Magic Sometimes Happens

by Margaret James

  ‘I didn’t have an airbag. This was fifteen years ago when only driver airbags were routinely fitted. Anyway, a bit of tin or plastic – something sharp – sheared off the dashboard and then sliced into me.’

  ‘Oh, Rosie, honey—’

  ‘The surgeons did a brilliant job. I had half a dozen operations, but today I don’t have any scars except the little one across my stomach.’

  ‘Your appendectomy – I noticed that.’

  ‘It’s not an appendectomy. It’s where they sewed me up again the last time.’ I turned to face him, forced myself to look at him. ‘I don’t want to say this, Patrick. But you need to know that I’d have loved to have your children and if I could have one wish, just the one …’

  I said the next bit quickly. ‘My uterus was shredded. The doctors did their very best to put it back together. But by the time I was eighteen I’d had four years of problems. I researched it all and I decided the obvious solution was to have a hysterectomy. My parents, all my doctors – they tried to talk me out of it, of course. They made me have six months of counselling. I told the counsellor repeatedly I’d never wanted children. Yes, I said, I understood what I was asking them to do, and in the end they did it.

  ‘But all I really wanted was for the everlasting pain to stop. I didn’t want more months or years in hospital. I didn’t want to risk a pregnancy which might kill me, the baby or us both. So when I let Charlie die, I took away my parents’ chance of grandchildren as well.’

  ‘But Rosie, like I said, there must be treatments? If you still have your ovaries, there might be—’

  ‘Stop it, Pat!’ I turned away. ‘I’m not going down that route because I know I’d hate it! Doctors harvesting my eggs, then renting someone’s womb – it’s not for me. So if you need more children, you’d better go and find another woman, someone who can have them.’

  ‘I don’t want another woman. I don’t need more children.’ Gently, very gently, he turned me back to face him. ‘Rosie, darling, you must look at me while I say this.’

  ‘Okay, I’m looking.’

  ‘All I want is you.’

  PATRICK

  I did what all the British do in times of grief or crisis.

  I went into the kitchen. I put the kettle on and found the teabags and made a pot of strong, brown British tea. As I stirred in milk and sugar, I thought, yeah – it would have been amazing to have a little Rosie. But it was the woman that I wanted, not an incubator. Rosie was the one I loved with all my heart, with all my soul, and I tried for half an hour or more to get her to see that.

  ‘Rosie, I’d give anything, do anything at all, for you to have a baby of your own,’ I said and meant it. ‘But if it’s not to be, it’s not to be, and we can live with that. We’ll still get married, yeah?’

  ‘Whenever anybody mentions babies, I always say I’d rather have a handbag.’ She smiled a small, brave, hell-we-can’t-do-anything-about-it-so-we-might-as-well-accept-it smile, so weak and watered down that it was almost homeopathic. ‘Last week, I saw a beautiful Armani one in Harrods.’

  ‘Let’s go get it, then.’ I put my mug down and stood up. ‘Let’s find a cab, go buy it now.’

  ‘Pat, I’m joking, can’t you tell? You Americans, you scientists – you’re all so flipping literal! You never know when somebody is teasing. I don’t want a sodding handbag, and—’

  ‘Okay, forget the handbag. Anyway, you have a ton of handbags. Your closet’s full of them.’

  ‘But on second thoughts, a girl can never have too many handbags, and I’m a fan of multiplicity …’

  ‘There’s only one of me.’

  ‘That’s a blessing, I suppose. I don’t think I could handle two of you if it’s for life.’

  ‘So is that a yes, you’ll marry me? You’ll wear my ring?’

  ‘I would be honoured and delighted,’ she replied.

  ‘You’re not – what do you say – having me on?’

  ‘I wouldn’t joke about a thing like this.’

  ‘Let’s go shopping, then.’

  August

  One Year Later

  ROSIE

  It took a while to sort our lives out, for Pat to be divorced, for Alexis and her legal team to do their very best to bankrupt him, even though the state of Minnesota has no-fault divorce laws and frowns on mean, vindictive stuff like that.

  I didn’t care what Lexie wanted in the way of property and money. As I told Pat often, Lexie could have anything she liked, provided I had him.

  She’d broken up with Stephen and was apparently good friends with Ben. Maybe, after Tess had been unhitched from Ben, Lexie would be Mrs Fairfax Four? It seemed quite likely.

  ‘I’m so glad you’re marrying an American, my angel,’ Fanny told me. ‘Marry him and then become American yourself and start a PR business over there, while Tess runs your UK operation – they’d be smart moves, my darling. Obviously, Americans will love your British accent. You’ll clean up. What about his children, do you get on with them?’

