couple � with a few guests to spice up the occasion!!
(NB This was written pretty quickly as a stream of consciousness thing. Charlotte insisted ;o). Thanks to Charl, BTW for so many good ideas. The title is especially for Ms E, as a way of apologising for all my remarks against Mariah Carey :o))
Warning � a couple of slightly adult bits!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!
****
�June.� Jim reached over and shook June�s left arm, which was lying on top of the turquoise blue duvet. She pulled her arm away, tucked it back under the duvet and snuggled deeper into the bed.
�Ju-une!� Jim whined. He gave her shoulder a nudge.
�What?� June sighed loudly.
�June, it�s Christmas!!�
�Oh�god�� There was another sigh then a moment of silence. �What time is it?�
�Half six?�
�Oh, Jim�� June peered out over the duvet. �I think I have to remind you that you�re forty, not four. Let�s leave it until at least nine, alright?�
�But��
�Jim�� She slowly sat up. She regarded Jim for a moment. He was wide eyed, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement, his hair was tousled and he appeared to be�bouncing? �Oh, Jim�you�re really excited aren�t you?� She couldn�t help but smile.
�I am. June, for the last twenty years I�ve spent all but one or two Christmases completely alone. Just me and one of those turkey dinners you put in the microwave. I never even bothered buying a tree.�
�Well � you�re not the only one.� June placed a hand to his cheek. �I don�t usually have someone to share Christmas with � at least no-one I�� She shook her head, unable to find the words, then leant in and kissed him. �But please, let�s leave it a bit longer?�
�OK.� Jim pouted. �But I have to be up at half seven to sort out the turkey.�
�Turkey�oh.� June rolled her eyes. �I�d forgotten until you�d mentioned it.�
�You�re not still mad at me are you?�
�Mad at you � why would I be mad at you? You only invited my sworn enemy over for Christmas lunch.� June snuggled back down, pulling the duvet up to her nose.
�She�s alone. Like Reg, like Pol and Tony. Look, I don�t particularly relish the idea of sharing Christmas with Tony either but I�m prepared to grin and bear it. Can�t you do the same thing?�
�Alright. I�ll try. But one remark and she�s out.� June took a deep breath. �I don�t care if it is the season of goodwill.�
�I�ll protect you.�
�And I�ll protect you from Tony.� June gazed at Jim for a moment longer. �Jim�you know what you�ve done, don�t you?�
�No � what?�
�You�ve woken me up and I don�t think I�m going to be able to get back to sleep.�
�Oh�sorry.� Jim settled back down and kissed her bare shoulder. �Maybe we could unwrap some presents then? Just one��
�Hmmm. Maybe.� June turned onto her right side. �In fact, a bit of unwrapping sounds like a good idea�� She ran a hand down his bare chest, and found the waistband of his pyjama bottoms. She grinned at him, and then disappeared beneath the duvet.
***
�Jim�what are you doing to that poor bird?� June peered over Jim�s shoulder.
�Putting truffle butter under the skin.�
�Of course.� June watched in silence for a moment longer. �It looks disgusting.� She shuddered. �I hate touching raw meat.�
�I was�� Jim chuckled. �I had a Saturday job in a butcher�s as a kid. Believe me, I�ve done worse than this. And believe me�this will taste gorgeous.� He turned to face her, and tapped the end of her nose with his finger.
It took June a moment to realise that he had left some of the truffle butter on her nose. �Oh � Jim!� She grabbed for the tea towel and wiped her face. Curious about Jim�s last comment, she tipped her head to the side. �So, what else did you do before you found your true vocation?�
�Um�paper boy, butchers apprentice, I worked in a chocolate factory for a while��
�A chocolate factory? Sounds like a dream job.�
�Yeah � but six months in there and I couldn�t look a Malteser in the face.� Jim laughed. He turned back to the turkey and started brushing the skin with a glaze. June slipped her arms round his waist, feeling an overwhelming need to be close to him.
