wow thank you for the comments guys! Feeling the pressure to deliver now. I'm still learning but hope you'll like the update and thanks for following my dribbles :)
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... Oh forgot to mention, I checked the credits and darn it, looks like I don't own them after all, guess I'll just be borrowing them then.
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Christmas Day, it begins...
"Christ, I'd forgotten how cold it could get!"
Harry chuckled as he opened his front door to a flustered Ruth, an icy wind following her entrance. "and a Merry Christmas to you too."
Ruth paused "Oh God, sorry. Merry Christmas Harry." And passed him two bottles of red wine.
He smiled his thanks and pushed the door closed behind her whilst she endeavoured to explain her flushed state. "It's just been a bit manic with the roads. It was like driving on an ice rink at the hill, had a bit of a close shave."
A frown caught Harry's face "You should have said." He softy chastised, "I would of... erm"
"What?" she asked with a grin, wondering what the knight in shining armour might possibly suggest. "what would of you done?"
He growled back, a flicker of a smile at his lips "something". Knowing too well there wasn't anything that could be done but that didn't stop him feeling twinges of guilt for putting her in even slight danger.
Ruth pulled off her Jacket and slid a loosely woven scarf from round her neck, billowing loose curls of hair fell around her neck and shoulders whilst Harry graciously took and placed the items onto a waiting hook.
Harry himself was dressed differently to his daily ritual of dark suit, white shirt and non offending tie. He looked as casual as she's ever seen him. A long sleeved, salmon pink, open necked shirt, supplied a cheeky glimpse of skin below his collar line. Combined with beige trousers and tanned brown leather shoes, contributed to a warm, welcoming appearance that Ruth instantly decided she liked.
"Come on through Ruth, I'll give you the tour of the new flat they landed me with, it won't take long". He laughed.
A little later...
Settled on a kitchen stool, glass of wine already in one hand, Ruth had made light conversation whilst Harry finished cutting the vegetables.
The flat itself was quite modern in design, but to Ruth, someone who relished simple home comforts, it seemed too impersonal. A bachelor pad in its own right, if it wasn't for a lush green tree dressed with lights, bubals, colourful tinsel and the foil decorations painting the ceilings and doorways in each room, it might of been rather intimidating. As it was, she found the contrast rather endearing.
"I like the decorations" Too late she realised it probably sounded more patronizing than genuine.
"Ah, yes. Well thosewere not my idea, but when Heather heard I was spending Christmas here she insisted, said 'it out of the question not to have some sort of festive decorations and if I wasto be such a scrooge then to at least let her put some up.'"
"You said yes then?"
He grinned. "Actually, I said 'bar-humbug', and let her get on with it. Though as you can see, I think she may have got a little carried away."
"I don't know, I quite like it...So erm, who-who's Heather?" Ruth struggled not to sound uneasy about her question.
A grin re-flickered across his face and paused a beat in cutting the vegetables. Was that jealousy in Ruth's voice? He'd defiantly touched on something. He cocked his head to one side to look at her as she sipped a long slow sip of wine, drawing out the action to distract her from his reply.
He so wanted to simply ask if she was jealous but restraining himself replied. "Heather's a charming women, I think you'd quite like her. She used to be a dancer, was quite good so I'm told, retired now though, she pops over 3 times a week."
"Pops over?" She couldn't help but croak.
Despite enjoying this reaction he decided to cease his teasing, for now. Turning his head he fixed his gaze, "Hmm, Heather's my house keeper...justmy house keeper, Ruth." He emphasised as he drilled his wistful eyes into hers, savouring the moment as an embarrassed glow came over her.
"Oh right." A relieved smile undoing Ruth's casual reply. "She-er sounds lovely" Sensing Harry could detect the mis-judged jealously she was keen to change the topic. "So... you need a hand with anything? I feel rather redundant just watching you work."
Harry successfully fought the urge to comment she didn't usually have a problem with'watching him work' and replied sensibly, "Erm well, this is pretty much it, everything else went in earlier. Hope you don't mind, I'd forgotten the veg so afraid it'll be boiled rather than roasted."
"Think I'll live."
"Good well, you could set the table?"
"Sure."
Ruth went into the living room, relieved she now had an opportunity to compose herself.
"Second draw from the top." A voice called from the kitchen.
Ruth walked around a small dinner table and opened the second draw of a dark wood cabinet. Inside was a selection of perfectly polished and clearly unused silverware, beside it, a selection of Christmas table settings and accessories. "Got it" she called back, and went about setting the table.
All was going well, she was almost finished when she came to the last item. A thick dark burgundy candle, that smelt of rich festive spices. 'should she set it out? Was it meant for the table?' An awkwardness came over her as she contemplated either seeming petty over not putting a candle out or making things more awkward, and by things she meant her, with all the pressure and possible implications of a 'candle lit' dinner. Ruth briefly agonised over the simple decision before making her mind up.
"Looks good" Harry offered softly, she hadn't heard him enter the room.
"Er-thanks" the table was now neatly set with cutlery, glasses, napkins , even crackers, and to one side stood, cradled in a small holly wreath, a burgundy candle. Placed but not lit, Ruth had found a compromise on the situation.
Harry smiled. "Dinners ready, I hope you're hungry"
"I will be if it tastes half as good as it smells." She beamed back
A cracker each and corny jokes aside, Ruth had insisted Harry wear the bright green paper that had landed in front of him. He tried and failed to pout his way out of it but despite feeling ridiculous, he'd no heart to refuse and promising himself he'd find an excuse to remove it at the earliest convenience obliged, and so, hats propped in place, they tucked into the waiting feast.
