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The Dragon and the Rose

Chapter Twelve

Christmas

It was that time of year once more. The classrooms had been decorated with tinsel and paper chains, a large fir tree fully decorated in the hall.

'I hope everyone remembered to bring their presents for the Staffroom Secret Santa!' called Mr Watson, entering the staffroom with a large blue bucket full of presents. 'If not, your recipient will loose out. C'mon, settle down everyone.' Pete and Tegan found seats by the window, watching as Mr Watson went around handing out the presents.

'There you go, Pete,' he smiled, handing him the neatly wrapped gift. Pete smiled, looking down at it.

'Are you going to open it?' asked Tegan. Pete looked up, noticing her knowing smile.

Then he tore it open, holding up the signed West Ham football. 'Fucking 'ell,' he muttered, a bubble of laughter escaping him as he spun it. 'Did you-?'

'No,' she replied innocently, as Mr Watson gave her his gift. Tegan grinned as she opened it, pulling out a Pink Osprey Jumper.

'Pete!' she beamed. 'This… this costs a lot.'

Pete shrugged. 'It was worth it,' he smiled, as she slid it on. Tegan huddled into it, smiling at the softness against her skin. 'Thanks for this,' he said again. Tegan smiled.

'You're welcome.' Leaning forward, she pecked him on the cheek. 'It was worth it.'

'I was thinking…' Pete frowned, after a moment. '…do you wanna come round for Christmas dinner? It'll be with my sister. If you're not busy…'

'Alright,' Tegan replied with a smile. Pete grinned.

'Really?'

'Why not?' She reached down and squeezed his hand. 'I just hope she likes me.'

--

Christmas Day

Pete and Tegan stood outside Lucy's house, loud shouts coming from inside.

'They sound like they're arguing,' Tegan whispered. Pete nodded, before pushing open the door and stepping in.

'Bov! No! Our guests will be 'ere in a minute, you stupid twat! Get off!' They could hear Lucy squealing.

'You deserve it. You started it.' The two entered the kitchen to see Bov throwing a wet sponge at Lucy; both were slightly wet, cheeks flushed. Lucy went redder when she saw Tegan.

'Shit! Bov!' He dropped the sponge and gave an odd smile. His arm was in a cast, free hand still wet from the sponge.

'Alright?'

'Come in. Sit down,' said Lucy breathlessly, wiping her hair from her eyes. 'We'll just erm… get dry. We'll be right down.'

'Help yourself,' Bov muttered, gesturing to the alcohol on the table. Lucy led him from the room, Tegan giggling a little.

'Well, that was my best mate Bovver and my sister, Lucy. Stay there a moment.' Pete left the kitchen, leaving Tegan to take a seat. He returned a few minutes later with a sleeping toddler in his arms. 'This is Charlie,' he smiled.

'Oh, he's beautiful,' she breathed, reaching out to stroke his blonde hair.

'Isn't 'e just. Looks just like 'is dad.' Pete grinned as Lucy appeared back in the kitchen.

Pete straightened up, passing Charlie back to his sister.

'We're not eating here,' she said. 'Dave just rang; they've got things set up in the Abbey.'

Pete nodded, glancing at Tegan. 'Ready to meet the rest of my mates?'

She nodded. 'They're harmless really,' Lucy laughed, before kissing the top of Charlie's soft head.

--

All the greeting had been done, everyone now tucking into Christmas dinner. 'This is good,' Swill said, already on his second helpings.

'I can't eat another thing,' groaned Libby, before leaning against Swill. 'I feel like a walrus.'

'You look like one too,' smirked Pete, before taking a sprout to the head. Jenny was sleeping in her carry cot, Charlie playing with his bricks on the floor.

'My bird does not look like a walrus!' Swill protested.

'Your bird, huh?' laughed Lucy.

'The cheek of it,' Libby laughed in agreement. 'I feel like I'm being owned.'

'You will be when we get home,' he grinned. The door creaked open, Scott sticking his head in.

Swill stared hard at him for a moment. 'What do you want?'

'Swill...' sighed Libby. Tegan frowned slightly. It suddenly seemed quite tense in here.

'Can I talk to you?' the redhead asked her. Libby nodded, getting up from the table and walking out with him. The air was cold, ground crisp and frozen. Their breath came out like smoke, twirling and dancing in front of their faces as they spoke.

'Yes?' Libby folded her arms against the cold.

'I'm going away,' he told her, avoiding looking her in the face. 'And… look, I can't do this to your family. We 'ave to stop; I don't want to break you all apart for some stupid crush I 'ave on you. And I shouldn't 'ave led you on.'

Libby listened quietly to what he had to say. It began to snow lightly, resting on the already frosty ground.

'You need to be with Swill, because I know you love 'im. And you 'ave a daughter. I was stupid to even start anything with you.' A cab pulled up against the curb. Scott leaned forward and kissed her softly. 'I'm sorry if I've messed things up. I hope you forgive me.'

Libby nodded, tears in her eyes as she watched him turn and climb into the cab. He didn't look at her when it drove off and she stood there in the cold street long after he'd gone.

'Libby?' Don was stood behind her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he turned her around and held her against him. 'Let's go inside, yeah? The food's getting cold.' She nodded mutely, allowing him to lead her inside.

Lucy already knew what had happened. Don had told her in an undertone about Scott leaving London for good.

Libby stared at her plate, ignoring the look Swill was giving her.

'Do you want to go home?' he asked quietly, when Terry put the music on and Lucy began gathering the plates.

'No, I'll be okay. We should have fun. It's Christmas.' She gave a half-hearted smile, getting to her feet. Swill pulled her to him and kissed her hard and she kissed him back with equal force.

'I think I've had too much to drink,' Tegan giggled, wrapping her arms around Pete's waist. Pete grinned down at her, kissing her neck, as Terry cut the lights, the strobe lighting filling the room instead.

'Follow me,' he murmured in her ear, sending shivers caressing her spine. He led her backwards into Terry's store cupboard, unseen by anyone else.

Shutting the door behind them, he locked it from the inside.

'I don't think we'll be disturbed 'ere,' he grinned, pushing her back and attacking her neck playfully.

Inside the main pub, Rick led Libby to the center of the 'dance floor', hands covering her eyes. 'What are you doing?' she asked with a grin.

'We've got a surprise,' James told her. 'To make you happy again.' Rick uncovered her eyes as she stared at the karaoke machine on the floor. There was a bow attached to the top, with a tag that read 'To Libby!'

'Happy Christmas,' Peter grinned, squeezing her wrist.

'It's all yours,' Don smiled, handing James, Rick and Peter microphones. Rick went over and turned on the TV. The lyrics for 'Girls just wanna have fun,' began to scroll up the screen.

'Ready boys?' he asked, before the three burst into song. Libby clapped, laughing. Lucy watched them with a smile, glancing at Bov as he wrapped his arm around her.

'You alright?' he asked, watching the three men on the karaoke.

'I think things will look up for Libby now,' she said, more to herself. She looked at Swill, who was in the corner feeding Jenny her bottle.

Ike, Ned and Keith were playing cards at the table, Dave and Terry chatting at the bar.

She had no idea where Pete and Tegan were and for now, she had the feeling she didn't need to know.

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