One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 9:- 25th December 2000

Hearing the phone ring, Paul pulled himself wearily from the chair and went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Merry Christmas Dad!" Mary's voice rung cheerfully down the phone. In the background he could hear the excited voice of his grandson chattering about Father Christmas.

"You too love." He replied, trying desperately to sound cheerful.

Mary, always the perceptive one of his children, picked up on this very quickly. "Dad? Dad what's wrong?"

"Nothing! Nothing love." he tried to reassure her,  "Look Mary, I might be a bit late for lunch. I'm not feeling too great. Infact, I think it might be better if I stayed away. I don't want to give young Joe anything do I?"

"What's wrong Dad? Do you need the doctor?" Mary's voice was filled with concern.

"No love, it's nothing serious I promise."

"Is Joanne there. Can I talk to her? At least see if she can let me know what's wrong?" This was greeted by silence from Paul. "Dad?"

"You can't talk to Joanne, Mary. I'm sorry."

"Dad? You're scaring me now. What are you hiding? Why can't I talk to Jo?"

She heard her father sigh wearily. "You can't talk to Joanne because she left yesterday morning."

"Left? Why?"

Paul paused beofre explaining. "Mary love, before I met Jo's kids or you and your brother and sisters met her, we both agreed that if there were any objections to our relationship from either side, then we would end things. So she did."

"She did what Dad?"

"She ended things between us. Like we agreed we would. I only agreed because I never expected any of you four to object to me being happy again. Obviously I was wrong!" he paused, fighting the urge to cry, "I'm sorry but I'm finding it hard to feel Christmassy at all at the moment."

"You mean this is because of Stella?!" Mary was astounded.

"Pretty much!. Jo explained it as being Stella feels threatened by her coming in. It's too soon for her I understand that and Jo's so compassionate and caring she won't go back on what we agreed. There's no blame Mary but.... Well, you know what I felt about Jo so I don't think I'll be much company today. I'm sorry love."

After speaking for a short while more, the call ended. Paul drifted into the living room with a stiff drink in hand despite the early hour. He let his mind wonder over the wonderful memories he had of his time with Joanne. Particularly the weekends shared at her house. The level in the bottle of whiskey in front of him fell lower and lower, mirroring his mood as he wept for what he had lost once more.

Some time later he was awoken by the sound of the front door slamming.

"Joanne!" he called hopeful even though he knew she had no keys to his house.

"Hi Dad," Stella's voice called, "Mary rang and said you wanted a lift to her.....Dad? Dad what's wrong?" She knelt on the floor in front of him, taking in his distress. "Dad, talk to me."

He looked up and gave his daughter a lobsided, slightly drunken smile. "Well, it's done. I hope you're pleased."

She took the glass from her father's hand and placed it on the table out of his reach. "Done? Dad, you're not making any sense. What's done?"

"What you wanted. Jo. She's left me!"

To her horror, Stella saw tears begin to roll down his face. "I loved that woman, do you know that? She made me feel alive again for the first time since your mum. I hope you're satisfied!"