Winter’s Fairytale

by Maxine Morrey

  ‘I see. So, what can I do to make myself useful?’

  ‘Useful?’ he asked, incredulity clear in his voice.

  This morning was just getting better and better.

  ‘Yes,’ I replied, a little defensively. ‘Is me being useful really that hard to believe?’

  ‘What?’ Realisation dawned, ‘Oh shit! No, not what I meant. Christ, I’m saying everything wrong this morning.’

  I refrained from making a barb about over exertion clouding his brain. Remaining silent, I sat on the floor and went back to playing with Harold’s ears.

  ‘Izz, you’ve made a wedding dress when there very nearly wasn’t one. I think you have “useful” covered for several years to come.’

  ‘Hardly the same thing. I can still peel potatoes.’

  ‘I know. And you can peel as many as you want when you move in after Christmas.’

  ‘Rob. I’m not moving in.’

  ‘I thought we talked about this yesterday.’

  ‘No. You brought it up yesterday. I said no. You said we’d talk about it again. And now you’re acting like it’s already been agreed.’

  Rob rubbed the dog’s head gently but I could see his jaw tensing.

  ‘Please don’t think I don’t appreciate the offer. I really do.’

  ‘Izzy, you can’t go back to that place. Not on your own. I don’t want you there. It’s not safe.’

  ‘Rob, with all due respect, what you want doesn’t really come into it. No, don’t take offence, please,’ I placed my hand on his arm as he made to move away from where he’d taken a seat next to me, ‘I know you mean well and I know that you worry about me, which is sweet–’

  ‘It’s got nothing to do with being sweet.’

  I let that go.

  ‘Look. I told you. I bluffed my way with Peter for now and I’ll find something really soon. I’ll even have you come and check it out for approval first if you like.’ I bumped against him, trying to tease him out of the dark look his face had taken on.

  ‘I’m not going to get you to change your mind on this, am I?’

  ‘No. Sorry. And it’s not that I don’t think it wouldn’t be great at your place. I just need a place of my own.’

  Oh, and to not be in the same place that you’re testing the bedsprings next door with Caroline Bennett or whatever other long legged beauty walks into your life next because that, right now, is not something I can deal with.

  He looked round at me for the first time, a half smile on his face. ‘Wow. One weekend with me was enough to keep you away for ever. I must be a worse housemate than I thought.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. It’s got nothing to do with that. Actually,’ I said, ‘that was honestly one of the nicest weekends I’ve had in a long while.’

  His half smile spread further over his unshaven face.

  ‘So, you can’t be that bad. I mean, you even put the toilet seat down!’

  ‘Yeah, my mum has a thing about that, as does Jenny – so when she moved in for a while, it was the best option for a quiet life.’

  ‘Is my son taking my name in vain again?’ Eleanor breezed into the kitchen, ruffled the dog’s face and then came and kissed us each good morning.

  ‘Merry Christmas, my darlings!’

  I couldn’t help grinning at her effusive manner.

  ‘Rob, dear. Are you going to have a shave?’

  ‘Umm, I wasn’t planning to.’

  His mother looked up from where she was getting out crockery, pans and other cooking paraphernalia. The only word she said was ‘Oh’, but there was a whole wealth of meaning behind it.

  I dropped my gaze and stifled a laugh.

  ‘I guess I’m going to have a shave then.’ He gave me a wink as he stood, his easy going manner winning out again. I watched him leave – he really did have the nicest bum. I blushed as I caught his mum glancing in my direction. I fussed with the dog for a moment, then went to wash my hands and asked what I could do.

  Dinner was in the oven and smelling divine as we all sat around in the living room, exchanging gifts. I had brought my own, partly as a thank you for the invite but I certainly hadn’t expected to be so thoroughly included by the Winchesters. I was completely spoiled and loving every minute of it. Sat next to Jenny on the sofa, with the lads sprawled out on the floor in front, and the dog having the best time playing and shredding the used gift wrap, I was relaxed and, for the most part, happy. I’d decided to put aside my feelings for Rob, as much as I could, for today at least. I didn’t want to spoil this time for me, or anyone else. And I knew the next few days would take care of themselves. I was going to give Jenny another fitting tomorrow and then set to it on the final alterations and finishing touches. It was going to keep me pretty busy and I knew, from bitter experience, that keeping busy with my work was a good tactic for when the rest of my life was sliding away from the plans I had for it.

