Skating at Somerset House (A Christmas Short Story)

by Nikki Moore

  Practically spooning the guy upright wasn't the most professional way to help and she might get a telling off by the Front of House Manager, but it was the best she could do at short notice.

  He didn't reply, just made a grunting sound and shook his head.

  With his back plastered to her front and bum tucked into the curve of her hips, she realised he wasn't as bulky as he first seemed; it was the never ending amount of layers he was wrapped in. No wonder he was having issues, his upper body was totally constricted. No, he wasn't soft around the middle; he was actually quite nicely built.

  'Okay?' she asked a little breathlessly. Untangling their arms, she steadied him with a firm hand and glided them over to the side, checking to make sure Jasper was still with them. The little boy gave her a reassuring nod, keeping pace.

  'No, I'm not okay,' the guy spat as soon as he was hanging on to the wall, 'you scared the crap out of me!'

  The girl took a step back at his tone, emotions flickering over her face; astonishment, irritation, simmering anger, settling at last on blank politeness. Pale blonde hair tied back in a high ponytail, she had glacier blue eyes, creamy skin and was girl next door pretty, but everything about her screamed winter. He preferred the hot Latin type. Women with curves and smouldering dark eyes. Not women who looked like Taylor Swift's slightly taller twin. The loose purple tabard - Ice Marshall in white script across the front - worn over some kind of waterproofs was hardly sexy. She could be straight up and down under there. Not that it mattered.

  'I'm sorry if I startled you,' she said, every word coated with frost. 'But perhaps I can talk you through some skating tips?' Looking pointedly at Jasper, who was gazing up at Noel with a puzzled expression.

  Noel realised what he'd said and the way he'd said it, and gritted his teeth. First he'd had to be publicly rescued, then he'd spoken to his rescuer like a spoilt five year old. That wasn't okay. Frustration tumbled through him. He wasn't getting any better at skating. And there was a funny hitch in his stomach at having a woman plastered up against him for the first time in two years, since- Stop. There was no way he was going to think about her now.

  'I'm sorry if I was rude,' he glanced at the girl apologetically. 'And thank you for the offer…?’

  'Holly.'

  'Holly. But I'm not interested in getting any better.' Shaking his head. 'I might be here tomorrow, but after that I don't plan to come near an ice rink for a really long time.'

  She giggled, then bit her lower lip, teeth straight and white except for a slightly crooked canine. It was a tiny imperfection, but somehow appealing.

  He cleared his throat, raising one eyebrow, 'Are you allowed to laugh at customers?'

  'S-sorry,' she choked, covering her mouth, 'probably not, I just- ahem,' she dropped her hand, smiling, 'you just sounded so pained. I had a fleeting thought … I wondered if you were traumatised.'

  'Yeah,' he drawled, elbowing aside the mental note his treacherous brain had made about what an appealing shade of pink her lips were, 'I'll be seeking compensation from Somerset House to fund some counselling sessions.'

  Her smile widened, eyes twinkling. 'It would be a conflict for me to give evidence on your behalf,' she joked, 'but you definitely seem like you could use them.'

  'I'll let you know how I get on,' he grinned back, then fell silent. Why was he flirting with her? She wasn't his type, and the last thing he needed was a woman complicating things. 'Anyway,' he muttered, 'I'd better get on.' He turned away to pull himself along the edge of the rink using the wall. 'Come on, Jay.'

  Jasper frowned but nodded, obediently skating a few metres ahead, near enough that Noel could keep an eye on him, but not so close that he'd be in the danger zone if his godfather fell over.

  Noel was surprised when Holly stayed with him, matching pace.

  Taking a breath and winking at Jasper, who'd turned to watch them over his shoulder, she lowered her voice. 'Look, I am sorry if I surprised you, and if you don't want my help that's fine, but I'd actually come over to speak to you about something.'

  He nodded, trying not to think about what he was doing with his feet. The more he thought about it, the more likely he was to fall over. 'I see. And what's that?' he'd caught the look passing between Holly and Jasper. They were obviously up to something. No wonder Jasper was staying close, rather than zipping around like he had done earlier.

  'I'd love for Jasper to stay on so I can teach him a few moves later. He's a natural.'

