“I’ve missed this,” he said, looking at the snowflakes all around him. “That sunshine you were after isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
In spite of the cold, his wonder gave me a warm glow in my tummy. “I’ll take your word for it,” I said, at the same time indicating we move on. We followed the road past the pub, me keeping my head down lest one of its customers look out onto the street and clock me. Although I needn’t have worried. As if sensing my concern, Fin moved from my left side to my right, blocking me from view and I smiled to myself, appreciating the gesture.
Continuing on our way, I spotted an empty field where snow lay perfect and undisturbed. I looked to Fin, wondering if he’d seen it as well. I smiled. After all, if I couldn’t beat him, then it was only right I joined him. He had a glint in his eye, enough to tell me he had and that he, too, found the pristineness of the area too much of a temptation to resist.
“Snowman?” he said.
“Definitely,” I replied, feeling like a naughty teenager.
My heart leapt at the touch of his hand taking mine as we raced over to the field gate. Sliding the lock to let ourselves in, we made sure to close it again behind us, laughing as we got straight to work.
“Put your back into it,” Fin said, as what started as a tiny ball grew into a sphere so large it was hard to push, only for us to scoop up another handful of snow and repeat the process all over again.
We puffed and panted as we struggled to get the head on top of the body, before Fin took off his scarf and wrapped it around the snowman’s neck. I searched for two fallen twigs long enough to be his arms, before we both stood back to admire our efforts.
“It’s a shame we don’t have anything for his face,” I said.
“If he’s still here tomorrow, I’ll come back with a carrot and a couple of coals.”
“I can’t remember the last time I made one of these,” I said, but it seemed Fin was already thinking about our next move.
“What about a snow angel? When was the last time you made one of those?” he asked.
I laughed. “You know, I can’t remember that either.”
Fin glanced round, looking for an area of the field we’d yet to spoil. “There’s no time like the present,” he said, identifying the perfect spot. “Race you!”
We both set off on a run, although admittedly, in my case it was more of a speed walk. Wading through snow had never been one of my strong points, so it came as no surprise to see Fin beat me to it.
He immediately threw himself down on the ground and began repeatedly sliding his arms and his legs in and out, as if doing a burst of horizontal star jumps.
I followed suit, giggling at my efforts. At thirty-three years old it was nice to remember what it was like to forget all responsibility in favour ofplaying out. Lying there, it was exhilarating. Eventually, my arms and legs grew tired and came to a stop. “You’re going to have to help me up,” I said to Fin, snowflakes landing on my face. “I’m not sure I can manage on my own.”
He got to his feet, both of us laughing as he took my hands and hauled me back onto mine. Our laughter faded and silence descended as we stood there simply staring at each other.
My heart began to race as I looked into Fin’s eyes. Their intenseness was mesmerising and I couldn’t bring myself to look away. I didn’t care that my jeans were soaked through to my skin, or that my hands felt like ice, I could have stood there all night.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, his gaze not moving either.
“Yes, please,” I replied.
His hands wrapped around my waist. “You sure?”
I nodded. In that moment I wanted nothing more.
As Fin’s face moved closer to mine, I couldn’t deny the desire with which he looked at me. Butterflies played havoc in my tummy as I anticipated his lips touching mine and I closed my eyes in readiness, feeling his breath draw close. “Ouch!” I said, as something cold whacked me on the side of my head. I pulled back to the sound of cheering and laughter.
“Oi!” Fin called out.
Wondering what had just happened, I followed his sight line to a group of teenagers who, ready for battle, began pelting us with snowball after snowball.
Fin smiled and, happy to take them on, reached down to scoop up a ball of his own. “I’ll cover you,” Fin said, indicating the gate to the field. “Three, two, one. Go!”
I set off on a run towards safety, while Fin, grabbing handful after handful of snow, defended us both as best as he could. Of course, we were never going to win and by the time we got to the gate we were covered in white, both of us laughing at our ineptitude.
“Chickens!” one of the teenagers called out.
“Easy for them to say,” Fin said. “They’ve got youth on their side.”
