The Gift of Happiness by Holly Martin

Author:Holly Martin [Martin, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

Jacob was watching TV when he heard someone letting themselves into the shop and then start walking up the stairs to his flat.

He wondered if it was Ruby and he quickly shot up and started tidying up, taking his dirty cups to the kitchen. Then he realised the footsteps on the stairs were a lot heavier than someone Ruby’s size would produce.

Andrew appeared in the doorway and grinned at Jacob obviously mid-tidy.

‘It’s OK, I’m not Ruby,’ Andrew teased.

‘I could tell the difference with you galumphing up the stairs.’

Jacob flopped back down on the sofa and immediately grabbed the TV remote and switched on the subtitles. It was an automatic thing. Although Andrew could hear pretty well with his hearing aids in, it was still easier for him to follow what was happening on TV with subtitles on, even if he had no interest in the programme about the Ancient Greeks Jacob had been vaguely watching.

‘So are you really going through with this Polar Bear Plunge?’ Andrew said, as he helped himself to a beer from the fridge.

The mention of it gave Jacob a sick feeling in his stomach.

‘I think I have to. I’ve been telling Ruby she has to face her fears. It’d be a bit hypocritical if I couldn’t face mine,’ Jacob said.

‘It’s a bit different, you nearly died.’

‘I don’t know if it’s that different. She lost her husband; I cannot even begin to imagine the pain she suffered from that. The courage to face that fear feels… insurmountable in comparison to a twenty-second swim in the sea.’ He took a swig of his beer, trying to get rid of the bitter taste in his mouth. ‘Although it doesn’t mean I’m happy about doing it.’

His brother clearly had more to say on the subject but Jacob cut him off before he could dwell on it any longer. He really didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

‘What do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight anyway?’ Jacob said.

‘Well, I thought, as the girls are probably occupying themselves with talk about us, we could hang out and talk about them.’

‘I’m sure Ruby has better things to talk about than me,’ Jacob said.

‘Well, she came to her shop today while I was fixing it. You definitely came up in conversation.’

He wasn’t going to rise to the bait. He grabbed the remote again and flicked through the channels.

Andrew took a long deliberate swig of beer.

‘Do you mean, you brought me up in conversation?’ Jacob said.

‘I can’t remember how you came up,’ Andrew said vaguely.

Jacob sighed. ‘Go on then, I’ll bite. What did she say?’

‘Well, she’s a bit concerned by your plans to get married and settle down.’

‘She’s concerned because she thinks those plans involve her.’

Andrew stole one of the crisps that were in a bowl on the table. ‘And do they?’

‘Do I want to marry someone who is terrified of marriage? I don’t think so,’ Jacob said, knowing he wasn’t being entirely truthful with his brother. There was something about Ruby that made him think about forever.

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