Disclaimer: I own nothing
The Mighty Boosh
A week later, Holly, Vince and Howard were at work in the shop. Or at least, Howard was sitting behind the counter in boredom, and the siblings were engaged in lively conversation with a customer.
The customer - a flamboyant man in his mid-twenties who was poring over the collection of clothes - seemed very taken with both Vince and Holly, and Howard couldn't blame him; Holly had such a brilliant personality after all. She was a nice person, and she was very pretty and lovely. Oh, and Vince was a good guy too.
' That's well cool,' Holly said, as the customer slipped on a miliatary style jacket - which was purple.
' Really? ' asked the customer.
' Yeah,' grinned Holly,' you should go for it ... '
The man nodded,' I think I will ... and where's that hat from, by the way? It's so cool! '
Howard rolled his eyes from behind today's newspaper - that girl seemed to have a never ending supply of hats, and was particularly fond of cowboy hats.
Today she wore a bright blue cowboy at with her initials in golden gems - of course the hat added to her strange outfit; skinny red jeans, an almost plain white t-shirt (but not so plain with several strings of beads hanging around her neck) and white platforms. Her blue feather boa - which she seemed to like as much as her hats - was tied around her wrist.
' I found it in a thrift shop,' she answered,' then I bought some little glue-on gems from a stationary shop and it ended up looking like this. '
Then the man began to inquire after Vince's boots and Vince led him towards the counter, where he ringed up the item and sorted out the sale.
' See ya later,' Holly called after the customer left.
After that, Vince went back to sitting in his comfy chair by the door. Howard remained sitting in the chair behind the counter. Holly sat on the counter, facing Howard, her legs dangling off the edge and occasionally pressing against one of his legs.
When he'd gone, Howard looked at Holly,' You're a natural,' he said,' the customers seem to like you. '
' What about me? ' demanded Vince,' I was an integral part of that sale. '
Holly held up a hand,' Woah, wait - where did you learn that ... that word? '
Howard couldn't help but smile at the way that Holly didn't know the word either, and it twisted into a smirk when Vince answered,' I was playing scrabble with Naboo again - he knows all sorts of crazy words. '
Howard was no longer listening when Vince went off on a rant about how Naboo "made up words just for scrabble" (as if it wasn't exactly what Vince did too). Instead, he was thinking about Holly, as he did so often. She was amazing - why did he have to be so awkward around here; he needed to do something. He was Howard Moon, man of action. He could get a woman if he wanted to. Not that Holly would want him anyway. And there was the worry of how Vince would react.
Holly was no longer listening as Vince went on about Naboo's "cheating." Instead, she was thinking about Howard - something which she did all too often now. Sure, she'd only known him for 5 or 6 weeks, but he was brilliant, wasn't he? Completely genius! Maybe she should say something to him about how she felt? What would be say? What would Vince say?
Holly looked up at Howard, and realised that he was looking at her too. She smiled warmly and he offered a sort of weaker smile in return, before she looked away. Looking back a moment later, she caught his eye again and coloured this time. Still, neither of them broke the look, until Vince shouted at them.
' Are either of you even listening to me?! '
Holly smiled indulgently,' Course we are. '
Vince was satisfied with this comfirmation and continued to tell the pair of them about Naboo's "cheating", until he suddenly broke off mid-sentence and said,' Holly, d'you think my hair's a bit ... wrong, today? '
His sister considered this before telling him,' Nah - your hair's genius! You know that. '
' I had to use normal shampoo this morning, because mine was empty - although I don't remember using the last of it. Though s'not as if anyone else would nick it - all my stuff's in its own little cupboard, after all ... '
Holly said nothing, avoiding his eyes.
' Hol? ' Vince prompted.
' ... '
' Holly! You used my shampoo! ' he said, pointing an accusing finger at her,' how could you? It's thanks you to that my hair looks rubbish now! '
' I told ya Vince, it looks fine,' she sighed, looking away from him. She looked out towards the door, and she saw a figure across the street which immediately caught her attention.
She'd recognise that man at once - even if it was across the shop, and then across the street. She realised at once that he was heading for the shop, and stood up at once.
' Oh God,' she muttered, looking - and feeling - terrified,' Vince! Howard! You have to help me! '
' What? ' Vince asked, looking at her quickly, identical blue eyes meeting. Howard raised his eyebrows.
Holly swallowed and looked towards the door - he'd crossed the street - he was very close to the shop - oh god, he was going to come in here ...
' Listen,' she said quickly,' we don't have time for this - Howard, Vince, I'm not here. When he asks - I'm not here. '
With that, she scrambled to the side of the counter where customers couldn't see and knelt down, out of sight - there wasn't enough time to go anywhere else. Moments before he - Jimmy Tools - entered the store, a thought struck Holly - Vince! Tools would easily see the resemblance ... then he'd know he was in the right place ...
' Vince! ' she hissed, looking up quicky,' hide! Now! Down here! '
' Why? ' he hissed in return.
