Chapter Eleven #2
I hadn’t laughed so much in ages. I checked my phone.
We’d spent almost five hours in the park, but it seemed like no time at all.
Strolling around, checking out all the rides, screaming on the ghost train when a skeleton lurched toward us with a chainsaw…
Of course, the best thing had been the company.
I was glad to find we were a comfortable fit, even after that one blip.
A blip he still hadn’t mentioned, so neither did I. Mike was still silent about it too.
We handed over our tokens and climbed into the carriage, the only two people in it.
I smiled. “I remember when a Ferris wheel comprised seats open to the elements.” We were surrounded by clear plastic walls, resembling a cable car, although there were gaps through which we could carefully hold out phones to take photos of the ground as it disappeared from beneath us.
“This is better. Less chance of getting wet when it rains.”
I rolled my eyes. “Rain. In London. As if.” We both laughed.
The wheel rotated at a leisurely pace. Neither of us sat but stood to gaze through the plastic at the fair below. The laughter and screams of the people enjoying the attractions were clearly audible, and the lights were colourful and bright.
“So… did we bring an extra passenger?” Ollie’s eyes sparkled.
I laughed. “Mike was never keen on heights. I don’t imagine that’s changed.” Certainly, there’d been no sign of him since he did his last disappearing act.
Ollie chuckled. “Wow. Alone at last,” he joked.
Except I was glad of the chance to be alone with him.
“It looks so pretty from up here,” Ollie murmured, his forehead touching the plastic wall. He seemed enchanted by the sights below us, his lips parted, his eyes focused on the lights. “So beautiful.”
The park wasn’t the only beautiful thing, in my opinion.
“Ollie,” I said softly. He turned his head to look at me, and I smiled. “This has been a wonderful day. Thank you. I wouldn’t have done any of this without you.”
His face glowed. “My pleasure.”
God, the light in his eyes…
In that moment, all I wanted was to kiss him, only properly this time. I wanted to feel those lips against mine, to feel his heartbeat as I held him close.
Fuck. I wanted him.
His breathing hitched, and I swore he inched a little closer, his lips still parted, his eyes locked on mine.
Do it. Do it.
It took me a second to realize that was my internal voice urging me to take action. I was taken aback by the suddenness of my reaction. Where had it come from?
The car gave a sudden jolt, and we caught our breath, both of us putting a little distance between us.
The bubble was burst, and it was time to go back down to Earth.
We got out of the car, and Ollie sighed. “Delightful as this has been, all good things must come to an end.”
But I didn’t want it to end. “Do you want to grab a bite to eat?” I wanted to cling to these precious moments, to stretch them out further.
Ollie smiled. “Actually, I don’t think I’ll be eating tonight.” He grinned. “Too much chocolate, too many hot doughnuts.”
Then I realized I’d imagined his response to me up there in the air, suspended in our brief bubble of time. He didn’t want me. Why else had he avoided talking about what had happened on the ice?
Give it up. I knew when to accept defeat. “Then let’s call it a night.”
As we headed for the exit, Ollie pointed to the rifle stand. “Are you a good shot?”
“How would I know? I’ve never handled a rifle before.”
“Me neither. So there’s no time like the present to find out.”
I was about to refuse, but then I reconsidered. I was going to win him something, remember?
He tugged me over to the stall where several rifles lay, each one chained to a wooden plinth. On the back wall were white squares on which were printed concentric red circles, a small red dot marking the bullseye.
I handed over my money, and we were each given seven lead pellets as ammunition. The stall keeper showed us how to load the rifles, and then stepped aside.
You can do this. Mike was at my left side.
I rolled my eyes. And where have you been?
Enjoying the fair. Besides, you didn’t need me. You were having fun.
Well, I need you now. I eyed the huge white unicorn with its rainbow mane and sparkly horn, suspended above us. That was the prize I wanted.
Mike followed my gaze. Ooh, someone’s ambitious.
Yeah. I was hoping you might be able to give me a helping hand.
He narrowed his gaze. You’re not asking me to help you cheat, are you?
I blinked. Who me? My heartbeat quickened.
“Damn.” Ollie’s first shot hit just outside the circles. He laughed. “I don’t think I’m very good at this.”
Mike still regarded me with suspicion. What on earth do you want with a giant unicorn anyway?
It’s not for me, I protested. I want to win it for… Ollie.
He stilled. Oh. He glanced across to where Ollie’s second shot had only just made it inside the outermost circle. Mike smirked. Well, he’s certainly not going to win it, is he?
Then you’ll help?
He nodded. Just not the way you think. He pointed to the white square, then at the foresight at the end of the rifle barrel. Line this up with the bullseye. You’re going to use this first shot to gauge how far out it’s been adjusted.
Adjusted? I frowned. Then it is fixed like Ollie says.
Mike smiled warmly at me. You really think anyone who’s a decent shot can walk away with a prize? How sweet. Now do what I say.
I nestled the rifle stock against my shoulder and peered along the barrel, lining up the two sights.
That’s it. Get the bullseye right in the centre, then take a deep breath and hold it while you shoot.
I took aim and fired, disappointed when it didn’t hit the centre, but a few inches to the right and about an inch above it.
“Oh, bad luck.” Ollie sighed. “You’re miles better at it than me though. I can’t get anywhere near the centre.”
Mike nodded in approval, then vaulted over the plinth, his dick bobbing. He stood beside the target.
Right. So now you know where to aim. He pointed to a spot to the left of the bullseye and a little below it. Here. Hit this spot.
Then move your finger, or I’ll hit it.
Mike rolled his eyes. So what? I’m a ghost, remember? Now shoot.
I took in another deep breath and fired.
A hole appeared smack dab in the centre of the bullseye.
“That’s amazing!” Ollie beamed. “Do that again.”
Oh, I think we can manage that. Mike grinned and pointed to that same spot. Here.
I repeated the shot five more times, each time hitting the centre, until the red dot had been obliterated.
Ollie gave up and placed his rifle on the plinth. “Wow. I am in the presence of greatness.” He shook his head. “And you’ve never even fired a rifle before.”
The stall keeper gaped at me. “Seriously? I’ve never seen a first timer do so well.” He pointed to the prizes hanging about our heads. “Take your pick, mate.”
I pointed to the unicorn, and he unhooked it from its attachment and brought it to me. I held it out to Ollie. “There. Now you have something big and fluffy.”
Ollie stared at it, then at me. “You… you’re wonderful.” Then he lurched forward and kissed my cheek, before enfolding the unicorn in his arms. “Now I’ve gotta name them.”
“Them?”
He grinned. “Yeah. It’s a unicorn, after all. Gotta be an enby.”
I had to admit, a non-binary unicorn made sense. “Just make sure they don’t make you buy a ticket for it on the tube.” It was huge.
Ollie nodded gleefully. “It’s twice the size of Tiny Tim.” He laughed when I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on. It’s Christmas.”
Then it really was time to go.
We walked in silence through the blue arch, past the security checks where people were being searched before entering the park, leaving the magic behind us. Ollie kept looking at the unicorn as he walked, smiling. The knowledge that I’d made him happy warmed me.
By the time we said goodbye in the station, him heading in one direction, me in another, I’d almost forgotten the kiss I’d wanted so badly.
Almost.