Page 93 of The Christmas Catch
Ali stepped forward and pulled her mum into her second hug of the day. She squeezed her tight.
Her mum shivered in her embrace.
“Thanks for coming with me.”
“Good job I hadn’t had a drink so I could drive, isn’t it?” She held Ali at arm’s length. “She’s going to be okay, sweetheart. They’re just checking her out as a precaution. But she was talking when she got out of the ambulance they said, so that’s a good sign.”
Ali knew all of that on the surface, but until she saw and spoke to Morgan herself, she wasn’t going to be calmed.
Her mum steered her to a nearby bench, and they sat down. Ali leaned her head on her mum’s shoulder and took a deep breath.
“We slept together. Twice. But I told her nothing could happen because I was going to America. Bad timing.”
Her mum’s arm snaked around her. They sat like that for at least a minute without talking.
“But this has made you see that maybe you might have feelings for her?” She paused. “I have to say, the whole gingerbread thing was a big sign.”
Ali swallowed down, then nodded. “It doesn’t make any sense. We only slept together for the first time two days ago.”
Laughter from her mum. “I told you about when your dad and I met? In that bar in Tenerife? How I knew he was going to be important to me by the end of our first drink, even though he didn’t know, the dozy berk.” Her face creaked as she smiled. “Plus, this is not out of the blue, is it? You’ve always liked Morgan. It’s not just a few days. She’s been in your life for decades.”
Did everyone know about her crush on Morgan? She guessed when you were little, it was hard to hide things. Even when you were an adult. Apparently, baking gingerbread on Christmas Eve is a dead giveaway.
Ali wriggled out of her mum’s embrace and sat back, lifting her head to the sky. Right at the moment, it started to snow.
Her mum mirrored her stance, and they both opened their mouths, letting the snow fall in.
“I asked your dad for some snow and he delivered.” Her mum raised a thumb in the air. “Cheers, love!”
A tear stained Ali’s cheek, but she smiled all the same. “Happy Christmas, Dad!”
They sat side by side, laughing through the tears, mother and daughter getting their thoughts in order before they spoke.
“Have you spoken to Morgan about going, about how you’re feeling?”
Ali shook her head. “I didn’t truly know until I saw her in that car. I wanted to dive in and rescue her. She can’t be hurt.” Ali would never forgive herself.
“She won’t be.” Her mum’s fingers wrapped around Ali’s. “You haven’t spoken at all?”
“We have. She wants to see where it goes. Even if I go to New York. She said she’ll wait for me, and come to visit.”
“I don’t see a problem, then.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t go to New York at all. Maybe I should move closer to home to see you more. I’ve been a bad daughter this year, I know.” Ali slumped forward as she spoke.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Your dad got one thing right—this is a great opportunity, and you’re not passing it up for me. You’re going, no question. Coming home when you don’t want towouldmake you a bad daughter.” She squeezed again. “Look at me, Ali.”
Ali sighed, then straightened up. She turned to her mum, her eyes still glassy. But no matter what, her mum always had her best interests at heart. Even when her heart was clearly breaking being back here.
“If you think Morgan is someone who could be important to you, what’s the harm in trying? If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. New York isn’t the moon, you can come back, she can visit. Just not when I’m there, because I want my little girl all to myself.” She leaned in and kissed Ali’s cheek. “Don’t put your life on hold in any area. It’s short. Grab happiness where you can, while you can.”
“You sound like one of those cheesy posters.”
“I like those cheesy posters.” Her mum gave her a wink, then shivered. “While this snow is lovely, it’s also freezing. Shall we go in and see if Morgan’s family has found her yet? They might appreciate a friendly face.”
Ali got up and held out her hand. Her mum took it.
“I know you’re worried, but try to smile. Morgan will appreciate it when you see her.”