�You�re good at that. That all come from working in a butcher�s shop?�
�My mum was a cook.�
�No wonder you love your food.� June squeezed him tighter.
�Yeah�I do�you wouldn�t believe it if�� She stopped, pulling away from June�s grip suddenly.
�If what?�
�Nothing.� Jim opened the door of the larder and pulled out a roll of tin foil. �Honest.� He smiled, but June caught his eyes in hers and knew immediately he was hiding something.
�No�tell me.� June moved over to him, taking the roll of foil from his grasp. �I want to know everything about you�is that so wrong?�
�It�s just�when I was eighteen, nineteen, I had an eating disorder.�
June�s eyes narrowed and she regarded him for the longest time. Feeling awkward, Jim ducked past her, grabbing the foil from where June had dropped it on the table, and went back to preparing the turkey. She decided not to press the issue, she just waited, and a few moments later, Jim began to speak again.
�Of course it wasn�t widely known as anorexia back then, and even the few doctors who did know about it couldn�t accept it happening to a bloke. Counting calories and obsessing over weight was a woman�s thing, so they thought.� Jim moved the turkey to the roasting dish. �They wouldn�t accept it for what it was, so they gave me all these tests�they thought I had cancer or leukaemia or something. And of course I�d never admit that I was starving myself.�
�But why? Why would you do a thing like that?� June placed her hand on his arm.
�It was about the time my parents split up. Yeah � I know, I was eighteen, not a little kid, shouldn�t have bothered me. But it did. My parents were one of the few constants in my life. One of the things I could rely on.�
�And by them splitting up just as you were ready to make your own life��
�Yeah. I was confused. Lost. I didn�t know where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. This was�a year or so before I decided I wanted to join the Met. Anyway, it hasn�t been until recently, when I had the counselling for the alcoholism, that I realised why I did it.�
�You want to share that with me?�
�It was�� Jim filled a jug with water and poured it into the roasting dish. �It was so I would have a reason to stay with my mum. My dad�he�d gone, moved away. So I was trying to hold on to the only constant I had left, and by being ill � by making myself ill � there was every reason in the world for her to keep looking after me.� Jim picked up the oven gloves and lifted the heavy dish. ���Scuse me.�
June realised suddenly that she was standing in front of the oven, and moved. �How�bad did it get?�
�The lowest I got was about seven stone. And for someone my height�� He dropped the dish with a loud clatter into the oven, closing the door. �I was just lucky there was no permanent damage.� He sighed, moved to the sink to wash his hands. �So now you know. When I started at Sun Hill, I was still trying to get to normal weight.�
�Oh�Jim�why do you keep punishing yourself?�
�If I knew that�� Jim turned back to face her. �Look � we shouldn�t be talking about this�I�you don�t need to know about all my screw ups��
�Why�do you think it would make me love you less?�
A shrug. �Maybe.�
�Jim�I love you more.� June crossed the kitchen. �Everything I learn about you makes me love you more.�
�I�m so lucky to have you.�
�Yes. You are.� June pulled him close, leant her head against his chest. �And I�m more than lucky to have you.�
***
�June�June!� Jim called. June had been upstairs for the last twenty minutes getting ready to receive their guests.
�Alright, I�m coming!�
Jim could hear her footsteps cross the bedroom floor and move out into the hallway. �It�s not that�� He called. �I was just wondering if you wanted stuffing.�
There was a pause. June seemed to have stopped moving. Then he heard a familiar sound, one that never failed to warm his heart. She was laughing.
More footsteps, then, closer: �Not right now, Jim, I�ve just got changed.�
Jim�s brow furrowed into a frown, then slowly he caught on. He dropped the tea towel with which he had been wiping some dishes, and moved out into the hallway. �June Carolyn Ackland, you have a filthy mind.�
He reached the bottom of the stairs and looked up. June was halfway down the stairs, in a tight black sleeveless dress made of a sheer, sparkling material. He gawped at her unashamedly.