Harry refilled her emptied glass. "Not so much Harry, I'll need to pace myself, still got to drive home later."
Harry turned the bottled to his own glass "Of course, though It's not like there's not plenty of food to soak it up."
"Well...suppose you're right" Ruth edged a coy smile.
Harry raised an eyebrow before grinning as he was sure he understood her expression and returned to fill her glass properly.
Ruth raised her glass "To good food."
The glass chinked. "And good company," he followed.
Ruth drifted him a smile. Music drifted over from the CD in the corner of the room giving the room a gentle back drop to conversation as a selection of classical Christmas scores provided a welcome change to the incessant Christmas jingles that usually plagued the season, the soft harmonies even adding a subtle, and therefore comfortable, romantic feel to the atmosphere.
They began to chat on a neutral topics, each intent on expanding the conversation beyond the depths of work related emergencies and current affairs, Ruth was more than willing to share her experience and opinion of the sights she'd seen around the world and the ridiculous jobs she'd found her self employed in. All in a story that, to a stranger, depicted an adventure rather than as a person in exile, however, for all the good cheer, her life in Cyprus remained a shaded topic. She mentioned the odd detailed or two but nothing whatsoever in regards to George or the family she'd made there. That subject seemed to flow neatly under the radar, subconsciously omitted from what was to remain a light hearted conversation. This was simply a time to remember how much they enjoyed ,and had missed the other's conversation.
Determined to interrupt and be noticed, Scarlet made her presence known, nuzzling Harry as she begged for a share in the steaming meat, she wouldn't be ignored.
Ruffling the dogs hair, "Al right then girl" Harry's northern roots sinking through his tone, he got up in search of some food for the hungry hound.
His gentle manner to his loyal canine was strangely heart warming and inwardly Ruth cringed at the jealous tricklings now rushing through her for the second time that day. The idea of Scarlet curled up with Harry, his paw like hands gently stroking her, left her only too aware of her own pitiful pinning for a similar position at his side. Eyeing her glass she knew it was mainly her own inhibitions, her own fears and guilt ridden memories that stood in the way of potential happiness. Perhaps letting herself have a couple more drinks would help banish her demons and allow her to fully enjoy the day for what it was, two old friends enjoying the other's company.
A glass of wine later and approaching the 'fill limit' of her stomach Ruth realised they'd hardly made a dent in Harry's banquet. "So how many people exactly did you think were coming today then?"
"Just you and me, why?" he said tucking into a slice of turkey lased in cranberry sauce.
"It's just by the size of that turkey I'd have imagined perhaps 8 or 10." She teased.
Harry slowed his chewing as he considered his reply and, after eventually swallowing, came back with: "Well Ruth you're forgetting I've seen you demolish a sandwich, cereal barand banana in under 3minutes flat, thought I should be prepared" Harry erupted into heavy laughter at a reaction which was nothing short of mortification.
"Harry! That was one time, a long time ago and I hadn't eaten in over 24hrs! It was hardly my fault my body suddenly realised that without food, I'd end up horizontal."
His laughter gently fading he placed his knife down covered her hand with his "Ruth, I was just joking. Truth is I've not cooked a Christmas dinner before, so it was all a bit of guess work, that's all" Ruth released a smile, touched by the revelation, and by him.
Knowing he was in the clear he slowly drew back his hand to continue with his meal. Both secretly buzzing from the feel of a moments contact.
A few mouthfuls later and both had all but finished their plates and shared a similar look, both had had eyes bigger than their stomach's.
"It's wonderful but I don't think I can't eat another bite."
"Me too" Harry wined, clutching his stomach in one hand and letting out a long sigh. "Don't fancy pudding then?"
"Don't make me laugh, I couldn't handle that right now."
"What laughing or the pudding?"
"Both! " Ruth smothered her giggle with a wash of wine and realised they were now well through a second bottle, a familiar warmth glowing from her cheeks.
Harry got up and cleared away the plates to the kitchen, Ruth followed his example, clearing away some of the dishes as well.
"Ruth leave those I'll do them later"
"It's no problem, really"
Harry shook his head in defeat, "Alright well thank you" he said taking them off her and placing them to the side.
Scarlet returned, this time wagging her tail frantically and barking enthusiastically. Harry pondered. "I guess she usually goes for her walk about now."
"You guess?" Ruth was surprised.
"Heather." was his simple explanation.
"Ah- good old Heather hey?"
"Lost without her. But... I'm sure Scarlet will cope with one day in."
"No. I mean, well a walk might be good, walk off dinner."
"You mean to prepare for round two, dessert?" he teased.
Ruth laughed, "I not expecting miracles."
"You know, there's a park across the road, we could go there?"
Ruth smiled her agreement.
"Great, I'll go grab our coats then"
Scarlet began to dance in circles, wagging her tail with obvious delight, it was a feeling Ruth could somehow empathise with. She discretely eyed Harry up as he placed on his jacket. She was looking forward to their walk too, but suspected for slightly different reasons than Scarlet.
….hope your guys can forgive Harry having another woman in his life, albeit for innocentenough reasons! :-P… sorry couldn't resist.
next chapter , the fluff shall commence!
If you could spare a mo to comment, I'd be so grateful :)
