Dear Darling Read Online Free

things.
     

     
    “What are your plans for Christmas?” he asked as we lay on the ground, looking at the stars. It had been over two months since I met Elias Vale, and Christmas was coming quickly.
    “I have to go home,” I replied sullenly, shifting myself onto my elbow so I could look at him. I’d made plans before I left to go back home for Christmas, and my parents were looking forward to seeing me again. Even in the dark, I could see his despondent expression and the distant look in his eyes. “What are you going to do?”
    “I might stay here and eat a microwave lasagne. I usually go to my brother’s house, but his wife has decided that they’re going to her parents’ this year. I might tell work that I’ll come in.” He shrugged, but his monotone voice gave away his feelings.
    “If The Dog & Bone will give you enough time off, you could always come to Manchester with me? I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind an extra plate at the table.” He had only been working there for a little over a month but I was sure they would have enough staff to cover the Christmas period.
    “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude. I’ll be fine here if it’s a problem.” The hope in his voice caused my heart to splinter, and a teardrop fell from the corner of my eye. He still hadn’t told me about his family or why he didn’t have any contact with them, but I knew he would tell me when he was ready.
    “Yeah, I’ll call them in the morning and confirm it.” He gripped my hand tightly, staring into the sky with the biggest smile I’d ever seen on his face.
    “Did you know there’s no dark side of the moon? It’s a myth that there’s no light on the opposite side of it. In fact, the entire moon sees the same amount of light, even if we can only ever see one side of it. So, Pink Floyd were wrong.” He turned his head and winked.
    “No, I didn’t know that.” I loved his geekiness, it always made me smile. His eyes lit up every single time he spoke about space, especially the moon. He was incredibly smart, but he didn’t look like the typical space nerds you would imagine. He was fashionable, but in a dark, mystic style. His dark brown hair was always neat, and he was all man. Incredibly fit, with bulging biceps and thighs made of steel. I was a lucky girl.
     
    * * *
     
    “Hi, Mum,” I said, shivering in the corridor. The heating in the dorms was busted and it was freezing outside.
    “Hi, love. How are things?
    “Everything is wonderful. Listen, I need to be quick. Is it okay if I bring Elias for Christmas dinner?” I had already told Mum about Eli.
    “Yeah, sure. You know he is always welcome.” I could hear the smile in her voice. She was dying to meet the boy that had captured my heart.
    “I need to book a bed and breakfast for on our way back, do you know anywhere that would still have rooms?”
    “Ah.” That one word spoke volumes. She knew without me having to tell her how serious I was about Elias. It was one of the things I loved most in the world about my mum. “There’s that little cottage in Cheshire where your father and I stayed for our wedding anniversary. You could try there. If you have a pen, I have the number here in my address book.”
    “Perfect, thank you.” I wrote down the number as she rattled it off. “I’ll see you soon, love you, Mum.”
    “Love you, sweetheart. Have a safe journey.” I hung up with her and dialled the number she gave me. After two rings, a pleasant voice rang over the line.
    “Good afternoon, thank you for calling Forest Farm. How may I help you today?”
    “I would like to find out if you have any availability for New Year’s Day.”
    I bounced from foot to foot as the woman checked, and when she assured me they had an opening, I started pacing. My nervous energy was bubbling over everywhere. I gave her all the details she asked for, and assure her I would call if I had any questions or needed to cancel my booking. When we hung up, I stared