Chapter Eleven
Saturday. Eleven days to Christmas
Hyde Park Corner looked amazing. The bandstand had a giant Christmas tree at its centre, and strings of lights covered the rink.
I imagined they’d look magical at night.
The rink was already filling up, with people of all ages, shapes and sizes: families, couples, individuals, and all seeming to be enjoying the experience.
I winced when one girl landed heavily on her backside. “Are we sure about this?” Granted, there were a couple of guys out there who had to be professionals: no amateur could have that much grace and skill. They whirled around in pirouettes, making it look so freaking easy.
Okay. Ignore them. Focus on the others. They’re more your league.
I sighed inwardly. You promised.
Mike glided into view, grinning. I promised not to laugh—much—remember? I didn’t say anything about staying away.
I glanced down at his feet. They have skates where you are?
Mike blinked. Of course. They have everything.
“You’ve gone quiet,” Ollie said beside me, giving me a nudge with his elbow. “Either you’re contemplating how much effort it’s gonna take to stay upright, or…” He shivered. “We’ve got company.” He peered at me. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
He’s good.
I glared at Mike, and Ollie laughed. “Well, at least I know where he is.”
“Oh, he’s here, all right. With skates on. Literally.”
Ollie stared at me, before bursting into laughter. “I’m sorry. I’m just picturing a naked guy, wearing ice skates.” He bit his lip. “Does the… er… cold affect him much?” His eyes twinkled.
“Not as far as I can tell,” I murmured, glancing down to where Mike’s dick was poking up at me.
I’m here for practical reasons. Mike folded his arms. I’m going to give you an ice-skating lesson.
“You can skate?” It was only then I realized I’d spoken aloud.
Ollie chuckled. “This gets better.”
“You have no idea. He wants to teach us to skate.”
“Well, come on then. Let’s get on the ice.” When I gaped at him, Ollie shrugged. “So what if a naked ghost wants to give us lessons? Don’t look a gift horse—or a gift ghost, as the case may be—in the mouth, I always say.” He grinned.
Oh, I really like him.
Before I could tell Mike what he could do with his lessons, Ollie tugged me by the arm toward the hut containing the skates for hire.
It looked like we were doing this.
Fifteen minutes later, my skates firmly laced up, we made our way onto the ice.
Grab onto the rail for balance until you get used to the feel of the ice. Mike nodded toward Ollie. And you need to relay everything I tell you.
I sighed and repeated his instructions. Ollie rolled his eyes.
“Duh. I may not let go of it the whole time we’re out here.
” Just then, a little girl skated past us, laughing and talking loudly with her accompanying adult.
Ollie shook his head. “Okay, that does it. If she can do this, so can we. What’s the next step? ”
Feet not too far apart. Arms out for balance. And when you move, try to wobble like a penguin.
I snorted. “Wobble like a penguin?” Ollie snickered.
Mike held up his hands defensively. Hey, that’s what the guy who taught me said. He was a Swede who was pretty nifty on the ice. And keep your knees bent and stay low. It makes it easier to keep your balance.
It wasn’t long before we were both moving with a little less hesitancy.
Mike taught us how to stand so we didn’t fall over, and gradually we were able to shuffle our way around the rink.
We weren’t the only newbies, and to be fair, Mike was a much better teacher than some of the people I saw out there.
I started to relax, and little by little my confidence grew.
“This is fun,” Ollie said as he skated past, pushing his feet out to the sides as Mike had instructed. I had to agree. In fact, I hadn’t had this much fun in—
Exactly. You needed this.
I couldn’t see Mike, but that didn’t matter. Did I ask you to look inside my head?
No, but I looked anyway. And I’m right, aren’t I?
You just needed a push to get you going.
Then Mike skated into view, one leg stuck out behind him, his arms curving above his head like some figure skater.
He would have looked thoroughly professional, if it hadn’t been for his cock jutting out, pointing the way.
You really need to keep that thing under control. It could cause accide—
Whump. I crashed into a solid body, and both of us tumbled onto the ice.
It took me a second or two to realize I’d skated into Ollie.
“Oh God.” I tried to get up, but my feet kept slipping from under me.
He was doing the same and getting nowhere.
Finally, he gave up and lay on his back on the ice, looking up at me and laughing his arse off.
“I’m reminded of a Tom & Jerry cartoon, where Tom tries to get up off the ice.” Ollie cackled. “At least I know what we look like.”
