“Aren‘t you in Lagos? I am in Enugu.”
“Since when did distance stop me? Do we have a date?”
Gladys laughed. “Please have Christmas lunch with us?”
“It will be my pleasure darling. I‘ll see you soon.” He flipped the phone shut and summoned his personal assistant immediately to book a flight ticket for him.
**********
Edward leaped out of the airport taxi before it got to a final stop. He swung his gaze over the row of similar-looking blocks of flats and searched out the numbers on each till he found the one he wanted. He ran over to it and took the narrow stairs three at a time to the third floor. A middle-aged woman answered on his third knock.
“Good day and happy Christmas. I am looking for Gladys.”
“Happy Christmas dear, come in. You must be Edward...”
“Yes I am. Are you Gladys‘s mother?” He entered the sitting room his gaze immediately searching the undersized space for Gladys.
The woman nodded her head. She was a shorter and older version of her daughter and with a much fuller figure. Deep wrinkles lined her eyes, balanced by deep grooves running from nose to mouth but her skin shone and the twinkle in her gaze got his attention. She gestured him to a hard faux leather armchair while she remained standing. “I thought Gladys was supposed to come and meet you at the airport?”
Edward shifted to the edge of the chair “Has she left already? They flight was changed due to some unknown reasons.”
“Oh she is around.” Her mother replied smiling. “She told me of your misunderstanding. I‘m glad you got over it. I will go and…”
She was still speaking when Gladys made her entrance, eyes radiant. She was dressed simply as always in jeans and a green shirt. Her skin glowed and she seemed to have fleshed out nicely.
“Edward, you‘re here early!” She walked quickly to his side basking in the smile blooming on his lips. “Mama, I can see you‘ve met. This is Edward…”
“Yes I have. He said his flight was shifted forward.”
“I‘m glad you‘re here.” Gladys murmured as her mother beamed. When the older woman turned and left the room, Edward stood up and opened his arms for Gladys to walk into. They were still in a hug when someone cleared their throat behind her.