Christmas 1995:
"No, Ash!" Henry whined, pulling a face. "C'mon, can't I have one night off?"
"Please?" she begged in return, tugging on his hand. "Please, Henry, please, please, please?"
Henry made another face and looked to Helen for help but she merely chuckled, holding her hands up as she watched their antics from her place on the couch. The room was lavishly decorated with hundreds of handmade decorations and what Helen suspected had been the entire tinsel section in every shop in a three mile radius. Ashley had been in charge of decorations which, in retrospect, Helen realised was a mistake.
Even her old friend hadn't been able to rein her in though Helen suspected that that had more to do with a lack of want more than anything else.
"Maybe later," Henry tried, making to shake Ashley off but the eight year old was relentless.
"You said that last night and then she," Helen got an accusatory look at that point, "made me go to bed!"
"Speaking of which," Helen said, making to stand.
"No!" Ashley cried in dismay. "No, no, no! It's Christmas Eve, please, can't I stay up just a bit longer?"
"You heard the boss lady," Henry said cheerfully, sounding relieved. Helen sighed and pursed her lips, enjoying Henry's newfound look of distress.
"Do you promise to go straight to bed when I tell you?" she asked her daughter who was still giving her the most imploring look in her repertoire.
"Yes!" Ashley cried, nodding vehemently.
"And you'll brush your teeth without complaint?"
"Of course!"
"And you'll not sneak out of bed before 6am?"
"I'll stay in bed until dinner time!" she cried passionately.
Helen pretended to mull it over, watching as Henry started to edge towards the door. Her old friend stood as subtly as he could manage and moved to busy himself just in front of the exit Henry had been aiming for.
"Alright. One more hour."
Ashley let out a squeal of delight as Henry flushed bright red. Almost immediately she skipped back to his side, tugging on the oddly loose pants he was wearing. Helen knew they were supposedly in style but she didn't understand what Henry found so attractive about their style. Perhaps he was trying to toss off his otherwise good-boy reputation.
"Now you have to sing with me!" Ashley cried happily. "Mom, go put the record on again. Quick, before he runs away!"
Chuckling, Helen stood slowly and did as her daughter asked, setting the needle carefully in place. A few beats of scratchy silence passed before the first strains of the song floated through the room. Ashley was practically jumping up and down on Henry's arm with excitement.
She nodded out the beats, eyes alive with joy as Helen watched on from her position beside the gramophone.
"I really can't stay," she sung, looking up to Henry as prompt but the teenager merely made a pained face.
"I've got to go 'way," she continued, holding his arm even more firmly, eyes wide in a plea Helen was sure he'd not deny for long.
"This evening has been... So very nice," Ashley continued, starting to sound a little angry. The thought of Ashley throwing a tantrum had Helen about ready to step in but, with a heavy sigh, Henry cut in smoothly.
"I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice..."
Ashley squealed with excitement once more, missing her next line but Henry was ready with his.
"Hey beautiful, what's your hurry?"
And father will be pacing the floor (Listen to that fireplace roar)
So really, I'd better scurry (Beautiful, please don't hurry)
Well, maybe just a half a drink more (Put some music on while I pour)
Henry was well on his way to smiling now, pulling faces and goofing about just as they had always done together. Ashley was throwing herself into the number wholeheartedly, going so far as to flutter her eyelashes at her big brother in a manner that made Helen certain there'd come a time when her shotgun would indeed be used to fend off admirers.
The neighbours might think (Baby, it's bad out there)
Say, what's in this drink (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
With a flourish, Henry ruffled Ashley's golden mop of hair and Helen smiled as she watched her daughter recoil in mock horror. Henry gave her his most debonair bow too, earning another peal of laughter and Helen wondered if her shotgun might be needed in the next few months or so. If Henry could get over his infernal inability to talk to girls, he'd be something of a heartbreaker himself.
I oughtta say no, no, no sir (You mind if I move in closer)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (And what's the sense in hurting my pride)
I really can't stay (Oh baby, don't hold out)
Oh, but it's cold outside
As they sang the last line together, Henry pulled Ashley up into his arms, swinging her around with another grin. A grunt of laughter caught Helen's attention and she turned just in time to see a warm smile grace her old friend's face. Christmas had always been an important time to him but ever since Ashley was born and Henry had arrived, it had become an even bigger event for him. In fact, the sheer number of decorations he'd managed to cram into her sitting room this year was beyond measure.
I simply must go (It's cold outside)
The answer is no (Baby, it's cold outside)
The welcome has been (So lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (Look out the window at that storm)
Growing up, Helen had longed for Christmas time to come around. It was the only time she was ever guaranteed of her father's presence, even before her mother passed away. It was, to Helen's mind, a family time. Though that didn't stop her from setting her alarm as she had so that tomorrow she could squeeze in a little paper work before the morning's festivities. After all, if she wanted to really enjoy the day with her family, she need peace of mind. Right?
My sister will be suspicious (Your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (I ain't worried about you brother)
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (That ol' biddy, she ain't gonna bother me)
Well maybe just a cigarette more (You don't need no cigarette, it's smokin' plenty up in here)
As Ashley sashayed her way across the room, Helen chuckled softly, unwilling to reprimand her as she clambered up the sofa. Henry however, was on to it already, crossing the room in a few big strides and scooped her up over his shoulder so that her last line dissolved into giggles until he set her down neatly on the floor.
I've got to get home (Baby, you'll freeze out there)
Say, lend me a comb (It's up to your knees out there)
You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
Oh, but don't you see (How can you do this thing to me)
With a flourish, Henry held his hand out to Ashley, pulling her once again into his arms as she perched on his toes. Their height made it awkward but together they managed something of a waltz about the room.
There's bound to be talk tomorrow (Well, think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (If you caught pneumonia and died)
I really can't stay (Get over that hold out)
Oh, but baby it's cold outside
And, as the song came to an end, Henry slung Ashley up onto his back, much to her delight.
"Oof," he grunted, scowling. "You're almost too big for this!"
"Never!" Ashley cried. "Now go, take me to my room, faithful steed!"
Henry rolled his eyes but made his way towards Helen with a badly concealed grin.
"Sleep well," she said, kissing them both on the cheek, stoking Ashley's hair. "I'll come wake you for presents?"
"Really, really early," Ashley said, nodding from where she was clutching to Henry's back. "As soon as Santa's gone."
"How about as soon as my alarm goes?" she offered as a compromise. Her daughter pouted but Henry made a face.
"You guys are such morning people," he grumbled half heartedly.
"Well then go to bed," she teased. "Perhaps an early night will do you good."
Rolling his eyes, Henry kissed her on the cheek and trudged away, only to stop just in front of the Big Guy.
"You aren't going to kiss us too?" he asked, earning a displeased grunt.
"If she wasn't protecting your head," her old friend threatened, raising a hand as a taunt. Henry merely grinned but Ashley was apparently fed up.
"Hurry up, Henry," she urged. "The earlier we get to sleep, the sooner we can open presents!"
All right, so I think I might add dates to these, just in case that's what is confusing people :)
xx
