This is not my best one, admittedly but I've rewritten it a few times and this is the best I can get it - it just doesn't want to work properly. This was definitely inspired by that coffee scene in Death & Doughnuts and in particular, the look on Nick's face when she asked for more sugar. I hope you enjoy it and if you can, I would be very grateful if you could leave a review - it doesn't have to be long, a few words is great. Thank you so much to everyone who has read and reviewed so far, I really do appreciate it.
6: Candy Canes
Upbeat Christmas music is playing on a loop quietly in the background, the warmth of the pub is in stark but welcoming contrast to the freezing winter's day outside. They're sitting opposite each other in one of the booths, their drinks resting on the table in front of them.
"These are actually nicer than they look." Yvonne Rippon states with a lopsided smile as she picks up the striped candy cane that's next to her drink and begins to unwrap it.
Nick shakes his head in bemusement, watching as she begins to crunch on the hard sweet. He had gathered from what she had told him, that someone had given her one at work and told her to try it. She had done as she was told for once which, in turn, had led to her enjoying it and then the text that he had received from her asking him to meet her after her shift – his had finished a few hours before hers. He had done so, only to be dragged around the shops by her to find and buy more candy canes. It was her sweet tooth that was to blame for her liking them so much, he was sure of that.
"You know, those are no better for you than the amount of sugar you have in your coffee."
He couldn't resist that little dig. It was something he liked to tease her about ever since that first incident in the staffroom when she had demanded more sugar and then, much to his horror, had stolen his pen to stir her overly sweet drink.
She looks at him, pausing in her crunching. She swallows the mouthful she has before speaking. "I meant what I said back then you know. Stop going all doctory on me," she chides gently, a smile playing on her lips.
This is one battle he would never win, he knows that and he holds his hands up in mock surrender, aware that she'll probably continue to do it anyway – she's too stubborn for her own good sometimes. "Alright, I'll stop going on about it."
They both know he won't. He might for a few weeks or, if she's lucky, a few months but at some point, there's bound to be something else that will spark off the sugar debate again. He's just looking out for her, she knows that and although it can be annoying, there's a small part of her that secretly thinks it is rather sweet.
"It's Christmas. Sugar is allowed."
"In moderation, maybe. You're not supposed to chain eat candy canes."
Yvonne giggles at how serious his tone of voice is which does nothing other than earn herself a disapproving glare from him.
"Lighten up Nick, seriously." She grins, leaning over the table so she can press her sticky lips against his in a short but sweet kiss. As she pulls away, she looks at him, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "You're the one that likes Christmas, remember?"