  'I'm not sure that's a good idea. It sounds sort of dangerous.' He risked taking his hand off the wall and moved faster, trying to remember to slide his feet in turn, instead of walking on the ice.

  'I know what I'm doing and would be with him the whole time,' she said earnestly, accelerating to keep up with him. 'It's no more dangerous than a lot of other childhood activities; riding a bike, swimming in the sea.'

  'I wouldn't know,' he dismissed, then stumbled on a groove in the ice, and started going down, arms flailing. She was there immediately, slipping her right arm around his waist and fitting neatly under his left arm to steady him, as if they were a couple, like they'd been doing this for years. He could feel the warmth of her body up and down his side. Smell strawberries in her blonde hair, her glossy ponytail swinging against his cheek. Their faces were so close he could tilt his head and kiss her if he wanted to. 'Thank you.' He straightened up abruptly, got his balance, feeling his face go red. 'Like I was saying,' he continued gruffly, 'I really don't know that much about kids.'

  Holly squinted at the guy, aware of her hand clutching his waist, and the way she could feel his minty breath on her cheek. 'Pardon?' How could he not know about childhood activities, or kids? 'But you're got one!'

  'What? What are you-? Ah.' Letting out an exasperated sigh, he gently disentangled himself from her, and hobbled back over to the wall. 'Jasper,' he called, 'come here please.'

  Jasper waved, and started back toward them.

  Pulling his hat off, Jasper's dad scrubbed a tanned hand through his thick dark hair, which was starting to curl. She did not want to run her fingers through it. Okay, maybe she did a tiny bit, because he was kind of cute when he wasn't frowning, scowling or grumbling, and he had lovely long eyelashes, but he wasn't really her type. She preferred blond sunny guys with open expressions and the preppy college look. Grumps need not apply.

  'Well,' she tried to hide her confusion behind an uncertain smile, 'I suppose a lot of parents go through a steep learning curve.' She had two nephews who'd definitely put her older sister through some challenging times.

  'He's not mine.' He explained, putting an arm around Jasper's narrow shoulders as the boy appeared beside him. Looking down, his wry smile communicated you little tinker. Jasper pulled a you got me face and smiled back hopefully. 'I'm his godfather, Noel.' He explained, looking back at Holly. 'And while I spend time with him whenever I can, I'm hardly an expert when it comes to kids.'

  'Oh, right.' She paused, something in her melting at the affection between them. Noel clearly hated skating but had brought Jasper here anyway. Perhaps he wasn't so bad. Irrelevant, get back on track. 'Well in that case maybe you can ask his dad? Or I can talk to him? If he understands how talented Jasper might be-'

  'That won't be possible.' His face settled into a blank Keep Out: This Ski Trail is Closed, expression.

  'Why not?'

  'He's working.'

  'We could call him-'

  'Pleeeeasseee.' Jasper tugged on Noel's jacket, eyes wide and bottom lip stuck out. 'Please can you phone Daddy-'

  'Nope. Sorry. Not now, kid. He's not available. The best I can do is try and talk to him tonight and see if he'll let you try some stuff tomorrow, if we come back.' He glanced down at the boy, his expression softening. 'Why don't you skate a bit, Jay, while Holly and I talk. Stay close, okay?'

  'Kay,' grinning mischievously, Jasper started skating in a semi-circle, pushing himself off the wall behind Noel, flying past them to touch the wall a few feet beyond Holly, t
urning and launching himself back to the wall beside Noel again.

  'Look, I'm sure he'd enjoy learning from you,' dropping his voice, Noel looked down at Holly and she realised with a flutter in her belly that he must be well over six foot, given he towered above her. 'But Ma- my friend isn't usually keen to let Jay participate in risky stuff. He's very protective.'

  She gave him a quizzical look.

  'Jay's mum died in a car accident.' Noel expanded quietly. 'Jasper and his sister were in the car when it happened.'

  'Oh. Wow.' Holly tucked her hands into her trouser pockets. 'Poor things. It must be awful to lose a parent so young.'

  Face tightening, Noel's voice dropped a few octaves. 'Yes. It is.'

  'Still. It's really not that risky, learning a few spins. He's out on the ice anyway-'

  'I get it, but it's not my decision to make.' He cast a look over at Jasper, who was still skating around them, getting closer but still not quite in earshot. 'Like I said,' he spoke quickly, 'I'll talk to his dad this evening and if he's okay with it, I'll bring Jasper back tomorrow and you can show him a few tricks then.' He looked positively depressed at the prospect.

