Creative writing – A Christmas to remember

For the commencement exercise time in her living, Catherine Benson demod the fit of spending Christmas alone. With a mixture of fond thoughts of the past and the sadness, she rec wholeed the Christmass of her childhood apt times full of love, laughter and family to compassherness. However, this year, her parents were spending Christmas with her brother, who was happily married and with a family of his own. He lived In Wales. Of course, ever since college there had been Anthony. But even thought the name now bought chafe of sadness and loneliness. Anthony and Catherine had been inseparable. They has so many plans for the future. Theyd divided dreams and so she thought, they shared lives. But that had all crumbled to dust in the stretch forth few months. The love she thought would finis forever had failed to stand the first major test of their relationship.Sighing, she draped the rifle piece of tinsel everywhere the branches of her minor tree and stepped acantha to cast a critical nerve centre upon it. It barely seemed worth the effort dear for herself. Some how the tree and the fireplace, served unless to make her situation seem little more worthwhile. If more all everywhere she could build Anthony McBride out of her mind as effectively as he had remove himself from her life. But he crept into her thoughts at the most weirdest times and though it had been several(prenominal) hard painful weeks since they had split up, shed been otiose to let go of her blockheaded feelings for him, she couldnt ignore them.Were having a couple of friends over for Christmas Eve. Catherine please say youll come. Louise Andrews enticed at work the next day.New friends and a new job had attached her something to focus on later on Anthony. But, unused to macrocosm single, and still treat her broken heart, Catherine had shied away from taking up a social life again.I dont know, Louise. She said answered cautiously.Come on. Her friend replied joyfully. Its Chri stmas-the last of the century Itll moreover be a small gathering I promise.Smiling, Catherine allowed herself to be persuaded. by feel Louise was right. With the millennium coming up, it was time to cast off the past and to date forward to the future with look forward to and new years resolutions. So on the night before Christmas, she found herself hovering anxiously outside the door of the horizontal that Louise shared with her fianc, Dominic. Very nervously she took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.Catherine Im so glad you decided to come. Louise greeted her with a warm smile.These are for you Catherine handed over a bottle of wine and a big box of chocolates. dispirited its not very original.Theyre adorable Let me take your covering and learn you a bedevil, then I can introduce you to everyone.Catherine hesitated in the room access of the nicely decorated living room. Soft relaxing music compete in the dressingground, and half a dozen people stood in small group s, chatting and laughing.Youll short relax and find everyone really friendly. Dominic has invited a friend from the gym. Hell be feeling just as nervous as you, trying 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 not matchmaking. Catherine protested with an anxious smile.Maybe just a bit. Louise teased. Dominic says his friend is funny, lavish and compassionate, and if hes half as good looking as Ive been lead to believe, youll be thanking me before the evening is over.Catherine doubted it, but she held her tongue. Slipping her wine, she curbed the sudden instinct 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, but 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 makent started yet. Come and obtain the others, what will you have to drink?B eer if you have it, thanks. 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 kind in the last few weeks, turning himself into work and sport kind of. Following Dominic into the kitchen, he leaned on the counter and watched as his friend poured the drinks.Louise has bought a friend from the chamfer I think you should meet. Dominic said cautiously.Anthonys heart sank.I dont want to meet anyone, not like that anyway.Shes lovely Anthony, shes been hurt badly herself, so she knows how elusive it is to take the plunge and meet new people. Give her a chance shes funny and in sayigent. Youll like her.Strongly wishing he hadnt come, but unable to walk away, Anthony followed his friend through to the other room. The sound of the lively chat daunted on him for a moment, and he hesitated on the threshold. As soon 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, but unapproachable and out of his r separately. Before he could retreat, Catherine dour and saw him. Shock registered on her face. His mouth tightened, just as she had been mop up 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 get winded to her. Dominic confided quietly.Catherine had said that? Stunned, Anthony didnt stick out as Dominic steered him across the room.Catherine couldnt believe that Anthony was here. What a disaster. Just the sight of him had brought back all the pain and heartache and it had taken only a cooperate to confirm her wo rst 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 glutinous it would have been funny. But she was too hurt, too shocked to laugh. And it was clear that Louise and Dominic had no idea what was happening.Well leave you to get to know each other. Louise smiled.You have so more than 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 tense moment.How have you been? Anthony said awkwardly.Not good. She admitted. You?The same.Anthony absorbed everything about her, every single skylark of her was the same, except the fact that she was thinner and her complexion had lost the happy vigorous glow that it was had.Did you really say that I never listened to you? Dominic enquired.She nodded, her hands nervously fiddling in front of her.Well you thought that I didnt adopt you anymore. Catherine replied.You shut me outNo I never, you werent interested you were always so busy 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, remembering all the silly quarrels that had taken their toll on their relationship. Catherine confirmd that neither of them had listened to each other. Everyone regrouped to enjoy the buffet supper.Neither of them ate anything, they were too busy view about what they had said to each other. And what now, did he still care 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 chance 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 building she felt disappointed that Anthony had left and goose egg 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, changeful 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 unhurried and slower and gradually 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 doubtful hand to take one of hers.Ive missed you, Catherine. He whispered.Ive been so base without you. She replied.Very slowly they drew together and hugged.We havent been very clever. They agreed with each other.Will you take me back, give me a second chance? Anthony questioned. save 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. stooge them another couple strolled slowly towards the church.Theyll be alright now. Louise pronounced 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 gilt in the love that he had.Happy Christmas, Louise