A Second Christmas Wish Read online

  Copyright © 2016 Kathryn Freeman

  Published 2016 by Choc Lit Limited

  Penrose House, Crawley Drive, Camberley, Surrey GU15 2AB, UK

  www.choc-lit.com

  The right of Kathryn Freeman to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the UK such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Barnards Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1EN

  EPUB ISBN: 978-1-78189-327-2

  MOBI ISBN: 978-1-78189-326-5

  To those of you kind enough to be reading this book, I wish you a very Happy Christmas. May your mince pies be warm, your tree not shed its needles and all your wishes be answered.

  Contents

  Title page

  Copyright information

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Thank You

  About the Author

  More Choc Lit

  Introducing Choc Lit

  Preview of Before You by Kathryn Freeman

  Acknowledgements

  My deep and heartfelt thanks to Choc Lit. It’s their wonderful Tasting Panel who passed A Second Christmas Wish for publication, their wise editor who pummelled it into shape, their clever cover designer who gave it the Christmas sparkle.

  And Choc Lit who were kind enough to put their name on the front cover next to mine.

  A special thank you to the Tasting Panel readers who read and enjoyed Second Wish and made this possible: Rebecca A, Hrund, Dimitra, Stacey R, Alison B, Linda Sp, Jackie M, Anne W, Katie P, Gill L, Kim L, Debbie J, Sue T, Betty, Alison S.

  Prologue

  Christmas Day, almost three years ago

  The dining room was so silent Melissa could hear her knife scraping the plate as she cut through the turkey. Why didn’t Lawrence talk to his parents, for goodness sake? Why did he just sit there, his face like thunder?

  Her eyes scanned to her in-laws. Attractive yet cold, aloof. Perhaps it was no wonder Lawrence couldn’t talk to them. His parents belonged to an era when the Lord and Lady of the manor ruled their household with a rod of iron. When guests who stepped out of line were silenced with a sharp tongue and a stern look. When children were seen and not heard.

  Lawrence was fast turning into them.

  Next to her, William started to become restless, kicking his legs under the table, shifting about in his seat.

  ‘Finish your meal, darling,’ she whispered.

  He shook his head. ‘Not hungry.’

  Lawrence’s black eyes darted across the table at them and William immediately froze. Melissa touched his small hand reassuringly. ‘Okay, if you’re sure you’ve had enough you need to sit patiently while everyone else finishes.’

  ‘He’s got the appetite of a sparrow,’ Lawrence’s mother stated witheringly. ‘He should be made to eat his meal.’

  Melissa bit the inside of her cheek and fought for control. ‘It’s Christmas day. William should be allowed to do whatever he wants on such a special day, don’t you think?’

  ‘If you give children an inch, they’ll take a mile,’ she retorted, then glanced over towards her son. ‘You’re very quiet, Lawrence. The turkey not to your satisfaction?’

  Lawrence clattered his knife and fork onto his plate and drained the contents of his third glass of wine. ‘I have no appetite for dry turkey,’ he announced, shooting Melissa a cutting glance.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, then bit her lip, angry with herself for being so timid. ‘Perhaps if you put some more gravy on it?’

  ‘Drown overcooked turkey with lumpy gravy?’

  She felt tears prick. Did he have to be so rude to her in front of his parents? In front of their son?

  ‘Manners,’ his father scolded. ‘What’s got into you today?’

  Lawrence reached for the wine bottle and refilled his glass. ‘I’ll tell you what’s got into me. My darling wife announced a few days ago that she’s leaving me.’

  Melissa’s heart bounced inside her rib cage. Oh no. She’d begged him not to raise the subject today. She’d wanted to give William a Christmas to remember – for the right reasons. ‘I don’t think today is the time to discuss this,’ she said, unable to stop her voice from shaking.

  ‘Why not?’

  She turned to William, who was hanging his head, staring at his lap. ‘Because Christmas is a time for smiling. For having fun. Especially when you’re nearly five.’

  ‘And are you having fun, William?’ Lawrence asked his son coldly.

  William’s head shot up. ‘Yes.’

  Lawrence continued to glare. ‘Is that how you’ve been taught to address your elders?’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘And what constitutes fun in your book?’

  Confusion flickered over William’s face and Melissa reached for his hand again, this time holding onto it. ‘Your father just wants to know which part you’ve enjoyed most today.’

  For a brief moment his eyes filled with joy. ‘Opening my presents from Father Christmas.’

  Lawrence snorted. ‘Father Christmas, eh?’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘You seriously believe one man goes round to all the children in the world delivering presents in one day?’

  Melissa inhaled sharply. ‘Don’t,’ she hissed. ‘Please, I beg you, don’t ruin this day for him.’

  ‘Ruin it?’ Lawrence thrust his glass onto the table with such force some of the wine spilt, forming a blood-red stain on the white tablecloth. ‘I rather think you’re the one who’s ruining things.’ His eyes flicked over to William who looked impossibly small on the large antique chair. ‘Let me save you a lot of heartache later in life, son. Love, rather like Father Christmas, doesn’t exist.’

