A Very Special Holiday Gift by Barbara Hannay

Author:Barbara Hannay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

AFTERWARDS, ZAC’S MEMORIES of Liv’s funeral were fragmentary at best. He could recall the harrowing hollowness he felt on entering the small church lit with candles and Christmas brightness, and filled with a surprising number of people. But he remembered very little of the short eulogy he gave, although he did his best to give his sister’s new friends a few cheering pictures of Liv’s happy family life in Australia, and of the deep love he’d always felt for her.

He thanked everyone gathered there for offering his sister the welcoming warmth of their friendship and for coming today to honour Liv’s memory. He thanked Father Tom...having earlier handed him an envelope with a cheque that he hoped would convey his immense gratitude.

Moving outside again was the worst moment—bidding farewell to Liv’s coffin before it was driven away. Zac felt as if he couldn’t breathe. His throat burned as if he’d swallowed a hot ember and his hand was shaking as he reached into his coat pocket and drew out a piece of coral, one of two pieces he’d found on a shelf in Liv’s room.

Bleached white and bony, like miniature antlers, Zac had recognised them immediately as coral their mother had collected when they’d lived on the island, pieces that Liv had always kept with her.

Today he placed one slender branching cluster on her coffin.

‘Bye, Liv,’ he whispered. Then, blinded by tears, he wrapped his fingers around the other piece still in his pocket.

When he felt an arm slip through his, he turned to see Chloe, who offered him a markedly wobbly smile.

‘You were wonderful,’ she told him, and her eyes were shiny with tears as she picked up the tail of his scarf and tucked it back inside his coat, before lifting her face to press a warm kiss to his cheek.

Zac closed his eyes, more touched by the simple gesture than was possibly appropriate. He suspected that, while other memories might fade, this particular moment would stay with him for ever.

* * *

Even though it was Christmas Eve, Skye and Liv’s other housemates insisted on inviting everyone back to the house. In no time the place was crammed with a huge range of young people, including Father Tom.

As mugs of mulled wine and savoury platters were passed around, Chloe was introduced to a fascinating crowd with a wide range of British accents, as well as the more distinctive voices of people who were clearly new arrivals, just as Liv had been.

She met a Brazilian man, a kitchen hand who was not only stunningly handsome but extremely polite and charming. Next, she was introduced to two Polish plumbers with shaved heads who looked fierce but were actually super-friendly. A large West Indian girl showered everyone with her beaming smile.

Of course, all of Liv’s friends wanted to make a fuss of Lucy and, to Chloe’s surprise, they’d even brought presents for the baby—so many gifts, in fact, that Zac was going to need another suitcase.

Zac was extremely

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