A Family Made at Christmas Read online

  She pushed open the door to the pub, the heat hitting her instantly. It was busy. She jostled her way through the people, scanning one way then another. It didn’t take long to recognise the laugh. She picked Riley’s familiar frame out of the crowd and pushed herself towards him. Her work colleagues were picking up glasses and toasting him. She stumbled as she reached him, her hands coming out and landing square on his chest. His hard, muscular chest.

  ‘April?’ He looked completely surprised. ‘Oh, wow. You made it. That’s great.’ His arm had automatically gone around her shoulder. He pulled her a little closer to try to talk above the noise in the pub. ‘Can I get you something to drink?’

  He frowned as he noticed she hadn’t even changed out of her uniform.

  She looked up into his green eyes. ‘Riley, I’m sorry—I’m not here for the drinks.’

  He pulled back a little whilst keeping his arm on her shoulder. ‘You aren’t?’

  Her hands were still on his chest. She really didn’t want to move them. ‘Riley—’ she pressed her lips together for a second ‘—the Colonel is looking for you. He came to the ward.’

  She felt every part of his body tense.

  ‘What?’ His voice had changed.

  She nodded. ‘I said I’d come and get you.’

  Riley didn’t even say goodbye to anyone around him. He just grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her behind him as he jostled his way through the crowd.

  The snow was falling as they reached the main door. Riley spun around to face her, worry etched all over his face. ‘What did he say? Is it just the Colonel?’

  April shook her head. ‘He didn’t tell me anything. And there’s an older woman with him. I didn’t recognise her.’

  She reached up and touched his arm. It didn’t matter that she’d vowed to keep a distance. This was a completely different set of circumstances. This was a work colleague who was likely to receive some bad news. She’d never leave a workmate alone at a time like this. ‘Let me come back with you’ was all she said.

  And, after the longest few seconds, Riley gave a nod.

  * * *

  He started walking quickly but eventually just broke into a run. His brother. It had to be his brother. He was on a training exercise right now somewhere in Scotland, flying out to Afghanistan tomorrow. Accidents happened. As a doctor, he knew that more than most. Unless something had happened to his mum and dad. Could they have had an accident?

  He was conscious of the footsteps beside him. The ones that broke into a gentle run when he did. He’d been surprised by April’s appearance earlier—it had made his heart lurch for a few seconds. But it hadn’t taken long to notice the paleness of her complexion. The worry in her bright blue eyes. And she was right by his side. Trouble was, right now he couldn’t think straight.

  By the time he reached the ward area his brain was spinning completely. He slowed down to a walk, took a few deep breaths and tried to put on his professional face. He was a soldier. He could deal with whatever news he was about to receive.

  The Colonel ushered him into a room where a woman in a grey coat was sitting with a file in front of her.

  April hovered near the door—she didn’t seem to know whether to leave or not—and he was kind of glad she was still around.

  ‘Lieutenant Callaghan. Please take a seat.’

  He didn’t want to sit. In fact, sitting was the last thing he wanted to do. But if it would get this thing over with quicker then he’d do it.

  He sat down and glanced at the woman. She leaned across the table towards him. ‘Dr Callaghan, my name is Elizabeth Cummings. I’m a social worker.’

  He frowned. A social worker? Why did she need to speak to him?

  She flicked open her file. ‘I understand that this might seem a little unusual. Can I ask, do you know an Isabel Porter?’

  He flinched. This was not what he’d been expecting to hear. He glanced at the Colonel. ‘Sir, my parents? My brother?’

  The Colonel shook his head and gestured back to Ms Cummings. ‘No. They’re fine. They’re absolutely fine. Please, this is something else entirely.’

  Riley shifted in his chair. He glanced behind at April. She looked just as confused as he was.

  Now he felt uncomfortable. He looked back at the social worker. ‘Isabel Porter, from Birmingham?’

  The woman nodded.

  ‘Yes, I know Isabel. At least, I did. Around five years ago. Why are you asking me that?’

  Ms Cummings gave a nod. ‘I see. Dr Callaghan, I’m sorry to tell you that there was an accident a few days ago. Isabel was killed in a road traffic accident.’

  It was like a cold prickle down his spine. Nothing about this seemed right. ‘Oh, I see. I’m really sorry to hear that. But I don’t understand. Why are you telling me?’ He looked from one tight face to the other.

  Ms Cummings glanced at the Colonel. ‘There is an issue we need to discuss. Ms Porter left a will.’

  ‘Isabel had written a will?’ Now that did sound weird. Isabel had been a bit chaotic. Their relationship had barely lasted a few months. And they hadn’t kept in touch. He hadn’t heard from her at all in the last five years. ‘Why on earth are you telling me this?’

  Ms Cummings slid an envelope across the desk to him. ‘Maybe this will help explain things.’ She kept talking. ‘Obviously there’s been a delay. Isabel had no other family. No next of kin, which is probably why she left a will and wrote this letter for you. It takes time to find out if someone has left a will or not.’

  Riley glanced at the letter on the table in front of him. He had no idea what was going on. Nothing about this made sense.

