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Daisy liked Pe
They ate and chatted about the upcoming ball for a while and then Daisy got up and started clearing away the plates.
‘We better get going,’ Henry said, glancing at his watch.
Pe
Sure enough, she was back in the kitchen a few seconds later, with her shoes on, fastening her coat, her hair still a wild, tangled bush.
Henry bit his lip. As much as it didn’t bother him in the slightest going out with her looking like this, he knew it would bother her.
‘Erm… maybe you should, er, brush your hair first,’ Henry said.
Pe
‘Because we’re friends, and if you came to di
Pe
‘Yes of course.’ He wasn’t sure what had caused her to smile so much but he liked it a lot. Pe
He looked at Daisy in confusion and she came and hugged him. ‘You know, for all your grumpiness you can be very sweet sometimes.’
‘What did I do?’
Daisy let him go. ‘I’m just going to grab my hat.’
She ran upstairs and he stared after her. Women, he’d never understand them.
Pe
‘Look, I’m sorry about…’ he gestured towards the shed, ‘the flirting and everything. I don’t want to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable and I certainly don’t want to do anything to hurt you, but I would like to be friends. I promise no more flirting from now on.’
She eyed him speculatively for a moment then smiled. ‘I’d really like to be friends too.’
She stuck out her hand for him to shake and he smiled as he took it. The feel of her skin against his was like a jolt to the stomach. Her eyes were alight with happiness, trusting him so easily, when he barely trusted himself. Being friends was for the best.
Pe
She looked at the ice skating rink, determined she was going to enjoy her night out and not let any of her feelings ruin it for Henry and Daisy.
Standing just in front of the rink was a fire breather, enticing the crowds with his fiery talent, and the golden glow of the flames stood dramatically against the icy backdrop of the ice rink.
The ice rink looked magical and enticing as they approached. Fairy lights were strewn across the top of the rink in a criss-cross star pattern and they sent orbs of lights over the black waves immediately behind the rink. With only nine days until the Christmas Eve ball, it seemed that the Christmas festivities were well underway.
Pe
They paid and got changed into their skates. Pe
She grabbed them and stepped onto the ice. Immediately her legs were like Bambi’s underneath her, sliding in opposite directions to each other and she tried to run on the spot to try to stop herself from falling. She squealed, drawing a lot of u
Oh god, it felt too good in his arms. He was warm and strong and so solid. She tentatively rested her hands on his hips, trying to steady herself, but the rush of emotions that stormed through her at being held did nothing to quell her nerves.
‘Don’t panic, I’ve got you, I’m not going to let you fall, trust me,’ Henry said softly, with all the patience and tenderness of addressing a frightened child.
Holding on to her forearms firmly, he pulled back slightly, holding her up.
‘OK, relax, bend your legs a little and lean forward slightly, I’m going to pull you round. Look at me, not your feet.’
She stared up at him and unbelievably he started skating backwards, taking her with him. He cast an odd glance over his shoulder now and again, but other than that his eyes stayed on hers the whole time.
‘You’re doing great, don’t look down.’
She cast a look around and was surprised to see almost everyone on the rink and the spectators were watching her and Henry. Was she doing that badly that she was keeping everyone entertained with her wobbly gait? She flushed with embarrassment.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘People are staring.’
‘They’re not, don’t be so self-conscious.’
She glanced around again. ‘No, they’re definitely staring.’
Henry looked around as well, and she saw him frown as he saw all the eyes that were watching them.
‘They’re probably looking at me, you know the new guy in town, people are curious,’ he said, trying to placate her.
She looked at some of the townsfolk. Some were smiling at her encouragingly and Suza