Hi Anne!
Here's a new fanfic I've been working on for the past few weeks to put on your site. Enjoy!
Silvie
 
THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL by Silvie
Peter opened the letterbox and found a letter. On the postage stamp it said Avoca, but the date was April 2, which was 3 months ago. He looked at the handwriting and recognised it immediately : it was Assumpta's. He started feeling sick. Suddenly it all came back to him, his mum dying, his return to Ballykissangel, telling Assumpta how he felt, how they made plans for their future and how it was all over in a few moments.
He had now been back in Manchester for about 2 months, slowly recovering from everything that happened back then, thinking how he would spend the rest of his life. Sometimes he felt awful for leaving without saying a word to anyone, but Brendan. He thought about the town and his old friends a lot.
He missed them terribly. Over here there was only his brother Andrew, who had helped him a lot over the passed 2 months. But he never knew Assumpta, he couldn't really know what is was like having to miss her.
He went inside into the kitchen where Andrew was doing breakfast.
"Do how do you want your eggs, Peter," Andrew asked. But Peter didn't hear him. Andrew turned round to look at Peter who had become very pale. "What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost," he said.
"You could say that in a way I have," Peter said showing him the letter.
"It's just a bit late, but I don't see anything else wrong with it."
"You wouldn't be saying that if you recognised the handwriting. It's Assumpta's," Peter explained.
"Oh God, you mean..." "Do you want me to leave you alone for a while, so you can read it in peace?"
"No. I don't know if I can read it right now. Maybe I will later," Peter said.
"But you should. You told me there are so many things you wanted to know about her. Maybe her letter will give you some answers, finally put your mind at rest," Andrew said.
Peter sighed and said :"Maybe you're right. I think I'll go up to my room to read it."

He sat down on the bed and just stared at the envelope for a bit. Then he finally got the courage to open it. He started reading.
Dear Peter,

Michael told me your mum has passed away. I can't tell you how sorry I am. I know how it must feel, as I've lost both my parents at a young age as well. Michael gave me your phone number, he told me you asked me to call. But since you're not coming back for a few weeks yet, I thought I'd write.
I know Michael told you it's all over with Leo. It just wasn't meant to happen. Most of it's my fault. I never should've married him. He was a good friend and that's how it should've stayed. He'll probably never be able to trust me again. I've let him down terribly, but I had to get out of it.
When you told me that night in the pub that it was all over between us, I felt so angry, lonely. There was no one I could confide in, I thought no one would understand. So I ran away to London and told Leo that I wanted to marry him. The poor man was so over the moon, he didn't ask why I suddenly changed my mind. When I got to London I really believed he could make me happy. It wasn't until we got back to BallyK and saw you, I realised what I had done.
When I came to talk to you while you were repairing your car, you looked so lost. I wanted to hold you, tell you how much I love you and it was only a bad dream, but it wasn't.
Leo kept trying to do the best he could, but I wouldn't even give him a chance. I only made him miserable. No wonder he couldn't take any more after a few weeks. The only option was to go after him and tell him the truth because I couldn't deceive him anymore. I told him why I really had gone back to him. At first he was dumbstruck, but then he said he should've known really. In fact, he knew the first time he came to see me 3 years ago. I told him I was sorry. At that moment I really wished I could've turned back the clock to that evening in the pub. I should've told you then what I was up to. Maybe then you would've stopped me. Would you have?
After I left Leo in Dublin I promised myself, I would tell you how I really felt, regardless of what your reaction would be. But you weren't there. The first person I saw when I got back was Niamh. She told me about everything that had happened during the last few days and that you'd gone back to Manchester. When she said it, I felt sick, I thought I had left it too long and you were gone for good. She must've read the expression on my face, because she quickly added it was to see your mum who was very ill. When I heard she'd died, I wanted to be with you, comfort you. But what would I tell the others? I couldn't ask Niamh to look after the bar on her own again, she's busy enough as it is. So I thought this letter was a much better option then a phone call.
Peter, I love you to bits, I have since the first moment I laid eyes on you. If you feel the same way, please phone me as soon as you get this letter.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Lots of love
Assumpta
 
