CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) by Clair Delaney Read Free Book Online Page A

front of me.” I look across at Gladys who is hiding a
smile. “What?” I smile back at her.
    “Well, when Tristan had dinner, he said he wanted to bring
some here for you, surprise you with it.” Her eyes glow with love.
    “He did?” I swallow hard at the lump that’s formed. I miss him
so much. I want him here with me now, my wonderful sweet, caring man.
    “Yes darling, he did,” she says softly. “He really is a
lovely man Coral, I hope...” she breaks off.
    “What?” I ask. She looks across at Malcolm, he nods at her,
gestures for Rob to follow him and they both leave the room... Uh-oh!

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    I
BLINK RAPIDLY AT HER, TRYING TO SURPRESS MY ANXIETY.
    “Mom, what’s wrong?”
    “Well, a few things actually darling.” She says, coming back
over to me and sitting on the edge of the bed – Great! What have I done now?
    “Ok.” I whisper. Gladys takes a deep breath, picks up my
hand in both of hers and smiles warmly at me.
    “Well, since what happened with you...” She closes her eyes
for a second and composes herself. “Well, it’s made me re-think a lot of things
darling, and one of those things is Malcolm and I moving away, it’s made me
realise I don't want to’ – “Mom, don't change your mind because’ – “Hush!” she
hisses, instantly silencing me.
    “Now, what I mean is it’s made me realise how much I really
will miss you if I leave, but I’ll miss Debbie, Scott & Lily too if I stay
here. So Malcolm and I have talked about it, and we’ve come up with a solution.
We are going to buy a place in Spain and one here, and were going to split our
time between the two; we both think it’s a better option. I really don't know
why we didn’t think of it in the first place? We can still see our families and
keep our friends here in the UK, and we’ll have the time in Spain to make new
friends, we’re really looking forward to it,” she says, smiling broadly. No
way!
    “Really?” I squeak in surprise.
    “Yes darling, I love you so very much, and I don't want to
miss out on seeing you so happy with Tristan. I want to spend more time with
you both, as does Malcolm. He thinks you’re lovely Coral, and I know he like
Tristan too, thinks he’s a fine young man.” She says.
    “Oh Mom!” I choke back more tears. They’re not leaving!
    “I know you didn’t really want me to leave,” she says. I
look down at the bed, hoping she can't see I’m trying to hide the truth. “I
know I’m right Coral,” she whispers.
    I look up at her and shake my head. “I...I just didn’t want
you to stay because of me,” I whisper.
    “Because you don't think you’re worth it?” she wisely
surmises. I go to answer her but I can't find the right words to say. “Darling,
look at me,” she says, I lift my head and meet her eyes. “You really are worth
it. You deserve love Coral, in every way. From me, Joyce, Malcolm, your sister,
Tristan; and I know Rob and Carlos love you very much. Be honest Coral, did you
want me to leave?”
    “No, I didn’t.” I admit.
    “Why didn’t you say so?” She questions.
    “Because you looked so happy with Malcolm, I wasn’t going to
spoil that for you.”
    “But darling, Malcolm is just a part of my life, not all of
it. Don't you understand that?”
    “Yes, I do understand that but’ – “And that’s the other
thing I wanted to ask you. How do you feel about Malcolm?”
    “I think he’s great.” I say, smiling up at her.
    “That’s not what I mean Coral.” She says shaking her head.
    “It isn’t?” I question.
    “No. You don't like men darling, which is understandable
considering your past.” I instantly stop breathing. “Which is why it took me so
long to introduce him to you, but you seem, well, comfortable with him. Am I right?”
I slowly exhale and nod my head.
    “Tell me what you think Coral, I’d love to know?” She says. I
take a deep breath and decide to be brave, let her know how I really feel.
    “Well, we haven’t