Creative writing – A Christmas to remember

For the first beat in her life, Catherine Benson go ab protrude the prospect of spending Christmas alone. With a mixture of fond thoughts of the ancient and the sadness, she recalled the Christmass of her childishness intelligent times full of love, laughter and family to postureherness. However, this year, her parents were spending Christmas with her brother, who was happily conjoin and with a family of his own. He lived In Wales. Of course, ever since college there had been Anthony. But in time cerebrateing the name now bought pain of sadness and loneliness. Anthony and Catherine had been inseparable. They has so many an(prenominal) plans for the future. Theyd shared dreams and so she thought, they shared lives. But that had all crumbled to dust in the last few months. The love she thought would last forever had failed to root the first major test of their relationship.Sighing, she draped the last piece of impart over the branches of her small shoetree and stepped back t o cast a circumstantial eye upon it. It barely seemed worth the effort just for herself. Some how the tree and the fireplace, served just now to make her situation seem little more worthwhile. If only she could get Anthony McBride out of her mind as effectively as he had removed himself from her life. But he crept into her thoughts at the most weirdest times and though it had been several hard painful weeks since they had split up, shed been unable to let go of her deep feelings for him, she couldnt ignore them.Were having a couple of superstars over for Christmas Eve. Catherine please judge youll come. Louise Andrews enticed at work the next day.New whizs and a new blood line had given her something to focus on after Anthony. But, unused to being atomic number 53, and lock in nursing her broken heart, Catherine had shied away from taking up a cordial life again.I dont know, Louise. She express answered cautiously.Come on. Her coadjutor replied joyfully. Its Christmas-the last of the cytosine Itll only be a small gathering I promise.Smiling, Catherine allowed herself to be persuaded. Perhaps Louise was right. With the millennium coming up, it was time to cast off the past and to look forward to the future with hope and new years resolutions. So on the night before Christmas, she found herself hovering anxiously outside the access of the flat that Louise shared with her fianc, Dominic. Very nervously she took a deep schnorkel and rang the doorbell.Catherine Im so glad you decided to come. Louise greeted her with a warm smile.These are for you Catherine hand over a bottle of wine and a big recession of chocolates. grubby its non very original.Theyre lovely Let me take your rise up and get you a drink, then I can introduce you to everyone.Catherine hesitated in the doorway of the nicely decorated living room. Soft relaxing euphony played in the background, and half a dozen people stood in small groups, chatting and laughing.Youll soon relax an d find everyone authentically adorerly. Dominic has invited a friend from the gym. Hell be feeling just as nervous as you, severe to get back into the swing of things as a single person after the break up of a long-term relationship.Now I hope youre non matchmaking. Catherine protested with an anxious smile.Maybe just a bit. Louise teased. Dominic says his friend is funny, generous and compassionate, and if hes half as good looking as Ive been travel by to believe, youll be thanking me before the evening is over.Catherine doubted it, solely she held her tongue. Slipping her wine, she curbed the sudden sense to run. She had to face some people some time.I thought youd ducked out on me. Dominic greeted his guest when the door opened.I did wonder about coming, only I knew if I didnt I would never hear the end of it. Sorry if Im late.Thats okay. Its only a buffet supper and we pretendnt started yet. Come and dally the others, what will you learn to drink?Beer if you have it, thank. He replied.Stepping intensively inside the flat. Anthony asked himself for the hundredth time what he was doing here. Parties werent his thing hed tended to shy away from social gatherings of any benign in the last few weeks, turning himself into work and sport instead. side by side(p) Dominic into the kitchen, he leaned on the counter and watched as his friend poured the drinks.Louise has bought a friend from the bank I think you should meet. Dominic give tongue to cautiously.Anthonys heart sank.I dont deprivation to meet anyone, not like that anyway.Shes lovely Anthony, shes been excruciation badly herself, so she knows how difficult it is to take the plunge and meet new people. Give her a accident shes funny and intelligent. Youll like her.Strongly wishing he hadnt come, merely unable to walk of life away, Anthony followed his friend through to the other room. The sound of the spry conversation daunted on him for a moment, and he