"Why won't it go flat?"

"Because it's your hair, when has it ever gone flat?"

Liam Evans had already buttoned his coat and was waiting at the door for his girlfriend Jamie to finish faffing about with her hair.

"I don't like you tone," said Jamie, trying once more to force her hair to fall down rather than stick up.

"You mean the one of me getting annoyed because we're running ten minutes late to go and have dinner with my brother and you thought this would be the perfect moment to try and brush your hair."

"Yes, that's the tone. Can't stand it."

Liam moved behind Jamie so that he too was reflect in the mirror and stuck his tongue out at her.

"I wouldn't worry if I were you," said Liam. "My brother's fiancee has a mustache so you'll be the prettiest one there."

Jamie scoffed, "I'm always the prettiest one there."

"Yes, you're absolutely gorgeous. Can we go now?"

"I think I'll try the other brush again," said Jamie, picking said brush up off the floor, chucking the first one across the room and out of sight. She ignored Liam completely.

"Maybe if you wanted flat hair you shouldn't have spent half your life messing it up," suggested Liam.

Jamie rolled her eyes, still brushing emphatically. "Don't be an idiot, my tousled locks are one of my most attractive features."

"Then why are you brushing them out?"

"Because your brother is boring and I want to blend in."

Chuckling, Liam placed his head on her shoulder. "You know," he said calmly, "my brother will probably hate you no matter how tidy your hair is."

"Can we be certain he won't fall madly in love with me?" asked Jamie.

"Quite certain."

"Then he must have appalling taste."

"Normally I'd say you were being vain but in this case I think you might be right," said Liam. "But appalling is actually a very good description of my brother's fiancee."

"What's her name again? Perpetual Virgin?"

"Virginia."

"Close enough," said Jamie.

"Are you ready to go then?" Liam prompted.

Jamie stepped forwards so her nose was practically pressed against the glass of the mirror and sighed.

"Jamie," said Liam.

"Yes?"

"You're a bit nervous, aren't you?" he asked.

She didn't say anything, but the way Jamie was frowning at the mirror told Liam he was right.

"Okay," he sighed. "Give me a moment."

Liam jogged up the stairs and came back down holding a red ribbon.

"Where did you get that from?" asked Jamie. "Do you have a secret ribbon collection?"

"It's from the wrapping paper box. Y'know, for making presents look nice."

"We have a wrapping paper box?"

Liam rolled his eyes. "It's underneath your broomstick polishing kit," he said.

"Ah, that explains it then. I'd never need to go further into the cupboard than that," said Jamie. "What are you going to do with the ribbon?"

"I'm going to fix your hair for you."

Taking the brush, Liam began brushing through Jamie's hair very gently.

"What are you doing?" Jamie asked.

"I said I'm fixing your hair now hold still."

Liam parted Jamie's hair into three pieces and began plaiting it. Jamie remained silent throughout, until he was finished, using the red ribbon to keep it all together.

"Well, it's not completely flat," said Liam, noting that Jamie's hair was already rebelling against the plait, sticking out in odd places. "I think it's as good as it's going to get though. Besides," Liam planted a kiss on the back of Jamie's head, "I prefer it messy."

Jamie's lips twitched into a smile. "Okay then," she said. "Let's go."