  Jenny and I were oohing over the beautiful necklace Mike had bought her when Rob emerged from scrambling under the enormous Christmas tree with a large, flat box. He walked across the floor on his knees and then laid the box on mine.

  ‘What’s this?’ I asked, ‘You already gave me plenty.’ Thanks to Rob I now had a pile of books I’d been wanting to read, three romantic comedy DVDs that I’d mentioned as being favourites that he’d somehow found out I didn’t own – I had a sneaking suspicion Mags had something to do with this – and a gorgeous basket of Neal’s Yard goodies that all smelled absolutely wonderful. I knew this to be true because Jenny and I had started opening and smelling everything immediately.

  ‘It’s just a little something extra.’

  ‘Rob, really. You shouldn’t have.’

  ‘All right then.’ he said, and put one large hand on it, with a move to taking it away.

  ‘But as you have!’ I said, grabbing the box back with both of mine, ‘It’d be rude of me not to accept it.’

  He looked up from the floor at me under those luscious eyelashes and smiled. A bolt of heat shot through me and ended up places that really didn’t seem appropriate in this setting. I looked away and laughing, pushed his hand off the box. A bright red ribbon was tied around the white box. I gave one end a tug and it fell away. Lifting off the lid, I met with nothing but tissue paper. I swung a glance at Jenny who was looking as eager as I was to see what was inside.

  ‘This isn’t your other dress, is it?’

  ‘Come on, come on!’ she said, grabbing my wrist.

  ‘All right, all right!’ Laughing, I risked another look at Rob who was still sat at my feet, but now looked almost apprehensive.

  Three layers of tissue paper later and I gasped. There in the box, laying beautifully folded, was a replica of my favourite cardigan that Rob had shrunk that first night I’d stayed over. I gently took it out and held it up, the softness of the cashmere caressing my hands. The only difference to the original was that this one had the most delicate of crochet trims around the bottom hem and the sleeves. I had loved my previous one, but this? This was perfect. In the back of my mind, I heard Jenny and her mum commenting on it but I wasn’t focussing on that. My head was spinning on how Rob had found such a similar one – I knew they didn’t sell mine any more, because believe me, after the laundry disaster, I’d searched high and low. But it wasn’t just that. It was that he’d even thought about it. I didn’t think I’d ever had such a perfect, thoughtful gift. And of course, it had to be from Rob. Argh! I wanted to kill him! But mostly I really, really wanted to kiss him.

  ‘Do you like it?’ he asked, quietly.

  I suddenly realised that I hadn’t said anything. ‘Oh yes! Yes! It’s beautiful!’ No tears, please don’t do this to me now. I swallowed them down but I knew Rob hadn’t missed it. I was pretty sure he didn’t miss anything. ‘I just don’t understand how you got one? I searched high and low for a replacement.’

  ‘Yeah. Me too.’

  ‘A replacement?’ His mum asked.

  Rob explained what he’d done. She pulled
a sympathetic face at me.

  ‘Thanks Mum. Like I didn’t feel bad enough already.’

  ‘No! No you shouldn’t!’ I told him, ‘This? This is even better! I love it! But where did you find it?’

  ‘I didn’t. Actually my secretary came to the rescue. She got into knitting a couple of years ago. I took the mickey out of her a bit, but in fun, you know. Apparently it’s cool now?’ He looked bemused and shrugged, ‘Anyway, the joke was on me because she completely saved the day. I took your baby grow sized jumper in and told her what happened. And after she gave me the same look as Mum just did, she said she could make a new one, if I gave her your size.’

  ‘But you don’t know my size.’

  Rob suddenly developed an intense interest in the ribbon I’d dropped on the floor. ‘I kind of saw it on your underwear when I got everything out of the washing machine.’

  ‘Oh God.’ I mumbled, and flushed the same colour as the ribbon.

  ‘I wasn’t intending to see it. I didn’t realise your underwear was in there until I went to empty it and then–’

  ‘Rob, I’d stop if I were you, mate.’ Mike, and everyone else, had huge grins on their faces that they were doing their best to hide.

