The Promise by Emma Heatherington

Author:Emma Heatherington [Heatherington, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-03-08T17:00:00+00:00

DAVID

I’m sitting in the garden, in my father’s chair, under the tree where the birds sing a pleasant morning melody that couldn’t be further from my mood right now. My stomach is in bits, my head is banging after I tried to numb my feelings with too much whisky last night. I feel as if my blood is curdling as it runs through my veins, as despair grips me and leaves my head in a very dark place.

I picture Lesley and her family getting ready for today in a nearby hotel, and every time I think of her, buck’s fizz in hand, having her blonde hair styled just like she’d planned it, her white dress hanging on the door as her sister and her mother fuss over her, and the dainty shoes she bought from America waiting to be worn for the first and only time, I feel as though I’m going to be sick.

It’s 9.30 a.m.

I check my phone and my heart jumps when I see there’s a message from Kate at last. As well as imagining with dread what Lesley is doing now, I’m also pining to know how Kate is feeling. I haven’t spoken with her in almost ten days since I spilled my guts out to her about the miscarriage and, although there has been so much going on, as Lesley and I packed up on autopilot and we made our way across the Irish Sea on the ferry for the wedding two days ago, every second without having Kate in my life to talk to has felt like someone boring holes in my heart.

‘Thinking of you. Have a wonderful day x’

Oh God. My head throbs like a beating drum and I pray for some direction. I beg for some spiritual guidance, for some advice to come from somewhere, anywhere, to please help me. I’ve never felt so alone in my life.

I can hear footsteps behind me and, from the way they are light as they patter across the gravel, I know it’s my mother.

I knew she’d find me here eventually. I try and focus on my breathing, wondering where to start to try and explain to her, if I can find the words, how I’m feeling on what is meant to be the happiest day of my life.

‘I thought you’d be in the shower by now,’ she says, putting a mug of cappuccino on the table beside me, her jolly smile tinged with just a hint of uncertainty. ‘You didn’t eat your breakfast, David. It’s probably nerves, mind you. I remember on my wedding morning I couldn’t eat a bite, but you’ll be glad you did later if you can manage something. Even a piece of toast?’

‘I don’t want anything to eat, but thanks, Mum.’

‘I could do you some porridge? Or even some fruit?’

‘Honestly, I can’t even think of food,’ I say to her, staring ahead. I swallow hard, wondering if I can spit out what it is I want to say.

‘David, what’s wrong, love?’

Mum pulls a chair beside me and takes my hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.