‘What’s this?’ Eddie returned the Christmas decorations to the loft and picked up an unwrapped present he’d found tucked away in a corner. He blew off the dust and coughed. There was no name on it, just a ‘K’, which meant it must have been for his wife, Kayla, the only ‘K’ in the family.
Obviously he’d forgotten about it. Had it meant to be for this year, or a past Christmas? The dust suggested it had been there for a long time.
He had form for buying early gifts and forgetting about them. A few years ago he found a present in his boot that hadn’t even been wrapped, but it had worked in his favour. It turns out women don’t appreciate anti-wrinkle products as gifts because a few days later, an advert for an anti-wrinkle cream came on, she’d pinched her eyebrows together and said, ‘Imagine receiving that for Christmas.’ Eddie shuddered at the thought of his close call with that one.
December sun shone through the landing window, making visible the dust particles drifting like snow. He squinted at the sudden brightness.
‘Kayla,’ he said, bounding down the stairs. He paused at the bottom to catch his breath, he wasn’t getting any younger. ‘I’ve got something for you.’ He couldn’t remember what he’d brought her, but it had all the feels of a lovely piece of jewellery. Kayla would love it when she saw it, and it was bound to give him a few brownie points.
‘The answer’s no,’ came the short sharp reply of his attentive wife. ‘I’m too busy and I’m too tired.’
He found her in the kitchen in her apron and rubber gloves, washing the dishes, bubbles spilling over the bowl. He leaned against the breakfast bar, arms out in front of him, ‘I think you’ll like this.’
She turned around and saw him holding a present, a rare smile spreading across her face. ‘What is it?’ She pulled off the gloves and wiped her hands down her apron.
He let out a loud breath and handed her the present, ‘open it and you’ll find out.’
‘Looks like something special,’ she said, bouncing from foot to foot. ‘Shall we dim the lights and sit by the fire?’ Her eyes sparkled.
He felt a tingling in his limbs, he was definitely on a promise. They shared a look as she gently pulled the wrapping from the package, eyes wide as she lifted the lid. ‘Oh,’ she said, frowning as she picked up a note. Eddie rubbed his chin, his mouth suddenly dry.
What had she opened?
Kayla read out loud, ‘Katrina my naughty little minx, someone as beautiful as you deserves something beautiful to wear.’ She pulled a beautiful red heart on a golden chain from the box, her gazed fixed on her husband, ‘you’ve spelt my name wrong.’
Eddie gasped.
The ‘K’ was for Katrina, how could he have forgotten? His heart raced as he remembered his affair with the buxom blonde with skin so fair, almost ghost like. It happened so long ago, he’d put her out of his mind completely and yet here she was, back from the past, haunting him. ‘It was…I, a…’
A tear dripped down Kayla’s face. He reached out for her but she pulled back, her sparkling eyes now red. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, besides, what would he say? Sorry didn’t seem enough. But he had to say something, the truth perhaps? He swallowed hard, ‘honey, there’s something I need to tell you.’
Quick Reads 