  ‘Right. Yes, well. I told her that, said “think Kylie” and… this is the result.’

  I had to admit the embarrassment of Rob seeing not only my underwear, but also the sizing, was worth it if this was the end product. And being compared to Kylie didn’t hurt my ego too much either.

  ‘Your secretary is a genius!’

  ‘Funnily enough, that’s what she said. And then said that being such a genius she should be entitled to an extra week of holiday next year.’

  ‘Which you gave to her, I hope!’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Such a soft touch.’ His mum chuckled.

  ‘Not at all.’ he said. ‘If Izzy likes this, then it was worth it.’

  ‘I do!’ I said, flinging my arms around him without thinking, taking in the clean, citrusy smell of his shower gel and savouring the strength I felt as his arms wrapped around me. ‘I love it. Thank you.’ I whispered, before reluctantly letting go.

  ‘You’re welcome.’ Rob replied, his eyes dark as he looked at me. My mind, and body, rushed back to what had happened the last time he’d said those words to me and it was all I could do not to lean those few inches and taste that pleasure once more.

  A loud, shrill ringing noise broke the moment and Eleanor jumped up.

  ‘Dinner will be ready shortly. Boys, could you set the table, please?’

  By Boxing Day the snow had stopped and the sun was out. After clearing away another delicious lunch, Rob and Jenny’s parents sat quietly with the papers whilst the rest of us piled out into the garden to build a snowman and Harold jumped about, eating snow and digging little tunnels in the drifts, popping back out every now and then to check we were all still there, his face adorably covered with twinkly white crystals. Sitting next to Jenny who was bundled up in her new coat with its glamorous fur lined hood, I was wearing a white Puffa jacket I’d bought in the sales last year. I still hadn’t quite decided if it was really the right look for me, but at least I was warm. Jenny tapped my shoulder. I turned to see her holding out a snowball the size of a small cannonball.

  ‘I have a supply here ready to go.’ She grinned. ‘Whenever you’re ready.’

  ‘Sure?’

  ‘Of course! If Mike wants a chance of seeing what was in that Rigby & Peller bag, then he’ll know better than to aim at me.’

  I waited a beat. ‘Umm, doesn’t that mean he’ll be aiming at me instead?’

  She laughed, ‘No, of course not! We’re just the catalyst. Rob’s going to be the target!’

  ‘Oh no!’ I joined in her laughter, ‘That doesn’t seem very fair!’

  ‘Just pretend Caroline Bennett is standing in front of him.’

  ‘Fair enough.’ I said, and launched a snowball with absolute precision, smacking Rob square in the chest.

  ‘What the–?’ He looked up to find Jenny and I sat looking as innocent as angels.

  ‘Yeah right. Because I believe that act!’ he said, marching over, his boots crunching the snow down heftily. I returned his look evenly. He narrowed his eyes. We’d moved our little stash of snow weaponry behind me and I was sat leaning back casually hiding it, my purple wellies stuck straight out in front of me, my face to the watery sun, for all intents and purposes enjoying the weather and company. He stood in front of me, blocking the light.

  ‘Would you mind moving just a little?’ I said, waving my hand and indicating to him to let the sun back in to my little patch.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Jenny make a small movement with her hand and a snowball landed with a thump on the back of Rob’s jacket, heavy enough to make him bump forward.

  ‘Score!’ Mike cheered from across the garden,

  Rob spun around. ‘Oi! You’re supposed to be my mate!’

  ‘True. But she’s prettier than you.’ He pointed at his fiancée.

  ‘Right. All alliances off then.’ Rob said, ‘I can work with that.’ And he took off at a run, scooping up snow into a ball as he did so – which he stuffed down the back of Mike’s jacket as he rugby tackled him to the ground.

  ‘See? Told you!’ Jenny giggled. ‘Now, fire!’ And we let loose our stock of snowballs at them both until we were out of ammunition.

  We were just heading back in as Rob and Mike jogged across the lawn, Harold bounding excitedly beside them. Wet from head to foot, they both looked relaxed and happy.

  ‘Don’t think I don’t know who started that, Miss.’ Rob raised an eyebrow at his sister.

  ‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Yeah right. I’d go and dump you in the fishpond if I didn’t think Mike would try and kick my arse.’

  ‘Try, he says.’ Mike replied, laughing.

  Rob pulled a face, the humour still evident in his eyes.

  ‘In light of that, I’m afraid you’ll have to sacrifice one of your team.’

  Jenny and I shared an unsure look just before I was scooped up in Rob’s arms and found myself heading for the fish pond.

  ‘Rob! Put me down! Now! Don’t you dare!’ He got to the pond and started bending so that the ends of my hair were just hovering above the water. I’d linked my hands around his neck and was now clinging on, and making requests to be put down. Some of which I have to admit were a lot politer than others. A koi carp broke the surface of one of the breathing holes in the pond. We considered each other for a moment before it disappeared again and I made another attempt to get upright.

  ‘Bloody hell, Izzy! Stop wriggling, or I really will drop you in the pond!’ Rob said as I squirmed about. I took the combined advantage of him steadying himself upright, and years of ballet lessons to whip my legs out in a kick, unhooking them from his arm. I gave him a shove, causing him to let go so that he didn’t end up in the pond himself and then took off as fast as my welly encased feet would take me. The Winchesters had a beautiful garden but I suddenly wished it were smaller as I pelted towards the kitchen.

  About ten seconds later I was flat on my back on top of Rob, also flat on his back on the snow, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

  ‘You’re quite feisty when you want to be, aren’t you?’ he said behind me. I could hear the smile in his voice.

  ‘You’re quite an arse when you want to be, aren’t you?’

  He laughed and the reverberation in his chest caused a funny sensation in my own. At least, that’s what I told myself caused it.

  ‘I need longer legs.’

  ‘No you don’t.’

  ‘I’d move a lot faster.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be you.’

  ‘Yes, I would. I’d just be a taller, faster me.’

  I made a startled noise as he rolled in the snow, shifting our position, flipping me over in the process.

  ‘Which means you would take longer to catch.’


  ‘Well, duh. That’s rather the point!’

  He laughed again, ‘Did you just “duh” me? I’m thinking we might just take a trip back to that fishpond…’

  I started wriggling as he tried to grab me.

  ‘You know, you look like a marshmallow in that jacket.’

  Well, I guess that answered my question as to whether the coat had been a fashion fail or not. I paused in my wriggling to give him a look.

  ‘No, it’s good. I like marshmallows.’ he said, trying to dig his way out of the hole he’d just put himself in, ‘They have soft, squishy centres.’

  ‘No!’ I squealed as a cold hand snaked under my jacket and started tickling. The reaction caused me to fling about even more, which Rob thought was hilarious until I accidentally kneed him in the groin. His breath caught and his whole body went still before he rolled to the side with a groan.

  ‘Oh God! I’m so sorry! Your hands were cold and I’m really ticklish. Are you all right? Rob?’

  Another groan.

  I shuffled across and bent over him. ‘Are you ok?’ I asked again, softer this time.

  He rolled in the snow, so that he was on his back, his legs still drawn up. ‘If you don’t like me, you could just say so, you know. It might be less painful for me on the whole.’

  ‘Don’t say that. And this time was an accident!’ He really did look in pain, ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘It’s fine.’ The strain in his voice told me it was far from fine, ‘I hadn’t decided on the whole kids thing anyway. Thanks for sorting that out for me.’

  ‘Is it really that bad? Is there anything I can do?’ The pain on his face was clearly genuine, as was that gorgeous crooked smile that broke through it. I put a hand on his chest, ‘But if you say anything remotely in the realms of rubbing it better, I will leave you here to freeze.’

  ‘Never crossed my mind.’

  I raised an eyebrow at him.

  ‘I really wish I’d dropped you in the fishpond now.’

  ‘I seem to remember you were closer to ending up in it than me.’ I said, casting a glance down at him.

  Rob’s hand caught around my waist, pulling me down onto the snow as he moved so that he was now looking down at me. I could feel the snow soaking into my jeans even more, but I didn’t want to move. I knew it was pathetic but if this was all I ever got, the only chance I ever had to look up and see Rob looking down at me, then I was going to take it.