  ‘He does,’ William shouted, shifting agitatedly in his chair. Melissa had never heard him answer his father back, ever.

  ‘If you believe that, then you’re as big a fool as I am.’

  William started to cry and, as he scrambled desperately off his chair, he sent his plate clattering to the floor.

  ‘You bloody idiot,’ Lawrence bellowed.

  Melissa slid off her chair and scooped her sobbing son into her arms. ‘You’re the idiot, Lawrence,’ she replied as evenly as she could. ‘Mr and Mrs Raven,’ she nodded over to her in-laws, ‘I’ll leave your son to entertain you. I’m going to take William upstairs.’

  She spent the rest of the day playing games with William in his playroom. Because it was a far better way to spend Christmas afternoon than sitting with his stuffy parents, Melissa almost felt like thanking Lawrence for his petulant outburst at the dinner table. Almost. But she would never forgive him for taking the magic out of the day for William. Though she’d tried to reassure him Father Christmas did exist – that his father thought he was being funny saying he didn’t – she wasn’t sure William believed her.

  When he was finally asleep in bed, Melissa walked hesitantly back downstairs. She found Lawrence sitting by himself in the lounge, staring into the fire. With the crackle of the logs, the cosy glow of the flames and the fresh smell of the pine tree she and William had carefully decorated, the scene should have brought her a warm, fuzzy Christmas feeling. It didn’t.

  The man on the sofa was too cold, the atmosphere far too tense.

  ‘Decided to come back down, have we?’ Lawrence stood and walked towards her, his dark eyes glittering menacingly.

  ‘You upset your son today,’ she accused, fighting for calm though her heart was hammering. ‘How could you do that?’

  Irritation flickered across his face. ‘You mollycoddle him too much. He’s turning into a real mummy’s boy, frightened of his own shadow. He needs toughening up.’

  ‘He’s a few days away from being five. ’ She dared to look up at him. ‘I asked you not to discuss the separation today. It wasn’t the right time.’

  ‘I beg to differ. My parents had a right to know.’ He bent his head and she caught the smell of stale wine on his breath, mingling with his exotic aftershave. ‘I still find you incredibly attractive, Melissa.’

  The words – ones she’d heard often over the years – were almost a purr. Once she’d believed them. Now she knew it was his way of keeping control. One minute charming, the next cruel, it made sure he kept her unbalanced. ‘And you’re still trying to manipulate me,’ she retorted, twisting her body away fr
om the confines of his. ‘I won’t be pushed or pressured by you anymore.’ Back ramrod straight, she raised her chin. ‘You got away with it when I was young and naive. Now I’m old enough to fight back.’

  Lawrence took a step away, his long hair falling away from his sharp features. ‘How is telling my wife she’s attractive, trying to manipulate her?’

  ‘You blow hot and cold, and I’m tired of second guessing your mood. Tired of feeling on edge all the time, wondering how you’re going to react to me. How you’re going to treat your son.’

  His lip curled. ‘You make me sound like an ogre. Have I ever hit you, hurt you?’

  ‘Physically, no.’ Damn, her voice had started to tremble. She took in a deep breath before speaking again. ‘You had an affair, Lawrence. Did you really think that wouldn’t hurt me?’

  He laughed harshly. ‘That was ages ago and there were reasons for that. Reasons I’ve explained and you accepted.’

  ‘It doesn’t mean I forgot, or forgave. I can’t trust you any more. I can’t trust your mood, your fidelity, your treatment of William. I want out.’

  ‘So you’ve already told me.’ Reaching out a hand, he ran his finger down her cheek. ‘Do you remember the day we first met? You were modelling my new range and I’d never seen a more exquisite creature, yet when I went to introduce myself you were so unsure, so shy. I knew right then you were not only going to be a superstar, you were going to be my wife.’

  ‘And you made sure of both.’ Her life had changed almost overnight. He’d thrust her into the limelight, turning her from a painfully shy, unheard of young model into Melissa Raven, supermodel and wife to the hottest designer in the country. ‘I’m grateful for what you gave me,’ she added, moving away from his touch. ‘But now I want to live my own life, not one made for me.’

  He sighed, dropping his hand and swivelling dramatically on his heel before settling elegantly onto the sofa. ‘It’s a mistake,’ he barked coldly. ‘Without me backing you, your career will tumble.’

  ‘You think I care that much about wearing clothes and smiling for the camera?’

  He glared back. ‘You will, when the glamorous lifestyle you’ve enjoyed comes to an abrupt end. Still, it’s your loss. I’m not going to beg you to stay.’

  Chewing on her bottom lip, she fought for the courage to ask the most important question. ‘Will you want joint custody of William?’

  His dark eyes widened in surprise, and then he started to laugh. ‘Of course not. We both know I never wanted the boy.’ Then his features turned sharp. ‘But for appearance’s sake I’ll want to see him now and again.’

  ‘Fine.’

  Joy flared at the knowledge he wasn’t going to fight her for William and for a brief moment she wanted to put her arms around Lawrence. Thank him for letting her have her son. But one look into his eerie dark eyes and the impulse died. ‘I’m going up to my room.’

