I let out a melodramatic sigh.
‘Ooh! Now that was a good one.’
I whacked him on the arm with my good one and he laughed. ‘Oh that’s right, I forgot about your left hook.’ He rubbed his nose.
‘Oh hardy ha ha!’ I said, doing my best not to let the smile that was dying to bust through show.
‘Fine. You win. But you’re not to lift any of this stuff. Ok?’ He glanced down at my feet. ‘And don’t come outside yet either. The pavements are icy and those shoes were clearly not made for walking on ice.’ He gave my five-inch spiked heels another look. ‘I’m not sure they were made for walking in at all, to be honest.’
‘They’re shoes, Rob. What do you think they were made for?’
He raised his head from where he’d bent to get the box and looked at me with a smile. But not just any smile. This was one I’d definitely never seen before from him. And I blushed from head to naughty shoe enclosed foot!
He stood with the box, then bent towards my ear. ‘Why Izzy, I do believe you’re blushing.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ I said. ‘Come on, slowcoach, or am I going to have to do this myself?’
‘I’m going, I’m going,’ he said, balancing the two boxes on top of one another as I opened the door for him. His red Range Rover Sport was parked in the loading bay at the front of my studio with its hazards flashing.
‘And for God’s sake, don’t slip over!’
‘Aah, it almost sounds like you’re worried about me.’
‘Not at all. I just don’t fancy hunting down diamantes and pearls in the snow, thank you very much.’
‘I should have known.’ he said, and stepped out onto the pavement, laughing.
I pressed the central locking button on the key he’d given me to hold and he opened the boot, loading in the boxes before returning for the rest, and my suitcase. He glanced at it, as he pulled it along to the door.
‘Is that it?’
I panicked. ‘What? Should I have something else?’
‘No, it’s just quite small. For a girl.’
‘I pack well. And that’s a very chauvinistic thing to say.’
‘No. I was just saying. I’ve never seen a girl pack this…little.’
‘Ok, now I’m worried. I wasn’t worried before. What if I need something I don’t have?’
‘It’s Dorset. We have shops.’
‘True. Fine. Good.’
‘And I’m sure you have everything. Whenever I went somewhere with a girl who’d packed a massive great case, which I always ended up carrying, she never used most of the stuff in it anyway! I’m sure you’re spot on.’
I nodded. I was pretty good at packing. Even though I hadn’t been on holiday in years now, what with college and fees, and then getting the business off the ground. But I obviously hadn’t lost the knack, which was good.
‘So, who were these over packers then?’
‘Too many to count.’
I gave him a look that told him what I thought and he laughed.
‘Are these the last things?’ he said, holding up the garment carriers. One contained a couple of dresses for me and the other was The Dress.
‘That’s it.’
‘Right. Hand me the keys and I’ll come back and get you in a sec when you’ve locked up.’
‘I can walk to the car, Rob. It’s right there!’ I pointed at it for emphasis.
‘Not in those shoes, you can’t!’
‘What do you have against my shoes? You’re always criticising them!’
What?’ He actually seemed genuinely surprised.
‘You are! You’re always making comments about them.’
‘It’s not criticism, though.’
‘Saying they aren’t made for walking in? How is that not a criticism of something that’s specifically made for walking in?’
‘Izz. Believe me. It is not criticism. A little fascination at how you manage to stay upright in them, maybe. But really, most definitely, not criticism.’
‘Hmm.’ I held the door open for him once more as he prepared to leave with his sister’s dress.
Just as he was about to step outside, he stopped. I looked up, waiting, wondering what he’d forgotten. He had that grin on again.
‘If you want the honest truth, I think your shoes are sexy as hell.’ And with that he strode out to the car whilst I stood there, letting snow blow in the door whilst my brain momentarily freaked out as it tried to decide what to do with that information.
What it decided to do was ignore it and I went back to the rear of the studio to double check I’d locked everything and switched the water off.
‘Izzy? You ready?’ Rob called.
‘Coming!’ I threw a last glance around as I walked back through, making sure I couldn’t think of anything else I needed to do before I locked up. This was going to be the longest I’d left the studio since I’d first opened four years ago and I wasn’t quite sure if I was doing the right thing. Maybe I shouldn’t be closed for the whole Christmas holiday? My pulse started picking up and my hands suddenly felt clammy. What if closing up meant that I missed something big? I’d poured everything I had into this business, my time, my money – or rather the bank’s – and my love. Did I really want to risk missing out on something?
‘You have a funny look on your face. What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing. I mean, I’m fine. I’m just wondering if this is such a good idea now. What if I miss a call, or someone comes to me with something big and I’m not here because I’m munching on mince pies elsewhere? I’ve never been closed this long before!’ Mild panic was making my voice pitch higher than usual and I was pretty sure it wasn’t attractive. Not that that mattered right now. It was only Rob, after all. But still. I took a deep breath in the hope that next time I spoke it wouldn’t be quite so helium inspired.
‘Are you finished?’
‘Umm… yes?’ I replied, not entirely sure if I was.
‘Good. Then can we go?’
‘Argh! Did you not just hear any of what I said?’ Uh oh. Still squeaky.
