Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (2 page)

Chapter 3

Christmas Day dawned, lying in bed next to James I listened out for the first sounds of movements yet there was none. Slipping out of his grip I wrapped my dressing gown around me and walked down to the kitchen. With the coffee machine on and the radio I just hoped for a cheerful tune. Instead I was greeted by “It will be lonely this Christmas” If only I could take everyone back in time to when we were all happy and Mitchell was here with us.

The first rays of morning light lit up the ice blue of the sky and highlighted the cotton wool snow that cocooned the garden. Closing my eyes I thought of the last time I had been in that garden in the snow with James. For a moment I smiled at the memory of our teenage love, innocent and pure like virgin snow. We had no worries back then apart from when we would next be together.

“Mornin
g
Steph” Chris said, stepping into the kitchen.

“Morning Chris, Merry Christmas” I said, as we shared a quick hug and kiss.

“I don't thin
k
it’
s
going to be Merry”

“Yes, same as always for me” I replied, wishing I still had one of my anti-depressants to take. The dark cloud o
f
impendin
g
doom was threatening and I wasn't sure James was in a strong enough state to hold me up today.

Sarah appeared in the doorway as I poured the coffee for her and Chris.

“You ok?”

“Not really but I guess we will all have to make the best of the situation” my voice echoed, hollow in its sound.

Leaving me to sit with Sarah, Chris found his way around the kitchen and started to throw together some omelettes.

“Morning all” James said, joining us at the kitchen table. I looked deeply into his eyes and saw the pain lingering there, like a mist that dimmed their brightness. I reached for his hand across the table and held it tight in mine.

“I'm going to ring Ro
b
he told me he'd drawn the short straw this year. But I think it might be a lost cause as Mitchell is an adult” James said.

“I think Charlie would appreciate the thought even if it does no good”

“Do what” Charlie said, her waif like figure seemed swamped in her dressing gown. Sarah and Chris tried to hide their shock at their thinner and paler god-daughter.

“I'm going to ring my mate Rob who is a Police Officer, but as Mitch is twenty one now there is probably not a lot they can do”

“But they can check for accidents, look at all the snow...he could be lying injured in it, buried.....d....de...” Charlotte couldn't finish the sentence as the dam burst and Sarah got up to cuddle her close.

“I rang Felicity last night and she said that Mitchell was still at her house, enjoying her Christmas Eve party and had no intention of coming home” James uttered into the silence of the room.

That name was all it took for Charlie to shake, her anger erupting.

“And you believe that fucking bitch” she hissed “She's lying to hurt us, hurt us all”

Shaking off Sarah's arms she stormed back upstairs.

“I'm getting dressed and then when the roads are clear we're going there, to her house. If you won't take me I'll call a taxi” she yelled. Slowly I stood up and made my way up to her bedroom. I knocked lightly and then walked in to find her lying on the bed. Her silent sobs shook her body with every wracking cry.

I felt motionless faced with her grief but I didn't want her to feel alone and unloved like I had when my world had cracked. Sitting down on the duvet next to her I rubbed her back and her sobs subsided to a sniff.

“Mum, what can we do” sh
e
hiccupped. Sitting up she allowed me to wrap my arms around her, her head resting on my chest.

“I don't know Charlie. I just don't know but believe me if James thinks the best thing to do is to wait and inform the police then that's what we need to do. I can't help but think she is behind all this but I also know that a confrontation will only provoke her wrath”

She looked up into m
y
eyes
;
hers were so puffed up that I could hardly see the green.

“Now how about you take a shower and come and try some of Uncle Chris' delicious omelettes” I persuaded.

“Ok, but I don't think I'm going to be very festive today”

“I don't think any of us will, but let's try our best”

She nodded and I squeezed her even tighter for a few minutes before she shrugged me off.

“Thanks Mum”

Back in the kitchen all eyes turned to me.

“It's ok she's calmed down and is going to have a shower before trying your world renown cooking Chris”

Sweeping into a bow with spatula in hand he grinned at me, it was infectious and caught Sarah and James. The beat on the radio must have felt the change in atmosphere as “Rocking around the Christmas Tree” started to play. By the time Charlotte appeared the plates were loaded with food.

By eleven Darren, Sophie, Pam and Peter had joined us and we sat down to open the presents under the tree. Charlie took it upon herself to hand them around, avoiding the small pile that were for Mitchell. I watched Pam wrap her new scarf around he
r
neck
.
Peter stuck his head in the first book that he opened. Chris and Sarah pulled their fun Christmas sweaters on and then I watched as Charlie opened hers. It was a full length midnight blue velvet coat that she had admired earlier in the year.

“Thanks Mum, Jame
s
it’
s
beautiful” she said, trying it on and giving us a twirl “I'm sure Mitch.....” She never finished the sentence as a single tear balanced on her eyelash.

James picked up an envelope and passed it to me.

“For you” he whispered. I opened it up to find plane tickets to New Zealand for the two of us, flying out on the 16th February.

“This really starts to make it feel real” I breathed, turning to brush his cheek with my lips. He then handed me a small jewellery box, opening it I found a necklace and matching ear-rings with mesmerising blue tear-drop sapphires. I held them up in the light and they shone.

