by Clare Revell
Hector nodded. “I’ve done mine. Theoretically, I was going to London tomorrow to put up my parent’s lights, but Dad sent me photos by text last night to show them off. They have new ones this year.” He paused. “Actually, it’s simply dinner now and I don’t suppose you’d like to come?”
The suggestion took her aback. “Me? Have dinner with your parents?”
“Well, I don’t see anyone else in the car ’cept my invisible friend Mike, in the back there. Only he’s not invited. I was told to bring a friend. In fact, they always say that and I never have. So, would you be my plus one?”
“Okay. As a friend. Nothing more.”
“Of course. I mean, we haven’t even had a first date yet, so it’s a little soon to take you to meet the parents.” He parked the car, relief in his eyes.
Brie had second thoughts. Were his parents that bad? What had she let herself in for? Not that second thoughts would do her any good. She’d said she’d go with him and she wasn’t going to let him down.
He jumped out and ran around the car to open the door for her.
As they exited the car park, she gazed at the huge purple Christmas tree reflected in the calm waters of the River Kennet. The Riverside restaurants were busy, despite the early hour.
They strolled through the Oracle, the place thronging with shoppers holding bags. Music poured from the speakers, the decorations swung and glittered. “See what we’re missing out on,” she said quietly. “We’d make a killing if we were open. Late night Santa’s grotto visits and so on. We could even keep the basement decked up as a yearlong attraction, only theme it on bestselling kids’ books. No charge to go through, but have a themed gift shop at the end.”
He glanced at her. “I like the way you think. Wizards are always popular. Or teddy bears. Or even a film tie-in.”
“Exactly and something that would appeal to both children and adults. Dinosaurs are another example. You’d get people visiting the store to go through the displays and buying things once they are there. It happens all the time. It’d easily be worth the outlay of a bit of paint and so on.”
She took a deep breath as they reached the Forbury Gardens. Christmas music blared from large speakers, lights hung in trees and on poles and a huge Christmas tree stood next to the Maiwand Lion. Dozens of rides and stalls packed the narrow paths and grass verges. “Wow.”
Hector grinned and paid the entrance fee, plus bought tokens for several of the rides. Then he dragged her across to the hat stall. “An elf and a Santa, please.”
She looked at him. “Where does Santa find his elves?”
“No idea.”
“Wherever he left them.”
Hector groaned and paid for the hats. “Here you go. You can be number one elf off duty as well.”
Brie rolled her eyes, but dutifully pulled the hat on. “Only if I can go ride the tea cups. Aside from the ghost train, tea cups are my favorite fairground attraction.”
Hector laughed. “We can do whatever you want.” He put a hand on her back, led her over to the rides. They spent the next couple of hours going on every single one, wandering the stalls, eating candy floss and hot dogs and getting lost in the ice maze. He won a bear on the hoopla, which Brie promptly named Sir Fluff-a-lot on account of the yellow fur that hid his eyes.
Hector tucked him safely into his rucksack, and then led Brie over to the ice rink.
She fell almost as soon as she stepped onto the ice. Warmth shot through her as Hector tugged on her hand and helped her to her feet. She looked up at him, getting lost in his gaze. The music dulled around her, all she was aware of was his eyes, his touch, and the blood pounding in her ears. Her breath caught as his free hand grazed her ear, sending shivers of delight zipping through her.
He tugged her hat straight. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then let’s skate.” He set off slowly, still holding her hand.
As her confidence grew, he let go, until she found herself skating, not as fast as he was, but fast enough to be out of breath. Were her cheeks as rosy as they felt? Then he moved closer, holding her hand properly, pulling her faster and faster until she slipped. He caught her, swinging her into his arms.
“Are you okay?”
Breathless, and not only because she was out of breath, she jerked her head in the affirmative wordlessly. His gaze held hers, pulled her in, swallowed her whole and captivated her. She could have stayed there in his arms forever.
