Christmas Magic. Cathy Kelly

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      ‘I think I should make a run for it while I still have time,’ whispered Felicity to her son.

      He held her in a steely grip.

      ‘You’re not running anywhere.’

      Next to spot them was Leo’s sister, Leslie, she of the room-organising fame.

      ‘Felicity!’ she said, open-mouthed, staring.

      With Ryan’s hand still gripping her arm tightly, Felicity smiled and introduced Michel.

      ‘Mum’s partner,’ added Ryan, just in case Leslie hadn’t got the gist of it. ‘Boyfriend sounds too young, doesn’t it?’ Ryan went on cheerfully. ‘Lover sounds a bit too risqué.’

      Felicity could feel herself turning a bit pink, but it was nothing compared to the colour of Leslie. She’d kill Ryan. He was definitely enjoying this too much.

      ‘Does Leo know?’ gasped Leslie finally.

      Finally, Felicity felt the steel enter her own soul. ‘I doubt it,’ she said. ‘We didn’t discuss our arrangements. I presume he’s here with Sonya? It would be terrible if he couldn’t bring her. They’re partners too, after all. I think it’s vital that we all move on and behave like grown-ups.’

      Leo was next to spy the three of them. Michel had procured some champagne and Felicity had downed her own glass quickly.

      ‘Sorry,’ she said, ‘just needed a little pick-me-up.’

      True to form, Leo didn’t notice Michel at all, just smiled at Ryan and pulled Felicity into his arms for a hug.

      ‘You look pretty gorgeous, my dear,’ he said, charming as ever. ‘I had no idea red suited you so much.’

      Felicity recovered more quickly this time. Leo had seen a man beside her and had instantly ruled out the thought that said man could be with her. She pulled out of his embrace and introduced Michel.

      ‘Michel, my ex-husband,’ she said, putting a hand on Michel’s arm. ‘Leo, meet Michel. Michel was kind enough to drive us up – you know how I hate long drives. We’re staying in the hotel across the road. I couldn’t get a double here.’

      Leo didn’t gasp. His eyes narrowed as he took in the other man, a man who was taller, wore a very elegant Italian suit and was plainly sleeping with his ex-wife.

      ‘You didn’t tell me you were bringing someone,’ he said.

      Felicity ran through the answers at high speed in her mind.

      She settled on: ‘No, I didn’t. Is Sonya here? I’d like to meet her. As I’ve said a million times to everyone, we should all be grown up about this.’

      ‘Sonya’s not here,’ snapped Leo.

      ‘Mum did say you should bring her,’ Ryan pointed out.

      At this moment, Michel chose to murmur to Felicity that perhaps she needed some privacy with Leo.

      ‘No, darling,’ she said, smiling. ‘It’s all fine. Let’s find Mel and her boyfriend. I’ll see you later, Leo.’

      As she swept off, she could see Ryan put his arms around his father and say it was lovely to see him. There was no doubt about who was the more mature, she thought.

      She and Michel came upon Mel at the bar, holding out for a pint of beer for Shane, who was, Mel had explained, not a champagne man.

      ‘You look beautiful, darling,’ Felicity said with a tremor in her voice. She wasn’t sure if she was able for any more. If Mel got upset, Felicity vowed that she’d leave.

      And at that instant, Michel said the best thing he could ever have uttered: ‘So this is the beautiful, clever daughter I have heard so much about?’

      He was a quick study, Felicity realised.

      Mel beamed.

      ‘I drove your mother up here,’ Michel went on.

      There was no mention of four-poster beds and what they’d already done in one. He understood totally.

      ‘Hi, Michel,’ said Mel. ‘This is Shane.’

      ‘You are good at computers, I believe?’ said Michel.

      Nobody was happier than Mel to be discussing how marvellous Shane was.

      After the happy couple had been welcomed and the buffet was over, Mel sought her mother out again and pulled her to one side. Mel’s face was worried.

      ‘Dad says Michel is your date.’

      ‘I suppose he is,’ said Felicity, feeling a touch of Judas Iscariot as she cast off Michel so easily. ‘I would have loved to have met Sonya,’ she added. ‘Ryan says she’s lovely. The eight of us should go out one night to dinner: all the Morgans, Shane, Sonya, whoever Ryan wants to bring and Michel. It would be lovely.’

      She held her breath then and waited. It felt like such a long wait. Mel could see her father sitting at a table of much younger guests – flirting with the women, if the wild laughter was anything to go by.

      ‘I suppose that would be nice,’ Mel said slowly. ‘But you’re a Barnes now, you’ve gone back to your maiden name.’

      ‘Oh, pet, I’ll always be a Morgan when it comes to you,’ Felicity said. ‘I’m your mum, nothing will ever change that.’

      After the buffet, tables were pulled back for dancing. Michel and Felicity stood to one side and watched it all, apart and yet part of it.

      ‘Thank you,’ whispered Felicity, breathing in the scent of his aftershave. Eau Sauvage. She loved it.

      ‘I have children myself and am divorced,’ he murmured. ‘Of course I understand. Shall we dance just once?’

      Felicity could see her former mother-in-law in the distance. She’d gone to offer her congratulations but hadn’t brought Michel in case Nanna Morgan said something rude.

      ‘Yes,’ Felicity said.

      The band struck up the ‘Anniversary Waltz’ and the happy couple danced for a moment, then the band summoned all the guests up. Felicity held Michel’s hand and they joined the throng on the dance floor. Michel danced very well, much better than Leo. For the first time since she’d entered the party, Felicity allowed herself to relax.

      She could see Leo staring at her glumly from the bar, could see Ryan happily chatting to a girl near the door, and on the dance floor, Shane and Mel were locked together. Nanna Morgan was now being twirled by Leslie, who was waving at Leo to join them. Rather like a sulky child being asked to join a party, Leo ambled over and soon he, his mother and sister were linking arms and dancing, while his father sat down to catch his breath.

      Mel was going to be fine and the Morgans could look after themselves. Felicity allowed the music to flow over her and laid her head on Michel’s shoulder. They’d go back to their lovely hotel in СКАЧАТЬ