Fireside Romance Book 1: First Flames by Drew Hunt Page B

you managed to stay with him.” I rubbed his back and continued to make soothing noises.
    “When Mum was dying she asked me to look after Dad once she’d gone. She knew we didn’t really get on, but she thought we’d pull closer together after her death.” Mark gave a hollow laugh. “That’s the only reason why I stayed. I thought if I kept out of the old man’s way, I could put up with living at home.”
    “I see.” I knew talking about his home life wasn’t easy, but I thought it better he get it all off his chest.
    “I was dreaming about the day he found Danny and me in bed together. I’d never seen him so angry before. That’s when he came out with all the hateful crap I told you about earlier.”
    I nodded.
    “Dad pulled off his belt. Danny fled, and I cowered at the other side of my bed. When he lumbered round the room towards me, I leapt over the bed, and locked myself in the bathroom. He banged on the door for a bit, but he eventually went downstairs. I knew he’d soon drink himself into unconsciousness. So after a couple of hours I snuck out of the bathroom, got a few things together and left the house.”
    I kissed his cheek, encouraging him to continue.
    “I went round to Danny’s to see if he’d put me up for a while. He didn’t want to get involved. He let me stop on his couch for a night, but I knew I’d have to leave the next day. At the bus station in Newcastle I counted up what bit of money I had, handed it over to the guy at the ticket office and asked him how far it would get me. Don’t know if my question surprised him or not but he printed out a ticket for Littleborough, and here I am.”
    Mark seemed to sag once he’d told his story. I ran my fingers through his curls for a few minutes longer.
    “I’m here for you. I’ll do anything I can to help. I’m sure you know that by now,” I whispered into the silence.
    “Thank you. I do, and believe me, without you I…I…”
    “It’s okay.” I kissed his lips briefly.
    “I’m sorry about earlier…when I asked if we could have a tree. It’s just…when those carol singers came round, I just wanted us to have a really nice Christmas. The last couple at home weren’t very nice.”
    I kissed him again. “Silly man, we’re going to have a tree, and loads of streamers and stuff around the house. We’re going to have the best Christmas either of us can remember.”
    “Thanks, love,” he said.
    That was the first time I could ever remember Mark calling me love. This really wasn’t such a revelation though, as here in the North it’s a fairly commonly used word friends say to each other. But it sounded nice when Mark said it. I was determined to make this a very special Christmas for us both.
    “And we’re having turkey, and some of those little sausages with bacon wrapped around them, and as many types of stuffing as Marks & Spencer sells.”
    Mark sighed in happiness.
    “We’ll make it one to remember.”
    “Thanks.”
    “‘S okay,” I yawned. “Now we’ve got all that sorted, can we get back to the land of Nod?”
    Mark and I snuggled together again, and allowed Morpheus to enfold us once again in his arms.
     
    Chapter 7
     
    “Sorry, Mr Smith, the nurse is running about half an hour behind schedule,” the doctor’s receptionist told Mark. “But if you take a seat, she will see you as soon as she can.”
    We found seats in the waiting room, crowded as usual with anxious mothers and their screaming, hyperactive children.
    After a while I asked Mark if he’d be okay on his own for a bit. “I’ve just got a couple of errands I need to take care of.”
    Mark gave me a smile. “No problem.”
    “Thanks. I won’t be long. Probably be back before you get seen.”
    “Okay, see you later.”
    I’d decided to get a surprise Christmas present for Mark. I hoped he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable that he hadn’t been able to get me a gift in return. Not one he could wrap anyway. Mark agreeing to spend Christmas