by Nikki Moore
Spinning around, she got off the ice and took a seat in the Skate Entrance building, Noel and Jasper following close behind. Rapidly unlacing her skates, she encouraged Jasper to do the same. 'Come on, the quicker we get our shoes on, the quicker you can have a hot chocolate. Race you.'
'While you two do that, I think I'll get rid of a few layers.' Noel said above her. 'I'm sure it'll be a lot warmer inside the main building.'
Holly heard rustling and when she straightened up, skates in hand, her eyes widened. Who'd have known he'd have such gorgeous broad shoulders in that clinging green jumper and amazingly taut, muscular thighs in snug black jeans?
'If you come back tomorrow,' she muttered, 'you might want to try wearing trousers that aren't so…' she got her breathing under control with a effort, 'tight.'
Huh. It was obviously too long since she'd pulled if she was finding the Grinch of Christmas Present so damn attractive.
A few minutes later, Holly lead Jasper over to grey double doors with a red sign hanging above it, Fortnum's Lodge at the Christmas Arcade in bold white lettering. Noel was trailing a few feet behind. He loved Jay, but his boundless energy could be challenging. At least Jasper was practically attached to Holly's hip, giving Noel a break.
'Thank you for saying I'm pretty, Jasper,' Holly pulled the door open for the boy, motioning him ahead of her, 'it was very nice of you.'
Swivelling his head, Jasper gave her a toothy smile. 'S'okay. You are. Melody's pretty too, but she has darker hair. You look a bit like Rapunzel out of Aimee's book but I don't think your hair is long enough.'
Holly ran a hand down over her pale blonde ponytail, which reached the middle of her back. 'My hair is long, but I agree a prince couldn't use it to climb the side of a tower. Who's Aimee?'
Scrunching up his face like he'd eaten something icky, 'My big sister.'
'Oh,' she bit her lip, 'I see. Right, go and pick a table.' She gestured around the wooden floored room they'd stepped into with its high square tables and bronze effect metal stools with rectangular backs. It was connected to another space that was meant to be a pop-up version of the Fortnum and Mason store in Piccadilly, fresh nuts and fruit arranged next to neat rows of green and teal boxes of tea and other dried goods.
'Cool.' Jasper raced over to the corner of the room and clambered up onto a stool.
'What a charmer.' Holly smiled at Noel. 'Sure to be a heart-breaker.'
'Yeah, he's much better with the ladies than I am,' he joked, but knew there was an edge to his voice, 'takes after his dad and uncle.' Matt and Stephen were usually the ones who got the girls. He was the wingman, the quiet afterthought. Matt had told him to try smiling more, engage in conversation. Stephen, younger and brasher, had taken a different tack. 'If you stopped scowling and looking so flipping miserable, you might get more action.' Thanks so much, mate.
He did all right if he wanted to. He just wasn't that bothered most of the time. He liked being alone. Avoid the complication, minimise the risks.
'So.' Holly said as they threaded their way through the tables. 'Pretty ironic that someone who hates Christmas is named after it.'
'Hilarious.' Noel dead-panned, sliding onto the stool next to Jasper, trying to work out how to avoid the questions she was sure to ask. The air smelt of cinnamon, and the steam rising from jugs of hot milk staff members were heating up and pouring into mugs. The clatter of cutlery and conversations created a lively din.
'So, one of your parents must have liked Christmas?' Holly prompted, sitting down opposite him.
Yep, just as he'd expected. He shifted in his chair and picked up a menu. 'What's good in here?'
Holly blinked at his deflection, then shrugged. 'You can make it merry; they do a mean tipsy hot chocolate, or there's mulled cider, and you can get champagne and truffles or cream tea as part of Skate Extra,' at his blank look she explained, 'packages you can book. And their signature drink is the Fortnum's Bees Knees cocktail I think…but seeing as it's only half past three it's probably a bit early for that.'
'Yeah, and you're also showing what you spend your evenings doing,' he replied cheekily, 'but what else is good?'
'Everything really. The standard hot chocolates are nice; you can add whipped cream, chocolate shavings and marshmallows.'
Jasper started humming noisily and swinging his legs, attracting attention from the family at the next table who were feasting on a delicious looking chocolate fondue.