�What? It�s too much, isn�t it?�
�No�you look beautiful.�
June looked down, and blushed. �Thanks.�
�I did tell the others to dress up a bit, mark the occasion.� Jim assured her, never taking her eyes from her.
�Well, I hope you include yourself in that. Look at you.� She descended the last few steps, placed her hand on Jim�s shoulder and made him look at himself in the hall mirror. He was in a black jumper and jeans, he was wearing a plastic apron and his hair was a mess. Then she turned him around. �What did I tell you � wipe your hands on a towel?�
There were greasy handprints on the back of Jim�s jeans and he chuckled deeply. �Sorry, force of habit. I�ll�go have a shower and change.�
�Good idea.� June gave Jim a small peck on the cheek. �Is there anything I can do��
�Turkey should be ready in ten minutes.�
�OK.� Jim turned and began to head up the stairs. �Wish I could join you.� June smiled, her eyes twinkling.
�But�you�ve just got changed.� Jim nodded and winked. �And�I think I just heard a car pull up. Our first guest may have arrived.� Jim bounded up the stairs two at a time, while June preened in the mirror as she waited for the doorbell to ring.
***
�Polly!� June gathered her colleague and friend into a huge hug, then pulled back and regarded her. �You look fantastic!�
�Thanks, June.�
�Come in�� Try as she may, June couldn�t stop looking at Polly � she looked so much better than she had the last time she had seen her. Her eyes were no longer dulled with the heartbreak over losing Dave Quinnan, she had begun to take care of her appearance again and her hair, now past shoulder length, was positively glistening. She was wearing a short red sequin dress and red heels, and looked radiant. �How are you?�
�Good.� Polly nodded. �And lookin� forward to getting back to work. And on catching up on all the gossip.� She laughed. �I couldn�t believe it when I �eard about you two. And you look so �appy, June.�
�I am happy. Happier than I�ve been in a long time.�
�So � where�s Jim?�
�In the shower.�
�And how is he?�
�He is�� June paused, then grinned. �Fantastic.�
�June!� Polly gasped. �I had heard about�you know, what you said to Inspector Gold�� Polly slipped her arm through June�s and together they walked to the kitchen.
�Well�� June said, opening the oven and checking the turkey. �I meant what I said.� She shook her head. �I thought I knew what it was like to be in love, Pol, but��
�I�m so happy for you.�
�Thanks. Would you like a drink, or..?�
�Not right now, thanks.� Polly smiled, and then held out a small, gift-wrapped box. �For both of you.�
�Oh, Pol, you didn�t have to��
�Yeah, I did. When are all the rest getting here?�
�Any time now. You haven�t met Gina have you?�
�No�but I can�t wait.� Polly laughed. Then both women looked up as they heard a loud crash upstairs. �What was that!!�
�That�s Jim. He�s a clumsy oaf, but he�s my clumsy oaf.� June moved to the door. �Jim, you alright?�
�Yes�just about.�
�Pol�s here!�
�Oh � hi Pol.� There was a loud rush of water. �I won�t be long.�
�No, you take your time, Jim.� Polly looked at June and snorted. ��E�s like a big kid, isn�t he?�
�Yeah.�
�So�any wedding plans?�
June glanced at her then turned away, walking back over to the oven. �Hmm�looks ready to me.�
�June��
�Can you pass me the oven gloves?�
�June!�
�Well�� June sighed, sagged a little. �Put it this way � I wouldn�t say no if he asked me.�
�Really!� Polly�s eyes widened. �But he hasn�t��
�No. And if you tell him what I just told you, I�ll�� June opened the oven door. �Pass me that knife, will you?�
***
By the time Jim had dressed, Reg Hollis had arrived and was chatting animatedly with Polly in the lounge while June busied herself in the kitchen. She was so wrapped up in her task she didn�t notice he was behind her until she felt his soft breath on the back of her neck.
