Disclaimer: I own nothing
The Mighty Boosh
' Oh, no way,' Vince grinned the next day as he flicked through his magazine,' there's a sale on at top shop! '
Howard barely looked up from the poetry he was working on - it'd been ages since he'd produced any solid work. After the Zooniverse, it had been all about the music.
' Aw, 50% off over 100 items! This is genius! ' Vince exclaimed, pausing before asking, ' Don't suppose there's any chance of me nipping out for a bit? '
Howard supressed a sigh - this was Vince all over,' We're both supposed to be working. What if something happens - it gets really busy, or something? '
' I won't be long - just need a few things to spruce up the old wardrobe with,' Vince insisted, pulling his jacket on,' I'll be back soon. '
Howard didn't have time to say anything else before Vince had left the shop. Staring after his friend, he considered how much Vince annoyed him sometimes. And how much Vince got away with. He shook his head - it was just Vince; Vince was Vince, and they'd been a team since primary school.
It was nearly three hours later when Howard had finally thought of a second line which went well with the first line of his poem. He grinned triumphantly and re-read it several times, before sitting back and relaxing - surely that deserved a break.
He'd decided to try adding his third line, and had just returned to his piece of paper, when the bell on the door tinged.
Ah, a customer, about time Howard thought, looking up from the counter.
The person who'd just entered the shop, was a woman aged 25-30, Howard noted, straightening his hat and grinning. She looked like she'd raided Vince's wardrobe too, he thought.
She was short and slim, wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, with a red silken blouse which had shiny black studs down the middle. A familiar looking red hat with the same black studs sat on her head.
Howard watched as her head snapped from side to side; she scoured the room with her eyes, looking for something.
' Can I help you, Madam? ' he asked cautiously.
Her eyes were wide and fearful as she looked at him,' Vince? ' she said quickly,' is 'e 'ere? '
Howard frowned in confusion,' He's gone out for a bit - shouldn't be too long. Are you alright? ' he added, noting the way her face fell when he told her Vince wasn't around. Her eyes were still wide and her breathing was heavy.
' I just - ' she began,' I just really needed Vince. It's important. '
Howard wasn't sure how to deal with a stressing woman so just repeated,' He shouldn't be too long. '
' Oh God, I needed 'im now,' she sighed, throwing her hands up in the air, ' 'e's never around - I bet 'e's gone shopping or something, 'asn't 'e? Honestly, the minute there's a sale on anywhere, 'e's gone like a flash. '
' An accurate portrait of him,' Howard nodded,' maybe I can help you with something instead? Or you could stay until he gets back. I'm Howard, by the way, Howard Moon. '
A spark of recognition hit her eyes,' Oh - Howard? Vince talks about you all the time, Howard did this, Howard did that, Howard won't let me play Gary Numan in the car. ' She came closer to the counter - closer to Howard - and became more relaxed - whatever had been bothering her a moment ago was now forgotten - easily distracted, like someone else he could think of.
Howard noticed that once she'd calmed down a bit, she was rather pretty. Then he began to wonder how she knew Vince so well, when he'd no idea who she was. Then it hit him.
' You're Vince's sister, aren't you? ' he asked.
She grinned broadly,' Sure am - didn't I introduce myself? God, I'm so ditzy. Anyway - so this is where you both work? Looks quite cool,' she was distracted by looking around and her eye was caught by something nearby. She picked up the leopard print jacket and grinned,' this is way cool! River Island had one like this last month, but it was way too much. '
Howard shook his head to himself. How could he not have realised who she was, the minute she came into the room - she was so much like Vince, it was unbelieveable.
She seemed to think about the same things - she spoke in the same way, with the same hand gestures. She had the same sort of dress sense - in fact, he was certain that the hat actually belonged to Vince.
Suddenly, she looked over her shoulder at him,' You're thinking about me and Vince aren't you? '
' How'd you know? ' he asked, raising his eyebrows.
She shrugged as she pulled out the jacket and slipped into it,' Everyone always says how much we look like each other, and you 'aven't yet, so it's only a matter of time. '
Howard couldn't help but smile,' Well, now that you mention it. '
She turned away from him, admiring the jacket in a nearby mirror. He took the chance to picture her face alongside Vince's in his mind. Their hair was the same colour, though Holly's was a sleek bob compared to Vince's longer mane. They had the same pale skin. The same doe-like bright blue eyes, and the same angular nose.
' What brings you here, anyway? ' Howard asked,' Vince said you weren't coming 'til next week? '
She pulled off the jacket and tossed it to one side,' Just needed to get away. I needed to leave Newcastle sooner than I thought I would. And I'm counting on Vince to make it all better. That's what Vince does - when things aren't going right, Vince comes in and makes it all better for me. '
As if on cue, the door swung open and Vince sauntered in, carrying several bags.
' Vince! ' his sister exclaimed.
Vince looked up in suprise and dropped the bags. ' Holly! ' he yelled, holding out his arms, and closing them tightly around her when she ran into them. He kissed her cheek and she tightened her grip on him, resting her head against the place where his neck met his shoulder.
Vince looked down at her, when it became apparent that she didn't want to let go of him. ' Um ... Holly? ' he asked, looking down at her. ' Holly? '
Holly mumbled against him,' I'm in trouble Vince. '
