Their breath billowed in the chill of the morning air as they stood, their arms hugging their bodies to try and keep them warm. Wrapped up in her coat, Robyn pulled her scarf over her nose and mouth, leaving only her eyes exposed as she watched her Uncle trying to start his car. Her grandfather was trying to help while her grandmother stood beside her and they waited patiently as both men tried to work on the vehicle parked outside of Ziggy's house. They'd been out there for over half an hour, fiddling in the engine compartment and trying to start the engine. Nothing they did seemed to work and it was with a measure of annoyance that Sportacus admitted defeat.
His car was going nowhere.
"Having trouble?" Boris asked as he approached the four, en route back to the base as he came off patrol.
Sportacus nodded, "It's completely dead. I knew I should have turned the engine over before now to keep it going. Even if we jump started it there's no guarantee we'd be able to get it started again if the engine stops."
"Where are you heading to?"
Robyn's voice was muffled as she spoke through her scarf, "Greentown. We would have flown but it's not safe enough to fly over the mountains and it'll take too long to go around them."
"I'm free. Why don't I take you?"
"Are you sure?" Yuliya questioned, "We'd be very grateful but none of us would like to impose on your free time."
"I'm absolutely certain," Boris confirmed with a smile, "If you're ready we can go now."
When all four people nodded, Boris turned and putting two fingers in his mouth whistled loudly. One of his men ran up and he threw them the keys to his vehicle. Keys in hand the man went and fetched his Land Rover which was situated just outside of the town hall, he drove it over before getting out and left the door open for Boris.
Uncovering her nose and mouth, Robyn smiled at Boris. "You could have got that yourself."
Boris shrugged with a wry smile, "Perks of the job." He replied before opening both the front passenger and rear door and motioning for his passengers to climb in.
"Shotgun!" Robyn called before jumping in the front seat, just before Nine had a chance to, his hand still on the door handle.
Shooting his granddaughter a look as she gave him a cheesy grin, Nine closed the door and got in the back seat with his son and wife. He'd been too slow this time but he promised himself he'd get there first next time.
When everyone was settled and had put their seatbelts on, Boris pulled away and started on their journey to Greentown. As he left the Crazytown tunnel he flicked on the radio to see what the local station was broadcasting, hoping that it might go some way to dispelling Nine's discomfort at not being able to move, something that seemed to set in very quickly. After a brief burst of music there was a second of silence before a news bulletin came over the radio that no one was sure they understood completely.
"Good greetings to you listeners. Today in the news we report that our Mayor, Donkey Ducknuts, was disbanded from office by Flibbidy Squirrel. Our chicken correspondent has more details..." The voice on the radio trailed off and they heard a chicken clucking before the voice came on again, "Thank you chicken. In other news we have learnt that things get wet when it rains...a momentous discovery for our town. It looks set to be a very warm and sunny Christmas this July which members of the town are said to be very excited about. There will be more on the weather later. Reporters have reported that after next September in five years time they had a really good party with Mr Pringles man and enjoyed the company of Albert Einstein. In sports news there is nothing because we have none and we can't tell you about the traffic because we can't see it as we have no windows. In weather we expect it to rain elephants and turnips before snow comes at the end of the week. Good bye byes to you before our next bulletin in twelve years."
Listening to the news on the radio had taken Nine's mind off of moving but when music with a good rhythm came on he started to nod his head to the beat. His son did the same and soon the two were jiggling in their seats, unable to stay still. Robyn turned around in her seat to watch them with amusement and smiled at her grandmother who was sat between the two men and mouthing the words, 'help me'.
Boris caught sight of what was going on in his mirror and stopped the car, removing his seat belt he turned in his seat and put on his best authorative voice while pointing a finger at the two heroes, "Sit still the pair of you. Don't make me turn this car around."
"Yeah, you heard him." Robyn joined with a laugh.
Sportacus and Nine stopped moving immediately and sat back in their seats. Folding his arms Sportacus looked at Robyn, "Yes mum." He threw back in his best spoiled teenager voice.
Robyn stuck her tongue out at him and turned back in her seat, missing Sportacus sticking his tongue out in return. Clicking his tongue, Boris sat himself back in his seat properly and put his seat belt back on before continuing on the way.
Forty minutes later the five were walking along one of Greentown's main shopping streets, enjoying the sights and sounds of the festive season. Sportacus and Nine found themselves being stopped every now and again for autographs, people recognising them and wanting to take pictures with them while Robyn, Yuliya and Boris moved about relatively unnoticed. They watched with amusement as the two heroes tried to politely refuse any more attention but found themselves being followed by those they refused.
A friendly face pushed himself through the bulk of the followers and gave Robyn a big hug, a large smile warming his aged features.
"Hey Doc," Robyn greeted as Doctor Cole released her from the hug.
"Bore da, Robyn. It makes a nice change to see you out and about rather than in the hospital."
"Same goes for you. How are things?"
Doctor Cole tried to cover the sadness that crossed his face, "Felly felly, or in English, so so. I have to admit I'm finding it a little hard being on my own this time of year."
"Why don't you join us in Lazytown for Christmas?" Yuliya offered, her face beaming with sympathy for the poor man.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure," Doctor Cole smiled, taking Yuliya's hand and they shared introductions. "That is a very nice offer; I might even take you up on that."
"The more the merrier!" Robyn exclaimed excitedly. "You can either come stay at the Mayor's over Christmas or the mad house for as long as you like. I just wouldn't be sure that Kit won't try and get into bed with you."
"Oh I'll be ready for him if he does. I think the tide of hero worship looks like it's ebbing, I'd better let you get moving before it comes back. I'll give you call tomorrow and we'll sort out arrangements. Hwyl fawr." Doctor Cole gave Robyn another hug before disappearing into a passing group of shoppers, a smile once more on his face.
As the group managed to edge further along the shopping district, Robyn led them down a side street. The others followed her, enjoying the quieter surroundings and taking in what seemed an entirely different town to the one they'd just been in. They found themselves taken to a coffee bar and sat down in the warm expanse of a tastefully decorated part of the establishment. A waitress came to take their order and returned with it promptly.
Robyn licked her lips as the waitress put her hot chocolate with a mound of whipped cream and chocolate powder on top down in front of her. Grabbing up her spoon Robyn dug it straight in and ate the cream, noticing her family watching her with evident amusement. Boris simply looked at her with an indescribable emotion.
"Do you know how freaky that is?"
Shaking her head and talking with a mouthful of cream Robyn replied, "What?"
"You, eating sugary stuff without having a meltdown. How do you do that?"
"Just lucky I guess. I can't have a huge amount of sugar. Normally a can of coke and half a chocolate bar is my limit."
"A can of co-" Boris was too stunned to finish and simply shrugged.
When everyone had finished their drinks the waitress returned and cleared the table, depositing the bill at their request. Boris quickly drew his wallet out of his pocket and handed the waitress some money before anyone else could pay her. Nine and Sportacus made to object but Boris waved a dismissive hand at them.
"It was nothing! Two teas, two bottles of water and Robyn's monstrosity hardly came to an amount to break the bank. If it's that much of an issue just consider it a tiny Christmas present from the Network."
Robyn smiled and cocked her head at Boris, "Well isn't that sweet. First you play taxi, then you pay for the drinks. What other treats have we got in store?"
"Well if you're lucky I might carry some bags if we get round to buying anything."
Pursing her lips and letting out a short laugh, Robyn responded, "Ooooooooooohhh!"
Gathering themselves together they put their coats back on and left the coffee shop, resuming their hunt for Christmas presents and enjoying the festive spirit.