  Those eyes watched her carefully. ‘It’s Christmas day. Surely you aren’t going to leave your husband alone on such a … what did you call it? Ah yes, such a special day.’

  Though she wanted to escape upstairs, she didn’t. Out of habit, and a desire to keep the peace, Melissa did what her husband asked of her. She spent the rest of Christmas evening with him.

  Later that night though, as she opened the door to her bedroom – the one she’d moved into last week, next door to William and at the other end of the corridor to Lawrence – she promised herself next year it would be different. She and William would spend Christmas in their own house.

  And with a bit of luck, away from Lawrence’s oppressive, controlling presence, they might both learn to loosen up and live a little.

  Chapter One

  At the knock on the door, Melissa sighed and grabbed at the bag of sweets she’d left on the side. Halloween seemed to be the only time they ever received visitors. Tentatively she opened the door.

  When she saw who was there, all she wanted to do was slam it shut again.

  ‘Lawrence.’

  He gave her a twisted smile. ‘Melissa.’

  She should ask him in, she thought, then dismissed the idea. She was done being subservient to Lawrence. It was nearly three years since she’d left him. Now she did what she wanted, not what was wanted of her. ‘What brings you here?’

  ‘Aren’t you going to invite me in, first?’

  ‘No. I repeat, what are you doing here?’

  He sighed dramatically. ‘Fine, if we must discuss private matters on your doorstep. The reason I’m here, my darling Melissa, is to ask to see my son over the Christmas holiday.’

  Every cell in her body seemed to freeze. Right now she bitterly regretted her decision to let Lawrence know where she’d moved to. At the time she’d harboured a crazy hope that he might change once she’d left him. Might wake up to realise how lucky he was to have such a beautiful son and want to build a proper relationship with him, one borne of love and patience, not disinterest and domination.

  The last few years had only proved how delusional she’d been.

  ‘Christmas?’ she finally managed. ‘How do you expect me to plan that far ahead? I haven’t even thought about it yet.’

  ‘Which is why I’m telling you now. I’ll be spending a lot of my time in the States over the next month, but I’m back in England for Christmas. Evangeline wants to meet him.’

  ‘Evangeline?’ Her mind instantly recalled the dark-haired woman she’d shared both a catwalk and a husband with. Evangeline hadn’t smiled because it caused wrinkles, and hadn’t talked to the other models because thought she was above them all. ‘Why her?’

  ‘What do you mean, why her?’

  ‘Why would she want to see William?’

  ‘Because he’s my son.’

  Melissa registered the implication, that Lawrence was now dating the super bitch, and felt nothing. No anger, no bitterness, no jealousy. Just a calm nothing. She almost smiled. Almost. ‘Why do you want to see William?’

  Lawrence gave her one of his arrogant smirks. ‘Don’t most fathers want to see their sons? Especially over Christmas?’

  ‘You’re not most fathers. In fact, you’ve barely been one at all.’

  ‘Come now, you’re being cruel.’ He gave a dismissive shake of his head. ‘It’s not my fault I’ve had to spend most of the last few years out of the country. Let’s just say I want to make up for lost time.’

  ‘You want to update your image more like.’ She knew her ex-husband, and the world of fashion he was driven by. As one of the country’s leading designers he was constantly setting new trends, many of which continued into his personal life. When she’d first met him he’d been the sophisticated bachelor. A party-animal, enjoying his freedom following a strict upbringing. When he’d married her, he’d morphed into the glamorous, attentive husband. At least as far as the media were concerned. Since their divorce, his star had started to wane. ‘Is William the latest attempt to prop up your dwindling image? Are you trying for super dad?’

  ‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.’ Scorn filled his features, making him appear cruel.

  ‘Well, whatever your reason, you can’t take him away for a few days. He hardly knows you. It would terrify him.’

  ‘Still frightened of his own shadow?’

  Her hand clutched tighter onto the door handle. ‘William is a shy, sensitive seven-year-old who needs love and support. Not a fickle father who bullies him.’

  Lawrence’s mouth hardened. ‘You’re exaggerating. I simply instilled some much-needed discipline into him. And besides, it’s my right to see him.’

  ‘Just as it’s my duty as a mother to do what’s best for him. God, Lawrence, you’ve only bothered to see him once since I left you.’ And that stilted afternoon would remain with her for a lifetime. ‘If you want to build a relationship with him, I can’t stop you. But you’ll do it my way, or not at all.’ Melissa marvelled at how calm she sounded. He’d never know by the tone of her voice how much she shook inside. How terrified she was that Lawrence would simply push her aside and take William away.

  ‘And what is your way?’ Lawrence asked, leaning his shoulder against the wall, his hands loosely shoved into his pocket.

  ‘We all go out together, at a time and place of my choosing.’

  Lawrence snorted. ‘Oh my dear Melissa, I hardly think you’re in a position to dictate terms. The custody agreement clearly stated I would have access to him when I wanted.’ His dark eyes skimmed over her face, scrutinising, assessing. ‘You’re harder than the shy girl I married. It doesn’t suit you.’ Straightening, he carefully secured his flamboyant wine-coloured fedora onto his head. ‘I’ll be in touch.’