'What are you going to have, Jay?' Noel asked. 'Hot chocolate?'
Jasper nodded, his humming increasing. Then he stopped. 'What is there to do in here? Are there any toys?'
Noel hesitated. Come clean or try and fudge something? 'No, not really, this is a café really but-'
'I'm bored, did you bring my iPad?'
'No, because we came to skate,' Noel said patiently.
'But Melody always-'
'Why don't we order and then we can-' his voice broke halfway through the sentence.
'Have you ever seen this before?' Holly exclaimed, pulling a smartphone from her pocket and quickly tapping the screen. 'Look at this cool app.'
'What is it?' Jasper scooched nearer to her.
'It's a tracker for Santa. On Christmas Eve you can see where he is as he travels around the world delivering presents.'
'Woah, really?' he bounced up and down in his seat, using his new favourite word. 'Cool.'
Noel rolled his eyes at Holly. 'Now you've done it,' he murmured in a low voice.
Holly carried on what she was doing but to his surprise stuck a small pink tongue out at him. 'Yep, really.' She turned back to Jasper, 'And you can even see where he is now, at his home in the North Pole. Look,' she handed the phone over, showing him where to press for more information, 'but it only works for good boys and girls. So you need to let your uncle sort out the drinks nicely.' She threw a look at Noel and he got the hint. She was good. He went and spoke with a member of staff and within minutes they each had a luxurious hot chocolate in front of them, the heat of the milk quickly melting the generous lashings of whipped cream.
Noel wrapped his hands around the drink and chilled out while Holly and Jasper chatted about ice skating. It would soon be time for him to take another turn on the ice before taking Jay home, giving him dinner and trying to wrestle him into bed at a sensible time. At least he was going to be doing it at Matt's pad in Knightsbridge rather than attempting to somehow shoehorn Jasper into his tiny flat in Camden.
'So, what do you like most about Christmas?' Holly was quizzing Jasper as Noel turned his attention back to their conversation.
'I like the tree, and decorations, and sweets and presents and games and being with Daddy! And sometimes Aimee when she's not reading, or telling me what to do.' The boy rocked back and forth in his chair, a cream moustache coating his top lip. 'What about you?' he asked Holly.
Noel swore he could already see devotion in the boy's eyes, as Jasper waited for Holly's response.
'I like crackling log fires,' Holly replied, face glowing, 'and drinking eggnog. Being with my family to see them open their gifts, then watching Bond films and Disney classics on TV, cracking open nuts and filling up on Quality Street and After Eights. I also like the excuse for big hugs on a cold day, and mistletoe hanging in unexpected places.' She slid a sideways glance at Noel. 'There are lots of good things about Christmas.'
Noel sighed. Despite what she'd said about respecting his wishes, he was sure she was making a play for converting him. But she was nice, really nice. It made him feel bad about the partial lie he'd told her about the reason for Jay not being able to learn tricks, in terms of Matt being overprotective. The core of the truth was that because of who Matt was, he wouldn't want Jasper attracting any attention. He was all about keeping his kids out of the spotlight, not thrusting them into it.
'Noel?' Holly waved a hand in front of his face.
'Hmm? Sorry I was thinking about something.' He zoned back in. 'What did you say?'
'That the
re are lots of good things about Christmas.'
'Oh yeah, hugs and mistletoe.' He paused, a sudden image of kissing her under a bunch of small white berries and green leaves springing into his head. He shifted in his seat, wishing for looser jeans. 'I suppose it might have some compensations.' He agreed slowly, looking at her intently and raising an eyebrow.
Holly blushed, then shook her head. 'I-I'm going to have to go,' she jumped off her stool. 'Thank you for the hot chocolate, Noel,' she gave him a tight, polite smile but turned a megawatt grin on Jasper, so he was in no doubt whose company she'd preferred, 'it was lovely meeting you. I really hope I see you tomorrow. If not, have a great Christmas.' She held a hand out to the boy and they shook solemnly. 'Take care,' she backed away, and ran out the door.
And with that she was gone, Noel staring after her bewildered, with a goodbye, thanks for everything, dying on his lips.
