ENSHROUDING LIGHT

THE DAY TO REMEMBER

CHAPTER 10

THE DAY TO REMEMBER

Tom opened Mark's present first on Christmas morning. As he unravelled the beautiful book of colours, letters, objects, and shapes, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with intrigue. She sat him on her knee. The first page was red. She pointed to it. 'Red.'

Tom studied the page with deep interest. 'Red.'

She held the book to her heart and sighed. Mark knew him so well after one week. He was thoughtful, kind and...so deliciously handsome. Her mind was wandering; she looked back at Tom and read him the whole book.

After opening a small ball pit from Jack and Winston and a strange looking homemade CD that Adaeze had given Winston to give to Tom, Tom ripped open his main present: a red car he could sit in and pedal around the living room. She helped him inside, and he drove around giddily with his feet. She wanted today to be a day to remember. This was a good start.

As they arrived at her parents' cottage, her dad stood at the door with Francesca in his arms.

'Gandad!' Tom shouted.

Nevaeh let him out. 'And who else is there?'

Tom stumbled up the cobbled path. 'Fancesca!'

Her dad bent down and scooped him up with his free arm. 'Oh, you big bruiser!' He looked at Nevaeh with a sullen expression. 'Still not heard from Luke?'

'No, Dad. And I don't want to either!' She shook her head. He couldn't help himself ask about Luke every time he saw her. How many times had she told him not to?

'I just thought with it being his son's first Christmas and...'

'Leave it, Dad!' She pushed the pram past him and made her way into the living room. Her dad followed, bouncing both grandchildren in his arms.

'Bruiser me,' Tom said upon entering.

Tom was now twice the size and weight of Francesca, who, with pink cheeks and dark ringlets, looked dainty and sweet. Her dad placed both children down on the living room floor, making sure Francesca supported herself by the settee.

'What time do you call this?' Frank shoved presents into her arms.

'Merry Christmas to you, too!' She handed her presents to him.

Everyone gasped at the beautiful, pink dress with matching hat she'd bought for Francesca from the expensive, designer shop Alicia boastfully used.

'I saw that dress last time I was in there,' she said. 'It's a good job I didn't want that one!' She laughed as if her words were in jest.

'I like it.' Frank gave Alicia a warning glance.

Tom opened an outfit from the same shop.

'We thought Tom could do with some clothes...' Alicia stopped as everyone turned to note her bitchiness. 'For winter!'

'It's great.' Alicia wasn't going to annoy her today.

'And we got him age three, considering how fat he is.'

Her mum quickly handed Alicia and Frank a voucher for a pampering spa day and Nevaeh a coupon for a furniture store where she'd seen a bed and accessories for Tom's room.

Her dad gave both Tom and Francesca a little bankbook, each with the amount of two hundred pounds stamped inside. 'I've set up a direct debit so I can add money to it for them each month.'

Nevaeh kissed both her parents in thanks. 'Wow, Tom, you're richer than Mummy.'

Alicia laughed as if the statement were true and said in an unimpressed way: 'Thank you.'