When Christmas Comes to Town by Clare Revell

Author:Clare Revell [Revell, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction, inspirational fiction, Clean and Wholesome Novels, Religion and Spirituality
ISBN: 9781522304043
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2022-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

8

Ivy slid into the back row of the gallery upstairs in the chapel. She’d hung on as long as she could, hoping Rhett would be home in time so they could go to the carol service together. She’d barely made it herself, getting the last space in the car park.

The opening to O Come All Ye Faithful began, and she rose to sing. Below her, she watched Holly glance around looking for her.

Ivy pushed back as far as she could, wishing she were invisible. Maybe she should have stayed home and streamed the service over the internet. Some evenings she still did, rather than come out. Especially those days when nothing had gone right, and she really couldn’t face church. Pastor Jack always said church was one place you shouldn’t have to hide your feelings, but Ivy always did. If she didn’t reply with the answer “fine,” no one quite knew how to take it. Sheer disappointment filled her at sitting alone. She’d really been hoping Rhett would be here. Daft when she thought about it. They weren’t dating, not really. Yet, when he was around everything seemed brighter.

Her voice trembled, and she glanced at the door next to her. She could creep out, unseen, whilst everyone was singing, and be home before the sermon. That way she could hide with just the tree lights on, and no one would see how sad she was tonight.

Ivy slipped out and down the stairs to the main door. She’d almost made it to the corner of the street before she walked into someone coming the other way. “Oh…sorry.”

Rhett grabbed her arm to keep her upright. “Ivy? Where are you going?”

“Ummm…” She pointed. “This way.”

“Jared dropped me off in the car park and went to park somewhere else. I said I could get a lift home with you.” He angled his head. “Where are you really going?”

She worried her bottom lip. “Home. I’m just not in the mood for a worship service tonight. The church is full of these really happy, excited people, and I’m just tired and sad and want to go home.”

“Sounds to me as though you need church tonight, but I can understand you not wanting to be there. How about we go somewhere and just talk, or sit in silence, or have coffee?”

“I don’t want to stop you going to the service.”

He took her hand, warmth spreading through her cold fingers. “I can listen on catch up later. And as much as you don’t want to be here, I don’t think you really want to be alone either. Do you?”

“No…” Ivy shivered. He was right. How did he know her so well already? “Have you eaten?”

“Not since lunch. I thought I’d grab something later.”

“Then how about the fast-food place by the craft store on the way home? You can eat and I can drown myself in hot chocolate.”

“Sounds good to me.” Rhett didn’t let go of her hand as they walked back to the car park.

Ivy was glad of that.

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