“As I’ll ever be,” I replied.
He let go of me and I sensed him take a step back. “Open your eyes,” he said.
Again, I did as I was told, my eyes widening at the sight that greeted me. “Oh, Fin,” I said, suddenly overcome. “But how?” The smell of pine needles permeated the air, courtesy of the huge tree sitting pride of place in the window. Appreciating the man’s efforts, I couldn’t help but smile. “You did all this for me?”
More kitsch than co-ordinated, the tree wasn’t what some would call tasteful in the decoration department. There was no scheme or order to it, just a riot of every colour imaginable. Blue baubles hung next to red baubles, green baubles, purple and pink, all of them different in shape and size. Gold and silver tinsel intertwined as each length flowed from top to bottom like a pair of glittery helter-skelters. Candy canes and nets of chocolate coins fought for attention amongst the chaos, and Christmas crackers lay precariously on most of the tree’s branches. The whole ensemble was a colourful, hot mess, yet at the same time the most wonderful sight.
“I know it’s not the tidiest of trees,” Fin said. “But it’s better than no tree at all.”
“I think it’s perfect,” I replied, touched by the work he’d put in. “I love it.”
Fin put his arm around my shoulders, and we both simply stood there appreciating his handiwork. I leaned into him and rested my head against his chest. I breathed in his scent, happy to enjoy the moment. A stark contrast to when I’d first met Fin, I realised. Back then my body had stiffened at his touch.
“Annie carted everything up from town,” Fin said. “But I did all the decorating.”
I smiled, making a mental note to ring and thank her. “That was kind,” I said.
“It was meant to be my leaving present to say thanks for having me.” Fin looked down at me, his eyes sparkling. “But now we get to enjoy it together.”
I smiled back at him, in that moment unable to think of anything better.
“Oh, before I forget.” Fin let go of my shoulder, raced over to the sofa and pulled something from behind a cushion. “For you.”
I laughed as he held out the funniest looking Christmas tree angel I’d ever had the pleasure of seeing. It had boggly eyes and a wonky halo, which for some inexplicable reason made it even more adorable. “Thank you,” I said, taking it from him. I watched him pick up my huge heavy square pouffe and carry it over to the tree – and with such ease, I noted.
“Go on then,” he said, gesturing me to stand on it.
I smiled in delight as I took his hand and stepped up onto the pouffe. I found myself forced to stretch more than was comfortable as I put the angel where she belonged on top of the tree. “Gorgeous,” I said, at last stepping down to admire her.
“We’re not quite finished yet,” Fin said.
“You mean there’s more?”
He reached down and as I heard the flip of a switch the tree suddenly sprang to life. An assortment of colourful fairy lights flashed amongst the rest of the tree’s finery, making the baubles and tinsel glisten all the more.
“This is wonderful,” I said. “Thank you.”
“It’s not just to show my appreciation. As you were meant to be going on holiday tomorrow,” Fin said. “I thought you might need cheering up. Plus, as we’re going to be spending Christmas together, I wanted to make the most of it.” As he looked at me, his eyes seemed to question mine.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I replied.
“Ooh,” Fin said, the moment gone as he suddenly seemed to remember something. “You’ll never guess what else I got.” He stepped back out into the hall. “Come on,” he said.
I followed him to the kitchen curious as to what could cause such added excitement.
“Ta da!” he said, throwing his arms out wide in celebration of the dining table. “How much fun are we going to have?”
I let out a laugh, finding myself cast back to mine and Vee’s childhood and the hours we’d spent handmaking decorations. “We’re putting together our own paper chains, I see.” I took in the sheets of colourful paper, the scissors to cut the sheets into strips, and the couple of glue sticks awaiting mine and Fin’s attention.
“We most certainly are.” Fin indicated the oven, before looking straight at me. “What else are we going to do while we wait for the casserole to finish cooking?”
I willed myself not to blush as butterflies fluttered in my tummy. Knowing exactly what else we could have been doing, I questioned whether the twinkle in his eye meant Fin was thinking the same as me. My heart skipped a beat as we stared at each other. Had Annie been right earlier? Did Fin likelikeme?
The doorbell rang, before I got an answer to either question.
19
“Shit!” I said, as my eyes darted towards the front door and then to Fin. “Who could that be?”
