The Twelve Days of Christmas

Chapter 2

The park was the most magical sight, blanketed in snow. The lake had not fully frozen, and I could see where some children had been before me, throwing rocks into it and breaking the ice. Some may have seen it as ruining the picturesque nature of the scene, but I didn’t. Children enjoying the snow only added to its magic.

The majestic gigantic oak trees in the distance looked like someone had dusted them with icing sugar. The icicles hung from underneath the bridge as though protecting the trolls beneath from intruders. I spun around in circles as I pranced across the grass in response to a fresh flurry of snowfall. Sticking my tongue out to retrieve the flakes and waiting for them to melt on my tongue.

I couldn’t help but add to the evidence of fun from the children before me. Kicking the snow drift against the bridge, sending snow cascading in all directions. I couldn’t stop giggling as I had left every adult concern and reservation at the gates to the park. No one knew true freedom until they had let loose in the snow without holding themselves back at all.

I jumped as I saw the little red squirrel run along the ground, its bright fur standing out against the pearly snow more than usual. The little beasts were almost completely tame and were used to being around people, mainly tourists. I pulled the sandwich I had made for lunch out of my bag and pulled a bit of crust from it. It might not have been an ideal meal, but I could imagine the little thing going hungry on such an icy morning. I waited for the little guy to perch on the black railings beside me, then held the crust out to him carefully.

I idly watched him scamper away before I did the same. Despite the flurry of snow, the sun was still bright in the sky overhead and I could feel the rays beating down on me. With the mild nature of the day, I knew the snow wouldn’t last long, and I wanted to make the most of it before it all vanished without a trace. It was only around eight in the morning and the park seemed completely deserted, but it wasn’t surprising when it was so close to Christmas.

Most people would spend the day with family and friends or picking out Christmas gifts. I had already done my shopping but given that I only had TJ, his parents and my beloved cat Garfield to buy for, it wasn’t overly challenging. They were all already wrapped up under my little Christmas tree. Each year I brought a Douglas fir tree and decorated it, but the flat was compact so it was only small. Still, there was nothing better at stirring the Christmas spirit than the smell of a fresh Christmas tree.

Returning to reality, I threw myself bodily into the mound of snow covering what was usually bright green grass. Laying on my back for a moment, savouring the feel of cold seeping into my clothes and hair. I knew I was a strange individual, preferring the cold to the heat always. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than sitting on a beach all day in the sun. Much preferring the idea of snowboarding down the slopes. Not that I had ever been to either kind of destination, but I would, one day.

I started moving my arms and legs, slowly at first. That was the secret to making snow angels. To start off nice and slow, compacting the snow as I went before letting go completely and acting like a madwoman doing an impression of a bird. The other key trick to the perfect snow angel was leaping clear of your angel without falling flat on your face. I normally had that down, but as I over-egged my leap, I ended up falling forward.

I didn’t even try to stop myself, just letting my body free fall into the snow. I rolled over, giggling to myself like a naughty five-year-old. Closing my eyes automatically to shield them from the sun, but as I opened them and squinted against the sun’s glare, a figure standing over me made me jump.

I could barely see him with the sun at his back casting shadows over everything but his bulk. “Can I help you up?” He held his hand out to me, but it wasn’t necessary. Clearly, he thought I had actually fallen as opposed to having been fooling around. I took his hand regardless and stood up.

As I did, the first thing I noticed was his blue eyes. They weren’t the usual piercing type, though. His were like a milky blue colour, as though the sky and snow had been mixed. His brown hair was begging for me to run my fingers through it, as were the traces of stubble on his face. I forced my arms against my sides to stop myself from inadvertently reaching up to touch him.

His general appearance was odd for someone out so early on a snowy day. He was wearing a suit complete with a navy tie and a deep navy woollen coat over the top. The beige scarf draped over his shoulders was the only touch that showed he was even in the same climate as I was. He seemed so put together it made him feel out of place in the surroundings of the park.

“Are you alright?” I could tell there was a twang of an accent in his voice, but I didn’t recognise it. The most I could discern was that he wasn’t from England despite his excellent English. The deep and masculine notes seemed to disguise everything else. I knew I had turned a brutal shade of red, which would be even more obvious against the white backdrop.

“I’m fine. I didn’t fall so much as consciously land.”

“How does one consciously land?” He moved his hand to his chin and stroked at the stubble as though it helped him ponder my admission.

“I was just fooling around in the snow. I do it every year.” Not being able to look at him and focusing on the snow by my feet as I fidgeted. I felt so ridiculous for running around like a child in front of such a man. He embodied everything someone would expect of sophistication.

I felt his fingers at my chin and it put me even more on edge as he tilted my face up to look at him. I was naturally shy anyway. Faced with him, I felt like I needed to melt away into the snow. His gaze was intense, and it was everything I had hidden from my entire life.

“I cannot say that I know what it is like to fool around in the snow. I am not sure I have ever done such a thing.”

“You should try it sometime. Anyway, thank you for helping me up. Have a nice day.” I turned from him and headed in the opposite direction. The snow play was well and truly over and I just wanted to get back to the safety of the shop. I had just reached the bridge when I felt the ball of cold snow hit the back of my head. I turned back to him a little more than gobsmacked.

He just stood there smiling at me, “You were right, it was very fun.”