***
Holly skidded to a grinding halt on the ice, much less graceful than her usual style. So they were back then. She'd spent half the day hoping Jasper and Noel would return so she could spend more time with the boy and get him started on some basic spins if his dad okayed it, and the other half dreading them showing up. She'd made an idiot of herself yesterday running out so abruptly, but the look Noel had given her had been unnerving in intensity. The last time a guy had looked at her that way it had ended in heartbreak. Hers.
Still, they were heading over, so she'd better suck it up and be polite.
She'd just have to ignore the flutter of excitement mixed with nerves in the pit of her stomach.
'Jasper! It's so cool to see you again,' she crouched down on her skates, tucking her hands into her armpits to keep them warm. It was colder today than the previous day, but she didn't like wearing gloves, it didn't feel right. She'd always skated bare-handed. 'I wondered where you'd got to yesterday.'
'Hi, Holly,' Jasper touched her shoulder shyly, 'Daddy said you can show me some things later today, if he can come and watch.'
'Excellent. I'm on split shift today because I'm working the club night tonight though. Do you know when he might come down?'
'He said around five or six,' Noel addressed the top of her head, and she craned her neck to gaze up at him. 'And it took a lot of convincing for Matt to say yes, and come down. A lot.'
He was wearing a hat pulled down over his dark hair again, but his coat looked thinner - it might be thermal - and he wasn't as bundled up, his blue jeans baggier than the black ones had been. He'd followed her advice about less restrictive clothing then. But he still looked far too good, far too appealing.
'That might work. You and Jasper managed it then.'
'Yes, and hi again,' he smiled down at her. 'I also managed to convince Jasper to cut me a break after our drinks yesterday. Which is why you didn't see us afterwards.'
'Hi again to you too,' she rose slowly, watching as Jasper started skating rings around them. 'So how did you manage that?'
Noel eyed the boy warily, extending his arms slightly to balance. 'I asked nicely and made him an offer he couldn't refuse.'
'Did it by any chance include a certain fast food chain?' she teased, thinking of her sister's favourite bribe for her sons.
'I couldn't possibly comment,' he shot back, 'except to say that I used all the charm and patience at my disposal-'
She pulled a face.
'Hey!' Noel protested, 'I know I was a bit grouchy about the whole Christmas thing, but-'
'’Ncle Noel bought me a Happy Meal yesterday, Holly,' the boy trilled as he slid past.
She laughed at the look of consternation on Noel's face. 'Busted!'
He burst into laughter. 'Oh well, it was worth a shot! Anyway, I think Matt should make it, he's been working pretty hard the last few days, so he kind of promised Jasper he'd be here. If you can show the kid a few things, I'd appreciate it…' he went quiet, a funny expression stealing over his face, 'And I'm sorry if anything I said yesterday made you feel awkward-'
'Oh, not at all,' she said quickly, 'why would you think that?'
'Just the way you left so suddenly.'
'I didn't want to be late back from my break, that's all. I love this job.' Nice save, Holly.
'Clearly,' he paused, 'still, would you mind sparing us a few minutes of your break later on? Jasper is keen to have a look around the rest of Somerset House and although I know the layout of the four main wings and the new one, I probably can't make it come to life for him like you can.'
Holly frowned, biting her lip. It was an innocent enough request, and she didn't have an issue giving up part of her break or spending time with Jasper, it was his godfather she wasn't sure about spending more time with. Noel made her feel so unsettled. She'd almost called one of her best friends, Carly, to talk it through last night. But what would she have said? I met a guy but he's closed off and sensible and hates Christmas and I don't want to get involved with anyone anyway. What a waste of breath that would have been.
'Don't worry,' Noel dismissed, turning his focus on Jasper. 'It was just an idea.' His body language and tone said casual, but a red tinge started creeping up the back of his neck between his collar and hat.
'No, it's okay,' she scrambled for an excuse, feeling bad for hesitating. And after all, what could it hurt? 'I'd be happy to do it, it's just I'm not that qualified. I don't really know about any of the art stuff in the North Wing, or the history of the place. I only really know parts of the South and East Wings. But I could walk you around those and show you my favourite things if you want. I was thinking about timings too. I could be free in an hour or so?'