hesitated on the threshold. As soo n as he entered the room, a tingle of awareness caught him by surprise. He scanned the room, and then he saw her. Catherine. His breath caught in his throat. Suddenly, it was as if the last painful, lonely weeks had been stripped away. She was here, in the same room, looking as lovely as ever, only if unapproachable and out of his reach. Before he could retreat, Catherine turned and saw him. Shock registered on her face. His mouth tightened, just as she had been shutting him out in the last few weeks theyd been together.Come and meet Carolyn Dominic suggested.No..I..His friend brushed his protest aside.She was very broken up over the split with her fianc. But she told Louise that he just never listened to her. Dominic confided quietly.Catherine had said that? Stunned, Anthony didnt resist as Dominic steered him across the room.Catherine couldnt believe that Anthony was here. What a disaster. unless the snoop of him had brought back all the pain and heartache and it had taken only a second to confirm her worst fears. Despite everything, she still loved him.Thats the friend of Dominics I was telling you about. Louise whispered, pushing her forward.They met in the middle of the room. If it hadnt have been so embarrassing it would have been funny. But she was too hurt, too shocked to laugh. And it was decease that Louise and Dominic had no idea what was happening.Well leave you to get to know each other. Louise smiled.You have so much in common. Dominic said innocently.Louise and Dominic sneaked off quietly.I didnt think I would ever see you again. Catherine managed to say after a strain moment.How have you been? Anthony said awkwardly.Not good. She admitted. You?The same.Anthony absorbed everything about her, every single feature of her was the same, except the fact that she was thinner and her complexion had lost the happy healthy glow that it was had.Did you really say that I never listened to you? Dominic enquired.She nodded, her work force nervously fid dling in front of her.Well you thought that I didnt need you anymore. Catherine replied.You shut me outNo I never, you werent interested you were perpetually so take with work, you never had time for me. You never took time to really listen to me, not like used to.Anthony took a step back, think all the silly quarrels that had taken their toll on their relationship. Catherine corroborated that uncomplete of them had listened to each other. Everyone regrouped to enjoy the buffet supper.Neither of them ate anything, they were too busy thinking about what they had said to each other. And what now, did he still bearing for her as she cared for him?She met his gaze across the room. How could she loved him so much and not realize how he was feeling? Was there a aspect they could get back together, could he forgive her?Anthony tried to mix with the other guests, but he couldnt stop thinking about Catherine. Could she forgive him for all the hurt and pain he had caused her? The weeks without her had been dreadful, and seeing her again had only made him realize how much he really needed her. Was it too late?At last the gathering broke up. Anthony said goodbye and left the flat, but instead of going straight home, he waited outside for Catherine to appear.Thank you for this evening. Catherine murmured. She slipped on her coat and left. As she was leaving the expression she matte up disappointed that Anthony had left and nothing happened between them.A figure emerged from the shadows as she left the building and stepped onto the pavement.Oh. She gasped. I thought you had gone. She said. Relieved with the fact the he had waited for her.Can I walk you home? Anthony asked.Thank you Id like that.They walked side by side. Catherine felt nervous, uncertain what to say, but scared if she said nothing at all. Just being near her made him feel better.He didnt want this chance to slip, but could he find the right words to say? They began to walk slower and slower and gra dually they came to a halt, where they turned to each other.Im sorry. They said in harmony along with a nervous smile.Anthony reached out a tentative hand to take one of hers.Ive missed you, Catherine. He whispered.Ive been so miserable without you. She replied.Very slowly they drew together and hugged.We havent been very clever. They agree with each other.Will you take me back, give me a second chance? Anthony questioned.Only if you will. Look its snowing.Across the road the church bell struck midnight. Christmas day.Shall we go in? Anthony asked.Yes please, we have so much to give thanks for. She agreed.Behind them another couple strolled slowly towards the church.Theyll be alright now. Louise enunciate with satisfaction.Shall we tell them we knew all along? Dominic asked.Maybe one day, but not just yet.Squeezing her hand as they walked up the steps, Dominic knew he was equally lucky in the love that he had.Happy Christmas, Louise