Christmas with Nicholas: - an Untwisted seasonal story (Untwisted series) by Alice Raine
Authors: Alice Raine
Ads: Link
Chapter One
Nicholas
Shoving my hands roughly into the pockets of my suit trousers I muttered my annoyance, threw a filthy look at the apologetic saleswoman, and then strode from the department store empty-handed, back out into the main walkway of Westfield shopping centre.
Huffing out a long breath, I walked across to the balustrades and leaned forwards so I could take a moment to clear my head. All around me happy Christmas shoppers were chatting jovially as they shuffled past me laden with bags of goodies and gift-wrapped presents. Christmas decorations hung from every available surface in sight. It was quite sickly, really; icicle lights twinkling from the banisters, huge Christmas trees lining the open shopping area overloaded with garish baubles and tinsel, and the annoying strains of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ filling the air for the fifth bloody time since I’d arrived three hours ago.
Pushing my hair from my face I turned and leant back on the railing as I considered what to try next. My entire purpose for this trip had been to get a Christmas present for my girlfriend Rebecca; but after traipsing around every suitable outlet in the godforsaken place I still had nothing. I’d seen clothes that would suit her, jewellery she would no doubt like, and even handbags that would have been OK, but they weren’t wow presents, and seeing as this was the first time in my screwed-up life that I was buying a Christmas present for a woman – not just any woman, but the woman that I loved – I wanted it to be perfect. Shaking my head I chewed on the inside of my lip; at this rate Rebecca would have a big fat nothing under the bloody tree on Christmas morning.
Pushing off from the railing I turned in search of a coffee. Perhaps a java hit would kick my brain into gear, but as I took my first few steps towards Starbucks my eyes caught on a shop window to my left. Pausing, an idea began to form in my mind. Walking up to the glass I scanned the contents as a smile formed on my lips. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this earlier – it was perfect.
Half an hour later I left the shop with my wallet considerably lighter – well, to be specific my American Express Platinum account was lighter – but I didn’t care. Money was inconsequential in this matter. Striding off I knew I now needed one last shop before I could get out of here, and as I marched along I even found myself humming along with the The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ with a satisfied grin on my face. I felt more in the Christmas spirit already.
Rebecca
Two weeks later
I enjoyed the cold crispness of the early evening air as I walked to Nicholas’ for the evening. It made a refreshing change from the snug, overly warm interior of my little bookshop, which often got quite stifling if we had more than six customers in at once. During our time together Nicholas had often tried to insist that I let him buy me a car, or worse still, provide me with my own personal driver, but I had well and truly put my foot down. I might be dating a famous and stupidly well-off pianist, but I didn’t need pampering like that. I grimaced as I tried to imagine just how much money he had, but then pushed the thought away as it was quite overwhelming and always made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Besides, I liked walking. It was good exercise and London was the most amazing city to explore by foot.
The shops, boutiques, and roadside cafes of Primrose Hill were brightly lit and decorated with Christmas lights and displays as I wandered along. For a change practically every person I passed on the street was jovial and wished me a Christmas greeting of one kind or another.
By the time I’d arrived at Nicholas’ road I was smiling broadly and in a rather good mood from all the festive cheer. I’d barely stepped inside the front door when I was met by the man himself practically jogging down the stairs to greet me, his dark hair a wild mess on his head
Nicholas
Shoving my hands roughly into the pockets of my suit trousers I muttered my annoyance, threw a filthy look at the apologetic saleswoman, and then strode from the department store empty-handed, back out into the main walkway of Westfield shopping centre.
Huffing out a long breath, I walked across to the balustrades and leaned forwards so I could take a moment to clear my head. All around me happy Christmas shoppers were chatting jovially as they shuffled past me laden with bags of goodies and gift-wrapped presents. Christmas decorations hung from every available surface in sight. It was quite sickly, really; icicle lights twinkling from the banisters, huge Christmas trees lining the open shopping area overloaded with garish baubles and tinsel, and the annoying strains of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ filling the air for the fifth bloody time since I’d arrived three hours ago.
Pushing my hair from my face I turned and leant back on the railing as I considered what to try next. My entire purpose for this trip had been to get a Christmas present for my girlfriend Rebecca; but after traipsing around every suitable outlet in the godforsaken place I still had nothing. I’d seen clothes that would suit her, jewellery she would no doubt like, and even handbags that would have been OK, but they weren’t wow presents, and seeing as this was the first time in my screwed-up life that I was buying a Christmas present for a woman – not just any woman, but the woman that I loved – I wanted it to be perfect. Shaking my head I chewed on the inside of my lip; at this rate Rebecca would have a big fat nothing under the bloody tree on Christmas morning.
Pushing off from the railing I turned in search of a coffee. Perhaps a java hit would kick my brain into gear, but as I took my first few steps towards Starbucks my eyes caught on a shop window to my left. Pausing, an idea began to form in my mind. Walking up to the glass I scanned the contents as a smile formed on my lips. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of this earlier – it was perfect.
Half an hour later I left the shop with my wallet considerably lighter – well, to be specific my American Express Platinum account was lighter – but I didn’t care. Money was inconsequential in this matter. Striding off I knew I now needed one last shop before I could get out of here, and as I marched along I even found myself humming along with the The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ with a satisfied grin on my face. I felt more in the Christmas spirit already.
Rebecca
Two weeks later
I enjoyed the cold crispness of the early evening air as I walked to Nicholas’ for the evening. It made a refreshing change from the snug, overly warm interior of my little bookshop, which often got quite stifling if we had more than six customers in at once. During our time together Nicholas had often tried to insist that I let him buy me a car, or worse still, provide me with my own personal driver, but I had well and truly put my foot down. I might be dating a famous and stupidly well-off pianist, but I didn’t need pampering like that. I grimaced as I tried to imagine just how much money he had, but then pushed the thought away as it was quite overwhelming and always made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Besides, I liked walking. It was good exercise and London was the most amazing city to explore by foot.
The shops, boutiques, and roadside cafes of Primrose Hill were brightly lit and decorated with Christmas lights and displays as I wandered along. For a change practically every person I passed on the street was jovial and wished me a Christmas greeting of one kind or another.
By the time I’d arrived at Nicholas’ road I was smiling broadly and in a rather good mood from all the festive cheer. I’d barely stepped inside the front door when I was met by the man himself practically jogging down the stairs to greet me, his dark hair a wild mess on his head
Similar Books