  'Thanks, I guess I'll have to be happy with that for now.' She paused, 'I take it you don't like, or enjoy, skating?'

  'Hate it,' Noel agreed flatly, staring around the ice rink accusingly like it was a living thing.

  'It's not the ice's fault!' she protested lightly.

  'Obviously.' He turned his attention back to her. 'But I'm rubbish, that's all there is to it.'

  'You're still learning-' she began.

  'I know I'm a paying customer,' he said, dark brown eyes amused, 'but come on, be honest.'

  '’Ncle Noel, ’ncle Noel!' Jasper paused, stomping his skates on the ice, 'I can stamp out the tune to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie!'

  'That's great kid,' Noel gave him a thumbs up, 'but be careful please.'

  Holly smiled and picked up the ribbon of conversation as Jasper resumed skating in a half-moon around them. 'Well, you could definitely use some practice…' She backtracked at the glowering expression Noel gave her, 'Okay. Truthfully? You're not good. And I know you said you're not intending to work on your skating, and I get it, but it's still nice to be here, surely? It's so lovely and Christmassy,' she breathed, grinning, throwing her arms out. 'It's such a great atmosphere. Everyone's in a fantastic mood. Well, almost everyone.'

  He studied her, eyes narrowing. 'Personally I can't think of anything worse than all this,' he edged forward as Jasper narrowed his semi-circle, getting closer to Holly and Noel each time he tapped the wall, 'festive rubbish. I'm just here for him.'

  'Festive rubbish?' she squeaked, 'You don't like Christmas either?' she could hear the horror coating her voice and this conversation was probably getting too personal, but she couldn't leave it there.

  'It's an expensive exercise in commercialism,' he replied. As she opened her mouth to respond, he held up a hand, palm out. 'Before you say it, yeah, I'm being bah-humbug. Guilty.'

  'I don't know what to say. That's really sad. I just see it as a time of giving, fun and spending time with friends and fam-'

  'I can do without the lecture, thanks, but generally speaking people are in a great mood because it's an excuse to drink alcohol, eat lots and have time off work.'

  'Woah. That's a bit strong. Maybe you just need to experience the joys of Christmas.'

  'See the wonder of it through a child's eyes, you mean?' he quipped, unzipping his coat.

  Obviously this guy had a cynical streak a snow-covered mountain-peak wide.

  'Perhaps.' She muttered, gliding nearer as Jasper brushed her arm. 'Or maybe … is there a reason you don't like Christmas? Are there bad memories, or-?'

  'It's really none of your business, and please don't psychoanalyse me. Despite us joking about counselling, I don't need therapy. I don't mind other people enjoying Christmas, I just don't want to be forced too as well. I mean,' he pointed at the enormous Christmas tree, 'look at that. Is it really necessary?'

  She flushed. This guy was deeply unhappy about the whole thing. Well, each to their own, and he was right, he was a customer - the last thing she wanted was a complaint. She was enjoying this job too much. 'Maybe not necessary, but it's tradition, which to some people is important. Anyway, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.'

  'I'm not upset. Don't worry about it.' He waved off her apology. Rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. 'Oh, man,' he muttered under his breath, 'I'm being an idiot.'

  A waft of sexy male aftershave hit Holly at the same time as his admission, and something tingled in her belly. She realised how close they were, only a foot spanning the space between them, thanks to Jasper's game. Her eyes wandered over his face, noticing that actually he had a lovely firm jaw line, with a slight coating of stubble. She gulped. Shame he was such a Scrooge. Not that she was really into dating at the moment. She planned to be immersed in her new business for the next few months, or years, if that was what it took.

  Noel suddenly lurched toward her, as Jasper ran into the back of him. 'Oof! Jasper!'

  He grabbed Holly's shoulders so as not to crash into her, and she braced her hands against his chest so that they didn't head-butt each other. She caught another waft of sexy aftershave.

  Jasper giggled and skated away in a figure of eight.

  'I am so …' Noel trailed off as he stared down at Holly.

