Page 92 of New Beginnings on Railway Lane

Or rather, Ryan had made it so much better, she realised.

‘Then it must be a Christmas miracle,’ he told her, with a kiss.

* * *

Another miracle happened just before Christmas. A card arrived for Ryan from his mum, along with one for Bob as well. Katy and Ryan stayed close when Bob had opened the envelope, but he nodded and gave a teary smile as he read the message from his ex-wife before handing them the card to read.

‘Merry Christmas,’ she had written. ‘I hope you can forgive me over time and that next year brings you the happiness that you deserve. You will always have a place in my heart for all that we’ve shared together.’

‘I hope she’s happy at last,’ said Bob, with a nod. ‘I truly do.’

Ryan hugged his dad whilst Katy mused that time really did help to heal everything.

On Christmas morning, Katy was woken by the most delicious smell and quickly got up to rush into the kitchen.

‘Cranberry and orange breakfast muffins,’ Ryan told her, with a soft kiss.

‘Mmm,’ she replied, wrapping her arms around him. ‘Let’s hope the turkey is just as good.’

They were interrupted by Ethan coming into the kitchen. ‘Let’s hope that Dad put it in the oven at seven this morning, otherwise we’re going to be eating sometime around midnight,’ he drawled, stealing a muffin from the plate. ‘It appears that I’ll be the lone gooseberry for the festive period,’ he added, with a cheeky wink at Katy before disappearing once more.

Katy blushed whilst Ryan just laughed and shook his head. ‘There’s a first time for everything,’ he called out after his brother.

Ethan had arrived on Christmas Eve and wouldn’t head off to start his new job until just after the new year so he was staying with them for the week. Katy could tell how pleased Ryan was that his brother’s stay in Cranfield was for much longer this time.

Ethan went ahead early to his grandad’s cottage, laden down with many of the presents.

Meanwhile, Katy rang her mum to wish her a merry Christmas.

‘You sound different,’ her mum told her once they’d chatted about their plans for the day. ‘Relaxed. Happy.’

‘I am,’ replied Katy. ‘I truly am.’

‘Then that’s the best Christmas present I could ask for,’ said her mum, sounding pleased.

Afterwards, Katy and Ryan walked out of the apartment and were nearly at Eddie’s cottage when Katy reached out to touch Ryan’s arm.

‘Hey,’ she said, hesitating before finding the courage to speak on. ‘I just wanted to say that, well, whatever happens today, this is the best Christmas I’ve had for a very long time.’

Ryan looked down at her with blazing eyes. ‘Me too,’ he said softly, taking a step forward. But before he was able to bend his head to kiss her, the front door was thrown open by his younger brother.

‘You haven’t got time for that,’ said Ethan. ‘Dad and Grandad are arguing over how to prepare the many Brussels sprouts we’re having. Ho, ho, ho.’

Ryan gave Katy a searing look before shaking his head and turning to head down the short front path. As soon as Katy stepped over the threshold, she was greeted with hearty cheers of ‘Merry Christmas’ from both Bob and Eddie. There was even a stocking with her name on it hung up on the fireplace. She was grateful that she had brought presents for everyone in return.

Later, as she sat down at the dinner table which they were all squeezed around, she thought back to the sterile Christmases she had had over the years. And they couldn’t compete with how happy she was at that moment. Bob’s hat kept slipping down over his eyes, but he merely laughed and carried on telling the joke from his cracker. Eddie kept sneaking both himself and Katy an extra After Eight mint as they sat in the corner. Meanwhile, Ethan was topping up everyone’s wine glasses and groaning at the terrible jokes.

And then there was Ryan. Their eyes met at some point and they shared a secret smile. The Connolly family had made Christmas, but it was Ryan that had made it perfect.

Christmas music was put on to accompany the washing and wiping of the dishes as Eddie’s cottage didn’t feature anything as modern as a dishwasher. But Katy found she didn’t mind and even had a dance with Ethan to Mariah Carey before Ryan nudged him out of the way.

Once the washing up was done, Ryan announced, ‘Who’s up for a walk?’

Ethan shook his head. ‘You must be joking. I’m shattered from all that housework. Besides, there’s too much excitement in here already.’

Katy followed his gaze to where Bob and Eddie were dozing off in their chairs.

‘I’ll keep an eye on them whilst you two find the mistletoe,’ said Ethan, giving Katy a knowing grin.