In that moment, I saw the weekend from a different angle. From Celia’s point of view
The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the car was the softness of the air. Even the rain felt benign, though I couldn’t see Laura appreciating that. She was a sun-worshipper, near enough literally. My daughter never just liked things, she had to worship them. As she always had her father.
I liked a bit of warmth, myself, but nothing too extreme. When Laura still came away with me, we’d go camping in France in the summer holidays. She loved the south, where the temperature was just that little bit uncomfortable for me. Away from the beaches of the Riviera, I could tell she was bored, looking forward to “proper” holidays with her dad. And, whatever our differences, I had to admit Paul was always a good father, in many ways a better, certainly more demonstrative, father than I was a mother. I tried my best, but he was the one who made Herculean efforts to see her, for us still to be a sort of family.
Mother and daughter relationships were supposed to be cosy and friendly, weren’t they? A bond like no other? Not living up to the standard made me feel like some kind of monster, so it was a surprise when she asked me to share the holiday cottage she and Kieran were renting, one of several booked for the get-together organised by Kieran’s parents in the wake of the couple’s engagement, partly in celebration, partly for everyone to get to know each other.
Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av Womans Weekly Fiction Special.
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Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av Womans Weekly Fiction Special.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Perfect Gift
The change to their Christmas plans was a shock, though it could teach them a lesson…
Christmas Is Coming
With all the mess, noise and disruption, she was seriously struggling to embrace the festive spirit
The Generation G-App
It was a lovely idea, but surely there was no way the project would become a successful reality?
The Christmas Tree
The cottage had no festive cheer, but could Jennie create the impression of Yuletide joy before it was too late?
We All Stand Together
If the plan failed, Joan wouldn’t be the only one having an unhappy Christmas
The Christmas Robin
Presents to buy, food to cook and a tree to decorate – could she create the perfect day?
Maudie's First Christmas
With all her dreams of a family Christmas dashed, it seemed that Ruth would have to adjust to a very different festive season this year...
Friends Like You
Leah was about to find out what sort of people she’d had in her life all these years…
Breaking Point
She hoped her children would start to compromise soon, or they were in for a distinctly frosty festive season
A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan
Well-known for her heart-warming family tales, Sarah Morgan’s latest novel is packed full of love and laughter. Here, she reveals how she comes to craft her characters and she gave her new release that sprinkle of festive magic...