Chapter Thirty-Eight
Christmas Day. 3PM.
Everyone says the food’s amazing. You’ll have to take their word for it because I couldn’t taste a thing.
People eat and laugh and everyone drinks a bit too much. Except Raff.
And me.
My mind is reeling. Raff insisted I don’t give anyone my answer for 24 hours. So I just sit next to him, enjoying his closeness and try to work out what must have happened.
Clearly, this is something he and Evan had discussed before. Didn’t Evan mention something about a project that needed fundraising. And yesterday, that long phone call with Jack’s grandson. And the email to Raff. That’s why…. That’s why…
Philomena, sitting opposite, catches my eye and raises her glass. “The best Christmas dinner I’ve ever had.”
There are shouts of hear, hear! But suddenly Philomena is wiping tears from her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Meredith sitting next to her puts an arm round her.
“I’m just…” her voice dissolves into sobs and it’s a few seconds before she can speak. “I’m so happy. I never thought we could have a way out and live in this beautiful house. If it weren’t for dear Jack.”
“We owe it all to Jack.” Vanessa says. Her voice shaky.
“To Jack.” DeNiro raises his glass.
“Merry Christmas,” Gethin shouts. “Wherever you are, you old bugger, I hope you’re surrounded by sexy naked girls.”
Deniro shakes his head in tragic disapproval. “Trust you to lower the tone.”
“To Jack.” Raff raises his own glass filled with sparkling apple juice. “A generous wonderful man. Thank you.”
Everyone toasts but my own voice doesn’t come out because I too am in tears.
In my heart I say. Thank you darling Jack for everything . I promise to do what you asked. To be happy and do my best to make your friends happy too.
Raff must sense my thoughts; he leans closer and presses a soft warm kiss on my temple. “Don’t give them your answer now. Sleep on it so you’re sure.”
“Didn’t you ask me, before you went away, to do what makes me happy?” I ask him in a whisper.
Raff slides me a glance full of meaning
“Tonight,” he says in a rough whisper. “I will make you very happy, tonight.”