  ‘I love them, they’re fantastic. I’m going to be a brilliant stepmother. I won’t have to do the disciplining, buy the shoes or go to all the PTA events. I’ll just have all the fun.’

  We decided on a quiet wedding in a small hotel in Dorset.

  Pat’s mother wouldn’t come. She said it wasn’t right for Lex and him to be divorced. She’d talked to Father Conley who agreed it was a sin and thought it likely Pat would go to hell. Of course, his Jezebel would go there, too.

  ‘You couldn’t talk her round?’ I asked.

  ‘I wouldn’t waste my time and energy. She’s an old-style Catholic – once married, always married. She never would have left my father, even though he kicked a million different kinds of shit out of us both.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s the way she’s made. Some people, they like certainty.’

  ‘I’m one of them.’

  ‘You are?’

  ‘I’m certain about you.’

  So on the day it was my grandmother, my parents, some relations, Pat’s children and our friends, including Tess and Fanny, who were as thick as treacle nowadays.

  Joe and Polly bounced around and grinned like naughty pixies from the moment they got out of bed. My mother made a special effort to be nice to Pat, and actually she almost managed it. The children had begun to melt my parents’ hearts, so I was fairly confident that soon we’d all get on.

  Charlie wasn’t there, of course, which grieved me …

  After Pat and I were up and breakfasted and dressed – there was no bridegroom-not-seeing-the-bride or any of that superstitious nonsense – we escaped from everybody else and walked around the garden where Mum’s Jacques Cartier roses had been flowering all the summer. I don’t know how she managed to persuade them to do that. Other people get one early flush and then the season’s over, more or less.

  ‘You two, are you coming?’ called my father from the kitchen doorway. ‘You’re going to be late!’

  ‘Daddy’s fussing,’ Patrick murmured. ‘So I guess we should go have this wedding? But, before we leave, I need to give you something.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It took a while to get it back.’ He handed me a memory stick. ‘I didn’t check it out, of course – it’s private – but it should all be there.’

  ‘Oh, Pat! You mean it’s—’

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I thought you’d like your sister to be here with you today.’

  About the Author

  Margaret James was born and brought up in Hereford and now lives in Devon. She studied English at London University, and has written many short stories, articles and serials for magazines. She is the author of sixteen published novels.

  Her debut novel for Choc Lit, The Silver Locket, received a glowing review from the Daily Mail and reached the Top 20 Small Publishers Fiction List in November 2010 and in the same year a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Single Titles. The Golden Chain also hit the Top 20 Small Publishers Fiction List in May 2011.

  Marg
aret is a long standing contributor to Writing Magazine for which she writes the Fiction Focus column and an author interview for each issue. She’s also a creative writing tutor for the London School of Journalism. Magic Sometimes Happens is Margaret’s fifth novel with Choc Lit.

  More Choc Lit

  From Margaret James

  The Silver Locket

  Margaret James

  Winner of 2010 Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles

  If life is cheap, how much is love worth?

  It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?

  The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.

  But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.

  What value will she put on his love?

  Find out about Rosie Denham’s ancestors in the Charton Minster series! This is the first novel in the trilogy.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  The Golden Chain

  Margaret James

  Can first love last forever?

  1931 is the year that changes everything for Daisy Denham. Her family has not long swapped life in India for Dorset, England when she uncovers an old secret.

  At the same time, she meets Ewan Fraser – a handsome dreamer who wants nothing more than to entertain the world and for Daisy to play his leading lady.

  Ewan offers love and a chance to escape with a touring theatre company. As they grow closer, he gives her a golden chain and Daisy gives him a promise – that she will always keep him in her heart.

  But life on tour is not as they’d hoped. Ewan is tempted away by his career and Daisy is dazzled by the older, charismatic figure of Jesse Trent. She breaks Ewan’s heart and sets off for a life in London with Jesse.

  Only time will tell whether some promises are easier to make than keep …

  Find out about Rosie Denham’s ancestors in the Charton Minster series! This is the second novel in the trilogy.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  The Penny Bangle

  Margaret James

  When should you trust your heart?

  It’s 1942 when Cassie Taylor reluctantly leaves Birmingham to become a land girl on a farm in Dorset.

  There she meets Robert and Stephen Denham, twins recovering from injuries sustained at Dunkirk. Cassie is instantly drawn to Stephen, but is wary of the more complex Robert – who doesn’t seem to like Cassie one little bit.

