Fifty-three
It was Christmas Eve, the night of the fundraising ball. In spite of his objections, Jamie had caved in and gone along with the other men to hire dinner suits for the occasion. Erica thought he looked very distinguished in the formal outfit, complete with a turquoise bow tie and matching cummerbund.
Erica was aglow with excitement as she dressed in the black strappy dress she’d bought specially for the occasion. She smiled as Jamie helped fasten it and dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine, reflecting how at home she felt in his cottage after only a few months. Bandit was at home there too, having made the spot by the back door, where his bed now sat, his own.
A tall, decorated Christmas tree stood in the living room, a replica of the one in Livvy’s cottage where Kieren, Briony and Ava were spending two weeks over Christmas, two weeks in which Erica hoped they’d decide to make Pelican Crossing their home. So far, they had managed to protect the tree from attacks by Bandit, but they didn’t hold out hope of safeguarding it for the entire Christmas period.
‘Ready, beautiful?’ Jamie asked, his hands on her shoulders as he looked at them both in the mirror. ‘We make a striking couple.’ He grinned.
‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’ Erica still had to pinch herself that she was here, living with Jamie in Pelican Crossing, just as she’d imagined all those years ago when she was eighteen.And now she had a son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter who were staying only a few houses away and with whom they’d be spending Christmas Day tomorrow, along with Jamie’s two sons, their partners and his grandson, and her brother and his partner. It was like a dream come true. But first, there was the ball, the highlight fundraising event for Joe’s special project. They were so close to achieving their goal and tonight’s raffles and auction should clinch it.
The ball was being held in the hall at the sports centre, and it was already thronged with people, all dressed in their finery when Erica and Jamie arrived. The event had proved popular, and tickets had sold out rapidly as soon as it was advertised in The Echo . Erica had even heard on the hospital grapevine how some people were offering to pay outrageous amounts of money if Joe would arrange to have additional tickets printed.
Erica and Jamie pushed their way through the noisy crowd of happy revellers, accepting glasses of complimentary champagne on the way, till they reached their friends. Joe and Gill were surrounded by Gill’s group of women friends and their partners, all looking their best and drinking champagne.
‘To a successful evening, Joe.’ Jamie raised his glass, followed by the others, who murmured their agreement. Joe grinned.
‘Barb would be so proud of you,’ Erica whispered into Joe’s ear.
‘Thanks, sis. I think she’d be proud of you too, of how you’ve managed to turn your life around. I know it hasn’t been easy, and I may not have helped as much as I could have, but you did it all the same. To you and Jamie and a wonderful future together.’ Joe raised his glass.
‘Thanks, Joe,’ Erica said, feeling Jamie’s arm around her waist, and knowing that while a happy future was never assured, hers was in good hands.
After an evening of drinking and dancing, tired but happy, Erica was glad when the ball finally ended in the early hours of Christmas morning. As she and Jamie walked home through the silent streets, the stars twinkling above them, she gave thanks for everything in her life, for Joe, for Ava, for Kieren and Briony, but most of all for Jamie. A year ago, she would never have believed how much her life would change, how she would be in a new relationship with her first love, looking forward to spending the rest of her life with him in this town where she’d grown up, never have believed she’d find such happiness. What had seemed like a disaster when her Perth home had to be sold, had proved to be a blessing in disguise.
‘Penny for them?’ Jamie said, when she’d been quiet for some time.
‘Just counting my blessings.’ Erica smiled, gazing up into his eyes.
‘The spirit of Christmas,’ Jamie said, ‘and you’re the best Christmas present I could ever have wished for.’
‘You’re mine too.’ Erica said.
‘Really? I thought Bandit might have that accolade.’ Jamie chuckled.
She swatted his arm. ‘Well, you come a close second, I suppose.’ Erica said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Their lips met, and Erica closed her eyes to the most wonderful feeling as they kissed, transported to a world she never thought possible. Despite the late hour, and the very busy day ahead, Erica felt energised like she’d never felt before.
The End