Chapter 12

Hugh went into the kitchen and cracked open the bottle of wine and served Iris and himself.

"Let me help you," Iris said.

"No way. You sit outside or just stand here. It's your day and you are not allowed to work." He said while slicing the potatoes.

Iris rolled her eyes. "Okay! Boss."

They spoke while Hugh was cooking. They sipped their wine and enjoyed the soft music. She then walked outside in the living room and looked at the picture frames on the wall near Christmas Tree.

There were pictures of his parents. It wasn't too hard to guess since Hugh had his father's looks. Then there was a silver picture frame of Hugh and a woman. Hugh in a grey t-shirt, his hands around the woman's neck who was in a maroon tank top. Their heads touched together and wide smiles on their face.

"Olivia," Iris whispered.

She walked a little ahead and there was another solo picture of Olivia. Sitting on the green grass in a white shirt, her head tilted sideways and smiling for the camera.

She had bronze hair and deep grey eyes. Lean and lightly freckled. She was beautiful. Another picture of Olivia and Hugh outside Big Ben. Then there was a single picture of Olivia on the left wall near the door.

Iris noticed something written below on the frame. She went closer and read, “Olivia Wright Wilson. 1974-2007.”

Iris looked at her wine glass and sighed. “Sorry”. She whispered.

"Iris!" Hugh said.

Iris turned to look at him.

"I was about to show you the frames." He said while wiping his hands with a paper towel.

"That's okay! I was able to recognize them anyway. Your parents, your brother Liam and Olivia."

Hugh walked up to her and stared at the frame of Olivia.

"She was my father's best friend's daughter. We knew each other since we were kids. We would meet on occasions but never really had such feelings for each other. When I was in High School, I had a girlfriend. Christina. I brought her home on Christmas and Olivia was there too. They got along pretty well. After a year I broke up with my girlfriend and Olivia met me again on that Christmas, asking about her. We spoke about Christina for quite some time.

We didn't realize when we became best friends. We started meeting after college and going for ice creams." Hugh chuckled. "When I was in senior college, Olivia was in the final year of her high school. She couldn't manage to meet me because of her extra tuition. It really drove me crazy. I would wait outside her tuition for hours just to meet her for a minute. We soon realized we were in love. Olivia started to skip college to meet me. When we told our parents, they were so happy.

After my studies, I started looking for a job. It wasn't easy because Middleham didn't have many opportunities and I didn't want to move to another city in the fear of losing Olivia. I took up a job as a barista. Her parents weren't happy. But she stood by me. After a year, Liam got me this job in the factory as a laborer through some reference. I took that job because there was hope for growth.

Her parents asked me to find something better or they would get her married to someone else. But Olivia fought for me. She took up a job as a teacher in one of the schools in Middleham. We got married. We rented a place near my parents' house and tried to manage the expense with both our salaries. After her passing away–" He gulped and exhaled. Iris shuddered. "I moved back to my parents' house. I couldn't sleep on our bed.

I was in depression for almost a year. Almost lost my job at the factory but my boss gave me another chance when I was mentally prepared to lead a normal life again."

There was a long silence.

Hugh chuckled. "I'm so sorry. I'm so stupid."

"No–no you're not stupid. You can share anything with me. I am always here for you okay?"

Hugh pressed his lips together and nodded. "Thank you."

"I can't even imagine what you must have gone through. But you are a very strong person. You fought through your depression. You should be proud of yourself."

"Yes, I guess. Anyway, dinner is ready. I can save the sad story for later."

Iris laughed.

Hugh served the food and lit two candles on the table.

Iris moaned as she chewed the fish. "You should really consider opening a restaurant. This is the best fish & chips I have ever eaten. Hugh, you are brilliant." Iris said.

Hugh scoffed. "Not as brilliant as you. You know what? We should open a restaurant together. Your turkey roast and my fish & chips. We'll be rich in no time."

Iris laughed. "Well, we really should consider this."

They both raised their glasses and took a sip. 

After dinner, Iris helped Hugh to clean the table.

"It's getting too late. I shall take your leave." Iris said.

Hugh sighed and bore his brown eyes into Iris's. "Stay." He whispered.

Iris's heart started to thump in her chest. She still hadn't got used to Hugh's gaze. It always brought shivers in her body. Maybe if she had some experience around men, she would have learned to keep her heart subtle whenever Hugh touched or looked her in a way that he was about to kiss her. But her inexperience made her nervous and shaky around Hugh.

"I –I..really should go. Got to go to work tomorrow." She said stammering.

Hugh nodded softly. The disappointment was clear on his face. He didn't smile.

"Let me drop you." He said and got on his toes. 

Iris followed him to the door. He took her jacket from the stand and opened it from the front. Iris slid her hands in the sleeves, and they walked out.

He stopped the car outside Iris's house. 

"Thank you so much, Hugh. You really made my day special. I will never forget this Christmas." She said.

"Pleasure was mine," Hugh said.

"Good night," Iris said and opened the car door.

As she stepped her foot outside, Hugh called. 

"Iris?"

"Yes?" She sat back on the seat.

"Tomorrow?" He asked.

He noticed Iris's pink glossy lips stretch into a wide smile. He couldn't help but smile too. He saw the blush on her cheeks. It made him want to trace his fingers on her cheekbone and the outline of her pink lips. He realized he was gawking. He looked at the windshield and waited for her reply.

"Tomorrow I will leave at eight." She said.

Hugh looked at her. "We can have dinner." He suggested.

"My place?" She asked.

"Done. I'll pick you from your Cafe." He said.

"Okay then."

"Good night Iris." He said, looking at her with his intense eyes.

"Good night." Iris left.