  At first, Robert wants to sack the inexperienced city girl. But Cassie soon learns, and Robert comes to admire her courage, finding himself deeply attracted to Cassie. Just as their romance blossoms, he’s called back into active service.

  Anxious to have adventures herself, Cassie joins the ATS. In Egypt, she meets up with Robert, and they become engaged. However, war separates them again as Robert is sent to Italy and Cassie back to the UK.

  Robert is reported missing, presumed dead. Stephen wants to take Robert’s place in Cassie’s heart. But will Cassie stay true to the memory of her first love, and will Robert come home again?

  Find out about Rosie Denham’s ancestors in the Charton Minster series! This is the third novel in the trilogy.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  The Wedding Diary

  Margaret James

  Shortlisted for the 2014 Romantic Novel of the Year award

  Where’s a Fairy Godmother when you need one?

  If you won a fairy-tale wedding in a luxury hotel, you’d be delighted – right? But what if you didn’t have anyone to marry? Cat Aston did have a fiancé, but now it looks like her Prince Charming has done a runner.

  Adam Lawley was left devastated when his girlfriend turned down his heartfelt proposal. He’s made a vow never to fall in love again.

  So – when Cat and Adam meet, they shouldn’t even consider falling in love. After all, they’re both broken hearted. But for some reason they can’t stop thinking about each other. Is this their second chance for happiness, or are some things just too good to be true?

  Rosie Denham makes an appearance in The Wedding Diary and there are also links to the Charton Minster trilogy.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Introducing Choc Lit

  We’re an independent publisher creating

  a delicious selection of fiction.

  Where heroes are like chocolate – irresistible!

  Quality stories with a romance at the heart.

  See our selection here:

  www.choc-lit.com

  We’d love to hear how you enjoyed Magic Sometimes Happens. Please visit our website and give your feedback.

  Choc Lit novels are selected by genuine readers like yourself. We only publish stories our Choc Lit Tasting Panel want to see in print. Our reviews and awards speak for themselves.

  Could you be a Star Selector and join our Tasting Panel?

  Would you like to play a role in choosing which novels we decide to publish? Do you enjoy reading romance novels? Then you could be perfect for our Choc Lit Tasting Panel. Visit our website for more details.

  Keep in touch:

  Sign up for our monthly newsletter Choc Lit Spread for all the latest news and offers: www.spread.choc-lit.com. Follow us on Twitter: @ChocLituk and Facebook: Choc Lit.

  More from Choc Lit

  If you enjoyed Margaret’s story, you’ll enjoy the rest of our selection. Here’s a sample:

  Do Opposites Attract?

  Kathryn Freeman

  There’s no such thing as a class divide – until you’re on separate sides

  Brianna Worthington has beauty, privilege and a very healthy trust fund. The only hardship she’s ever witnessed has been on the television. Yet when she’s invited to see how her mother’s charity, Medic SOS, is dealing with the aftermath of a tornado in South America, even Brianna is surprised when she accepts.

  Mitch McBride, Chief Medical Officer, doesn’t need the patron’s daughter disrupting his work. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks and has led life on the edge, but he’s not about to risk losing his job for a pretty face.

  Poles apart, dynamite together, but can Brianna and Mitch ever bridge the gap separating them?

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Follow me follow you

  Laura E James

  You save me and I’ll save you

  Victoria Noble has pulled the plug on romance. As director of the number one social networking site, EweSpeak, and single mother to four-year-old Seth, she wrestles with the work–life balance.

  Enter Chris Frampton, Hollywood action hero and Victoria’s first love. His return from LA has sparked a powder keg of media attention, and with secrets threatening to fuel the fire, he’s desperate to escape. But finding a way forward is never simple. Although his connection with Victoria has lasted the test of time, has he been adrift too long to know how to move on?

  With the risk of them breaking, will either #follow their heart?

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Doctor January

  Rhoda Baxter

  If you keep looking back, you might miss what’s standing right in front of you …

  Six months after a painful break-up from Gordon, Beth’s finally getting her life back on track. She has faith in her own scientific the
ories and is willing to work hard to prove them. She’s even beginning to see Hibbs, her dedicated lab partner, as more than just a lousy lothario in a lab-coat and goggles.

  So when Gordon arrives back from America without warning and expects to be welcomed back into Beth’s arms, she’s totally thrown. She also quickly begins to see that Gordon isn’t the man she thought he was … Hibbs has always held a candle for Beth, but he can only wait so long for her to realise there’s more to life than being patronised and bullied by the one who’s meant to love and protect her.

  Will Beth foresee the explosive nature beneath Gordon’s placid surface before he destroys everything she’s worked for, both inside and outside the lab?

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.