‘Yep.’
‘And?’
‘And. You’re worrying about nothing. You have an answerphone, yes?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you can access that remotely?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you have a contact form on your website?’
‘Yes.’
‘Which you can also access from anywhere you have your computer. And I know you have your laptop because I just put it in the car.’
‘Ok.’
‘Your studio is appointment only anyway. It says that on the door and it says that on the website so people don’t just wander in, do they?’
‘Not really.’
‘And you can pick up messages, and check enquiries whilst you’re away, and respond to them wherever you are.’
‘Yes.’
‘So, are you panicking about nothing?’
‘Probably.’ I said, still feeling a little doubt, even though I knew he was completely, annoyingly, correct.
‘Izz,’ he said, resting his big hands on my shoulders, and finding little room to spare, ‘I know it’s hard. I know how much you’ve worked for everything you’ve built here. But it’ll be ok. I promise. You need a break.’
I sighed. ‘I know. I know. You’re right. Come on,’ I said, picking my coat off the wire coat stand in the corner, ‘Let’s go before I change my mind again.’
Rob waited on the step as I flicked off the lights and threw all the locks and bolts on the front door of the studio.
‘Ready?’ he said, raising his voice a little to carry over the wind that was funnelling down my road.
‘Yes.’
‘Give me your arm, then.’
‘What?’
‘Your good arm. Hook it around mine.’
I gave him a look. ‘Rob, I can walk to the car. It’s ten feet in front of me. Even in these “sexy shoes”.’ I tossed his words back at him w
ith a wink and stepped onto the pavement. His concern was sweet but really not necessary in this instance. I continued to believe this until my third step, at which point I did an impression of a dog taking a corner on lino, and my feet went in very different directions to the ones I had planned for them.
‘Whoop! Steady.’ Rob’s hands were around my waist before I got the chance to fall entirely. But, thank goodness, it wasn’t embarrassing. I mean it wasn’t like I’d made a big song and dance about being able to get to the car by myself or anything! At least he was behind me and I didn’t have to actually look him in the eye.
‘If you say anything remotely in the realm of “I told you so” I will break your nose. Again.’
‘I wasn’t going to say a thing.’
‘Good.’
‘Would you allow me to assist you to the car safely now?’
‘I would appreciate that. Thank you.’
Turning gingerly, I put my hand on Rob’s arm, and steadied myself as my feet went sliding on the ice again.
‘How in the hell are you managing to march about?’ I asked, irritably.
‘I had these in the boot,’ he said indicating the Hunter wellington boots he was wearing, ‘I thought they’d be more effective in this than my work shoes.’ He smiled before adding, ‘And they’re certainly a lot more effective than your work shoes.’
‘Here we go again.’
‘As I said, not criticising. Just wondering how we’re going to get you to the car without you breaking something.’
‘I’ll be fine. Just let me hold onto you.’
‘All right.’
It took one and a half more steps before I was sliding again.
‘Oh for heaven’s sake. Sorry about this Izzy, but we do need to get going.’
‘Sorry about wh–’ My words were cut off as Rob picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift.
‘Rob! No! Put me down! Put me down! Now!’
‘Your wish is my command.’ he said, depositing me in the front passenger seat of the Range Rover, and pushing the door closed. He then crunched around on the snow to the other side and got in. The engine hummed as he turned the key and Rob pumped up the heat controls until warm air was soon streaming through the vents. My bottom and back were also beginning to warm up thanks to the wonder of heated seats.
‘Comfy?’ he asked, pulling off his wellies and switching them back for his shiny black work shoes.
‘If mortified comes under the heading of comfy, then sure!’
He glanced over as he did up the second shoe lace.
‘Why are you mortified?’
‘Oh I’m sorry. I thought that was me you just threw over your shoulder like a sack of spuds. Except potatoes would not be worried about the fact that their underwear was probably on show to every passing vehicle!’
‘Your underwear was not on show. I checked.’ He was grinning his head off at this point.
‘I’m glad you find it all so hilarious.’
‘Oh lighten up, Izz. Relax! It’s Christmas! And I think you’d be more mortified if you’d fallen and broken your other wrist or something else. It was a few steps, got the job done and I promise nobody saw anything that they shouldn’t have done.’
‘Are you sure?’ I asked, smoothing out my skirt. I knew it was a bit old-fashioned to be worrying about things like this, especially with the way some people dressed these days but I’d always been a bit more reserved when it came to certain things and the thought of flashing my knickers at passing traffic gave me palpitations – and not in a good way.
‘Absolutely positive. So can we go now?’
‘Yes.’ I looked over at him as he hit the indicator and prepared to pull out across the traffic, ‘Sorry. I know you think I’m being ridiculous.’
He smiled and shook his head, ‘I don’t think you’re being ridiculous. It’s actually kind of endearing.’
‘It is?’
A van flashed its lights and let us out across him. Rob remained silent as he concentrated on the other lane of traffic.
‘It is,’ he answered, now in the stream of traffic heading away from the city. ‘It sort of goes with those fifties style dresses you sometimes wear. Kind of demure. Elegant.’
I shifted in my seat and turned towards him. ‘What are you up to?’
