Page 9 of Daddy's Christmas Elf
It all went around and around in Eli’s head as he hunched on the step. Whatever he did, he had to make up his mind soon because it was getting colder by the second and his teeth were beginning to chatter. As if on cue, the first snow flakes began to fall, the prelude for the heavy overnight downfall the weather forecaster on the telly had promised.
Eli had no choice, because tonight had been all about no choice after no choice. He pushed himself up, ready to make his way to the rickety fence further along the street. He’d climb over it and hope he didn’t fall and break his neck as he dropped into the narrow private alleyway that ran behind the short row of terraces, clogged up with the householders’ refuse bins. He’d use those to get himself over Benny’s back garden fence, smash a window and get in the house — and pay a fortune for a glazier to come out to fix it before Benny got home.
The snow began to fall in earnest, urging him on. If his luck carried on the way it’d been going today, somebody would see him and call the police.
Officer, there’s an elf breaking in to one of the houses…
Eli laughed, but it was edged with hysteria, as he made his way down the steps, made slippery by the falling snow.
A car, the only thing moving on the street, pulled to a stop in front of the house. A sleek, black, classic car with the pouncing jaguar on the bonnet. The window glided down.
“Eli?”
Eli blinked, as much out of surprise as the snow blowing into his eyes. What was Grey doing back here? Eli picked his way over, wincing as freezing cold, wet snow soaked through his felt shoes. He leaned down to look at Grey.
“Are you lost? Is the sat nav not working?” The warmth that leached from the open window over his cold skin made him want to climb back in the car, rather than over the old wooden fence, and curl up, preferably against Grey, but he’d take the footwell.
“No. I wanted to check that you got in without any trouble. I should have waited.”
“Why? Were you hoping to come in for coffee? Only joking.” But if Grey had suggested it, Eli didn’t think he’d have said no. Although, the way things were going, he wasn’t going to be inviting anybody in for anything.
“Why are you still out here?”
“The spare key we always kept hidden, it’s been removed.”Thank you, Lenny, thank you very much.
“You’re locked out? Is there anybody who can put you up for the night I can take you to?”
Eli shook his head, dislodging flakes of snow that had settled on him and setting the bell on this cap jingling. “My parents live on a remote Scottish island with a herd of smelly goats, and any friends I could ask are away. Thanks for coming back, I appreciate it, but I’ve got to find a way in before I freeze to death.”
“Break in, you mean?”
“I prefer to think of it as an alternative means of entry.” Eli glanced away, as embarrassment swept over him. He’d been the victim tonight, but it was the second time he’d been caught by Grey straddling the line between right and wrong. “I’ve got no choice.” Eli turned back to Grey. “The alternative is to find a sheltered doorway to sleep in, but I’ll wake up with the same situation on my hands.” If he did wake up. The temperature had plummeted further and the snow was coming down heavier than ever. “Sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
“Get in the car.”
Eli stopped in mid-turn. He’d already told Grey there was nobody he could call upon, and a flare of irritation burst inside him.
“I’ve already said—”
“I heard what you said, and I’m saying get in the car. You’ve nowhere else to go, and you’re contemplating breaking in. And you’re soaked. You can stay with me tonight. I’ve got plenty of spare room.”
Eli cocked his head to the side. “Why? You don’t know me. Aren’t you afraid I might eat every mince pie you have in the house before nicking the family silver and making off into the night?” Oh, it was tempting to say yes to Grey, so, so tempting. And he did kind of know Grey, didn’t he? Or sort of.
Grey’s lips twisted in a gloomy smile as he shrugged one shoulder. “In that costume? I don’t think you’d get very far. I feel a sense of responsibility for what’s happened to you. The very least I can do is put you up tonight, and help you on your way tomorrow. But it’s your choice.”
Eli bit down on his lip. His predicament wasn’t Grey’s fault at all, but as an icy gust of wind cut through him, he knew there was only one choice to be made. Dashing around to the other passenger door, Eli wrenched it open and jumped inside.
CHAPTERSIX
Closing the front door on the winter weather, Grey looked down at Eli.
“You need a change of clothes.”
Although Eli had dried off a little in the journey across London, he was still soaked and the elf costume, already tight on Eli, clung to him even more. What had Eli said Murray had called him?An extra in an adults-only seasonal special. Along with Eli’s too-tight costume and his make-up smeared and smudged, Grey was forced to admit the loathsome Murray had been right. Grey forced himself to look away.Just deal with the practicalities… Warm, dry clothes and something to eat and drink…It would save Grey from having to think too closely about what the hell he was doing.
Grey had caught Colin’s eye in the rear view mirror when he said he wanted to turn around and check on Eli. The driver’s face had remained impassive as he’d obeyed the request without question, but the chauffeur hadn’t approved, and had approved even less when Grey had offered Eli a bed for the night. Grey didn’t give a damn what Colin thought, but he’d known the man long enough to know he’d keep his own counsel and the events of this evening would go no further. If they did, there were other chauffeur services Gillespie Associates could switch to.
“Er, yes. Thanks.”
