Page 64 of A Miracle on Hope Street
Later, we eat together by an open fire, bare feet touching under the table as we eat our way through the traditional Italian seven-fish dish including clams, cod, mussels, calamari and shrimp.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever eaten fish on Christmas Eve,’ says Michael, wiping his hands on his napkin and looking like he is really enjoying the seafood delights that I bought in the hope that he might be here to share them with me.
‘I haven’t done so in a very long time either,’ I say to him, ‘but when Mum was here it was something we expected each and every year. It comes from her culture’s idea of fasting from meat before tomorrow’s feast and there are lots of reasons why they choose to focus on the number seven, some saying that it represents perfection as the number appears in the Bible so many times.’
‘Every day is a school day,’ says Michael. ‘I had absolutely no idea but I have to say, that was delicious.’
After dinner, Michael tackles the dishes while I fix up the dining-room table again to make it sit just as I want it to for everyone coming tomorrow. It’s just after eight and the evening is panning out to be very relaxed, very chilled and more than I ever could have hoped for with Michael here to share it with me. I smile when I think of Gloria and her scheming and planning. She really had done her homework when she put the two of us together.
‘You’ve done a fantastic job with the table,’ says Michael, standing back in admiration of my efforts. He looks so damn sexy in his apron, with light beads of sweat across his forehead from his kitchen workout. ‘It’s like something out of a magazine.’
I have to agree, and as Michael walks towards me, I feel my stomach flip in anticipation at the thought of his touch.
‘I know we only met properly a week ago,’ he says to me, holding my hand.
‘Don’t be proposing now,’ I joke. ‘This has happened to me before after just a short while of knowing someone and it kind of freaked me out.’
He lets go of my hand in mock surprise.
‘Ah, you’ve floored me,’ he says with a smile. ‘What’s a man to do to throw a surprise around here?’
For a split second I fear he might be serious.
‘I’m not going to propose to you, Ruth,’ he says sincerely, then he takes my hand again. ‘I just wanted to tell you that, although we’ve only known each other a short time, I feel immensely proud of you today and for pulling this all together.’
I take a deep breath. I was honestly scared there for a second.
‘I couldn’t have done it all without your help and encouragement,’ I say to him. ‘I must admit, though, I’m getting nervous now in case no one turns up. Imagine! What would we do with all this food if they don’t?’
Michael shakes his head.
‘Don’t let that thought cross your mind,’ he says to me, then he leans towards me and I close my eyes, my heart flickering but instead of kissing me, he tells me to open my eyes.
‘This is your home and will always be, Ruth,’ he says, giving me a small gift-wrapped box. ‘I know that if you look into your heart, you just might come up with something to make this place work for you. In fact, I think what you’re doing this Christmas might just be taking you in the right direction. Don’t force yourself to run away before you know it’s the right thing to do from the bottom of your heart.’
I bite my lip and peel off the silver paper of the little box, then open the plain cardboard that lies beneath. I open the box, all fingers and thumbs, and when I see what’s inside my eyes burn up and I look at Michael as tears fall onto my cheeks.
‘Oh my, this is beautiful!’ I say to him, totally floored by his sweet thought. ‘It’s possibly the nicest present I’ve ever been given by anyone and I mean that. Wow. I just don’t know what to say. Thank you so, so much.’
I stare into the dome-shaped snow globe in my hand, watching the thousands of tiny white flakes fall against a midnight-blue sky onto a house, a tiny replica of 41 Beech Row, and it comes to life before my eyes. Two streetlamps sit by its side and the light is on in four of the windows.
‘I left a light on for each of you,’ says Michael, pointing into the intricate design on the inside of the globe. ‘One for you, one for your sister, one for your mum and one for your dear father, of course. I hope you like it.’
For a moment, I am totally speechless.
‘Stay with me tonight,’ I whisper to Michael, our breaths catching as our mouths move closer. He leans into me, his hand cups the back of my neck and I feel a shiver run right through me.
‘I was hoping you might say that one day,’ says Michael and he kisses me firmly at last, as snowflakes fall on the tiny replica of 41 Beech Row.
He kisses me more deeply as I try to catch my breath, and I’ve never felt so at home in my whole life.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Christmas Day
I wake like a child does on Christmas morning, far too early to need to get up, but late enough to justify bouncing out of bed as the most wonderful time of year awaits me. Instead I lie there peacefully, reflecting on the glorious night spent with a man who I’ve known for only a week, yet feel like I’ve known forever.
I hear him beside me, breathing in and out and I turn around, taking a moment to watch him lie there, so blissfully lost in a cosy slumber, the heat of his body making my early morning wake-up time a lot less chilly than what it would be on an ordinary day.
