Mitchell parker’s anniversary gift

In honour of his fortieth wedding anniversary with his wife Eileen, Mitchell Parker has acquired what is possibly the greatest anniversary present in history which he intended to unveil at the quiet but lavish evening he and Eileen had planned at their favourite hotel. Unfortunately the occasion isn't going as planned and he finds himself observing a table across the dining room where Molly Malone, the daughter of one of his oldest friends is spending the evening with her companion Paul Farnsworth. As he watches the young couple and reflects on the last forty years, Mitchell Parker realizes he has another gift to offer in celebration.   Mitchell Parker is a character from my novel Nothing Ventured. His role was just a cameo appearance; Molly sees him in the hotel dining room and flees in the hope that he won't see her there and report to her father, Patrick Malone. This short story gives Mitchell some depth, with a story of his own, and indirectly a larger role in Molly's relationship with Paul.