Page 1 of One More Day
Chapter One
Rose
I can’t take my eyes off him.
I know it can’t be Michael, but I keep moving closer and closer towards this stranger as happy holiday music fills the air.
I remind myself to breathe as I cross the hotel lobby to where he’s addressing a small group of men by the polished mahogany bar. His friends don’t notice me as they marvel at his every word, smiling and laughing at his never-ending charm.
His dark hair peppered with grey at the sides, the way he talks with his hands. I can hear his infectious laughter now as my mind goes into overdrive. I can see the outline of his profile, so confident, commanding the floor as cheesy festive music bellows out of the in-built hotel speakers.
I’m right behind him. My hands are shaking. Before I can say anything, he turns around.
‘TheRose Quinn?’
He has a charming smile.
My heart hits the floor.
‘Brian Jones,’ he says, extending a hand to greet me. ‘I’m married to Alice.’
His hand is silky smooth, not rough and weather-beaten like Michael’s was. I take it politely as my eyes widen and I fake a wondrous smile.
‘Yes, Alice, of course. She’s been a great addition to the team.’
‘And is already fitting in well with her colleagues. I’ve managed to blend in here with some other abandoned husbands and partners.’
My pulse throbs in my neck. I could easily be sick. This has never happened before.
While Michael has rarely left my mind the past few years, I’ve never drifted into a cloudy haze like this where I imagined I’d seen him again. But it’s almost Christmas, and that’s when his loss always clutches at my throat more than any other time of year, threatening to stop me in my tracks once and for all.
‘I was just about to greet everyone in the City Suite,’ I announce, my voice a stark contrast to the raw torment I’m feeling. ‘Please make your way next door. You can bring your drinks, of course.’
I’m shaking inside, yet my outward confident demeanour will never give me away. I’ve worked hard at that.
The man’s wedding ring glistens on his finger, clinking against his glass as he raises it and nods.
‘We’ll be right there,’ he calls as I walk away with a wobbling lip and a thumping heart. I feel his eyes bore into me with every step I take. ‘It’s going to be a wonderful evening.’
I approach the City Suite of the bustling hotel, greeting my staff and their guests on the way with a smile, air kisses and compliments I truly mean despite my sadness. They’re an adorable bunch, and they deserve a night like this. It’s the least I can do.
You look stunning, Mia. I adore your dress.
Have some champagne, Luca. No, of course your outfit isn’t too much, darling. It’s Christmas.
It’s so lovely to meet Simon at last, Nico. You’ve told us so much about him.
More shaking of hands, more air kisses, more compliments follow.
Everything in this hotel screams festive, from the savoury canapés to the mulled wine, and the over-the-top decorations that greet me at every turn. Tall, sparkling trees twinkle against the navy walls, familiar music fills the air and hotel staff don bright red Santa hats as they happily top up our glasses. The mood is bouncy, it’s happy. But I can’t wait for this night to be over.
I stop in the doorway of the City Suite where my colleagues and their guests are now waiting for the formalities to be over and the real party to begin, which is exactly when I plan to make my discreet escape home.
I’ve promised Carlos I’ll hang around for one dance, fake a few more jovial conversations, and then it will be over to him to entertain the masses for the rest of the evening.
I take a deep breath. I smooth my polka dot skirt and petticoat down past my hips, feeling proud to be wearingan outfit I sewed myself. I flick back my dark, curled hair and pull out my compact mirror to quickly touch up my red lipstick.
I’ll get through this. I’m Rose Quinn, CEO of Activate International. I can do this. I clink my glass to get everyone’s attention, immediately soothed by the array of familiar faces who turn towards me.
