The Season of Love #SYTYCW15 #Loveinspired

The Season Of Love Part 6

Chapter Five
Simon

He glanced up as Hollie and his daughter shuffled into the kitchen, his arms immersed in bubbles at the kitchen sink.

"Hey,' he smiled, trying to ignore Alison's pink eyes, 'you ok? Hot chocolate?"

Hollie strode purposefully to the kettle, "I think that I'll have one, anyone else?"

Alison shook her head, smiling shyly, "I think I'll just go upstairs actually,' she kissed her dad on the cheek, 'love you Dad."

Simon watched her leave in disbelief. "That's the first time she's told me she loves me in about a year,' he turned to Hollie in admiration, 'what did you say to her out there?!"

Hollie smiled, handing him a mug, "Nothing much, mostly listened,' she wrapped her hands around her own drink, 'look, Simon, I'm sorry about your wife"

Simon stared into his mug for a moment "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault,' he shot her a strained smile, 'but thank you Hollie"

He sat beside her, their arms brushing against each other for a brief moment; "So what about you? Where is your husband?"

Hollie glanced at the slim gold band on her finger. She still hadn't managed to take it off; every time that she tried it felt like he was divorcing her all over again, "Actually, actually we're divorced,' she shrugged attempting to be nonchalant, 'about two months ago"

"I'm sorry"

She smiled at him in amusement, "Don't be, it's not your fault"

They sat in companionable silence, sipping from their mugs, listening to the wind and snow clattering against the windows.

Simon took a sideways glance at Hollie, noting the rose pink of her lips, the smattering of freckles across her nose, the fuzzy curls framing her delicate face. A wave of guilt washed over him. He hadn't even thought of another woman since Francesca had passed, and suddenly here he was, with Hollie, noticing things.

"Simon?' Hollie turned to him, a puzzled expression passing briefly across her face, 'Alison is feeling a little... "

"A little what?" He was alert now, frowning with worry.

"Well, she said that she felt like you were trying to get rid of her by taking her to her grandparents" She glanced at him apologetically.

He put his head in his hands. "Of course I'm not,' he looked up at her in despair, 'I would never get rid of her, she's the most important person in my life. It's just, she's been so unhappy I just thought that she needed a break. From me as well as everything else"

Hollie placed a soft hand over his, "Look, don't worry Simon, she's only thirteen years old, everything is more dramatic. In her heart I'm sure that she knows you're not trying to get rid of her. She's just in a lot of pain at the moment."

Simon stared at her for a moment, and felt himself calm under the gaze of her dark eyes. "Thanks Hollie' he planted a gentle kiss on her cheek before standing wearily, 'I'd better go and spend some time with my little girl."

                                                                                   *

                                                                              Hollie

Climbing from the bed, she wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and wandered over to the large window. She perched on the window sill and opened the pane so that a few small flakes of snow drifted in at her.

The tide was in, and she could see the waves crashing against the edge of the car park, running over the tyres of Anna's car.

She thought about what she would be doing if Harry were here with her. Maybe they would be sharing a drink by the fire in one of the lounges. Or having dinner with Melissa and Greg. Or snuggled up in bed watching a crappy movie on t.v.

She sighed, tucking her chin into the blanket. She glanced down at her left hand. Chewing her lip thoughtfully, she slowly slid he ring from her finger. She tried to swallow the lump forming in her throat.

Hollie knew that she would have to take he ring off sooner or later. But now is not the time, she decided, quickly pushing the ring back on, trying to fill the void that Harry had left behind.

"Hollie?"

She turned to find Anna standing in the doorway, her head dipped to one side as she looked at Hollie.

"Hey,' Hollie patted a space beside her in the window sill, 'come cut"

"I didn't get a chance to ask, are you ok? With the whole Lucinda thing?"

Hollie nodded with a half smile, "Yeah, I mean, it was a surprise but then it's a surprise for all if us!"

Anna threw an arm around her, pulling her close, "One hell of a surprise! But you don't have to pretend that it doesn't hurt you. You can support her and feel sad at the same time."

"I know,' Hollie wrapped her hands around Anna's dainty waist, her friends bobbed hair sweeping across her face, 'thanks Anna"

She could get through it, Hollie considered carefully, even if she did need a little help. She thought suddenly of Simon; of his strong, slightly brown arms, his dark hair and the gentle, caring voice that made her feel as though he was talking to her and her alone.

Yeah, she told herself, Simons face swimming before her eyes; she would be just fine.