Forever, Plus One - страница 20

As she mulled on her thoughts, Emily realized then that the only people other than immediate family who even knew about the baby were Amy and Harry. She’d told a friend but hadn’t yet told the person she wanted to the most, the person whose reaction would be the best of all: her dad.

She rummaged in her drawer for some paper and pen. Knowing full well that her father had next to no connection to the internet, and only a pay phone in the village which would be difficult to coordinate, she knew that writing to him would be the quickest way to get him the news. Plus, there was something extra special about writing an old-school letter. He could keep it and cherish it for years to come. Holding onto scraps of paper was one of her father’s great pleasures, after all.

She began to write.

Dear Dad,

I miss you so much! The house just isn’t the same without you. Coming home after the honeymoon was bittersweet because I knew that you wouldn’t be here. I hope we can fly out to England to see you this summer as you suggested. I know Chantelle would love that. She’s pining for her Papa Roy!

My reason for writing to you is actually two-fold. I’m not just writing to tell you how much I miss having you around, but because I also have some exciting news. Daniel and I have recently discovered that I’m pregnant! Can you believe it? You’re going to be a granddad! The due date has been set for early December.

Of course I would prefer to have been able to tell you my news in person but I thought this would be the best way to get the news to you. Plus you can frame this letter or add it to your hoards of paper, which I know you’re fond of doing!

I look forward to getting your return letter. Or, even better, you could invest in a cell phone and then we could FaceTime! Video calls, Dad, can you believe it? It’s like we’re living in the future!

All my love, always, forever,

Emily Jane xx

She read the letter again, hoping Roy would appreciate her slightly cheeky tone and not be offended by it, then folded it up and put it in an envelope.

Just then, Emily heard a knock on the door. She turned to see Chantelle poking her head around.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” she asked. “You’ve been up here for ages.”

Emily gestured for her to enter and the little girl walked inside, padding across the rug with soft footsteps. When she reached Emily she folded into her open arms.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Emily told the little girl. “I just wanted to write a letter to Papa Roy to tell him about the baby.” She held up the now sealed envelope. “Would you like to come and mail this with me?”

Chantelle nodded her agreement. Emily handed her the envelope, which she clutched in her hand, then they left Emily’s room together. They went downstairs and out the front door, then headed along the lane slowly toward the mailbox, hand in hand. Emily noticed that Chantelle was awfully quiet as they went. Usually the child never stopped talking, but she hadn’t uttered a word since they’d left the B&B.

“Are you okay, love?” Emily asked, giving her hand a little squeeze.

Chantelle looked up at her sadly, her other hand tightly clutching the envelope. “I miss Papa Roy,” she said.

“I do too,” Emily replied wistfully.

“Doesn’t Papa Roy have a phone we can call him on?” Chantelle asked. “We could do a FaceTime call?”

Emily laughed and tapped the envelope. “I asked him the very same thing in that letter,” she said. But despite her attempt to lighten the mood, she couldn’t help but share in Chantelle’s disappointment. Getting a cell phone was the last thing she could imagine her father doing.