�Jim�finally.� June spun around. Jim was wearing a turquoise blue shirt and dark blue tie, together with dark blue suit trousers. �Wow.�
�You think?�
�Yes�why haven�t I seen that shirt before?�
�I only bought it a couple days ago. Thought I�d surprise you. Girl in the shop said it matches my eyes.�
�It�does�� June stammered. �Has anyone ever told you you�re beautiful?�
�Er�not lately.�
�Well, believe me�you are.� June leant in close and kissed him. Their kiss deepened, their mouths opening, their tongues intertwining.
�June�Reg was wondering if�� It was Polly. She watched for a moment as June and Jim kissed, then felt embarrassed at the intrusion. �Sorry�� She said, moving quietly away. It didn�t matter � neither Jim nor June had even noticed she was there.
***
The doorbell rang again ten minutes later, and June opened it to find Tony Stamp. �Tony! Come in.�
�Thanks, Sarge.�
�Oh, please, call me June, it�s Christmas!�
�Thanks, June.� Tony stepped into the house. �I appreciate this you know, I would have been on my own otherwise��
�Look, Jim and I both know what it�s like to be alone at Christmas.� She looked down, then back up at Tony. �Look, about Jim, could you please�try to be civil?�
�Yeah�for you.�
�No. Not for me. It�s nearly a new year Tony, and although this year has been bad�I think we should all make an effort to change. If you don�t think you can accept Jim as friend, then�maybe you should leave now.�
�No. No � you�re right.�
�Good. Jim � Tony�s here!�
Jim sidled somewhat warily out of the kitchen. He had taken over preparing the last touches of the meal and had slipped the plastic apron back on to protect his clothes. As soon as Tony saw him he began to laugh.
�I see she�s got you well trained!� Tony chuckled. It was a sincere laugh, and June breathed a sigh of relief. �Merry Christmas, Jim.�
�You too, Tone.� Jim stepped forward, held out his hand to Tony. Tony grasped it tightly, shook it warmly.
Both were bemused when June began to laugh. She gestured upwards with her eyes, and they looked up to see a bunch of mistletoe above them, being held by Reg. �Come on you two.� Reg urged. �Kiss and make up.�
Jim looked at Tony and Tony looked back at Jim. Both of them looked positively terrified. Jim looked toward June for support but was met with only a huge grin.
�I�um�� Jim stuttered, then looked relieved as a loud ringing noise emanated from the kitchen. �The sprouts!� He yelped, dashing away as quickly as his feet would take him.
Tony laughed in sheer relief and Polly and June joined in too. They laughed so loudly and so hard they didn�t hear the doorbell ring once more.
****
Jim gazed out of the window, looking at nothing in particular, as he drained the vegetables. He was lost in his own little world, trying to remember the last time a Christmas had been this perfect.
His reverie was shattered by a banging at the window, and his eyes refocused to land on the formidable visage of one Inspector Gina Gold. He yelped with shock, and, forgetting what he was doing, proceeded to spill some boiling water all over his hand.
***
�AAAGGHH!�
June had been offering round some chocolates when she heard the scream from the kitchen. She dropped the box to the coffee table and ran, heart in mouth into the next room. �Jim, what happened?�
Jim nodded toward the window, where a furious looking Gina Gold was still waiting. They could just hear her saying: �Let me in!�
�Let her in�� Jim muttered, concentrating on running his hand under the cold tap.
�Are you al��
�Just let her in!�
June found the key for the back door, unlocked it, and let Gina come in. She was shivering and more than a little miffed. �Took your time, didn�t you?�
�I�m sorry, Ma�am, I�we can�t have heard the doorbell.�
There was a deep sigh. �Oh � it�s alright.� Gina�s face then shot over with a rare expression of concern. �Jim�are you alright? I didn�t mean to��
�No�it was my fault.�
�Let�s have a look.� Gina turned off the cold tap and looked at Jim�s hand. It was bright red and raw over his thumb and index finger. �That�s nasty, you should go to casualty.�
June looked horrified at the suggestion. �But, Ma�am��
�June, it could get infected.�
�No�� Jim spun the tap back on. �I�ll be alright. We�ve got some cream in the first aid box.�
�You can�t be too careful with burns��
�Look � ma�am, I appreciate the concern, but really, I�m fine.� Jim shut off the tap once more. �I�ll be right back.�
June watched him leave. �Excuse me, ma�am, I�ll just�the others are in the lounge��
�Alright. And June��
�Yes?�
�For God�s sake call me Gina.� Gina looked at her for a moment then smiled. June shook her head. Maybe, just maybe, this would turn out to be a pretty good Christmas after all.
