She realised her mom wasn’t being flippant or dismissive, but was instead being realistic. How could she keep Nick out of Danny’s life? She couldn’t of course – it wasn’t her decision to make.
‘You’re right.’ Holly said softly into the phone.
‘So you’re sure he’s OK?’ Eileen asked, referring to Danny. ‘What about Christmas? Do you want to just come here instead?’
Holly groaned inwardly. She’d forgotten all about hosting Christmas dinner in two days’ time. But she knew that it would break Danny’s heart if she changed their plans now (or worse, that he was the cause of it), so she might as well see it through. ‘No, I think they’re letting him out today so it should be fine.’
‘Still OK to bring Vera too?’
Holly grimaced. She really wasn’t in the mood for entertaining strangers, but what could she say so close to the day?’
‘No problem.’
‘Great. I can’t wait to see my grandson – you too. And don’t worry, everything will be OK.’
Holly nodded, trying to shake any negative thoughts about Nick out of her head. At least Danny would be happy, and maybe it would be good for him.
OK, so Nick might not have been there, back when she needed him the most, but people changed, didn’t they?
Saying goodbye to her mother she instinctively reached down for the bracelet on her wrist, and sought out another charm that had arrived mysteriously, not long after Nick had told her he was leaving for California.
It was a tiny mustard seed enclosed in a glass ball. At first, Holly had no idea what it was, let alone what it was supposed to represent. All the other charms had been so self-explanatory but this one was a real mystery. Until one day she happened across a quote from her old Bible.
‘For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’
The mustard seed signified inner strength.
Holly figured she might be needing a lot of that in the weeks to come.
45
‘Karen, you look lovely!’ smiled Jeff as he reached out to take Karen’s hand and kiss her cheek.
‘Thank you, Jeff. Merry Christmas to you.’
‘And to you my dear. Son,’ Jeff said turning to Greg, ‘Merry Christmas.’
Greg embraced his father. ‘Merry Christmas, Dad.’
The three took their seats at a cosy table located in the back of the chic and famous restaurant, and Karen looked to the waiter who had shown up to greet them.
‘Is it possible to get a black napkin?’ Karen asked, indicating the fact that the white cloth napkin provided would leave lint on her dark pencil skirt.
‘Of course madam,’ the waiter smiled.
Jeff cleared his throat. ‘I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. I don’t think it would be Christmas Eve without a little bubbly.’ Jeff turned to Karen. ‘We all know how much your mother loved celebrating with champagne at Christmas.’
‘How are you holding up, Dad? Are you OK?’ Greg said with concern in his voice as he patted his father on the arm.
Jeff smiled somewhat weakly. ‘I’m OK kid, making it through. It’s what your mom would want me to do.’
At that moment, the waiter arrived with the champagne and Karen excused herself to go the ladies’ room.
Greg watched Karen get up and move gracefully across the dining room; when she disappeared from sight, he turned quickly to his father.
‘Did you bring the ring?’ he asked urgently.
Jeff’s hand disappeared into his jacket pocket and he extracted a velvet box. ‘Yes, here you go. I found it in your mom’s jewellery box this morning. Open it up. You might have to have it sized after, of course.’