Hector tweaked her nose and grinned. “Right. Next.” He led her slowly back to the side of the rink.
Changing back into her shoes, she looked at him. “That was fun. Thank you.”
He grinned, his cheeks and eyes shining in the colored lights. “You’re welcome. And it’s photo time.” Grabbing her hand he led her over to the bandstand, which had been turned into a large snow globe.
Brie looked up in wonder. “Wow.”
Hector paid and led her inside. Fake snow whirled around them as they posed. Something sparked within her at his touch once more, but this time she set it to one side. Nothing could come of it. Even if she gave in and accepted it was what she wanted, would Hector want her? Maybe she should just enjoy his company while she had it.
Back out in the cold night air, Hector picked up the two bags and handed her one. “For you. Open it when you get home.”
Home at last, Brie walked in the door, shrugged off her coat and opened the bag. A snapshot and photo keyring fell out onto her lap. She scooped them up. The snow globe image of Hector with his arms wrapped around her smiled at her. Her heart pounded. They looked so happy together and his eyes shone.
Oh, if only Your plan for me included Hector, Lord. I’m just too afraid to give away my heart again, for fear of losing it once more.
Chapter Eight
BY FRIDAY, BRIE WAS EXHAUSTED. She hadn’t realized how hard it was on the shop floor, or what being nice to so many people all day long entailed. Hector on the other hand seemed to thrive. He was so good at coaxing even the most timid of children into talking to him. She watched in amazement as he managed to turn one child’s tears into laughter without seeming to try. She would give anything to have people skills like that.
The image that would stay with her the longest was a young boy who wouldn’t respond to her. He had headphones on and refused to make eye contact. His mother explained he was autistic and he was having a hard time coping with the crowds and noise. Brie turned to Hector and shook her head. “No,” she mouthed. She led them away towards the exit.
Hector got up from his chair and hurried over to them. “What’s his name?”
“Jimmy,” his mother said. “I’m sorry for wasting your time, but he doesn’t want to do this now.”
“You’re not wasting my time, at all.” He squatted down on the floor in front of the child and pulled a bell from his pocket. “Hello, Jimmy. See how shiny the bell is,” he said, gently shaking it. A tiny jingle rang out.
The child looked down at Hector’s hand.
Hector didn’t move. He continued to hold out the bell. “I have these all over the reindeer’s harnesses. This one fell off and I haven’t gotten around to fixing it back on yet. Would you like it?”
The child nodded slowly.
Hector smiled. “Then it’s yours.” He kept his hand still until the child finally took it. “Have a lovely Christmas.”
“Thank you,” the child whispered.
“You’re welcome.” Hector rose and grinned at the mother. “Does he like Lego?”
She nodded. “He loves it.”
He reached into his pocket and handed her a voucher. “This will cover whichever set he wants, no matter the cost, on the house.”
The mother’s eyes filled. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Hector’s smile filled Brie’s heart to overflowing. “You’re welcome. Have a lovely Christmas.”
As they left, Brie looked at Hector. “That was lovely of you, but where did you find the bell?”<
br />
He shrugged. “It was on the floor, right by the reindeer and had genuinely fallen off the harness. Like I said, I hadn’t gotten around to fixing it.”
“And the voucher?”
Color touched his cheeks. “Let’s just say that’s between you, me, and the gatepost.”
Four hours later, as the line finally ended, Brie was ready to wilt.
Hector glanced up at her. “How you doing, Cutie?”
“Tired,” she responded automatically. Then raised an eyebrow as she realized what he’d said. “Cutie?”
His trademark grin that she’d come to love, lit up his eyes. “Yeah. Leon and I decided to change the elf name sheet. All elves whose names begin with a B are henceforth known as Cutie and not Pudding.”
She stuck her hands on her hips. “Really? And whose list is this anyway?”
Leon sauntered over. “According to Mr. J, his personal assistant invented the list a couple of years ago. He also said as there was only one B amongst the elves it wouldn’t matter if we changed it. He doesn’t think his PA would mind either.”
