Free Christmas for One: No Greater Love by Amanda Prowse Page A

school, but her sixth sense told her not to make a fuss. She remembered sitting on the duvet with her pyjamas in a carrier bag by her side, waiting for the knock on the door and the woman who would whisk her off to Tall Trees Avenue. The lady had been kind, her voice soothing as she gripped Megan’s hand and led her to the car outside. She had looked over her shoulder at her mum, who was watching from the kitchen window. Megan had mouthed, ‘I’m sorry,’ and hoped that one day she would be given the chance to make amends for whatever it was she had done that meant she had to be sent away.
    This felt similar, as though she were spiralling downwards, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
    Victor appeared in the hallway, shaken and pale. Edd followed closely behind. ‘I’m so sorry, ma’am. I’m afraid it ain’t good news.’ He paused. ‘Your grandpa has… passed on.’ Victor lowered his gaze.
    Meg was shocked by the news, no matter that she had never met Mr Redlitch. Her legs wobbled and she sank down on to the step. She placed her hand on her chest and whispered, ‘Ssssshhh.’
    Edd helped her up and as they made their way down the landing, Meg couldn’t help but glance back through the open door through the banister railings. She saw what looked like a dark cloud hovering just below the ceiling. It was only when it started to disperse and hum that she realised it was a swarm of flies.
    *
    As darkness fell on the city, the cab carrying Edd and Meg drew to a halt. Edd offered Meg his hand as she clambered out.
    ‘You okay?’ His tone was one of concern.
    She nodded, but felt far from okay. She felt sick, scared and tearful but was trying to keep it all bottled up as she arrived at the park with this strange man in this strange city.
    Edd shook his head. ‘I thought a walk in the park might help clear our heads. That was quite a shock back there.’
    ‘Yes it was.’ Her voice was small.
    They entered Central Park and walked side by side along the wide, meandering path with the New York skyline twinkling in the twilight behind them.
    ‘Take deep breaths,’ he instructed, so she did.
    Their shoulders bumped from time to time as they strolled in silence, matching each other’s pace. Meg yanked her pixie hat down over her cold ears and pulled her scarf over her chin, letting her warm breath gather in droplets on the wool. Edd shoved his hands inside his coat pockets and lifted his shoulders, as if adopting a hunched posture might make him warmer.
    ‘I hope his daughter is okay.’
    Meg liked the fact Edd was concerned. She nodded her agreement. ‘They are going to get the friend he played bridge with to call her. At least the news won’t be coming from an unfamiliar voice. Oh God, I feel so terrible about lying!’ Meg placed her hand over her eyes. That was what she was to Mr Redlitch: an unfamiliar person who had lied to get into his apartment. And all the time he was lying there…
    ‘It’s not your fault, Megan.’
    ‘I still feel horrible. I shouldn’t have done it.’ She shook her head as they slowed down a little.
    Edd seemed deep in thought. ‘It was a stranger, a policeman, that confirmed my dad had died—’
    ‘Oh. I didn’t know your dad had died,’ Meg replied, interrupting him as the two halted on the path.
    He gave a dry smile. ‘Yep, little while ago.’
    ‘Do you remember him?’ She thought of Lucas, who would only ever know Bill by a photograph and the familiar tales told by his grandma.
    ‘Yes, it wasn’t that long ago. Thirteen years to be precise.’
    ‘I know there’s nothing I can say that probably hasn’t been said a million times to you before, so I’m not going to tell you how sorry I am,’ she thought of the countless times this had tripped from strangers’ tongues, ‘but I would like to tell you that I know what it feels like to have that sadness inside of you. I know how horrible it feels. Don’t know if that helps?’ she smiled.
    ‘More than you