Page 44 of Fast Track to Forever
31st December
London, UK
Kat
It's a freezing,glassy clear night in London. The twinkling fairy lights in the giant Christmas tree by the Natural History Museum dance a merry dance.
“Great idea hiring out this ice rink for New Year's.” Daryl skates past competently with an unbreakable cup of spiced mulled wine.
“Right?” I reply. “Flynn had it right.”
Daryl raises an eyebrow and skates away towards John.
I pull my beanie further down to cover my ears. This chill in the air reminds me of Queenstown in July. I skate towards the mulled wine stand.
“There she is! How's it going, girl?” Flynn’s girlfriend Ava skates close to hug me.
“Great! How about some mulled wine?” I pick up a cup and hand her one as well. We cheers and take sips.
“Where's Will?” Ava asks and looks around.
“I haven't seen him for a while. I think he's gone inside.” I shrug, feeling a tad uneasy.
Ava nods and takes another sip. “Flynn wanted to talk to him. Maybe he could join the new formula 1 team he’s putting together.”
I shrug. “I don't have any sway with Will on racing matters.”
“He did move from Monaco to London for you.”
I smile. “It's true. But I did move from York to London for him. Not quite the same, but still.”
Ava and I laugh.
She leans over and taps my arm. “By the way, everyone loved that leather bracelet you made for me.”
“Thank you, Ava. Always happy to hear people like my designs.” And it's true. I'm happy to create upcycled garments and accessories people want to wear. The idea that my creations could bring people joy fillsmewith joy.
I spot Will's red hair coming out of the building, then watch him he find a spot to put his ice skates on and tie the laces.
He sees me in the crowd and glides my way while buttoning his billowy coat. It only takes him a few skate strokes, and he reaches me and Ava.
“Hey, liefie.” The smile he gives me is brief before he turns to Ava, but it lights up the night sky. It lights up my heart. “Hey, Ava. How’s it going?”
“Great,” Ava says. “I'd better find my husband, not long now until New Year's.” She picks up her drink and skates towards the other corner where Flynn Jones is waving at us.
Will lifts up his hand in salute to him then he turns back to me and cups my gloved hands between his own. “Are you too cold?”
“No, it's not too bad. I was just thinking it's a bit like Queenstown in July.”
Will chuckles. “Remember when we built that sled out of planks we found at the lodge? We tied them together with string from the flour mill.”
Laughing, I lean into his strong body. “That was a July to remember. Big Seb broke his wrist going down the hill on that sled.”
“I stopped you from going on it.” Will squeezes me against his side.
I smile. “I remember. Looking out for me even then.”
Daryl shouts from the champagne table. “Three minutes to the New Year and the fireworks!”