 
Peter found he was crying. If only he had got that letter in time. Maybe she wouldn't have been in the pub when that blasted fuse blew. But he soon realised it was no use now thinking that. At least now he knew she really loved him. He never really had any doubts about it, but she'd never had the chance to tell him, so he thought.
He just sat on the bed staring at the letter for a while longer. Then he folded it away, he got up and started packing. He left a note for Andrew, who had gone to work by now, and got on his way.
The next morning he was looking at the beautiful Wicklow Mountains from the bus to BallyK. He felt happy and scared at the same time at the thought that he'd soon see all his old friends back. What would they say? What would he say? How could he explain, justify the way he had left them?
He got off the bus and just stood there looking at the town for a bit. It still looked the same, Fitzgerald's still looked the same. He took deep breath and walked to the pub. There was no one in. He heard someone in the kitchen. "Hello, anyone in," he called.
"Yeah, I'll be right with you," he heard Niamh reply.
A few moments later she appeared, looking surprised when she saw who her customer was. "Peter! I didn't think you'd ever..."
"...come back," he finished her sentence.
"Oh, come here. It's so good to see you," she said coming from behind the bar. They hugged.
"It feels great to be back. I was a bit scared you'd be angry with me for running away from things," he said as they parted.
"A few of us were a bit hurt at first, but in the end we all got to understand why you did what you did," she said.
"Do you? I'm not sure if I understand myself," he said.
"So what brings you back here," she asked.
"You could say an angel called me."
Niamh frowned.
"Could you get me a strong coffee? You'd better get one yourself. Then I'll explain."
"Are you staying here? We need the whole house for living quarters now, but we do have a spare room. I'll understand if it's too painful for you," Niamh said.
"No, I'd love to stay here. Do you mind if I go out for a while now? I've got something to do," Peter asked.
"No, of course not. I'll bring your backpack up to the room, okay," she asked.
He nodded and started for the door.
"Oh Peter!"
He stopped and turned round. "Yeah?"
"Don't worry about the others, they'll be delighted to have you back," she reassured him.
He smiled at her and went outside.
An hour later he was at the small churchyard. He soon found Assumpta's grave, which was covered in flowers. He lay down the bunch of red roses he'd just bought.
"How I wish I could give you these, if only I could hold you, kiss you just once. Rest in peace, my love." Tears welled up in his eyes again. He was about to go when he felt a hand on his shoulders and a woman's voice saying :"Peter."
He didn't believe his ears. It couldn't be. "Assumpta," he called as he turned round and she was gone. "Assumpta! Assumpta come back!"
"Peter! Peter wake up! I'm right here."
He felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes and looked right into Assumpta's. His mouth felt very dry and he was all sweaty. "I feel awful. What's happened?" he asked.
"I don't know, you were calling my name. You probably had a nightmare," she said softly stroking his face.
It slowly dawned on him what he had been dreaming and told her about it.
"Where did you get the idea I would've married Leo," she asked.
"Don't know. I was just thinking about old times this afternoon; about what could've happened if I hadn't told you I wanted to leave the priesthood that night at Kilnashee, while holding the fort for Brendan and Siobhan. I guess it must've still been on my mind when I got to bed and that's why I dreamt about it," he said.
"But that was 2 years ago now."
"I know. Maybe it was because of something someone said today."
"Oh, come here," she said. She cuddled up to him and they kissed softly. "I'd never leave you, ever. We'd better get some sleep now. Shaun's being christened tomorrow, remember" she whispered.
"Yes, we'd better. I love you."
"Love you too."
The room was silent for a while. Suddenly Assumpta said : "Besides, I'd never let Brian buy my pub. If I died, I'd come back to haunt him if he ever tried to," she giggled.
THE END