‘Or I could just cheat and open it now.’
‘But you won’t.’
‘No, probably not. Arachnid…? Argggh. I wish I had made your present more complicated now.’
‘I’m glad you didn’t. What is it?’
‘It is a magical mystery tour. Today, Belle Wilde, it is your turn to be whisked away to somewhere special, or so I hope.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Well, why are we still here then?’ And I wink at him cos I like his face when I do so.
Rory.
It has taken a while to get to where we are going, Belle asking every fifteen minutes or so if we are nearly there. Her face as she started to see the signs for Stratford-on-Avon was super cute. That is the best Christmas present I could have asked for, regardless of what lies deep within the pizza box.
‘Are we going to Stratford-on-Avon?’
‘Are we going somewhere close to Stratford-on-Avon?’
‘Oh my God, we are, we are!’
‘You’re turning! You’re turning! Rory, what have you done? My favourite place.’
I smile and remain non-committal until we have driven through the town, past the turning for Anne Hathaway’s cottage, past Shakespeare’s place of birth.
‘Oh my goodness, we’re not?’ As we pull up in the small road beside the theatre she starts to wriggle her fingers in her lap, such is her excitement, and it makes me feel like Father Christmas ‘We’re not? Wow! I’ve always wanted to come but have never been able to afford the tickets. Are we really here for…’
‘Yup and it’sThe Winter’s Talethis season; how could I not buy you tickets to see this?’
‘Oh my God, Rory.’ She has the beginnings of a tear in her eye as she looks at me, the whole of her shining, and I fill up with pride. I made this happen. Belle Wilde sitting in front of me looking like she is about to burst. I lean over and wipe the tear from her eye and she stays still, staring at me as I do so. I feel prickles all up my neck and remind myself of all the reasons I can’t spoil this by leaning in for a kiss. How Belle deserves me respecting her desire to be man-free.
‘The Winter’s Tale. In Stratford-upon-Avon. On Boxing Day. I swear I have never believed in fairy godmothers before but something special has brought you into my life, Rory Walters, I swear it has.’
‘It certainly has,’ I say, holding in the thought that it is her, Belle Wilde herself, who is the special thing that has brought me into her life and kept me there. I’m a confident man in many ways but saying that is too cheesy for words and I can’t bring myself to do it. Apart from embarrassing her, it would embarrass me as well. This evening is meant to be a treat, not me pushing things past the friendzone and making her feel awkward. I have a feeling I may have to remind myself of this frequently today. ‘I’m glad you’re pleased. I hoped you would be.’
‘Pleased!’ She flings her arms around my neck and holds me, her head close to my head. Close enough to hear her breath. I breathe in. She gives me a strength I didn’t realise I had before. She makes me feel like I can do anything, be anyone.
A thought pops into my head but I don’t want to speak, or pull away. I just want to enjoy this moment a little longer and we sit there for a little while. Arched over the handbrake, our heads resting against each other’s. I give it a couple more minutes and then I move my head just a little to whisper in her ear.
‘Spider.’
‘Finally,’ she whispers, neither of us moving just yet.
‘What rhymes with spider, and what did I learn to love this Christmas? That must be…’ I pause for effect and move away. She moves backwards too and we exchange a smile that is so intimate it makes me dizzy.
‘Yes…’ She draws out the word, anticipation in her voice. She looks more excited than me about opening the box. I can’t think for a minute what could be in it.
‘Luisa’s cider!’ I say triumphantly.
‘Aha. Yep, open the box, open the box.’
I use my nail to cut the tape, carefully lift the flap and find there is another box with another envelope.
‘You’re joking me,’ I say and she claps her hands with excitement.
