Chapter 23
Alice
The far end of Anchorage Park was filled with multicoloured twinkling lights surrounding a rectangular ice rink and two wooden alpine cabins. Large animatronic reindeer bobbed their heads as a mechanical Father Christmas waved over by the entrance, where lively festive music played.
Alice, Jamie, and Benny went straight to the skate-hire lodge and paid for an hour on the ice.
With how illuminated everything was, there was no telling just how dark the sky was, and there were so many happy skaters around, their combined warmth seemed to take the edge off the night-time chill.
Benny pointed out some of his friends as they plodded over to the rink.
‘Off you go then,’ said Alice. ‘Have fun.’ She turned to Jamie. ‘You ready?’
He laughed, carefully stepping onto the slippery ice. ‘Not sure I know how to do this anymore. We were teenagers the last time I went skating.’
Alice grabbed the rail to help steady herself as she joined his side. ‘The last time I did this was with you, so we’re in this together.’
He laughed and took her free hand. ‘We’ll go slow.’
Robson came whizzing by, bringing himself to a halt in front of them. ‘Hello, you two need some help from a pro?’
Alice grinned. ‘No one likes a show-off.’
Demi stumbled into Robson’s side. ‘He makes it look easy.’ She pointed behind her. ‘I’ve been round twice already, and so far so good. Come on, Al, let go of the rail and give it your best shot.’
Alice let go of her strong grip and shuffled forward with Jamie holding her hand tightly. ‘We’ll see you round the other side.’ Laughing, she watched Robson swirl off like he skated for a living, and Demi do her best to slide across the ice with grace.
‘I think we’re doing great,’ said Jamie, holding his posture well.
Alice wasn’t too sure but no longer cared. It was a lovely night, and she was out enjoying herself, even if she was praying every five seconds to not fall over, or worse, take Jamie with her.
They came to a stop in front of Benny, who was helping a girl around his age get back up from a fall.
‘All okay?’ asked Alice, watching the girl tidy her blonde hair, then wipe along the dampness of her jeans.
Benny nodded. ‘Yeah. Oh, hey, Mum, this is Ellie.’ He turned to the rosy-cheeked girl, who looked slightly nervous. ‘This is my mum, Alice. And that’s Jamie.’
Jamie said hello first, as Alice was too busy wondering if Ellie was more than just a friend, seeing how Benny was holding the girl’s hand even though she was back on her feet and in no need of further assistance.
‘We’ll see you later for hot chocolate,’ said Benny, skating off with ease, still holding Ellie’s hand.
‘Huh!’ Alice looked at Jamie. ‘Did I just get introduced to his girlfriend?’
Jamie grinned. ‘It did look that way.’
‘Well, it’s the first I’ve heard.’
‘Did you tell your mum about all your boyfriends straight away?’
Alice scratched beneath her red woolly hat as she raised her brow. ‘And just exactly how many boyfriends did you see me with?’
‘I said that without thinking, didn’t I?’
‘Hmm.’
‘Well, perhaps if you didn’t spend all your time hanging out with me, you would have had some.’
Alice slipped her hand from his. ‘I was happy doing what I was doing, thanks.’
‘You don’t feel you missed out? Especially as we got older and I’d go off a lot with Gregg and that.’
‘I won’t lie, when you weren’t around as much, I did miss your company, but I never felt I missed out on having boyfriends because of being around you.
’ She gave a half-shrug. ‘I was happy enough.’ She met his eyes, seeing curiosity and something else she couldn’t make out.
‘I used to hear whispers about you, but I never saw you with a girlfriend. Did you have any?’
‘Not one.’ His eyes remained locked with hers, his tone blunt, certain.
‘I was never sure,’ she said quietly. ‘So many years, and no one?’
He leaned forward and placed the lightest of kisses on her cool cheek. ‘I’ve got my angel. I don’t need anyone else. Never have.’
Alice was quite sure it wouldn’t be the ice that tipped her over — her legs had turned to jelly while her butterflies somersaulted all over the place. She simply gazed at him, not knowing how to respond.
Jamie looked down at his skates.
