Page 72 of All We Want for Christmas
Molly lifted the baby from her grandmother’s arms and put her on the playmat next to her baby gym.
‘It was a shock for me too,’ Flynn said, as calmly as he could. ‘As I’d no idea she even existed.’
‘No … I—’ Brenda stared at him then closed her eyes briefly. ‘I bet you hate us all, don’t you?’
‘I don’t hate anyone, Brenda. I must admit I’d rather have known about Molly, but it’s too late to go back now.’
‘I’ve said we’re sorry, Nan. I explained that Mum didn’t have any way of contacting Flynn and then, when she did, it was too late.’
Flynn begged to differ. It had never been too late. He felt a sharp tug in his gut and realised that it was loss. Increasingly, he’d begun to feel hurt and anger – but now wasn’t the time to give vent to feelings like that.
‘Now you’re here,’ Brenda muttered after sipping her tea, ‘I’d like to know what’s going to happen next.’
‘Well, I’ve made the electrics safe but you’re going to need the ceiling restoring and plastering.’
‘I didn’t mean the bloody ceiling! I meant, what’s going to happen with you?’ Brenda asked, leaning forward on the sofa and glaring at him.
‘Flynn’s not going to take us away from you, Nan, if that’s what you’re worried about. We only met each other less than two weeks ago.’
‘This has been going on for weeks? So you knew – that night at the illuminations?’ Brenda said, incredulously. ‘And you let me say those things about—’ She nodded in Flynn’s direction. ‘About him?’
Great, thought Flynn. Brenda couldn’t bring herself to utter his name.
‘I hadn’t told Flynn – Dad – then. I only went to see him for myself.’
Flynn swallowed a lump in his throat, hearing Molly call him Dad. Would he ever get used to it?
‘Oh, dear Lord,’ Brenda said, fanning herself again.
‘Mrs Carver,’ Flynn said, as calmly but firmly as he could muster, ‘Molly’s absolutely right. We all need time to adjust to this – situation.’
‘It’s Brenda. You can call me Brenda.’
‘OK, Brenda,’ he said firmly. ‘You can call me Flynn. It’s certainly preferable to “him”.’
Molly stifled a gasp that might have been due to him – or anyone – standing up to her nan.
‘Your mother will have to know about this.’ Brenda directed this at Molly. ‘I’ll have to tell her.’
‘No!’ Molly burst out, causing Esme to look up sharply. ‘I want to tell Mum. I’ve found Flynn and I ought to be the one to break it to her.’
Flynn felt that he also ought to have some say. And being referred to as being ‘found’ made him feel like a grime-covered artefact that had been discarded and unearthed centuries later. Christ, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘God knows what she’ll say. I mean she hasn’t seen him since the day – the thing happened.’
Thanks,thought Flynn.
‘When’s Imogen actually coming home?’ Flynn cut in, trying not to be cross at hearing Brenda referring to the moment that had resulted in her granddaughter and great-granddaughter as ‘the thing’.
‘Not until after Christmas. That’s much too long away. I can’t lie to her about this. She’s my daughter …’ Brenda clutched Molly’s hand. ‘Love, you must understand that I can’t keep something this big from her. How would you like it if you were in my situation?’
Molly pulled a face and tears glistened in her eyes. ‘If it hadn’t been for the burst pipe, she wouldn’t need to know. You wouldn’t know.’
‘I think,’ Flynn dared, ‘that your nan would have had to find out sooner or later.’
‘And I’m glad I have! How long were you two planning on keeping this a secret from me?’
‘Don’t blame my dad,’ Molly said. ‘He didn’t ask to be found.’
