Copper to Red (The Dillwyns' Stories) by Ceri Bladen Page B

pain even.  He had asked Willow if there
was a problem but she denied any.  He sighed, hating feeling helpless, there
wasn’t much he could do until he knew what was upsetting her. He really wished
that his wife hadn’t chosen this week to go and see her sister as she was needed
to have a word with their daughter.  He was ashamed to say that he didn’t have
a clue what might have upset her, he knew very little of what she did outside
the pub.   Over the years of living with two women, David had learned that it
was sometimes best to leave things lie, they would talk when they needed to. 
He just hoped it was soon.
    Tom shook
the raindrops off his coat and pushed open the Red Lion door, glad to see that
most of the customers had already left, due to the late hour.  After last
night, he really didn’t need a scene again - it had already been one very long
day.  As he walked towards the bar, he saw Willow throw down the cloth she was
holding, annoyance dancing in her eyes.  Hesitating a fraction, he wondered whether
this was the right time to talk to her.  He pushed himself forward as he knew
what he had to do.  Eyes straight, he continued walking to the bar, ignoring
all of the nudging and pointing that was going on around him from the people
still left.
    “Hello, Mr Dawkins,
would it be possible to have a quick word with your daughter?” Tom asked out of
politeness.  He turned towards Willow and caught the cautious look in her
narrowed eyes.  Tom released his breath, well at least he couldn’t detect any anger. 
He was not looking forward to this talk with Willow, it was crushing him.
    David looked
back and forth between Willow and Tom, confusion crossing his brow.  What was
going on?  What did his daughter need to chat with Tom Dillwyn about?  Perhaps
it was just about what went on last night. Still he felt uneasy.  “Willow?” he
asked cautiously.
    “It’s okay
Dad.  Tom come through to the back.”  She lifted the bar so he could get
through and made her way to the back, Tom following close behind.  When she had
seen him walk in, hope had faded instantly when she had seen his guarded,
sallow face.  She knew she wasn’t going to like what he said.  Her feet felt
like lead as she made her way into the back room.  Taking a calming breath she
slowly turned to look at him, chin held high.  There was no way he was going to
see how much she was hurting on the inside.
    Tom’s dulled
green eyes looked pleadingly at her, willing her to understand what he needed
to do.  It killed him when he saw her pale slightly.  “Willow…” he took a
steadying breath, “Willow… I know you saw and heard everything that went on in
the pub last night.”  He shoved his hands in his pocket, he so wanted to touch
her, but knew he couldn’t - not ever again.  “I have just left Sarah and her
parents…”
    Willow felt
her knees buckle and pushed them straight, she knew what was coming, in her
heart she knew Tom would never abandon Sarah.  She bit the inside of her cheek
trying to keep some control, not about to embarrass herself by crying in front
of him.  Her fingers felt for the chair beside her, her body desperately
wanting to sit in it, but her pride wouldn’t let him see how devastated she
was, it wouldn’t help either of them.  She needed to be strong.
    “… and we
have decided that we are going to get married before the baby is born.”  The
statement came out of Tom’s mouth in a rush.
    With a
strength she didn’t know she possessed she forced a smile on her face.  “Well
congratulations.  I am pleased for you both.  Imagine you a father.”  She had
to stifle a sob, hoping her voice didn’t betray her feelings.
    The first
genuine smile from Tom split his face, he was going to love his child and he
was sure, over time, he would get to love Sarah.  His smile faded slightly, he
wanted to tell Willow that he loved her , but that would be unfair on
her.  Willow and Sarah deserved more