Leo hung up the phone, the joy which was etched across his face mere moments before was now replaced with grim resignation. "Nikki" he called running a hand through his hair. She pulled herself out of Harry's orbit and approached her boss. He was writing a postal code on a slip of paper. He handed it to her "Can you take this one, it's a bad RTA, mother and child". Nikki nodded and regarded Leo with sadness, "sure" she whispered and turned towards the locker room. The atmosphere regained an element of professionalism and Harry rose from his chair and followed Nikki, leaving Leo alone with his grief. "It doesn't really get easier does it?" Nikki asked "Poor Leo, I hate seeing him like this".
"Don't worry, we'll show him a good time tonight. Take his mind off it a little bit". Nikki slung her bag over her shoulder and winced. She set the bag on the floor as Harry dangled a blister of tablets before her nose. "Take two" he ordered.
"Yes Doctor" she said sweetly and he smiled his appreciation. Nikki turned suddenly towards her locker and retrieved a brown paper bag "Oh take these before they go stale". She threw Harry his bag of buns. He unfolded the paper and sniffed in blissful gratitude "What did you do to get these?, they are the biggest ones yet.."
"Nothing…..he did hint at sharing some the next time over coffee".
"Right….and?"
"And what?"
"Will I be getting my bun cake soon then?"
"Maybe. He is a lovely guy and he sure can bake".
"Hmmmm. A few baked goods and you're anybodys' eh Alexander".
She knew Harry didn't mean it but there was a niggling voice at the back of her mind which often wondered if Harry actually believed she was easy. He recognised the hurt flicker in her eyes as soon as he said this and instantly regretted it. "But then pot kettle eh" he tried to recover "you know you've no shortage of admirers these days. Only this morning I had to ward off your old colleague Dumbledore who ambled down here looking for you wearing a pair of reindeer antlers with mistloe hanging off them. He left a tin of chocolate kimberlys by the way. They're in my desk drawer. Have to keep them out of Dalton's sight…he is expecting a smooch in return for them though so don't say I didn't warn you".
"Hmmm I am spoiled for choice, a creepy old colleague and a baker I actually don't really fancy…." Nikki picked up her bag and gave Harry a wave with a close mouthed smile "Lucky me, see you later, don't demolish the kimberlys before I get back". He watched her leave. "Idiot. Bloody bloody stupid idiot". He wanted to scream at her that she looked amazing in that dress. That the entire campus, students, staff, men even some women were lusting after her. Maybe that was the problem. She believed lusting was all anyone was interested in. Harry's gaze fell to the floor. He didn't want to follow the tracks of this train of thought. Sure there had been occasions in the past when he had lusted after Nikki, he was only human and she was drop dead gorgeous but she was consigned to "best friend, baby sister material" years ago. This past week though…God this past week. He knew it was a bad idea taking her up on her offer. He found himself wishing that he wouldn't have to leave. He looked forward to going 'home'. Smelling her everywhere, on the sheets, the towels, the cushions on the couch. He relished the evenings when both exhausted they would sit together on the couch watching a DVD and she would inevitably fall asleep. Head lolling around on his shoulder or against his chest. He would have to fight, really fight to stop himself stroking her hair, her face. "Oh god Nikki" he groaned and sat on the bench with his head in his hands.
"Oh God Nikki what? Or do I want to know?" Leo asked. What had Harry done now? He knew them moving in together was a bad idea however temporary the arrangement.
Harry's head snapped up "Nothing, nothing, its just it seems the only reason I open my mouth these days is to exchange one foot for the other".
"Did you secretly marry her?" Leo quipped
"May as well have. I keep doing the wrong thing and we're not having sex".
"Good" Leo said pointedly and Harry furrowed his brow in frustration. "Sod off Leo" he muttered.
"What was that?" Leo called from the shower area.
"I said Geldoff - I have to pick up a CD of Christmas songs for my mum - was just trying to remember the name of the live aid bloke".
"Go do some work" Leo bellowed as the sound of water hitting the floor echoed around the locker room.
The ad lib fib made Harry realise he hadn't rung his mum yet. She'd left three messages over the past two days for him to call her. He sat at his desk and punched his home number onto the keypad. He absently pinched strands of blonde hair off his chair as he waited for his mum to answer.
"Harry! Where have you been? Why haven't you been answering your phone?!"
"Hello mum…Happy Christmas" Harry began nonchantly.
"I've been trying to get hold of you"
"I gathered that Mum, I've been really busy at work. People are dropping like flies-"
"Oh stop. That's awful Harry it's Christmas"
"It's life Mum"
"I know, I know all about it"
Great she was in 'that' kind of mood. "Where's the fire mum, what's up?"
"Ive been trying to get hold of you, to let you know, well to tell you that…as a surprise Charlie has invited me to Florida for Christmas and the New Year. I haven't committed to anything yet…I said I'd have to speak to you first…that you weren't married with a wife or children or anything and I couldn't really leave you on your own-"
"Mum. Mum. Mum. Will you stop for a moment please mum. Don't put off your holiday because of me! I'm not that pathetic! I'm not that sad. Its just Christmas for Christ sakes. You know I've never been mad about it since Dad…well and Nikki is on her own this year….I don't really want to leave her and Leo is separated from Janet you remember so I don't know what he's-
"Oh yes that poor poor girl, all alone. Harry, you listen to me you treat her kindly you hear, don't dream of taking advantage of her-"
"Mum! Mum!" Harry hissed into the receiver, bile rising in his throat "Enjoy Florida mum, Ill speak to you in the New Year" and with that he slammed the phone down.