***
�Jim�� June pushed open the bathroom door. Jim was perched on the edge of the bath, the first aid kit in his lap. He tried to hide it as soon as he knew she was there, but he had an expression of unimaginable pain on his face. �Jim�maybe Gina was right.�
�No�no, I�m not going to spoil Christmas for you.� Jim searched one handed through the box for the cream.
�Come here�� June took the box from him and located the cream. �But I really think Gina�s right.�
Jim coughed out a laugh. �I never thought I�d hear you say that.�
�No�they can give you some painkillers, and treat this properly.�
�We�ve got cream, we�ve got paracetamol. I�ll be fine.� He looked up to her. �Look, if you�re that worried I�ll go tomorrow.�
�OK�� June squeezed some cream onto her finger and gingerly touched it to Jim�s hand. His face literally crumpled with pain and his eyes filled with tears. �No, Jim�I can�t do this�� �Please��
�Jim, I�m hurting you!�
�June�you could never hurt me. Now, please�let�s just get this done and back to our guests?�
***
The four guests looked up as June arrived back in the lounge. �Is Jim OK?� Polly asked.
�Yes�he�won�t be a minute.� Jim had in fact insisted that June had return to their guests while he composed himself, the pain of the burn had reduced him to tears momentarily and he had sobbed, June clutching him as a mother would hold a poorly or injured son. Right now, in fact, she wished that the guests could all just leave and leave her to take Jim to get some proper treatment. �Dinner is ready, I just need someone to��
Both Polly and Tony leapt to their feet.
�Thank you�� She led the pair to the kitchen, glancing up the stairs as she did so.
**
The dinner was on the table by the time Jim came back downstairs. He�d wrapped a burn bandage around his hand � badly � June noticed, biting back a smile, and though he looked a little pale he greeted his guests with a beauteous smile. �Ah � it worked.�
�What did?� Polly asked, eyeing the turkey.
�I got you lot to do the rest of the work.�
�So you�re saying you burnt your hand on purpose?� Gina laughed. �We�ve been waiting for you, you know.�
�Really? Sorry.�
�Yes.� Reg looked up and chuckled. �Waiting for the carver.� He nodded towards the turkey.
�Oh � very funny.� Jim groaned. �You know that my family name comes from a history of wood carvers, not turkey carvers.�
�Yes�I did actually. In fact��
The five others seated around the table looked at him, and as one said:
�Re-eg!!�
***
�Oh my god.� June literally fell backward into the deep sofa, a hand to her stomach.
�I know how you feel.� Polly groaned. �Jim, that was gorgeous. Filling�� She puffed out her cheeks, looked at June and laughed. �Where�d you get the Christmas pudding?� She asked Jim.
Jim adjusted his paper hat, which was slipping off his head. �Made by my very own hands.�
�You are kidding?� She looked at June. �He is kidding?�
�No � he isn�t.�
�June�you�d better snatch him up, else I�ll be after him.� Polly laughed, then rolled her eyes. �I need the loo.�
�Upstairs, first door on the left.� Polly levered himself up slowly from the sofa. She had to move to make way for Tony, who was coming back into the room from the kitchen clutching a big bag of crisps.
June looked at him aghast. �How can you still eat?�
Tony chuckled, sat down next to Jim and cracked open the bag. He offered the bag to Jim and June looked on as Jim grabbed a handful.
