Mistletoe & Wine

It was the 29th November and the nurses and doctors of A&E were making their way into a posh wine bar, all dressed smartly for their Christmas party. They were all talking loudly, excited that for once they were not having their party at the pub across the street from the hospital. 'How did you arrange this, Tess?' Robyn asked.
'Friends in high places.' she said simply as she walked beside Zoe, dressed to the nines and smiling knowingly; Kwame had arranged the party for them.

The bar was stunning, leather booths with mirrors on the walls, beautiful light fittings and silver ice buckets on every table with a bottle in each one. There were bar staff on the doors, a silver tray laden with drinks on each one. Each of the A&E nurses, doctors and porters took a glass as they entered. All of the staff were in awe at their chic surroundings and Zoe leant in close to Tess. 'Kwame's really gone all out for you.' she said quietly.
'He knows the owner.' Tess said.
'So things are heating up between you two then?' Zoe asked as they both sat down in one of the booths. 'He's a good man. I like him a lot.'
'So, have you...' Zoe asked with a smile and her eyebrows raised.
'Zoe!' Tess said, laughing, but reddening with embarrassment as she looked around to make sure no one had overheard her. Then she saw him entering the bar, the man she had hoped would remain in her past but kept appearing in her present; Fletch entered the bar dressed in a purple shirt and tie and dark trousers, looking unusually dapper. Robyn approached him and hugged him before grabbing him a drink from the tray.

Fletch looked around at the surroundings. 'Wow. This is a big leap from the pub across the road.' he said to Robyn. 'Tess' new boyfriend sorted it.' she said, quickly regretting her words as she saw the heartbroken look on Fletch's face. 'Sorry.' she said. He gulped his drink down and then shook his head at Robyn. 'Forget it. She was always going to move on.' he said.

Zoe looked over at Fletch and then back at Tess. 'Are you okay?' she asked.
'I'm fine.' Tess said, but Zoe knew what she was feeling; she was conflicted and looking at a way to escape, but there was no way Zoe was letting her go home alone with her thoughts and feelings. She was going to make sure Tess enjoyed herself. 'Come on.' she said, offering her hand. Tess took her hand and was led to the bar where Zoe ordered them three shots each. 'Zoe, no.' Tess said. The barman placed the glasses in front of them and poured shots of vodka into each. 'Yes.' Zoe said and passed one of the shots to Tess, taking one for herself. They clinked their glasses and both downed their shots, before picking up the other two and downing them also.

The music was thumping, the lights flashing and everyone was on the dance floor. Tess knew that she had now drank more than she should have as she danced with Zoe. Fletch was dancing nearby with Robyn, his mind a little clearer than Tess' as he watched her dance. Then he saw a large African man approach Tess and her wrap her arms around him. He kissed her cheek as some salsa began to play. Zoe was soon in Max's arms and Kwame took Tess into his own arms. Fletch watched jealously as Kwame moved Tess around the dance floor; he remembered the Christmas party night he had danced salsa with Tess. As one song faded into another, Fletch approached and Kwame stopped dancing. 'Can I cut in?' Fletch asked, Tess trying to hide her horror.
'Of course.' Kwame said and kissed Tess on the cheek before stepping aside. Fletch took Tess in his arms and they started to dance. Fletch hated that Tess wasn't smiling like last time. 'Tess...' he started. 'Don't!' Tess said. Fletch remained silent for a couple of seconds as he looked at Kwame talking to the bar staff before he looked back at Tess. 'He seems nice.' he said.
'He is.' Tess said simply. The fun "tea lady" Honey was laughing loudly as she spun through the dancers holding mistletoe over her colleagues' heads. She was soon holding the mistletoe over their heads. 'I don't think...' Fletch started.
'It's tradition. Don't be a party pooper.' Honey said. Fletch looked at Tess, she didn't want to do this either, but it was best to get it over and done with as quickly as possible; she didn't want new staff members to know about her past indiscretions. They quickly pecked each other's lips and their eyes flickered back and forth, their chests heaving with excitement as their old feelings started to return, but then Tess pulled away from her former lover and returned to the bar where Kwame was standing and Fletch watched with a broken heart as Kwame wrapped his arm around Tess and kissed her.

Kwame held Tess close. 'You okay?' he asked, recognising her flushed state.
'Just warm.' Tess said.
'I'll take you home if you want.' Kwame said and offered his hand.
'I'll just say goodbye to Zoe.' Tess said.
'I'll get your coat.' Kwame said and Tess walked back to the dance floor and approached Zoe.
'You're not going?' Zoe asked.
'I'm tired.' Tess said. The two friends hugged and Zoe kissed Tess' cheek. Zoe returned to dancing with Max as Tess walked away, but Fletch quickly caught up with her. 'Tess...' he said.
'Fletch, stop!' she said before heading towards Kwame who was waiting by the door holding her coat. Fletch watched on as Kwame wrapped Tess' coat around her and led her out of the bar.

