There’s a noise coming from downstairs and I crack open the bedroom door to see what it is.
It’s Lorna. She’s humming a tune I recognise but can’t place, her soft, melodic voice floating up the stairs. I rest my head against the door frame and let my eyes drift closed, losing myself in the sound of her voice.
It still astonishes me that I’m here right now, a stranger in her own house. It sounds shitty to say it, but I wouldn’t let a total stranger that I’d only just met into my home, you’re just asking for trouble. But what astounds me is that she trusts me enough to want to help me, and I’m going to make damn sure I return the favour.
I don’t think I’ve ever come across anyone like her. I’ve never met anybody so pure. She’s like a living, breathing angel, halo and all. There’s an aura that surrounds her that evokes calm and kindness. I don’t think there’s anything she wouldn’t do for the people she cares about, or anyone in need for that matter.
If someone said they didn’t have a selfish bone in their body, I’d call bullshit, because everyone does. Even if it’s the tiniest bone, it’s there, and regardless of what anyone says, there’s a part of everyone that thinks of themselves, but with Lorna… I don’t think there is. She’s as selfless as they come and something stirs inside me when I think about her. Something that simmers under the surface, a feeling that’s been lost to me for a long time now. Something that I should extinguish if I know what’s good for me.
I can’t go down that road again.Can I?
I feel weird pulling on some of her dad’s old clothes, it feels wrong on so many levels, but what choice do I have? The dark wash jeans are a little wide around the hips, but thankfully I have a belt and the white t-shirt she gave me is an almost perfect fit.
Romeo greets me at the bottom of the stairs, his ears perk up and his tail swishes back and forth over the wood flooring. I pat him on the head as he nuzzles into my hand, licking at me and rubbing against my leg.
Lorna’s voice still drifts through the house and when I round the corner, I look through to the kitchen to find her with her back to me, the smell of food drifting into my nose, and my stomach growls in response.
She sways her hips softly as she hums away toRocking Around The Christmas Tree,and all I can do is stand and admire her.
She’s got her hair tied back into a messy bun, a baggy red wool sweater and tight black skinny jeans that hugs her long legs and round ass perfectly.
She turns around, so engrossed in what she’s doing that she jumps back with a shriek when she spots me, her eyes wide as a bowl of sprouts crash to the floor at her feet, spilling out and rolling in a million directions.
“Jesus, you scared me,” she heaves, her palm flat over her heart. My eyes drop to her sweater which bears the face of Rudolph, a giant red flashing pompom for his nose in the centre of her stomach. It’s hideous like her hat yesterday, but it’s so perfectlyLornaand she somehow pulls it off.
She drops to a crouch and begins clearing up the mess and I bend down to give her a hand. Romeo muscles his way in, taking a sprout into his mouth but spits it back out again and we both laugh.
“Permission to say, Merry Christmas?” With her brows raised, she chews on her bottom lip, waiting for my answer.
“Granted.”
Her mouth stretches into the sweetest smile. “Merry Christmas, Royce.”
My hand brushes hers and I let it linger there for a second. “Merry Christmas, Lorna.”
Once we’ve cleaned up the kitchen, I help her prepare the food ready for later, though I don’t know how much help I am, given I don’t think I’ve ever cooked something from scratch in my life. Lorna finds it hilarious that my idea of cooking is a microwave dinner that takes about three minutes to heat up, because as she says, it’s not‘real cooking’.
But who has time for that?
When we’re done, she heads upstairs to change and she’s ready a half an hour later. She returns downstairs in a knee-length navy dress that fits her body perfectly, her red hair curled and a little makeup accentuating her already beautiful face.
“You look stunning,” I say, letting my eyes trail over every inch of her. Her eyes meet the floor as a blush stains her face, her mouth curved up into a shy smile which makes me think she’s not used to receiving compliments. God knows why, she’s beautiful. Romeo sits at my side, his mouth hanging open as his tails wags like he approves too.
Together, Lorna and I pack up her truck and help Romeo up into the back seat where he positions himself in the middle, his head hanging over the bench seat in the front. We make our way to the community hall which is only a few minutes drive away despite having to drive slower, given the amount of snow that covers the ground. The truck slides a couple of times but she handles it with skill.
“Lorna!” a man in his late fifties greets the second we step inside, armed with boxes full of food. Romeo runs to him and rubs himself up against the man’s legs as he bends to pet him.
The hall is fairly small, enough room for three long tables that seat at least twenty-five people on each. It’s decorated with tinsel and fairy lights of every colour. Large baubles hang from the ceiling and at the very corner of the room, stands a large Christmas Tree that twinkles.
“Merry Christmas, Eddie,” Lorna smiles, placing her box down on the table and greeting him with a hug.
“My, you have been busy,” the guy called Eddie says, admiring the boxes in front of him with wide eyes. His gaze flicks to me and he smiles politely, “And who do we have here?”
“Eddie, this is Royce, he’s staying with me for a few days. He got stranded here with nowhere to go so I offered him a place to stay. Royce, this is Eddie, an old friend of my dad’s.”
“It’s a pleasure,” I hold out my hand and he takes it, giving it a firm shake.
“Likewise.” His eyes flick between Lorna and I, unsure of our relationship. “Well, we better get started. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have a bigger turn out this year.”