' Now! ' she replied, panic evident in her voice. Her brother noted her panic with concern, and joined her hiding behind the counter, without hesitation,' Howard - you've never heard of either of us! '
When the shop door opened, Holly - knelt on all fours - held her breath in worry. Vince felt her tense beside him - they were so close together, they were touching, after all, there wasn't much room behind the counter.
He lifted a hand from the ground and placed it on her shoulder, squeezing gently.
She smiled gratefully and placed one of her own hands over his.
Meanwhile, Howard was standing in front of the counter - since there was now no room to get behind it. He was looking into the face of a taller man - if several years younger - with broad shoulders and muscular arms.
' I'm looking for someone,' he said.
Howard raised his eyebrows,' Oh? ' he asked politely.
Jimmy Tools wasn't nearly so polite,' Holly Noir - pretty sure she's around here somewhere. '
Under the counter, Vince's eyes met Holly's, and he understood at once who the man was - the beater from Newcastle. The man she owed all the money to, and had just run away from. Bugger. He'd found her.
Howard simply shrugged,' N-no, I'm afraid I don't know her. ' Howard knew that he had to keep strong for Holly - Holly was clearly very worried .. she was hiding for god's sake ... he had to help.
' You sure? ' Tools pressed,' um, skinny bird, bit of a midget. Big hooked nose and dresses like some sort of futuristic hooker. '
Holly frowned at the description of herself - how dare he say that?! Vince's hand tightened on her shoulder when he saw her saddened face.
Howard too, wasn't pleased with this description - Holly was beautiful! Her dress sense was kind of endearing, and her nose was quite distinctive, yeah, but it was hardly hooked - it was fine.
' Well? Seen her? '
' No, Sir,' Howard replied cooly.
' Oh. I don't believe you,' he said, taking a step closer - closer and closer until Howard was backed against a cupboard,' you're a liar. '
' Well, d'you see her here? ' challenged Howard, much braver than he actually felt.
' Surely there aren't many shops with the same weird name as this shop? I doubt I've gotten mixed up - you're a liar. I'm reliably informed that the little cow would have come running here - she's got some lady-boy brother or something here, apparently. D'you know anyone with the surname Noir? '
Vince wasn't too bothered by being confused with a woman, most of the time, but hearing it come from the mouth of this geezer ... He gritted his teeth - and how dare anyone call his little sister a cow?
' No,' Howard answered simply.
Tools drew himself up to full height, glared at Howard before saying,' I still don't believe you - I'm coming back tomorrow. I'll find her here, I know it. '
Moments later, after a loud slam of the door, Howard sighed,' Um ... guys? It's all clear now ... '
Vince scrambled out from under the counter and helped his sister up. Howard peeled himself from the side of the cupboard. Both men stared at her.
' I'm sorry,' Holly whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
Vince immediately hugged her as tight as he possibly could - this was what they did ... when in doubt, and when thing's weren't going right, have a hug. Or possibly a poncho.
' God, Vince,' Holly sighed,' I'm sorry - I've brought him here. He's gonna get me - he might get you too. I'm - '
' Shhhh, Hol, shhh,' Vince said, kissing the top of her head before letting go and holding her at arms length.
' What am I gonna do now? ' she whispered.
Vince bit down on his lip so hard it was in danger of bleeding, his grip tightening, before he finally answered,' Maybe Naboo could brew something ... I dunno ... there's gotta be something ... '
' I dunno,' Holly echoed,' he might not want to get caught up in all this. '
' He's a good guy, Holly, you know that,' Vince said, rubbing her arms,' he'll do something to help. He always comes through for us in the end. We'll talk to him when he gets back from Shamansbury's, or wherever he went this time ... '
' In the meantime,' Howard said,' maybe you shouldn't be in the shop tomorrow. I mean, if he's going to be back tomorrow ... we don't want anything to happen to you ... '
Both Holly and Vince turned to look at Howard as if they'd only just remembered he was still there. Then Holly gave him one of those warm smiles which melted him.
' Oh, Howard,' she sighed, shaking her head,' thank you ... you were so brave to just do what I said, and stick up for me like that ... '
Howard shrugged, ' I - I - '
' Thanks,' she whispered,' you were great.
Howard couldn't find any words, and just smiled at her. Suddenly, she'd thrown herself across the room and wrapped her arms around him. He shouldn't have been suprised really, he mused as her pale arms slipped easily around his neck.
' Don't touch me,' Howard said quietly.
Holly frowned,' You what? I've touched you sometimes - you don't complain. And this is my hour of need Howard! ' she added, another tear trickling down her cheek.
Vince glared at Howard for daring to upset his sister, and Howard could have slapped himself; whhat had made him say that? ' Um .. sorry,' he said,' I used to have a strict no touching rule ... guess it still slips through sometimes. '
Holly sniffed, ignoring him, and throwing her arms around him again.
' I mean it,' Howard muttered,' don't ever touch me. '
' Howard! ' Vince hissed, very close to gathering his sister up in his own arms again, and shoving Howard away.
Holly however, laughed and nestled closer into him.
