Wish Upon a Christmas Cake by Darcie Boleyn Read Free Book Online Page A

Both were his mirror image, but cuter and younger, of course. As I gazed at them, an old emotion swept through me and tugged at my heart. This wasn’t going to be easy.
    There was no woman. I scanned the table again. Where was his wife? Had she feigned a headache and declined dinner? Had she excused herself to powder her nose? A pang of jealousy stung me and I shivered. Even after all this time, it was hard to accept that Sam had another woman, a wife no less, and that they had children.
Children that could have been mine.
    ‘So what do you think, Katie?’
    ‘Sorry, Karl?’ I met his curious eyes as he placed a hand on my arm.
    ‘About going into town tomorrow. I have a few last-minute things that I need to get.’
    ‘Yes, great idea.’
    I was about to ask him where Sam’s wife was but a clinking sound stopped everyone suddenly and all eyes turned to the head of the table where my Dad stood.
    ‘I’d just like to say a big thank-you to all of you for coming. Christmas is a special time for a family and it’s wonderful to see you all here. This year is particularly poignant and also important for us Warhams.’ I watched as he swallowed hard. ‘Losing my mother has been very difficult for us all…and I’m sure that we’ll all miss her regaling us with tales of Christmases past…but, uh, she would want, no make that
expect
us to carry on and have a bloody good Christmas.’ He paused and I watched anxiously as his Adam’s apple bobbed furiously above his shirt collar then he cleared his throat. ‘In the new year, there will be changes afoot as my beautiful wife and I leave these shores to spend our retirement in France. So next December, if you can all make it, you will be welcome to join us in our new home. But now, I’d like to raise a toast to absent friends.’ He raised his glass and we all stood up and followed suit. I forced the wine past the lump in my throat and blinked hard. ‘I would also like to toast you all,’ Dad continued. ‘My wife – who will rustle up the most delicious meals for us over the next few days – my dear sister and niece…and um…Turmeric…ah…Tanic…ah…’
    ‘It’s Tanberk, for goodness sake!’ Gina snarled at my father, dragging a hand across her mouth and smearing her bright-red lipstick in the process. I wondered how much wine she’d consumed already; the best part of a bottle I suspected just to keep the G and T company.
    ‘Yes, of course, Tanberk.’ Dad raised his eyebrows. ‘And to my wonderful children who have brought light into my life since they arrived as tiny pink scrunched-up little…’
    ‘Enough!’ Mum laughed. ‘No one wants a rendition of
Yesterday
, darling.’
    ‘Okay…um…and to Sam. We’re glad to have you join us this year with your two children Jack and Holly.’ Dad raised his Champagne flute and we all joined the toast before returning to our seats.
    As we tucked into Esther’s delicious spread, I filled Karl in on the continuing success of our business and how busy we’d been over recent weeks, but I kept sneaking glances at Sam. When had he become so…Johnny Depp but the even better version? I bet his wife had to fight the admirers off with a broom. Attractive men were trouble – unless they were gay and your older brother. But I also found myself peering at Sam’s children. With their wide brown eyes surrounded by thick black lashes and ebony hair, they were beautiful. Something inside me threatened to unravel and I dug my fingernails into my palms and forced images of another child – a tiny, fragile baby who didn’t even have the chance to take a breath – out of my mind.
    Following the main course, we had dessert and coffee then Sam stood. ‘Thank you all for the company and for the food. It was delightful, Mrs Warham.’
    ‘Oh, Sam!’ Mum blushed and waved a hand at him. ‘It’s Esther to you and thank you for the compliment but it was only roast chicken.’
    Mum’s roasts were legendary in our house