“And what if she does? Maybe you should ask her?”
“She’s on leave,” Hector said quickly. “Otherwise we would have. Anyway, there’s a note on her desk for when she gets back in the New Year.”
“Leave?” Brie spluttered. That wasn’t how she remembered the conversation between her and Mr. J going at all. At the last second she remembered she was now an elf, not the boss’s PA. “It’s a little thoughtless of her to go away at Christmas, isn’t it? Not to mention with the store’s centenary coming up. There’s a lot to organize for that still and…”
Hector shoved the sack behind the chair. “Yes, it was most inconsiderate of her if you ask me. That’s why I’m taking over the organization of the party. Grandad’s still adamant on not wanting it, but he’s not getting a choice anymore. I’m planning on talking to him about it later.”
“But if Mr. J said not to…”
Leon piled up the boxes. “She has a point.”
“Yeah, on the end of her ears.” Hector sighed. “Look, the staff all want a party and its tradition. He doesn’t have to come if he doesn’t want to. Unless either of you know the real reason behind his decision…”
Brie’s cheeks burned and she turned away, stacking boxes furiously in a vain attempt to hide it. “Why would I know that?”
She could feel his gaze scorch her back before he spoke.
“I guess not. Home time. Meet you out the front, Cutie.”
Brie sighed. “Sure.” She knew that stupid name was going to haunt her for the next couple of weeks and probably beyond.
“Is your car still not working?” Leon asked.
“It is, but as Brie lives on my way in we car share to save petrol.”
Brie didn’t move for a moment as the two men headed out still talking. Once the corridor was clear, she headed to the ladies locker room. She sank onto the bench and buried her face in her hands. She turned the whole situation over to God in prayer, wanting a way out. She couldn’t let herself fall in love. But even as the thought flew heavenward, she knew it was too late. She’d tumbled headlong into love with Santa.
Finally unburdened, she changed out of her costume and made her way slowly down the corridor.
Footsteps echoed behind her. “Are you all right, Miss Dalgleish?”
She glanced up into the concerned face of the night security guard. “I’m fine.”
“Only Mr. Clause is looking for you. I said I’d check down here.”
“Oh. What time is it?”
“Six-fifteen.”
She swallowed. Now she was going to make them late to dinner. “Tell him I’m coming. Sorry.” She ran to the exit as the guard relayed the message on his radio and shoved the fire door open. She flew down the stairs in double time to the staff entrance.
Hector paced along the path, glancing at his watch.
Out of breath she ran over to him. “I’m so sorry.”
“Brie, are you all right?” His tone was brusque and concerned.
“I’m fine. I got…”
“Tell me on the way. Mum’s expecting us at seven and we’re going to hit the traffic.”
More than frustrated, Hector wasn’t surprised when they hit the traffic before they’d even left Reading. The A329M was at a complete standstill. He flipped on the radio. Nothing on the news to explain the delay. He looked at his watch. No way would they make dinner at his parent’s place now.
He glanced at Brie. “Check the travel on the internet, will you? The BBC Berkshire page would cover it.”
“Okay, since we’re not moving.” She pulled out her phone and unlocked it.
“What’s that got to do with anything?” he snapped.
“I get car sick,” she said.
“Oh, great.” He took the phone off her. “I’ll do it.”
She glared at him. “Do you want to get pulled over? Driving and using the phone is illegal.”
“We’re stationary in case you hadn’t notice. Besides, I don’t want you throwing up in the car!” He sucked in a deep breath. This wasn’t her fault, well, not entirely. He should have checked she was behind him when he left the shop floor. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bite your head off. We’re going to be late now and Mum has this thing about time keeping.”
Brie pulled up the page on the phone. “There’s a broken down lorry, junction 4B of the M4—the other side of Slough. Tail backs to junction 12 on the other side of Reading.”
