Page 24 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘What do you mean?’ She turned around so she could face him on the sofa.

‘Well… I got a bit upset.’

‘Never apologise for that.’

‘It was a really tough day.’ He put his wine on the table. ‘I wasn’t even meant to be working but a colleague was sick, so I did an extra shift and we were called to a… um… a motorway crash.’

‘Oh Jack, that must’ve been awful.’

He nodded. ‘A drunk driver… I can’t believe people still drink and drive. He was uh… speeding and lost control of the car. He crashed his BMW into another car carrying a young woman and her mum. The drunk driver was fine but the woman and her mum…’ He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled loudly. ‘It was awful.’

‘I’m so sorry.’ She put her wine down and moved to sit next to him, placed her arm around his shoulders and her hand on his arm. ‘Don’t try to hold it in, Jack, it’ll make you ill.’

‘We have counsellors and… my colleagues are amazingly supportive and I’ve dealt with these type things before.’ His voice sounded strangled, like the effort of speaking was enormous. ‘But I don’t think it’s something you ever get used to.’

‘Did the women make it?’ she asked softly as she rubbed his back.

‘Just the man.’

‘That’s terribly sad.’ Her stomach clenched at the thought of what he’d seen that day and the impact upon him.

‘It’s a harsh reminder about how short life is, you know? One minute you’re driving somewhere and the next… well… it’s all over.’

‘It certainly is a reminder to live for the moment. Right here. Right now.’ She leant her head on his shoulder and he stiffened for a moment, then it was like the air left his body and he sank against her, his head leaning against hers. ‘It’s OK, Jack. It’s OK.’

They stayed that way for a while then in a silent mutual agreement, they sat back on the sofa and she held him tight. He was a strong, brave and beautiful human being and she wanted to be there for him because he deserved to have someone to lean on. In that moment she knew for certain that she didn’t want to waste any more precious time being afraid of opening her heart. She wanted to get to know Jack better and to find out if this connection was something that could go the distance.

She had a very strong feeling that it could.

CHAPTER11

‘I’m not sure about this.’ Lucy shivered as she walked down to the beach with Ellen. Six days had passed since Jack had joined them for dinner and in that time, they’d had coffee twice in the village café and messaged on a daily basis. The connection she’d felt with him seemed to grow stronger by the day and every morning, she woke with a smile on her face. Yes, it might not work out, but she was trying to let go of fear because the thought of not living her life as fully as she could do was worse than anything. This evening’s activity was meant to be about letting go of fear and she was hoping it would work.

‘Don’t be a wimp!’ Ellen chuckled and Lucy glared at her.

‘It’s all right for you.’ Lucy frowned. ‘You have an excuse not to do it.’

‘I could do it, but I don’t want to take any risks.’ Ellen’s hands went to her bump in their familiar protective gesture.

‘I know and you shouldn’t. But… should I?’

‘It’s not a risk for you. Anyway, I’m convinced that you’ll love it!’

When they reached the rail that divided the path from the beach, Lucy looked out at the fires that had been lit across the sand. People gathered around them in groups, most of them wrapped in blankets or wearing warm dressing gowns. She’d brought a fleecy blanket of her own along with a hat, gloves and thick socks.

Above them, the moon was bright, its light making the calm sea look like liquid silver. Was she really going to do this? Did she have the strength?

‘Lucy!’ Jack waved at her. ‘Come on down.’

‘Go on, you’ll be fine. I’ll wait by one of the fires with your blanket and wrap you up in it as soon as you come out.’

Down on the sand, Jack led them to the nearest fire.

‘Lucy, this is my mum and dad, Ruth and Euan. Mum and Dad, this is my friend Lucy. You already know Ellen, of course.’

‘Hello Lucy.’ Jack’s mum stepped forwards and Lucy went to shake her hand, but the older woman pulled her into a hug. ‘It’s so wonderful to meet you.’

‘You too,’ Lucy said as she stepped back then found herself hugged by Jack’s dad too.

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