  She held her breath, aware of the firmness of his chest under his woolly green jumper, the way her fingers were clinging to the soft material.

  Shaking his head, looking confused, he tried again. 'I'm sorry. He's a handful sometimes. And I'm sorry I snapped.' Stepping back carefully, he made an effort to smile, and the corners of his eyes crinkled slightly. 'It's not you at all. It's completely me. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It's just that I've had the same conversation with people for years. It's getting boring. Not to mention frustrating. Christmas just stresses me out.' He touched her arm, and she swore she could feel the heat of it through her waterproof top, which should not be possible.

  She dropped her arms and tucked her hands in her trouser pockets. 'Fair enough.'

  'Really?' he looked surprised, quickly followed by suspicious.

  'It's your choice.' Holly shrugged. 'And I get it; people going on at you about the same thing over and over can drive you a bit barmy. My mum does it all the time about the skating. I've just learnt to listen, nod in the right places and then do my own thing anyway. Works wonders for my stress levels.'

  'Maybe I'll try that,' he mused. 'But I mean it,' he insisted. 'I am sorry. And I'm not like this about everything, honest. You should see me in the summer. I can tell jokes with the best of them.' He smiled. 'I know a good one about a health and safety officer who walks into a bar-'

  'You don't have to convince me of your comedy value,' she shook her head, 'it's fine. Hopefully Jasper can come back tomorrow, but if he can't, he can't. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.' She'd done all she could, and would just have to see if they'd show up the next day.

  'Wait, I-' he caught hold of Holly's sleeve as she went to skate away backwards.

  Jasper appeared next to them, stopping with a spray of ice. 'Can we go have a hot drink ’Ncle Noel? I'm cold.' He chattered his teeth to demonstrate how much. 'Pleeeeease.'

  Despite her desire to leave, and that she should be asking Noel to let her go, Holly smiled. The little boy was a real cutie.

  'And can pretty Holly come with us please?' He turned to her, eyes bright. 'I want you to say about ice skating. And your cups and trophies.'

  'I- ' she gazed at Noel over the boy's head. Oh, help. 'I'm sure you can manage without me. I'm due a break but-'

  'Please join us.' Noel said, to her bewilderment. 'If you can.' I'm exhausted, he mouthed, rolling his eyes. 'The drink is on me.' Please, his brown eyes begged, in much the same way Jasper had pleaded with him a moment before. He obviously wasn't used to looking after kids, and needed a br
eak from Jasper's steady stream of random chatter and demands. 'I'll be nice,' he promised.

  She decided to take pity on him. But only to make his godson happy. 'Okay.' It's at a price, her eyes sparkled back. 'They do a nice hot chocolate or cream tea in the Fortnum's Lodge.'

  'Yay!' Jasper hopped up and down, 'Yay, yay, yay.'

  She noticed Noel swallow at the brand, and could almost see a cash register in his brain ringing up the bill, but to his credit he simply nodded. 'Sounds good to me. The lodge is in the West Wing right, just behind us?'

  Nodding, 'Have you been here before?'

  'No, I looked up the floor-plan online.'

  'You're a guy who likes to be prepared.'

  'I don't like the unexpected.' He said, looking serious. 'I like to know where I am, where I'm going, what's happening.'

  Holly stared at him. 'Sounds like you're talking about more than maps of Somerset House. But surely you can't always know where you are, where you're going or what's going to happen.'

  'I don't see why not.'

  'Life isn't like that,' she shook her head, 'it's messy and complicated. You can never know what's around the corner.'

  'I can't think like that. I couldn't think of anything worse.'

  'But,' she drifted closer to him, 'the unexpected things are the best parts.'

  'They are? Why?'

  'Because they usually end up being the fun or exciting bits, or the times you learn the most about yourself, or your friends or family.'

  'That's very idealistic,' he replied, his dark gaze fluttering over her mouth before returning to her eyes, 'but an interesting way of looking at it.'

  Feeling her cheeks warm, she grinned to hide how flustered she felt. 'You know I'm right, despite that lukewarm reply. Now let's get going, I can't be too long.'

  Signalling to a fellow Ice Marshall colleague that she was taking a break, Holly tapped on the face of her sports watch and held both hands up twice. He nodded in reply and waved back at her, grey hair catching the bluey-purple spotlights spanning the rink.