Page 65 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
‘Hi,’ Ben says carefully, tilting his head to the side so I can see him properly.
‘Hi,’ I reply, forgetting for the moment I’m still holding a teddy bear. ‘Wh-what are you doing here?’
‘I got bored of sitting around waiting for the plumber,’ he says, moving around the display towards me. ‘Angela said she’d let him in if he ever turns up. So I thought I’d do a bit of Christmas shopping before it’s too late.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘Actually, that’s a lie. Not the plumber part, but the Christmas shopping. I wanted to check that you were all right? You left in a hurry earlier.’
‘Can you blame me?’ I ask, unconsciously pulling the bear in front of me for protection.
‘No, not really. I want to apologise for what I said earlier. It was uncalled for and unnecessarily rude. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?’
I look at Ben. My mind is sayingno, walk away now, Elle, as fast as you can. But I can feel my heart pulling me closer to him. Like we’re connected by an incredibly strong, but invisible thread.
I find myself nodding. ‘I’m sorry too. I don’t have many buttons that set me off, but you pushed the most sensitive of them earlier.’
‘I know,’ Ben says. ‘And if it’s all right, I’d like to learn more about why that happened. Like we were discussing earlier, we really haven’t known each other all that long. Perhaps now would be a good time to talk? To really get to know each other better. I don’t want to annoy you, Elle, or make you angry. But to prevent that happening, I think I need to know more about you and your past.’
He’s right. Of course he is. I nod again. ‘All right then.’
‘Good.’ Ben looks relieved. ‘Have you eaten yet?’
I shake my head.
‘Let’s get some lunch, then – my treat.’
I move towards him, but Ben looks at my torso. ‘Is he yours?’
I look down and I’m surprised to see the bear still pressed against my chest like a shield. ‘Er … kind of,’ I say, hurriedly lowering it. ‘I … I was thinking of buying him.’
‘Really?’ Ben seems surprised.
‘Yes.’ I look down at the bear in my hands. ‘I always wanted one just like this for Christmas when I was little, but I never got one.’
‘Why not treat yourself then?’
‘Oh, no, it’s fine.’ I hurriedly put the bear back in the display. ‘It was just a thought. Perhaps Santa will bring me one this year if I’m lucky? The one they have here is really good, you know? You should have heard some of the things the kids were asking for earlier.’
‘Which Santa?’ Ben asks, looking around.
‘The one over … Oh, that’s odd, he was there a few minutes ago?’
‘Maybe he took a break?’
Not only has the Santa gone, but the little grotto he was sitting in has completely disappeared too, so now there’s only a display of children’s magic sets and playing cards. Three large king cards are picked out on the advertising boards behind the display, immediately reminding me of last night’s story.
‘Yes, perhaps … ’
We walk back through the store together towards the exit and a restaurant Ben suggests for lunch. But just before we leave, Ben’s phone rings. ‘It’s Angela,’ he says. ‘I’d better take it – it might be about the plumber.’
I head over towards the exit while Ben speaks to Angela.
‘Excuse me,’ I ask one of the security guards waiting by the door. ‘Do you have a Santa in the store this year?’
‘Sorry?’ the security guard asks, turning down his earpiece.
‘Is there a Santa in the store – you know, one children can visit?’