“They're breath-taking” I exclaimed, fumbling to fasten the clasp.

“Allow me” James said, doing the honours.

He dropped a quick kiss on my upturned lips before I gave him the couple of presents from me. He laughed out loud at the festive boxer shorts.

“Shall I model them for you now” he joked.

“Hell no” Charlie laughed as she caught Sophie's eye and saw her giggling. His next present was the 25th Anniversary copy of Top Gun o
n
DVD.

“I think both of our copies are worn out now” I said.

“Especially as the on
e
wascurtes
y
of the old video shop where I used to work” Chris said. My final present to James was also in an envelope, he opened it to reveal a pair of tickets to g
o
swimmin
g
with Dolphins when we were over in New Zealand.

With the present pile depleted Darren and Sophie left to have Christmas Dinner with her parents and Pam slipped into the kitchen to take a look at the roasting turkey.

“So what's on the television this afternoon, apart from the Queen's Speech” James asked.

“Not much” I said “Perhaps we should watch Top Gun”

Everyone apart from James let out a collective groan.

“When are you going to ring Rob?” Charlotte asked. He looked at his watch and stood up.

“I'll do it now” he said, leaving the room.

“Anyone for another cup of tea or coffee
”

“Beer more like” Chris said, standing up.

“Here, here” chimed in Peter “I think they're all in the fridge”

“G and T for me” Sarah said, looking at me.

“Of course I'll make that two or three?” Chris enquired, glancing at Charlie.

“I'll just have
a
shandy” Charlie replied, her face still pale and her eyes tired. I could see she was trying not to look at all the small presents she had bought for Mitchell. Instead she kept them trained on the lounge door, waiting for James to return.

I intercepted him in the hallway.

“You know that Charlie is waiting for you, hoping for good news”

“I know, but I don't really have any. Rob says they can only attempt a search if there is any sign of an accident or if we still can't get an answer after three days. No bike accidents have been reported at the moment”

James hung his head and waited for me to say something, but I had no words. Instead I held open my arms so that his bulk filled my frame, it felt strange to be the strong one.

“Come on
,
let
s
tell her and then perhaps we can try and have a normal Christmas” I murmured, taking the opportunity to plant a light kiss on his cheek. His grip tightened around my waist as he pulled me closer and his lips grazed mine. Then he straightened up and we both wandered back into the lounge in time for Chris handing round the drinks.

“So” Charlotte piped up.

“Rob told me that until either an accident is reported or between us we haven't heard from Mitchell in three days then we can get back in touch and the Police will launch a missing person report” James said, trying to keep his tone light.

Charlie nodded and reached for her phone.

“Well I'll keep trying to reach him” she said, her fingers moving quickly over the keys to type a message.

“Dinner's ready” Pam announced.

The rest of the afternoon passed in usual fashion, digesting too much food in front of the fire and television. Charlie grabbed Jester's lead and he followed her to the door.

“Don't be too long, they're talking about more snow later” I said. She nodded and shrugged her warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf on.

In the park Charlie gave way to all the tears she had been holding in during dinner. She let Jester run and burrow his nose through the snow in a dance of doggy delight as she stumbled along, not noticing another walker heading in her direction until she banged straight into a firm chest.

“Charlie, I thought it was you
”
Zac
h
said, as she looked up at him startled and confused.

“Zach, sorry” she stuttered, trying to wipe the tears away.

“I can't think of anyone I'd rather bump into”

“I'm not good company today” she stammered, very aware of the heat radiating from his body.

A silence stretched between them as Charlie contemplated stepping back.

“So what are you doing in the park?”

“My flat is on the far side but my friends live just round the corner from your place” he said “I promised I would go over for dinner this evening”

“Oh”

“So why are you in the park alone?”

Charlie pointed to Jester, running in her direction, wet fur flying.

“Dog walking, I needed to escape the house
,
it’
s
no fun when you're the only single person there” she stuttered out the last couple of words, her heart pounding for Mitchell.

“Shelley did mention something about you and Mitchell”

“It’
s
all my fault and now he's living with his hateful mother” she replied “I thought he was coming home yesterday but he didn't and now I know she must have sent the message just to build my hopes up and crush them all over again”

Her tears started to flow once more an
d
Zac
h
pulled her tighter into his arms.

“Sssh
,
sssh” h
e
soothed
;
his voice deep and close to her ear. His breath tickled her skin in a way she hadn't felt since she was last in Mitchell's arms. Although he wasn't as tall as Mitch his strong arms and broad frame reminded her as he cocooned her slim figure.

The sky was turning dark with a soft flurry of snowflakes starting to fall once more
.
Zac
h
could hardly believe his luck at bumping into Charlotte and now just holding her in his arms felt like his every Christmas wish had come true. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest as the heat of her skin made her perfume waft into his nostrils. He moved his head slightly and bestowed a soft kiss on her froze
n
cheek
;
it tasted salty from her tears. She remained in his arms so he got bolder and moved his lips closer to hers, his pressure a little stronger on her skin.