It didn’t take long till I was laughing too. When I’d gotten control of myself, I gazed into his blue eyes and smiled. “Thank you for coming up with this.” Then without thinking, I leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips.
Ollie stared at me for a moment, and I realized what I’d done. By now, a group of people had skated over to rescue us, and soon we were upright again, thanking them. We brushed the dusting of ice off our clothes, and Ollie shivered.
“There’s a stall over there, selling glühwein. I could do with something to warm me up.”
I got it. We weren’t going to talk about it. “Sure. Let’s get rid of the skates.”
A short time later, we were sipping hot glühwein and watching all those people who managed to skate without falling over. Ollie had gone quiet, and I was kicking myself. It had been an impulse, nothing more, but apparently Ollie considered it a step too far.
Way to go to ruin the day. I was such an idiot. And then I realized Mike wasn’t around. Heaven knew what he made of my impulse. For God’s sake, it was just a peck.
“Have you seen what’s over there?”
Ollie’s question broke through my self-recrimination, and I jerked my head in his direction. “Sorry?”
He pointed off to the left. “There’s a funfair. Actually, it’s a bit more than that. Winter Wonderland. They’ve run it for the past few years.”
I sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I went to a theme park. Maybe when I was a kid.”
Ollie gaped. “Seriously?” He narrowed his gaze. “Okay. Is there anything urgent you have to do today?”
I considered the question, grateful for a return to his previous mood. “Nothing that couldn’t wait until tomorrow, I suppose.”
“Great. In that case, you’re going to spend the rest of the day with me in Winter Wonderland.” Ollie gave me a determined stare. “And you’re gonna have fun.”
I chuckled. “Yes, sir.” Then my stomach rumbled. “Except… can we start having fun after we’ve eaten something?”
“There’s a burger van over there. Will that do?” When my stomach gave another loud growl, Ollie laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Yeah, great idea. Eat a burger, then throw it up all over him on a roller coaster. Mike stood next to Ollie, rolling his eyes.
He had a point.
“What else is there apart from rides?” I asked. “We could have a walk round before we hit the rides. You know, give our stomachs time to digest lunch.” There was less risk of throwing up that way. I glared at Mike. They don’t allow ghosts on rides. It’s the law. I read it somewhere.
Mike snorted. Nice try.
“The usual. Stalls where you can try to win something big and fluffy that you then have to carry around the park.” He chuckled. “Not that I’ve ever won so much as a sausage.”
He’s got a thing for meat, hasn’t he? Salami, sausage…
I deliberately ignored Mike. “Then we’ll have to see what we can do about that.” I was glad to see him slightly more comfortable with me, and I didn’t want to jeopardize that.
Ollie snorted. “Those stalls are rigged. I’ll probably win a plastic inflatable sword or something like that.”
That did it. I was going to win something big and fluffy for Ollie if it killed me. Then a wicked thought occurred to me. Hey, Mike? I don’t suppose you could do something for me….
Well, why not? If he was going to be there anyway… All he’d need to do was knock something over, or make sure a dart hit its target. Child’s play for a ghost.
Except Mike was conspicuously absent.
Now he decides to disappear?
Ollie broke off a piece of the chocolate heart he’d just bought, and handed it to me. “Okay. Best ride so far?”
I considered the question as the chocolate melted in my mouth. “The Wilde Maus was fun.”
He nodded. “One of the better roller coasters.”
I’d soon learned that Ollie was a connoisseur when it came to such rides. He’d dismissed one roller coaster with disdain, pointing out that it had too few dips and not enough turns. “The loops were amazing though, weren’t they?” Even if going upside-down had made my stomach churn.
Ollie grinned. “I love that ride.” His eyes glittered. “And I know you loved the Snow Jet and Action.”
Yeah. I swear your face lost all colour when you were on those. Mike gave me an evil grin, before pouting at the sight of the chocolate. Huh. I’m not going to stand here and watch you stuff your face with chocolate. And with that, he faded from view.
I groaned. The circular rides had been similar, both of them starting out gently but soon increasing in speed. “I think I’ve discovered something about myself. I’m not a fan of going around and around, especially when it’s fast.”
Ollie gazed at me thoughtfully. “Well, there was one more ride I was going to suggest.” He pointed to the Ferris Wheel. “Okay, so it goes around and around, but it’s gentle. And we’d get some amazing views from the top.”
I could cope with that. Besides, the lights of the funfair would look spectacular against the darkening sky. “You’re on.” It had been a great day. I hadn’t managed to win Ollie anything, but there was still time before we left the park.