Page 30 of The Perfect Gift

Frankie shook her head. ‘No, not at all. I don’t obsess over my plan. It’s more of a helping hand than something rigid. Easy recipes I can throw together at the end of a long day, that kind of thing.’ She stared down at the food in her lap. ‘This was my favourite meal when I was a kid. A Friday-night treat for me and my mum when I still lived with her.’

‘You mentioned you spent a lot of time in care growing up. Do you see your mum at all?’

Frankie raised her head, glad of the shadowy darkness because it made it easier to talk. ‘No. I tried to connect with her a few years ago, but it didn’t work out.’

‘Oh, Frankie, I’m sorry.’

The corners of her mouth kicked up in a sad smile. ‘Yeah, me too. We talked a bit on the phone. She was reluctant at first, told me I was better off without her in my life, but then she seemed to have a change of heart. I invited her to come and see me in a play. She told me she was a bit short of money so I sent her enough for her train tickets and a hotel.’

‘She didn’t show up?’ There was real anger in Ed’s voice and it made her smile again. Funny that this almost stranger was more concerned for her feelings than her own flesh and blood.

‘Nope. When I called her the next day she made an excuse about being held up at the last minute and missing the train. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and we arranged it again for a couple of weeks later.’ She took a bite of her sausage and chewed it thoughtfully. Once upon a time she wouldn’t have been able to think about any of this, never mind talk about it without feeling angry. Now she just felt sad. Not for herself, but for the part of her that would also be that little girl who’d held out hope for too long.

‘She let you down again.’ Ed sounded more resigned this time.

‘She did. I phoned the hotel and pretended to be her. Made up some lie about a family problem and asked if there was any chance of a refund. Want to guess what they said?’

‘There was no booking.’ Ed shook his head. ‘How could she do that to you?’

‘She changed a lot after she met someone – that’s how I ended up in care. I think her initial reaction to tell me I was better off without her was an honest one. That maybe he forced her to get back in touch and taking the money was his idea.’ She shrugged. ‘Or maybe that’s something I tell myself because it’s better than the alternative. After the second time, I decided to let it go. A few weeks later I got a text saying she needed a couple of hundred pounds to pay her gas bill.’

‘What did you do?’

‘I sent her the money and then I blocked her number on my phone.’ She stared down at the cooling food, the former treat now a greasy pile that turned her stomach. Scrunched the edges of the paper to cover it up.

Without saying anything Ed reached out, took the food and tucked it away in the bag along with his own. He stood and offered her his hand. ‘Come on, let’s get you home.’

She rose, but didn’t take his hand. ‘I can make my own way from here.’

‘How about we split the difference and I walk you to the top of your road?’

‘It’s all of two minutes!’ she protested.

‘Humour me.’ He crooked his elbow towards her.

Frankie stared at him for a long moment before she sighed and tucked her hand into the warmth he offered. ‘You’re very stubborn.’

‘It’s a family trait.’ And one Ed didn’t sound the least bit bothered about.

They walked in silence and as Frankie had predicted they were at the top of the road leading to the cottage in a matter of moments. They stopped and faced each other. ‘You still okay for Friday?’ he asked.

Frankie frowned for a second then remembered what they’d arranged. ‘Christmas-tree shopping? Definitely.’ It was time to make some nice memories. Hopefully if she accumulated enough the bad ones would finally fade away.

Ed stared down at her for a moment then leaned in and brushed the softest of kisses on her cheek. ‘It’s her loss, Frankie.’

She nodded. ‘I know. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt sometimes. Cutting ties with her wasn’t easy, but I had to look after myself.’

Because no one else was going to.

16

After a fitful night Frankie finally dropped off in the early hours and ended up sleeping late. She felt sick and a little groggy, but lying in bed feeling sorry for herself was not on the agenda. She’d lost too many hours over the years mourning the past. There was no more what might have been, there was only the here and now and making the best of each day. The sun was shining, and it was one of those clear, cold days that made everyone want to be outside. Including her.

The beach was busier than usual when she went for her run, and everyone she passed had a smile and a greeting for her. She’d just got back and was standing in the kitchen, her body steaming as the sweat evaporated in the warmth of the central heating, when her phone rang. It was Kayleigh, her agent, and she answered it at once. ‘Hello, you’ll have to excuse the panting, I’ve just got back from my run!’

Kayleigh laughed. ‘Pant away! I’m only calling to make sure everything went okay with the shoot and you’re all finished up.’

‘All done. Hang on a sec, I need a drink.’ Frankie crossed to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, twisted off the cap and took a mouthful. The icy liquid soothed her parched throat. ‘That’s better. Yep, everything’s done and dusted.’