“Terrific. Better call Mum, tell her we won’t make it.”
“Hang on a sec.” She put the phone away and opened the window, sending a blast of frigid air into the car. “Where in London are we going?”
“Merton Park, near Morden.”
“I know it. My grandmother used to live there. Come off here.”
“This junction?”
Brie nodded. “Yes. Go to Bracknell. Then the A322 to Bagshot and pick up the A3 at Guildford.”
“With you now.” He flipped on the indicator. “Can you program the sat nav?”
“No. Just follow the road signs to Bagshot and Guildford. Then the A3 to London. Trust me it’ll take you straight to Morden.”
He glanced at her. She had her eyes closed and no color in her face whatsoever. “Not going to throw up, are you?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He managed to maneuver the car onto the slip road and off at the junction. He followed the signs to the road Brie said he needed. He had no idea where he was going, he had to trust her.
A bit like trusting God if he thought about it. He had no idea where life would take him, but he would plant his footsteps in the Lord’s and follow His leading.
Hector glanced sideways at Brie. “It’s cold with the window open.”
“Sorry, but I feel so sick.”
He flicked on the air conditioning. “Here, use this instead. You can have all the vents facing you.”
“Thank you.” She closed the window and moved the vents. Her hair moved in the cold breeze.
“How about you talk to me? Take your mind off feeling sick.”
“About what?”
“The real reason Grandad said no party this year. It’s the centenary. He’s been looking forward to it for a long time. It’s not like him to ignore it now.”
“He told me to postpone it until after Christmas.”
“Did he say why?”
“Because of me,” she whispered.
He glanced at her, frustration rising again. “Excuse me? You don’t want a party so you influenced him? Of all the mean, selfish—” He broke off, praying he’d keep his temper.
“That isn’t it at all.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t want to fight.” Panic tinged her voice. “Please, don’t fight, not in the car. Not while you’re driving.”
Hector lowered his voice. “I’m not fighting.”
She turned her face to the window, tears sliding down her cheeks, arms wrapped tightly around h
er middle.
Hector felt like a total heel. The last thing she needed on top of feeling sick was him shouting at her. He pulled over into a layby and stopped the car. They were already late; a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. “I’m sorry, Brie. I didn’t mean to shout and I don’t want to fight. But something is bothering you about this party and if you don’t tell me, then I can’t help.”
She sniffled, wiping her cheeks with gloved fingers. “It was the day of the Christmas party last year. I discovered that my boyfriend John was cheating on me. Things had been rocky for a while. He’d taken a job in the States without consulting me, along with other stuff. When I found out about the other woman, I broke off the engagement. Some birthday present—find out the man you’re marrying is having an affair. He still insisted on taking me to the store party. We were arguing in the car when we got hit by a lorry. John died instantly.”
Brie paused to catch her breath. “They had to cut me out of the wreckage. I spent three months either in hospital or off work. Not having the store party on Christmas Eve wasn’t my decision. Mr. J said it wasn’t fair to make me plan a party so close to the anniversary. That doesn’t bother me. I’m happy to help plan it. I don’t have to attend. I don’t want to go. I tried telling Mr. J, but he didn’t listen.”
He rubbed his thumb gently over her hand. That explained why she was keeping him at arm’s length. At a loss for words, sorrow welled up within him. He couldn’t imagine what that level of betrayal or loss felt like. At Christmas no less. “Trying to tell Grandad anything he doesn’t want to hear is impossible. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“I blamed myself for the accident at first. If we hadn’t been arguing, then maybe he’d have seen the lorry, been able to avoid it. Looking back, I have no idea why I agreed to go to dinner with him that night. Our relationship was ended…well and truly over.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I know now it wasn’t my fault, but that’s why no party and why I’m such a nervous passenger.”
He tucked her hair behind her ears, wiping away the last of her tears with his fingertip. “If you’d rather go home, we can. I can, quite honestly, blame the traffic for us not arriving on time.”
