Inheritance

Chapter Twenty-five. Reconciliation.

"Why would I lie? There's nothing I wouldn't give to see Sheila again."

"That might be difficult. You know my father..."

"I don't care what he thinks. Just ask Sheila. Explain what happened, please."

"I can't promise anything..."

John sank to his knees, hands clasped in supplication. "Please, please. It would mean so much."

Susan laughed in response to his gesture. "I really believe you now. I'll do my best."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said John, rising and pumping his right fist with each word of thanks.

This could turn out to be one of the best Christmases ever.

*****

Two days later John sat in a remote corner of the ice cream parlour nursing his float. He glanced repeatedly at the wall clock. It was ten after two. He had been fifteen minutes early for his two o'clock rendezvous. Was this to be another gut wrenching stand-up?

He saw a flash of blue outside the window. Now she was standing in the entrance shaking her umbrella. Her figure was a blur through the condensation fogging up the inside of the glass door, but he could tell that she was wearing her favourite hooded raincoat. The door opened. Sheila stepped inside, looked over at him, smiled, and hung her coat on an adjacent stand. It was going to be all right. Slowly she walked towards him. Was it his imagination or was she really taller? She definitely seemed to have lost weight, but looked gorgeous in a tight fitting navy blue costume.

As Sheila drew near John stood, unsure how to react, and lost for words. She came to his side, and gently nuzzled him under his left ear. She no longer had to tiptoe.

"It's so good to see you John," she murmured. John desperately wanted to wrap her in his arms, but from the corner of his eye, he could see the curious gaze of the young waitress, and decided to exercise proper decorum.

"Come and sit down," he said, offering her a seat at the small round table. "Can I get you something?"

"That would be nice. What is that you're having?"

"This? It's an orange float?"

"I've never had one of those."

"It's just a glass of fizzy orange with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. You just let the ice cream go into suspension..."

"Enough of the scientific nonsense, John. I'll try one."

"Good. I'll go and order another."

John sensed that Sheila was looking him over as he went to the counter. He turned, she was. She hadn't seen him in almost six months. Would she notice the receding hairline, and how pale he was from too much study?

"I'm sorry I'm late," she said on his return. "My appointment at the beauty parlour took longer than expected."

"What were you doing at a beauty parlour? That's the last thing you need."

Sheila laughed and blushed slightly. "We all have to get ready for the big event tomorrow night."

"Oh yes, the engagement party."

"You mean Susan's engagement party. How could you possibly have thought it was me John, especially after the wonderful time we had together last spring, and the letters I wrote to you from Germany? Didn't you trust me?"