Page 118 of Seven Letters

‘Wow, wine. Fancy.’

‘You deserve a glass or ten after the last few weeks.’

‘Cheers.’ Mia clinked with her husband. He must have got the job. They hadn’t bought wine in months.

‘Where’s Riley?’

‘Out with her new boyfriend. They went to the cinema. She’ll be back by eleven.’

‘Is she still in a good mood?’

‘She’s like a different person. I hope to Jesus this guy sticks around.’

Mia grinned. ‘Me, too. If he breaks up with her, we’ll have to leave the country.’

Johnny laughed. ‘One-way ticket to Timbuktu.’

Mia tucked into the delicious dinner. ‘This is so good. It’s the first time I’ve actually enjoyed food in ages.’

‘Good, you need a decent meal. You’re fading away.’

Mia looked down. She supposed she had lost weight. Her dress was hanging off her. The grief diet, she thought sadly.

‘Dare I ask, how are you feeling about the Communion on Sunday?’

Mia put down her wine glass. ‘It’s Izzy. She’s convinced Sarah is going to wake up and I’m really worried about the fallout.’

‘I suppose she has to find out sometime.’

‘I know, but on her Communion Day?’

Johnny sighed. ‘It’s rough, but is there any good day to realize your mum isn’t coming back?’

‘I suppose not, but they’re all so excited about the day and the dresses and the parties, and I just want Izzy to have a good time. Instead she’s going to have her heart broken.’

‘Poor kid.’

‘I even feel sorry for Adam.’

‘Really?’

Mia nodded. ‘Yes. It’s going to be hard for him to pick up the pieces of Izzy’s heart. Imagine if it was Riley.’

Johnny shook his head. ‘I can’t even go there. You’re right, though, it will be awful for Adam.’

‘She’s all he has left.’ Mia reached across the table to hold Johnny’s hand. ‘I’m so glad I have you and Riley. We’re so lucky. I never realized how lucky we are. But I do now. It doesn’t matter that we’ll never have a big bank account. What matters is that we’re alive, healthy and here.’

‘And we love each other, no matter what, right?’ Johnny squeezed her hand hard.

‘Well, yes, of course.’ Mia was taken aback by his intensity.

‘Because I love you, Mia. I love you and Riley and Charlie and Izzy and even Adam. And I really loved Sarah. You know that.’

Johnny was getting emotional. Mia felt bad. She had been so consumed by her own grief that she sometimes forgot how hard this was on Johnny.

‘I know you do, love. Sarah adored you too.’

‘She was a brilliant person, and this has been such a difficult time. It’s hard to keep everyone safe and protected.’

---