Page 50 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
I shake my head. ‘No, I felt exactly the same until recently. I think it must be hearing all these stories set at Christmas. It feels like I’m missing out by not joining in. But other than going Christmas shopping or visiting Santa – which I think you’ll agree we’re both a little old for – what else can we do?’
‘Hmm … ’ Ben heaps more bacon and eggs onto his fork while he considers this. ‘Leave it with me. I’m sure I can think of something.’
It doesn’t take Ben long to come up with a plan. His idea is for us to try and visit as many Christmas trees as we can in central London. ‘It’s not only the most recognisable symbol of Christmas, but it represents the beginning of all our Mistletoe Square stories too,’ he says as we set off together. ‘It’s perfect.’
I think it’s a mad idea to begin with, but as we visit Christmas trees in Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Leadenhall Market, all the major rail stations, and hotels such as the Ritz, Claridge’s and the Savoy, my spirits are lifted and my heart is bursting with the joys of the festive season.
One visit in particular is very poignant, when we view the Christmas tree outside the Houses of Parliament in Parliament Square. But, on this occasion, it isn’t the tree that catches our attention, it is the bronze statue close to it of Millicent Garrett Fawcett.
‘“Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere”,’ I read from the banner that the tall bronze statue of a woman holds. The word ‘courage’ makes me think once more of the man who sat by me on Waterloo Bridge.
‘I’m guessing with a banner like that she was a suffragette?’ Ben asks.
‘Yes, I remember reading a press release about this statue. Millicent Fawcett was an early campaigner for the women’s suffrage movement. I believe she campaigned for over six decades for women to get the vote. This statue is the first of a woman, and by a woman, in Parliament Square.’
‘Could have been Estelle’s mother, couldn’t it?’ Ben looks up at the statue. ‘She’s wearing a similar outfit to the one Clara was wearing.’
‘Yes, we owe so much to these women. I’ve always been in awe of what they did. But after seeing Clara last night, I really understand now how much it must have meant to them at the time.’
‘Estelle definitely takes after her mother,’ Ben says. ‘She’s just as strong and assertive as Clara was. I admire that.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ I say, continuing to look up at the statue as I speak. ‘Because if you hadn’t liked strong woman who speak their mind, then we may as well have said our goodbyes now.’ I take a deep breath. It’s time for some of Millicent’s courage. ‘You see, Ben, I’ve been oppressed too. Not like these women were – far from it. But I was in a relationship where I wasn’t allowed to properly be myself. So I’ve made a vow that I’m never going to allow anyone to do that to me ever again.’
To my surprise, I feel Ben’s hand slipping into mine, and I allow myself to turn towards him.
‘Good luck to anyone trying to suppress you,’ he says solemnly. ‘You, Elle, are a force to be reckoned with.’ He turns to look at the statue again. ‘If you’d been born back when Millicent was around, I’m certain you’d have had more courage than anyone to stand up for what you thought was right.’
‘That is one of the nicest things anyone has said to me in a very long time,’ I tell him as he gazes into my eyes once more. ‘Possibly ever.’
After our visit to Parliament Square, we decide to go to the ice-skating rink at Somerset House, mainly to see their Christmas tree, but Ben persuades me to have a little go on the ice. After about twenty minutes of us slipping and sliding and nearly toppling over a number of times, we decide, after a lot of laughter, we are much better off on dry land than frozen water. But it was rather pleasant to fall into Ben’s welcoming arms when I nearly fell flat on my face a few times.
As we arrive back in Mistletoe Square and begin to climb up the steps of Christmas House, I stop and turn back to Ben. ‘Thank you. I’ve had a wonderful time today.’
‘Me too,’ Ben says, pausing on the bottom step so his face is level with mine. ‘You know whatever crazy stuff is going on in that house behind us, meeting you has been a wonderful antidote to all the craziness.’
‘Er, thanks … ’ I pretend to grimace. ‘I think that’s a compliment. It doesn’t quite have the same ring as the one you gave me earlier.’
I’m joking, but Ben just stares at me. ‘Oh, Christ,’ he says as the penny drops. ‘I don’t mean you’re boring, I mean you’re an added bonus. No, that sounds wrong too, I mean … ’
Surprising even myself, suddenly I lean forward and kiss him.
As I pull away from his lips, Ben looks at me with a shocked expression.
‘Sorry,’ I mumble. ‘I’m not sure what came over me.’
Ben still stares at me. His silence, although only a few seconds, feels more like minutes. But instead of using his lips to speak, instead he wraps his arm around my back, pulls me closer to him and kisses me this time. Then, as we eventually part once more, we stare at each other.
‘Are we moving too fast?’ Ben asks anxiously.
‘Do you think we are?’
‘We’ve both just come out of difficult relationships. I don’t want you to feel rushed. I want you to feel comfortable about us.’
‘That’s the strange thing, Ben, I do feel so comfortable around you. I probably shouldn’t; we only met a few days ago.’
‘I feel exactly the same. Like we’ve known each other a really long time.’
I nod.