‘Jamie, do you ever want to do anything about us?’
His gaze shot up. ‘Always.’
‘What stops you?’
‘Everything.’ He gently squeezed her gloved hand. ‘I’m scared, Alice. I feel like I’ve spent my whole life in a state of fear.’
Alice stared at him for a moment, wishing they weren’t on such a slippery surface because she wanted to tug him in close, but she was sure if she attempted the move, they’d both end up flat on their faces. ‘Let’s just carry on being us. There’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.’
A hint of a smile hit his eyes. ‘I’m not going anywhere either.’
‘In that case, all we have to focus on is getting around this rink at least once.’
They shared a laugh, then started shuffling along again, picking up a little speed as they got used to the ice.
Not letting go of each other, they managed to go around twice, passing Demi and Robson having a cuddle, Benny showing off his twirl to Ellie, and spotting Sophie and Matt entering the hot drinks cabin.
‘Hot choccy time?’ asked Jamie, gesturing towards the edge of the rink.
‘Yes, I think we’ve earned one.’
‘With marshmallows and cream.’
‘And cinnamon.’ She smiled as they waddled over to the counter to swap their skates for their boots.
‘I feel so much better on solid ground.’
Alice giggled. ‘It was fun though, wasn’t it?’
‘Yep. And we didn’t fall once.’
‘I know. How lucky were we?’
‘It’s called skill.’
Alice approached the long dark bar to gaze up at the menu of drinks at the back. ‘Ooh, they’ve got mulled wine as well.’
‘You fancy some of that?’
‘Nah, hot chocolate will do me.’
Jamie ordered two, then they sat over by the windows facing the ice rink, watching Benny still skating around with his friends and Ellie.
‘It’s quite nice here,’ she said, lifting her drink. ‘I feel like we’re in the Alps.’
‘I’ll light the wood burner when we get home, and we can continue to pretend we’re high in the mountains.’
Alice glanced at the damp floor while she sipped her drink, getting cream on her nose, which Jamie wiped off while laughing. ‘It’s starting to feel Christmassy now,’ she said.
‘I don’t normally look forward to the day, but it’s growing on me this year.’
‘It’s going to be the best one ever.’
‘I like your optimism.’
Alice tapped his disposable mug with her own. ‘What do you want from Santa?’
‘I have everything I want. So how about you tell me what’s on your wish list?’
To live a normal life. With you. What I’ve always wanted .
Alice shrugged. ‘Happiness all round.’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘You were an elf one time, and suddenly you think you can grant those kind of wishes?’
‘Yes, I’m one of Santa’s helpers now.’
Alice noticed Benny heading for the skate hut. ‘Looks like we might be heading home soon.’
‘You want to watch another Christmas film?’
‘Not tonight. I feel a bit tired. A snuggle in front of the wood burner will suit me.’
‘Consider it done. I’ll read to you.’
Alice smiled. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Then what?’ He tilted his head to meet her face, and Alice simply gazed at him.
‘Bed,’ she replied softly.
Jamie gave a small nod. ‘Alone?’
‘With you. To talk all night about anything and everything, like we used to.’ She saw a slight smile. ‘It’s all right, Jamie. We’re just being us again,’ she added quietly.
‘I did miss us, Angel,’ he whispered. ‘How close we were.’
‘I missed us too.’
Benny came sprinting over, making Alice jump out of the daze she found herself lost in. ‘I’ve asked Ellie to come round for lunch tomorrow, so I’d like the kitchen to myself.’
‘Okay.’ Alice glanced at the girl, waiting with their other friends at the bar. ‘Do you want some hot chocolate before we head off?’
‘Yes, please.’
Alice pulled out her purse and gave him some money. ‘There’s enough there to buy Ellie one as well.’
Benny kissed her hat. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
Alice turned back to Jamie. ‘Seeing our Benny with a girlfriend has officially made me feel old.’
Jamie laughed. ‘There’s life in us yet, Angel.’
She smiled to herself, happy with the life they had created so far. The past was over, and she was sure that nothing from that time could set either of them back ever again.