Lost and Found

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

 Christmas Day, 2008

Amelia opened her eyes, it was Christmas Day. She was in her father’s bedroom, Sol was in the guest room, they’d managed to eat, drink and get to bed safely, and now waking up in the chilly bedroom, she did have regret that she wasn’t curled up to Sol. But they weren’t here for that. They were here for Christmas, and for her father.

Stretching, she suddenly pulled her limbs back in, the rest of the bed was icy cold. She expected that though, and had come prepared. Pulling on her thick fluffy slipper boots and a cardigan that was knitted by Li for Christmas a few years ago she left the room. Glancing in a mirror at the top of the stairs, she laughed, talk about passion killing, lucky she wasn’t here for romance.

In the kitchen she ransacked the fridge, glad to find eggs, bacon and muffins, then there was coffee and a cafetiere, and...she chuckled again, a Christmas CD! By the time the door opened to reveal Sol, hair ravaged by sleep in similar attire, lounge trousers, thick socks and a hooded sweatshirt, she was dancing along to Band Aid and flipping eggs.

                “Why do I never remember this house being SO cold?”

Dancing across the stone floor toward him carrying a mug of coffee she finally answered, “Because kids have thicker blood, honest!”

Smiling he dropped into a chair at the kitchen table and watched her cook.  When she presented a hearty breakfast to him, he smiled, “thanks. And I haven’t wished you a Merry Christmas!”

                “Same to you!” They shared a smile, then settled down to enjoy their breakfast. Once her stomach was full, the chill of the house seemed to lift. “How sad that we’re both sat here without a Christmas gift between us?”

Sol smiled, “well we can both blame it on being too busy! Not being sad and lonely!”

She shared an ironic laugh, “what did you do last year? It was my first year in New York and I had a brilliant time.”

                “Do you want to hear of my first Christmas as a married man? Saying that, it was no less lonely than all the previous years!”

Amelia raised her mug, “well let’s drink to happier times, hey?”

He clinked his coffee to hers and nodded, “isn’t that the truth?”

                “I’m going to get dressed, then I need to get to the hospital.”

                “Take my car, then I can start dinner!”

She gaped as she looked at him, “really? A man giving up his monster car for a little girl like me?”

He nodded, “I’m a metrosexual man!” Laughing he tossed her the keys. “Lunch for three pm? Thought we could wander to the village pub first, give them all a real shock!”

For a few seconds her eyes widened, thinking through the prospect of turning up in front of all the village gossips with Sol. But he was making the effort, looking after her. He deserved her support for that.

                “Cool. I won’t be that long I promise!”

Amelia’s father was sat up in bed, but still fast asleep. He woke for a few ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers, but otherwise seemed exhausted. There was no doctor to speak to, to find out why he was so lethargic, and when or even if he’d start to feel better.  She sat with him for an hour, but he was exhausted. Kissing his head, she promised to call later, and he actually smiled as she left.