First Love's Second Chance

Prologue

Prologue

Christmas 2007

“Here you go, Dad.”

“Ah, gracias, querido.”

I hand my dad a glass of whiskey, and sit next to him on the sofa, leaning my head on his shoulder. It’s Christmas night, and we’re settled down in front of the TV. I stare out at the harbour covered in a thick layer of snow, and the ocean in the near distance, the waves crashing against the beach, lit by the moon and a few street lights. It feels good to be home. After a tough term at university, I caught the train home with my brother Jonas and childhood best friend, Deacon in time to spend the holidays with my parents.

I tear my gaze away from the tranquillity of outside and look at the family I miss so much. My sister, Jade is cuddled up with her  husband Steve and they’re both resting their hands on her swollen stomach. She’s due to give birth to their baby in February but she looks like she’s just about ready to pop. My mum is snuggled up under a blanket in her armchair by the window, sleeping after the mammoth Christmas dinner she had prepared for us all today.

“Hey, Jen?” my brother, Jonas calls as he comes in the room from sneaking a cigarette outside, “I’m going to The Duck if you wanna come? The whole gang’s gonna be there.”

I contemplate staying in and drinking some more Baileys in front of the open fire and watching whatever panel show Dad has put on. But I know I won’t.

“Sure.”

I hand Dad my drink, knowing full well he’ll drink it and head out to the front door to wrap myself up. Winter’s are harsh near the sea; the breeze is bitter and the moisture from the sea settles on the snowless patches of ground in a sheet of ice.

I pull a jumper over my head, then my hat and coat, pulling the zip right up. Jonas hands me my new scarf and glove set. We all got one from Great-Aunt Olivia; lovely garments, but not something two uni-students and a mother-to-be would put on their Christmas list. I’m grateful none the less and snuggle into the scarf as Jonas opens the front door. The cold hits me like a tonne of frozen bricks and I catch my breath. Stick with the Baileys and comedy, Jenna.

“You alright, sis?” Jonas calls, waiting for me at the end of the path.

I nod, unable to speak past my lips freezing up and the involuntary shivers wracking my body. I take the deepest breath I can, grab on to the door handle and step on to the floor outside. I catch up with Jonas as we walk along the harbour to The Duck on the Harbour.

The pub is empty apart from the couple in the corner we’re on our way to meet. Coming from a town as small as Folquay, everyone knows everyone and my siblings and I were lucky to find the Reid’s. There were five of us, although with Jade being married and pregnant, she isn’t interested in hanging out any more. So now there are four of us, who all grew up together: Deacon who’s a few months older than me, and Bradley who is a few years older than me and the same age as Jonas.

“Hey!” Bradley shouts as we enter the pub, “Gang’s all here!”

I shiver as the warmth of the fire by the bar hits me, and wave to Sue, the landlady. I make a beeline for the amber warmth, but before I can get close enough to thaw out my face, Bradley jumps up and wraps me in his arms. He’s warm, and drunk and I hug him back, realising how much I’ve missed him in the six months since we all met up last.

“Check you out,” He holds me at arm’s length and examines me, “Look at baby Jenna, all grown up.”

I roll my eyes and walk towards the table, taking my coat off on the way. Deacon slips out of the booth and pulls me into him, squeezing tightly. I sag into his tall, lean body and accept the warmth he’s sharing with me.