He glanced over ever so briefly before returning his eyes to the road, ‘What do you mean?’
‘You. You’re up to something. First you say my shoes are sexy, then you’re telling me I’m demure and elegant and endearing. And bearing in mind I’ve just been skating about like a baby deer on its feet for the first time and been chucked over your shoulder like a bit of old carpet, I’m feeling neither elegant nor demure. So, tell me, what exactly are you up to, Mr Winchester?’
I could see his smile even though he didn’t turn away from the road. ‘The other day I made you a promise at the coffee shop that I would be honest, that I’d tell you the truth about stuff. So I am. That’s all. No agenda.’
‘All right. Well then, thank you. For the compliments. Not for slinging me around.’
‘You’re welcome and I’m sorry but you were scaring the hell out of me skating about like that. I was worried you were going to fall and crack your head on the pavement, or something.’ There was something in his voice that stopped me from sending a pithy rejoinder.
‘I’m sorry I scared you.’ I said quietly.
‘It’s all right.’ He reached out without looking and took my hand briefly, ‘Just promise to wear wellies if we go out for a walk over Christmas. Ok.’
‘Umm… Ok.’
‘Izzy?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you have wellies?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘What does “not exactly” mean?’
‘It means I don’t have wellies.’
‘Ok. Do you have boots?’
‘Yes!’
‘Izzy. Please tell me these boots don’t have five-inch heels.’
I remained silent.
Rob laughed. ‘Fine. We’ll find you some wellies.’
I snuggled into the seat and watched the snowflakes hitting the windscreen, their tiny, delicate framework lasting momentarily until they melted or were swept away by the swishing wiper blade. Rob reached behind him and produced another of those superbly soft blankets, like the one he had in his apartment. I really needed to find out where he got them.
‘Thank you.’ I wasn’t cold but the blanket was comforting and I was grateful for his thoughtfulness. I laid it across my legs that I’d now tucked underneath me, having kicked off my shoes shortly after we’d left my studio. The leather seat was warm from its clever heating and I leant my head back against the headrest, contentedly watching the tail lights twinkling in front of us as Madeleine Peyroux played softly through the speakers. We’d talked a little but I could see Rob was concentrating on the road, and the weather, so I left him to it. When we’d been chatting, he’d mentioned a video conference with a client in Singapore yesterday. I had suppliers in Singapore so I was well aware of the time difference. I stole another glance and caught him running a hand over his freshly cropped hair.
‘Are you ok?’
He smiled over, ‘Yeah. I’m fine. You?’
‘Yes. But you look tired. I can drive for a while if you like? I’m a good driver. I promise.’
‘I’m all right, Izz. Really. I’d stop if I was too tired. I promise.’
Did he think I didn’t trust him? After everything he and his family had been through with Jenny, did he really believe I thought he’d ever take a risk on the roads?
‘Rob. I’m not worried about your driving. I trust you implicitly. I’m just concerned that you’re tired.’
‘I’m ok. I had several coffees before we left. At least the traffic’s moving pretty well. It shouldn’t be too long before we get there now anyway. But thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.’
‘You’re welcome.’ I shifted position again an
d pulled a snooty face, ‘I know it’s really that you don’t want me driving your car.’
He laughed. ‘Uh oh. She found me out.’
I laughed. ‘Just remember the offer is there if you want it.’
‘I will. Thanks.’
Chapter Thirteen
The ceasing of motion caused me to wake. I swam up from the depths of my snoozing to find the blanket tucked up around me and Rob watching me.
‘Nice rest?’
‘Oh no! I fell asleep? I was supposed to be keeping you company! I tell you I’m worried about you being tired and then promptly nod off. I am officially the worst travelling companion.’
He laughed. ‘No, you’re not. The fact that you fell asleep shows you weren’t worried about my driving. That’s nice. It’s reassuring. So that makes you a very good companion in my book.’
‘Did you do this?’ I asked, nodding at the blanket.
‘You looked like you needed the rest. I didn’t want you waking up because you were cold.’
‘You can be very sweet when you’re not being annoying.’
‘Gee thanks.’
‘You’re welcome.’ I grinned.
‘Come on, trouble. Dad’s put salt on the drive and paths so you shouldn’t go slipping and sliding here but I’d still prefer it if you held on to me just in case.’
‘I think that’s preferable to being over your shoulder, so all right then.’
‘Spoilsport.’
I stuck out my tongue. ‘What about all the stuff?’
‘Mike’s here already. I’ll grab him and we’ll come back and get it in a minute.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yep.’
‘Don’t let him look in any of the boxes. I don’t want him seeing anything he shouldn’t!’
‘I think he’ll be more concerned about getting back in the warm to be honest but yes, I promise I won’t let him look in any of the boxes.’
In the half light, I could see him focusing on me with those soft brown eyes.
‘You’re looking at me like I’m being an idiot again.’
He smiled. ‘No I’m not. I’m looking at you like–’
‘You’re here!’ Rob’s mum came out, half skipping down the path, sensibly wearing wellingtons, unlike me.
We both jumped and Rob’s sentence remained unfinished as he went to greet his mum.
Winter’s Fairytale Page 16