Unhappy Ever After Girl (Irish Girl, Hospital Romance 3)
Page 21
The tears had stopped and, dragging her hand across her cheeks she pulled the next package towards her. He’d obviously run out of ideas by then, her eyes gazing at the pure white silk nightdress surprisingly similar to the one she’d owned all those years ago even down to the split up the side. Throwing a quick look at the still closed door she jumped out of bed to slide the cool fabric over her head a sigh leaving her lips at the sensation of silk skimming over her body. She might not look like a million dollars with her still wet hair but she certainly felt it – In that nightdress she felt as if she could do anything.
It was now time for the final package, larger than the others and probably the reason she’d left it till last. Her fingers, slow now peeled back the sticky tape. She was suddenly reluctant to see what this his final present to her would be. Probably a kettle, she thought or perhaps a teapot – something boring, her hand on her necklace as her gaze swivelled back to the painting. He’d given her the most special of gifts already, not that she wanted anything from him, or at least nothing money could buy.
She was wrong, lifting the tissue paper off to reveal the most perfect present of all. She didn’t care then that her tears started afresh. She didn’t care that she was only dressed in the thinnest of nightdresses. She didn’t care of anything other than the need to thank him for his kindness. It didn’t matter that he’d probably throw it back in her face – she didn’t care.
She found him sitting in the lounge head in his hands, Curly curled up asleep on top of his feet. Still clutching the doll to her chest she walked up to him and touched his head.
‘I can never thank you enough. Where, how?’ Her eyes now on the most perfect doll wearing a midnight blue dress with matching Embroidery Anglaise collar, her blond hair arranged in elaborate curls over her shoulder.
‘I had it made.’ His eyes met hers, but only briefly before focusing on her tear stained cheek. ‘I didn’t mean to make you cry.’
‘I’m crying because I’m happy.’ She set the doll on the coffee table before sitting down on his lap.
‘Mabel I.’
‘Derry I.’ They smiled.
Mabel lifted his arm from his leg and, placing it around her waist rested her head on his shoulder.
‘Derry, can we start again? Can we pretend that the last five years haven’t happened?’ She felt his arm tighten and took that as a yes. Grasping his right hand in hers she gave it a little shake. ‘Hello Mr Yeats nice to meet you. I’m Mabel – Mrs Mabel Yeats.’
Curly, abruptly woken from his doggy nap was annoyed. Placing his right and then his left front paw out he stretched before throwing Derry a speaking glance from under shaggy eyebrows. He’d just been in the middle of the best dream reliving the most amazing fish he’d ever had to be interrupted mid bite by what? His chocolate brown eyes melted at the sight of his two favourite people in the world entwined in the chair, for of course a happy Derry could only mean a better life for him – not that he didn’t have a good life already. There was always plenty of food and walks but being banished to the pantry for hours on end wasn’t much fun. He gave a little yelp of satisfaction before trotting across the room and jumping on the sofa. He wasn’t normally allowed on the furniture but he was pretty sure Derry wouldn’t notice. Lying down his nose resting between his paws he continued see this new development in a positive light and, when Derry finally swung a laughing Mabel up in his arms he followed. He also wasn’t allowed on the bed but he’d been itching to try that new duvet out and now looked to be the perfect opportunity.
The End
Dear Reader,
When I decided to publish at the end of August (2015) I never dreamt that more than a couple of people would read and to leave comments too - I’m overwhelmed!
Of all the books I’ve written I have a soft spot for this one simply because I love Betws-y-Coed. I’ve been visiting it now for more years than I care to remember and had the greatest pleasure in taking my own children there last year. It is a wonderful place and spending the last five months on this manuscript has been a lovely walk down memory lane.
If you’d like to find out more you can catch up with me on my blog at jennieobrienwriter.wordpress.com and I’m also on Twitter @scribblerjb.
With very best wishes
Jenny O’Brien, May 26th 2016