get you all cooking, and invite us around again next year.’ Dan’s eyes crinkled with mirth.
‘Hah, I like your style. And I’m certain our supper club will still be going strong next year.’ She couldn’t imagine being without this fabulous friendship group.
Shirley was nestled beside her on the sofa, resting her head on Cath’s thigh. Cath stroked her soft white fur. It felt reassuring. The log fire was burning in the hearth. Andreas topped up her glass, as Dan went to make a Zaza cocktail for them all.
He was soon back in and passing out pretty glass goblets filled with the dusky-red delight. ‘Well then, let’s settle ourselves down. It’s almost time for the king’s speech.’
‘Perfect.’
She felt bolstered by their care, their kindness.
She was okay, Cath told herself. She’d manage.
Last Christmas was a tough one, and she’d made it through that.
Though her heart was aching once more, the disappointment that she and Will weren’t meant to be was bound to fade in time.
It had to. She had lots to be thankful for, and she needed to keep positive.
*
But why, when she was back in her own cottage bedroom, late that evening, was it all still tugging at her heartstrings?
Will was still there in her mind. Memories of young Matty and her, in their youth.
Then the Trevor years. All that wasted time.
And now just recently, Will’s kiss … his arms tenderly wrapped around her in this very bed.
It really had felt like they had a future.
Even her body seemed to be missing him, dammit.
Why couldn’t she just think of these past few weeks with Will as a ‘good time’, a notch on her bedpost? And let it go?
But she’d never really let it go … let him go, not even after the first time.
Some people held a special place in your heart, your soul.
And there were some people you were never meant to forget.