  April walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. From the woman who’d seemed so shut off, it was such an unexpected move. But the warm feel of her palm on his shoulder sent a wave of pure comfort through his confused state.

  Ms Cummings stared at April for a second then continued. ‘It’s apparent that your name wasn’t on the birth certificate. I’m not quite sure why that was. But because Isabel didn’t have you formally named as next of kin, Finn has been in temporary foster care for the last few days.’

  Riley shook his head. ‘Who?’

  She stared at him. ‘Finn. Your son.’

  For the first time he was glad of the chair. If he hadn’t had it, his legs might have made him sway.

  ‘My son?’

  Ms Cummings glanced at the Colonel again. ‘Yes, Dr Callaghan. That’s why I’m here.’

  ‘I have a son?’

  She stared at him again. ‘Finn. He’s five. Isabel never told you?’

  He shook his head as his brain just spun. Not a single rational thought would form. ‘No. Isabel never told me.’

  Ms Cummings pushed the letter towards him again. He noticed it was sealed. The social worker had no idea of the contents. ‘Well, maybe that’s why she left you the letter.’

  Riley looked at the cream envelope in front of him. He picked it up and ripped it open, pulling out a matching cream sheet of paper.

  Dear Riley,

  I hope you never have to read this. But if you do it’s because something’s happened. I’m sorry I never told you about Finn. You’d already left for Afghanistan and it just seemed pointless. We already knew our time was over and I didn’t need to complicate your life.

  I hope I’m not about to spoil things for you. I hope you’ve managed to meet someone, marry and have a family of your own.

  Finn and I have been great. We haven’t needed anything at all. He’s a funny, quirky little boy and I can see traits of us both in him every single day. I love him more than you can ever know, and I hope you’ll feel that way about him too.

  He knows who you are. I only had a few pictures, but I put them in his room and told him you worked away and would meet him
when he grew up.

  Please forgive me, and love my darling boy for both of us.

  Isabel

  He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t breathe. His life had just been turned upside down and on its head. He had a child. He had a son.

  And he’d never been told. Rage filled his brain, just as April’s fingers tightened on his shoulder. She could probably read every word of the letter over his shoulder.

  April leaned over and spun the letter around to face the social worker, giving her a few seconds to read it. Her face paled.

  Ms Cummings looked at him. ‘You didn’t even know that Finn existed?’

  He shook his head. The firm touch by April was dissipating the rage that was burning inside. Isabel had been quirky. She’d been a little chaotic. This didn’t seem completely out of character. He just hadn’t had a clue.

  ‘Where is Finn now?’ April’s voice cut through his thoughts.

  Ms Cummings looked up. ‘And you are?’

  April leaned across and held out her hand. ‘I’m April Henderson. I’m a friend and colleague of Dr Callaghan’s.’ She said the words so easily. A friend. It almost sounded true.

  Ms Cummings shuffled some papers. ‘Finn’s been in temporary foster care in Birmingham.’

  Panic started to fill Riley. ‘My son is in foster care?’ He’d heard about these things. Wasn’t foster care bad for kids?

  Ms Cummings nodded. ‘We have a few things to sort out. As your name isn’t on the birth certificate, you may want to arrange a DNA test. However, Ms Porter named you as her son’s guardian in her will. Pending a few checks, I’ll be happy to release Finn into your custody. You will, of course, be allocated a local social worker to help you with any queries.’ She lifted something from her bag. ‘As you’ll know, in England we have a number of legal procedures. Isabel left everything in trust—via you—for Finn. But probate takes some time. I can only let you have these keys to the house for a day or so—to pick some things up for Finn. Although ultimately it will come to you, the keys have to be returned to the lawyer in the meantime.’

  ‘When do I pick up Finn?’

  ‘Do you have somewhere suitable for him to stay?’

  His thoughts went immediately to his temporary army lodgings. He was only supposed to be here four weeks. ‘I’m supposed to leave for Sierra Leone on Monday.’ The words came out of nowhere.

  The Colonel interjected quickly. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. You have a family emergency. Your son obviously takes priority here. Do you want me to arrange some other accommodation for you?’

  He nodded automatically. He didn’t own a property. He had money in the bank but had never got around to buying a place as he’d no idea where he’d eventually end up.

  His eyes caught sight of a box in the corner of the room. Red tinsel. It was stuffed full of Christmas decorations. Christmas. It was only six weeks away. His son had lost his mother, six weeks before Christmas.

  ‘I’ll give you an address. I can meet you at the foster parents’ house tomorrow if that suits.’

  ‘It suits.’ The words were automatic.

  Ms Cummings gave a nod. ‘There’s one other thing.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  She licked her lips. ‘As Ms Porter had no other next of kin and you’re the only person named in the will, it will be up to you to organise the funeral.’

  ‘What?’

  Ms Cummings’s eyes narrowed. ‘Will that be a problem?’

  He shook his head. ‘No. Of course not.’

  Ms Cummings pushed some papers towards him. ‘Here’s a copy of the will. A note of Ms Porter’s address and her lawyer’s address to drop the keys back. And a copy of the address for the foster family tomorrow. Let’s say eleven o’clock?’

