A Family Made At Christmas. Scarlet Wilson

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      ‘We’re wondering where Lieutenant Callaghan is.’

      Her heart plummeted in her chest. Riley? They had bad news for Riley?

      She glanced around. ‘He’s not here. But I know where he is. Can you give me five minutes? I’ll get him for you.’

      The Colonel nodded and she rushed past, going to the changing room and grabbing her jacket. If she ran, the pub was only five minutes away.

      As soon as she stepped outside she realised just how much the temperature had dipped. It was freezing and it was only the middle of November. As she thudded down the dark path a few snowflakes landed on her cheeks. Snow? Already?

      She slowed her run. If spots of rain had turned to snow, then there was a chance the damp ground would be slippery.

      The pub came into view, warm light spilling from its windows. She stopped running completely, her warm breath steaming in the air around her.

      She could hear the noise and laughter coming from the pub already. She closed her eyes for a second. She hated that she was about to do this. To walk into a farewell party and pull Riley away for news he probably wouldn’t want. Did his family serve in the military? Did he have a brother? She just didn’t know. She hadn’t allowed herself to have that kind of conversation with Riley.

      She pushed open the door to the pub, the heat hitting her instantly. It was busy. She jostled her way through the people, scanning one way then another. It didn’t take long to recognise the laugh. She picked Riley’s familiar frame out of the crowd and pushed herself towards him. Her work colleagues were picking up glasses and toasting him. She stumbled as she reached him, her hands coming out and landing square on his chest. His hard, muscular chest.

      ‘April?’ He looked completely surprised. ‘Oh, wow. You made it. That’s great.’ His arm had automatically gone around her shoulder. He pulled her a little closer to try to talk above the noise in the pub. ‘Can I get you something to drink?’

      He frowned as he noticed she hadn’t even changed out of her uniform.

      She looked up into his green eyes. ‘Riley, I’m sorry—I’m not here for the drinks.’

      He pulled back a little whilst keeping his arm on her shoulder. ‘You aren’t?’

      Her hands were still on his chest. She really didn’t want to move them. ‘Riley—’ she pressed her lips together for a second ‘—the Colonel is looking for you. He came to the ward.’

      She felt every part of his body tense.

      ‘What?’ His voice had changed.

      She nodded. ‘I said I’d come and get you.’

      Riley didn’t even say goodbye to anyone around him. He just grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her behind him as he jostled his way through the crowd.

      The snow was falling as they reached the main door. Riley spun around to face her, worry etched all over his face. ‘What did he say? Is it just the Colonel?’

      April shook her head. ‘He didn’t tell me anything. And there’s an older woman with him. I didn’t recognise her.’

      She reached up and touched his arm. It didn’t matter that she’d vowed to keep a distance. This was a completely different set of circumstances. This was a work colleague who was likely to receive some bad news. She’d never leave a workmate alone at a time like this. ‘Let me come back with you’ was all she said.

      And, after the longest few seconds, Riley gave a nod.

      * * *

      He started walking quickly but eventually just broke into a run. His brother. It had to be his brother. He was on a training exercise right now somewhere in Scotland, flying out to Afghanistan tomorrow. Accidents happened. As a doctor, he knew that more than most. Unless something had happened to his mum and dad. Could they have had an accident?

      He was conscious of the footsteps beside him. The ones that broke into a gentle run when he did. He’d been surprised by April’s appearance earlier—it had made his heart lurch for a few seconds. But it hadn’t taken long to notice the paleness of her complexion. The worry in her bright blue eyes. And she was right by his side. Trouble was, right now he couldn’t think straight.

      By the time he reached the ward area his brain was spinning completely. He slowed down to a walk, took a few deep breaths and tried to put on his professional face. He was a soldier. He could deal with whatever news he was about to receive.

      The Colonel ushered him into a room where a woman in a grey coat was sitting with a file in front of her.

      April hovered near the door—she didn’t seem to know whether to leave or not—and he was kind of glad she was still around.

      ‘Lieutenant Callaghan. Please take a seat.’

      He didn’t want to sit. In fact, sitting was the last thing he wanted to do. But if it would get this thing over with quicker then he’d do it.

      He sat down and glanced at the woman. She leaned across the table towards him. ‘Dr Callaghan, my name is Elizabeth Cummings. I’m a social worker.’

      He frowned. A social worker? Why did she need to speak to him?

      She flicked open her file. ‘I understand that this might seem a little unusual. Can I ask, do you know an Isabel Porter?’

      He flinched. This was not what he’d been expecting to hear. He glanced at the Colonel. ‘Sir, my parents? My brother?’

      The Colonel shook his head and gestured back to Ms Cummings. ‘No. They’re fine. They’re absolutely fine. Please, this is something else entirely.’

      Riley shifted in his chair. He glanced behind at April. She looked just as confused as he was.

      Now he felt uncomfortable. He looked back at the social worker. ‘Isabel Porter, from Birmingham?’

      The woman nodded.

      ‘Yes, I know Isabel. At least, I did. Around five years ago. Why are you asking me that?’

      Ms Cummings gave a nod. ‘I see. Dr Callaghan, I’m sorry to tell you that there was an accident a few days ago. Isabel was killed in a road traffic accident.’

      It was like a cold prickle down his spine. Nothing about this seemed right. ‘Oh, I see. I’m really sorry to hear that. But I don’t understand. Why are you telling me?’ He looked from one tight face to the other.

      Ms Cummings glanced at the Colonel. ‘There is an issue we need to discuss. Ms Porter left a will.’

      ‘Isabel had written a will?’ Now that did sound weird. Isabel had been a bit chaotic. Their relationship had barely lasted a few months. And they hadn’t kept in touch. He hadn’t heard from her at all in the last five years. ‘Why on earth are you telling me this?’

      Ms Cummings slid an envelope across the desk to him. ‘Maybe this will help explain things.’ She kept talking. ‘Obviously there’s been a delay. Isabel СКАЧАТЬ