Love In The Unexpected

CHAPTER 8

Luke couldn’t believe that 6 months had gone by so fast. He was back in London and felt like a reformed man. God had truly dealt with his heart and humbled him during the time. He missed Nicole and sometimes woke up wanting to call her but then remembered she was gone. His heart hurt so much when he realised that but nonetheless he had accepted it and looked forward to the day he would meet her again. He had taken a 6 month leave of absence from his musical duties and had been surprised at how understanding everyone had been. It was unpaid but he had survived. He had lived in his family cottage in Scotland and as for finances; he had inherited some money from his grandfather a few years ago so he was financially stable. Not that he was a big spender, this retreat had taught him to rely on God’s strength and God’s alone. He had kept his purchases to the most basic as he didn’t want any distractions. By the end of the 6 months he truly felt closer to God. He thought of Amber often and wondered if her eyes where still sad. He and Nicole where finally getting through to her when Nicole died. Now that Nicole was gone he had to continue, ‘mission help Amber’. They communicated once a moth by text but he preferred to keep his phone off most of the time. His parents had the cottage landline number in case of an emergency but the rest of the world gave him the space he had asked for. He had been back for a day and thought it would be good to check up on Amber. After all that is what Nicole would have wanted of him? He would drive by to her flat and surprise her. If she was in, he would see her car then go in, if she wasn’t he would ring her later to let her know he was back. He was glad when he saw her car but was surprised to see her with her face hidden in their hands. He parked next to her car and saw how taken aback she was. Even from where he was it seemed obvious Amber was crying! He quickly got out and went to her side of the door. He watched as she tried to quickly wipe her tears. She came out with red rimmed eyes, a tear stained face and a put on smile painted on her face. “Luke; oh my goodness this is such a surprise!” She leaned into him to give him a hug. “It’s good to see you too Amber, why don’t we go in so you can tell me what the matter is.” She quickly responded, “Sure I hope you don’t think I was crying I’ve got a bit of hay fever,” she feigned a sneeze. Luke couldn’t help but laugh, “come on Amber that was a fake sneeze, let’s get in and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea and you can tell me all about it.” With a defeated look Amber locked her car, “Did it really sound fake? And here I was thinking I was good at fake sneezing?” They both laughed as she opened the door. Luke immediately spotted the kettle and before long they were sitting on her sofa facing each other. She had missed having someone to talk to so she started from the beginning, she used up so many tissues whilst telling Luke the story that she had to pause the story to get some more. As she told him what she had been through in her life he nodded and listened patiently. At the end he pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “Amber you are one remarkable woman. You’ve done the right thing by forgiving your mum. Now you have to begin the process of healing and that’s the bit that hurts the most. But when the healing is complete you won’t be able to recognise yourself. Let’s pray.” After Luke left Amber felt better but she was also feeling guilty that she could never help Luke with anything. It was like he was the strong one and she was the weak one. She wished that one day she would be able to help him with something. That month they met often she really enjoyed his company. She missed having a good friend to talk to. He spoke of Nicole with such peace and she could see the work that God had done in his life. He was a reformed character and he now possessed a great level of humility. They went for ice cream on one day and spoke for hours whilst feeding ducks bread in a park. “I worry about my brother Matthew. I don’t think my mother is capable of raising him. Matthew’s father left her 3 weeks ago and she’s been acting strange. I hear that she now takes drugs in front of the kids. I want to report her to social services but I fear they will take them all to care. Jamie and Amie are over 18 now so it wouldn’t apply to them. It’s the twins and Matthew I’m worried about.” He held her hand. “You know what I’m going to say Amb, prayer is the best remedy.” Right in the middle of the park they bowed their heads and prayed For God’s wisdom and guidance. “Leave this one to God Amber he will give you the wisdom to know what to do.”