'Great,' he beamed at her, and it was such an open, happy expression compared to the scowls of yesterday he looked like a different guy.
'Okaayyy,' she said slowly, 'I'll tell you when. In the meantime, do you need any help?'
'No, thanks, I'm still not interested in learning to skate. But I am wearing plasters and extra thick socks. I've got blisters the size of the London Eye,' he joked.
'Poor baby,' she replied before she could censor herself. 'I'm thinking that may be a slight exaggeration though.' Stop flirting. He's not your type, remember. You've got other more important things to be focusing on.
'It's possible. So, what about you? Don't you get blisters, skating around all day?'
'I was a professional figure-skater, my heels are rock solid.' Wow, that sounded so attractive.
'You were?' he looked confused.
'I told Jasper yesterday. Weren't you listening?'
'Obviously not,' he said sheepishly, 'sorry. So what were you, regional?'
'International, medal-winning,' she enjoyed seeing the shock on his face, 'I had sponsorship deals and everything.' Now it sounded like she was showing off, when all she was doing was stating facts.
'You did? I don't remember you.'
'It was a few years ago,' she glanced down at the ice, digging a toe-pick into it, a nervous habit from her childhood, 'and if you didn't follow the sport, it's not surprising you wouldn't know who I was.'
'Is it classified as a sport? I always thought it was just dancing,' he spun a finger round in a circle, 'on ice.'
'Figure-skating takes stamina, athleticism and agility, not to mention being fearless,' she flared, old sensitivities rising, 'it was the first winter sport included in the Olympics in the early 1900's. Have you ever had the ice whistling past your head while doing a death spiral? Until you've tried it, don't tell me it's not a sport.'
'Hey, I didn't mean to cause offence,' Noel held up both hands, 'I'm really sorry. Genuinely. I just don't know about this kind of stuff. It's ignorance, nothing else.'
Holly took a deep breath, seeing the sincerity in his chestnut brown eyes. 'I'm sorry for snapping. I'm just so used to some people not getting it…'
'That's okay. We all have our things, the ones that catch us on the raw, like me and Christmas. But I have nothing but respect for skaters in terms of the danger involved; when I've caught it in passing on TV the si
ght of people being twirled and thrown around in the air, and those razor sharp skates skimming past people's ears …' he shuddered. 'The health and safety side of me goes on full alert. There must be an incredible amount of injuries every year.'
'Oh, loads,' she agreed, 'in terms of minor ones; banged knees, scraped skin, sprained ankles and wrists. Fortunately there aren't that many serious ones, involving heads and backs. But then, it's not always the major ones you have to worry about.' She dug her toe-pick deeper into the ice, working a dent into it.
'Is that what happened to you?' Noel asked softly. 'I assume you don't figure-skate professionally any more.'
She frowned.
'You said was, in the past tense.'
'I'd rather not talk about it, but in short, yes that's what happened. It doesn't matter though,' she forced a smile, 'I have other plans now.'
'Good for you.'
'Yes.'
There was a silence as they gazed at each other.
'I'd better-' Noel broke eye contact and scanned the ice for Jasper. 'Where's he gone?' he muttered.
'Yes, I need to,' Holly caught a sharp glance from a manager who was walking past with a stack of pale blue SKATE flyers, 'get back to work.' How had she neglected her duties for so long? 'Do you see him?'
'Yes,' Noel huffed with relief, 'he's weaving around that group over there.' He pointed to the other side of the rink. 'Stay there Jay, I'm coming!' he yelled, then raised an eyebrow at Holly. 'Thank god I didn't lose him. That would be awful.'
'Yes, losing people is pretty brutal,' she agreed, sure that they were talking about more than a four year old boy going walkabout when a darkness settled over Noel's face.
'Anyway,' he turned and picked his way carefully over to the plastic wall, starting to pull himself around the edge of the rink towards Jasper, 'I'll see you later.'
'See you later,' Holly echoed, as Noel stop-started away, his broad-shouldered, long-legged body somehow looking forlorn. She had a mad urge to skate after him and hug him, though they hardly knew each other.
Weird. Unexpected. Scary.