  Business obviously concluded, she gathered her papers and stood up. Riley glanced at the clock. In the space of ten minutes his life had just turned on its head.

  ‘Do you have a picture?’

  She looked startled. ‘Of Finn?’

  He nodded. Of course of Finn. Who did she think he wanted to see a picture of?

  She reopened her file and slid out a small photograph. His mouth dried instantly. It was like a blast from the past. That small innocent face. Thirty years ago that had been him. A whole world he didn’t even know existed.

  He didn’t even speak as the Colonel showed Ms Cummings out.

  * * *

  April had an ache deep inside her belly. This was a whole new Riley Callaghan in front of her right now.

  He looked almost broken. She’d spent the last four weeks secretly watching his cheeky grin, positive interactions and boundless energy. There had been a few emergencies on the ward and Riley thought and moved quicker than anyone. He was a great doctor. Happy to help others. And always itching to get on to the next thing.

  It was the first time she’d ever seen him slumped. He just seemed stunned.

  His hand reached up and crumpled the letter on the table in front of him. She moved instinctively, brushing her fingers against his, pulling the paper from his and smoothing the paper back down.

  ‘Don’t. In a few years’ time you might want to show that to Finn.’

  He stood up so quickly the chair flew back and hit the floor. ‘She didn’t tell me. She didn’t tell me about him.’ He flung his hands up. ‘How could she do that to me? How could she do that to him?’

  April’s mouth dried. She didn’t know what to say. How on earth could she answer that question?

  He started pacing, running his hands through his thick dark hair. ‘What do I do? I don’t know the first thing about children. I don’t know how to be a father. What if he doesn’t like me? What if I suck at being a dad?’ He threw his hands out again. ‘I don’t have a house. What do I buy for a five-year-old? What does a five-year-old boy need? And what about my job? Will I still work here? What about school? Does Finn even go to school yet? I move about, all over the place. How can that be good for a kid?’

  April took a deep breath. It was clear that every thought in his brain was just tumbling straight out of his mouth. She shook her head and stood in front of him. ‘Riley, I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. But there’s a foster mother. She’ll probably be able to help. You have keys to the house. Everything that a five-year-old boy needs will be there. And it will probably help Finn if you take his own things to help him settle.’

  The light in the office was dimmer than the rest of the hospital. But Riley’s hurt green eyes were the thing she could see clearest. She was standing right in front of him. Closer than she’d ever wanted to get.

  He closed his eyes for a second then nodded. ‘You’re right. I know you’re right. But my son...Finn...he’s been in foster care. Isn’t that supposed to be terrible?’

  She gave a soft smile. ‘I think those days are long gone. Foster carers have to go through a mountain of checks these days. Finn will have been well looked after. But the last few days will probably have been a blur.’

  He reached out and took her hand in his. It made her catch her breath. It was so unexpected. And more. He just didn’t let it go.

  She could almost feel his pain. It was palpable. It was right there in the air between them. Riley Callaghan had just had the legs swept from clean under him. And, to his credit, he was still standing. Just the way she would have expected of him.

  ‘Will you help me, April?’ He squeezed her hand.

  Fear swept through her. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t know anything. Will you help me?’

  Help. What did that mean? She was all for supporting a colleague in a difficult situation. But this one was probably bigger than anyone could have expected.

  ‘Please? I’m out of my depth, April. I know that already.’ His green eyes
were pleading with her. Twisting her insides this way and that.

  A child. A little boy had just lost a parent. Finn must be feeling lost. He must feel as if his whole world had just ended.

  She met Riley’s gaze. ‘I’ll help where I can,’ she said cautiously. ‘I can help you with the funeral.’

  He frowned. ‘You will?’

  Mallory. She’d organised every tiny detail of the funeral, even though it had ripped her heart out. Who else knew her twin better than her?

  She nodded. ‘Let’s just say I’m good at funerals.’

  And she squeezed his hand back.

  CHAPTER TWO

  WHAT ON EARTH am I doing?

  April spent the whole time on the motorway questioning herself. Riley’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. He’d looked pale this morning. As if he hadn’t slept a wink.

  By the time the satnav took them into the Birmingham street, the tension was so high she felt as if it could propel the car into the sky. As he killed the engine she leaned over and put one of her hands over his. She really didn’t want to touch him. Touching Riley did strange things to her senses, but this wasn’t about her. This was about a little boy.

  ‘Stop.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Just...stop.’

  He pulled back his hands and sat back in the seat. ‘What are you talking about?’

  She could see the tension across his shoulders, reaching up into his jaw.

  ‘You can’t go in there like this.’

  ‘What?’ The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface was threatening to crack through.

  ‘This is the first time Finn will see you. None of this is his fault. He’s about to meet his dad—someone he’s only seen in a photograph before.’

  She lifted up her hand as Riley opened his mouth to speak. ‘I thought about this last night. I told you I don’t have any experience with kids, but what do I think this little boy needs to hear?’ She leaned a little closer to him. ‘I think he needs to hear his dad loves him. His dad is going to look after him and stay with him. His dad is his family and you’ll always be together.’