Second Thoughts Read Online Free

Melissa again and nothing else mattered. She couldn’t let Melissa get married without letting her know how she still felt about her, could she? As she asked herself the question, her heart yelled out the answer – No she couldn’t. Sara decided to follow her heart’s instructions – all the way to England.

Chapter Five
    Eli looked down at the large white cardboard box that sat on her dining table. In one swift movement she ran the tip of a kitchen knife along the centre of the parcel tape, causing the flaps of the box to flip open. A smile grew on her face as she withdrew some of the contents one at a time. Bride-to-be sashes, a pink flashing L-plate, a miniature bride-to-be hat as well an assortment of party games.
    Satisfied all the items were present for the night’s do, she absent-mindedly twisted a strand of ash brown hair around her finger and stared down at the box. It wasn’t every day your little sister got married and she was pulling out all the stops to make sure Melissa had the best hen party ever. After all, she was only going to be married once – she hoped so anyway.
    Eli’s hand fell from her hair as her eyes were drawn to a photograph taken at Melissa’s graduation four years earlier. Melissa looked so much like their mother – the quick easy smile, her eyes, the colour of river mist, the glossy blonde gelded hair that fanned her elfin features. Pangs of regret tore at her heart knowing that it had taken the loss of their parents to bring them a little closer together.
    A movement behind her caused her to let out a hysterical shriek. She didn’t know why she was so jumpy, given there was only one other person living in the house the sisters had inherited from their parents – her partner Scott. Melissa had refused to move back into the property after their parent’s death, the memories were too raw for her. Whilst Eli understood her sentiments, she would have loved nothing more than to have lived with her sister, even if it had only been for a little while.
    “Sorry to scare you, gorgeous. You looked so deep in thought I didn’t want to disturb you.” Scott encircled her small waist with his thick hairy arms.
    “It’s okay.” She drew a deep breath. “I was just thinking about my parents missing the wedding. My dad would have been so proud walking Melissa down the aisle.”
    Scott looked forlorn; the spotlights above gleaming off his slightly wrinkled face. For a man of sixty he still looked good for his age. Although his thick hair was mostly grey, Eli knew he was grateful it was all his own. Most of his friends were sporting a bald patch by now.
    “I know it won’t be the same,” he said quietly. “But I’ll be just as proud to do the job.”
    “I’m sorry, Scott. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
    He squeezed her gently. “Shhh. I know you didn’t. The main thing is someone who loves Melissa very much is going to be there on her big day.”
    “Yes, you’re right. And I’m sure she’s going to be eternally grateful you offered to stand in to fill the void.” She wrapped her arms around his.
    Scott snuggled his face in the crook of her neck. “You’ve got to stop handling Melissa as if she’s as delicate as a piece of bone china. She’s a strong woman, give her some credit.”
    Eli turned around in his arms, staring up at him momentarily. “You always seem to sum Melissa up to a T.”
    Scott stood tall and dragged his hand through his hair. “I guess I’m just observant.”
    “And I think I’ve picked up my mum’s habit of worrying about nothing,” she said earnestly.
    Eli remembered Melissa as a quiet child who always kept matters close to her heart, worrying their mother to no end. Her mother thought having Melissa at the age of thirty-five, was a mistake, mainly because she wouldn’t grow up with a sibling nearer her own age. She had confided in Eli that she worried the reserved and insulate child would never let anyone get close to her in adulthood and for