As soon as Tess had left, Fletch started drinking pints back to back until Charlie took one from his hand. 'I think you've had enough.' he said. Fletch looked at his former colleague.
'I miss her Charlie.' Fletch said sadly.
'You know you two are as stubborn as each other.'
'Is she okay?'
'She's fine. She's been keeping herself to herself more, but she had to toughen up once you left otherwise life would have been hell for her at work. You were very popular.'
'I didn't want that.'
'I know. She's strong though.'
'Stronger than anyone I've ever met.'
'It's not good for you to brood over this. You know she'll never give in. You're married and she hates herself for what happened between you two.'
'And I hate that I made her feel that way.'
'She won't damage your family any more than she already has. You know she's not that kind of person.' Charlie said. Fletch thought for a few minutes, thinking about a letter folded in his pocket. He slapped Charlie on the back. 'Charlie, you're a genius.' he said happily before rushing out of the club.

Tess sat at her table sipping her coffee, Kwame beside her. 'Better?' he asked.
'Much. Thanks.' Tess answered.
'No problem.' Kwame said and he held here hand.
'Thanks for getting the club for us.'
'I didn't do it for them.' Kwame said and leant forwards to kiss her. Tess returned the kiss, but she couldn't help recalling another man sitting at her table and kissing her, and as Kwame's hands ran down her arms she pulled back. 'Sorry, I can't.' she said.
'Tess, I really love being with you. You're so amazing, so special. I just want to make you happy.'
'You do.' Tess said and kissed him lightly.
'I've had too much to drink tonight, I just need some water, painkillers and my bed, but if you're free then I've got Tuesday off. We could do some Christmas shopping, have some dinner.' she said.
'Sounds perfect.' Kwame said. He stood and picked up his coat from the back of his chair, pulling it on as Tess stood also and walked him to the door. She opened the door, cold air starting to penetrate the skin of her bare arms. Kwame kissed her. 'I'll see you Tuesday.' he said and smiled before leaving. Tess closed the door and returned to the kitchen. She took some asprin and placed it into a glass of water, watching as the pill began to fizz. She picked the glass up, but heard a knock at the door. She replaced the glass and approached the door thinking maybe Kwame had forgotten something, but when she opened the door she saw Fletch standing there, a bottle of wine in his hand. 'Fletch...' she said.
'We need to talk.' Fletch said.
'No. We're finished.'
'So you're really over us?'
'Yes.'
'Then surely it won't hurt to hear what I have to say.' Fletch said and brushed up against Tess as he entered her house.

They sat at Tess' table and Fletch poured them both some wine. 'I've had enough. And so have you by the look of things.' Tess said.
'A few more won't hurt.' Fletch said and pushed a glass towards Tess.
'What do you want Fletch?'
'You know what I want?'
'This has to stop. Too much has happened. You're married and I've moved on.' Tess said.
'I'm not married.' Fletch said and pulled a letter from his pocket, placing it in front of Tess. 'Nat met someone else and she's marrying him. She wanted to make it quick and painless. I'm divorced.' he said. Tess looked at him briefly before standing up and approaching her work top, leaning against it with her back to him. 'This doesn't change anything. I'm with someone else now and I didn't have to destroy a family to be with him.' she said. Fletch stood and approached her.
'Will you stop? You didn't destroy anything. I pursued you, I wanted you. You told me to back off, but I couldn't. I still can't.' he said. Tess turned to him, her eyes filling with tears.
'Please stop.' she said.
'I can't. How can I stop when I know you're with someone and it's not me?'
'It was hard enough getting over you. Please, just leave me.'
'No. I can't leave you. I keep trying to walk away, trying to do what you think is right, but the only thing that feels right is this, us together.' he said and took her hands.
'Fletch...'
'When I left the hospital that night after the crash I didn't even try to get my marriage back on track because I didn't want that. I wanted us. I've tried to get over you, but I can't. I still love you...' he said and Tess avoided eye contact. '...And I know you still love me.' he said and Tess looked back up. Soon they were kissing passionately and Tess felt her back press against the worktop as Fletch pushed her up against it. She pulled back. 'Fletch, maybe we shouldn't...' she said.
'I'm not letting you go ever again Tess.' Fletch said and started kissing her again, his hands moving over her and her heart racing as she felt her mind fog over and she gave in to her desires.