Page 51 of One More Day
He made me food. He bandaged me up so tenderly and now he has made me food. No one, and I meanno one, hasdone anything like that for me before, not since my mother did when I was a young child.
I hear Charlie’s footsteps cross the landing and I try to get my breath back, but the tears keep trickling at this double gesture, so I lift my phone and with my hands shaking, I text him instead.
Thank you, Charlie, I write even though I can barely see the words through my tear-blurred eyes as I type them.I really appreciate your kindness.
I peel myself off the bed and steady myself, then shuffle my way across to the door. I open it, peeping around to make sure he is gone. I’m still in no fit state to be seen, especially not now with puffy eyes and tearstained cheeks to match my pitiful state.
I look down at the floor and my hands go to my face when I see the steaming hot bowl of goodness waiting for me, the parmesan melting into the pasta, a pale golden delight. Beside the bowl is a slice of glistening garlic bread on a plate and a small glass of ice-cold white wine.
‘You’re an angel,’ I whisper.
My mouth is watering as I savour the aroma of garlic and lemon which now fills the air.
I bend down slowly, the pain in my knees already subsiding as my heart almost bursts with joy, not to mention how delighted my empty stomach is. I take the tray into the bedroom, shuffle back for George’s bowl too and then I prop up some pillows so I can lean back and enjoy this very welcome and unexpected feast. I take the first forkful and close myeyes as I savour the sumptuous flavours I’ve smelt from a distance since I got here two days ago.
I’m so touched. I’m in agony, but I’m happier than I’ve been in a very long time when Charlie replies to my text message.
Buon appetito, Rose! Get well soon.
So, hemustbe part Italian, then. I had a feeling he might be the first time I saw him – and this pasta all but confirms it.
The zing of lemon awakens my tastebuds, the garlic bursts with flavour and the tagliatelle melts in my mouth. I may be in pain but I’m also smiling from ear to ear and floating in foodparadiso.
Six Days to Christmas
Chapter Fourteen
Charlie
Niall wakes me with a phone call just after nine in the morning, which is early for him but unusually late for me to be still asleep.
It’s daylight outside, which I haven’t woken to in a very long time, and as I reach down onto the living room floor for my phone, still half dozing as I answer, I wonder how I managed to go into such a deep slumber.
Ordinarily by this stage of the morning I’d have had a shower, gone for a run and dealt with a few emails, having checked out the daily news with a full plan for the day ahead. In fact, I’d probably be finishing up with my first client as a lot of people like to squeeze in a session at my office before they hit their own workplace.
‘Were you asleep?’ asks Niall, sounding just as flabbergasted as I am. ‘Sorry, man, I forget that some people are already off for the holidays. I’m working from home today and the kids are wrecking my head as school’s out already. So, how’s it all going up there in Fanad? Not too quiet foryou, I hope? I know you’ve been to County Donegal loads in summer, but it’s different in winter. I love it.’
I stretch out, feeling cramps in my legs that wake up with me, then I yawn and sit up, trying to rotate the crick in my neck away. Lying on this sofa is not ideal for anyone over six foot tall, but I must admit the heat of the fire was nice to fall asleep to, even if it’s chilly in here now.
‘Fanad is a special part of Donegal. You were right about that,’ I tell Niall, stifling a yawn. ‘It’s been years since I slept past six in the morning – and that’s two days in a row now. I’m already a changed man.’
Niall laughs in agreement.
‘Yes, that’s the slow pace of life on the north coast and the power of a good blast of sea air, my friend,’ he tells me. ‘Good stuff. So, are you talking to yourself yet? It is isolated at Seaview, but that’s why we love it so much. I guess you’ve the dog to keep you company, which isn’t so bad.’
It’s on the tip of my tongue to mention the whole double-booking fiasco, but I decide to keep that element of things to myself, at least for now. Niall and his wife were so elated when I got booked in here on their recommendation, considering Rusty and Marion don’t normally take reservations over the festive season. I don’t want to take away from that. I know they’ve been worried sick about me lately since Clodagh took Rebecca away to Tenerife, so I’ll keep it all positive as far as they’re concerned.
‘Yes, Max is keeping me company so I’m absolutely fine,’ I say, ruffling Max’s ears as he comes to me at the sound of his name. ‘We’ve been for a few walks on the beach and inthe forest, we’ve checked out the pub and visited some of the little shops nearby. It’s such a peaceful place and just what the doctor ordered.’
‘And the beer?’
‘I’ve had a few, yes, which might be the answer to my snoozing so late. The Guinness is good for sure.’
‘Ah, I’m so jealous,’ says Niall and I can almost imagine him licking his lips at the thought of a cool, creamy pint by an open fire in the Lighthouse Tavern. ‘And have you spoken with Rebecca yet?’
I smile at the sound of my daughter’s name.
‘We FaceTimed, yes,’ I tell my lifelong friend. ‘Briefly, but for long enough to see that she’s happy over there so far, which is the main thing, I suppose. I can’t thank you enough for helping me get away from home for Christmas. I don’t think I could have coped being there without her.’