�Come on, June, it�s Christmas!� Gina remarked, a box of Milk Tray on her lap. She picked it up and held it out to June. �Go on��
�No thank you Ma�am�er�Gina.�
�You know chocolate is the only thing that takes my mind off smoking.� She paused. �Until I mention it�I�m guessing you�d rather I��
�You�d be right.�
Jim chuckled under his breath. �June used to smoke.�
�You did?� Gina looked at June, her mouth open. �You smoked?�
�Yes�and so did Jim.� June laughed, casting a glare back in Jim�s direction.
�Couldn�t interest either of you in a cigar, could I?� There was a deathly silence. �I�ll take that as a no, then. Tony, Reg?� Tony shook his head no. Reg didn�t reply, and they looked toward him. He was fast asleep, his paper hat down over his eyes. �See you in five.� She said, standing and taking her leave.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Jim smiled at June, his mouth still full of crisps. �See, she�s not all bad.�
�Maybe.� June smiled back, leaning forward and stealing one of the sweets. �But I�m having the hazelnut in caramel before she scoffs it.� She held them out to Tony. �Tone?�
�Thanks�� Tony squinted at the inside of the box lid, trying to determine which of the chocolates he liked. �I need my glasses. They�re in my coat pocket.�
�Try mine.� June pulled open the drawer of the end table next to her. She pulled out a glasses case, cracked it open, and passed Tony a pair of black-rimmed spectacles. Tony tried them on.
�Urrghhh!� He pulled them straight off. �How can you see without these � they�re so strong!�
�No good then?� June accepted them back. She placed them back into the drawer and took another sip of her vodka and orange. �Your coats upstairs�in the�bedroom.�
�Thanks.�
***
Tony bumped into Polly � literally � on the landing. �Alright, Tone?�
�Yeah. Just after my glasses.� He located Jim and June�s bedroom and pushed the door open. He stood there for a moment, then sighed deeply.
�Tone?�
�Yeah?�
�Whassup?�
�I don�t know. It�s like�I know that Jim and June are together and they�re�you know, but��
�But what?� Polly placed a hand on his shoulder.
�It�s like�I mean, putting the coats in here, it�s like they�re gloating.�
�Oh, Tony�don�t be so unfair.� Polly pushed past him, stepped into the room and picked up Tony�s coat, searching for and finding his glasses. �Can�t you see how happy they are?�
�Yeah. Maybe that�s why they invited us round.� Tony whined.
�Tone � they both know what it�s like to be alone. And after this year, don�t you think that we should embrace the importance of friendship, affection � love?�
Tony shrugged.
�Are you jealous, Tone?�
�No. Maybe.�
�Of Jim?�
Tony looked at her. Then she smiled and shook his head no. �Nah. I�m jealous of them. Of what they�ve got. As much as I hate to admit it, it looks like�I reckon that those two are going to last.�
�Yeah. So do I.� Polly passed Tony his glasses. �Look, don�t tell anyone I told you this but June��
***
�Left foot red!� Reg called. Tony, Jim and June groaned as one and twisted their bodies in order to comply with his instruction.
�Jim�move your big fat arse!� Tony grumbled.
�Me? You can talk!� Jim chuckled, enjoying the knowledge that at this point of the festivities, he was the only one that was still sober.
�Stop arguing you two!� June laughed, from her position squashed between the two men.
Gina and Polly looked on. Gina was on her fifth lager and was beginning to appear the worse for drink, while Polly cracked open monkey nuts and sipped at her vodka.
�Right hand green!�
�NO!� Jim yelled. There was some raucous laughter, and then a huge thud as first Jim then Tony, then June fell to the ground in an undignified heap.
�Aaaghh! Get off me!� June groaned, her fists and feet pounding against the floor.
Tony got up quickly, and offered Jim a hand up. Unfortunately he grasped Jim�s sore hand and Jim yelped in pain. June got to her feet. �Jim?� She asked, urgently.
�I�m OK�� He smiled, though June could see the smile didn�t reach his eyes. �Anyone else for more crisps? Vodka? Ma�am � lager?�
Gina nodded, hiccupped and lifted her glass. �I�ll drink t�that�� She slurred.
Jim hurried off into the kitchen as Polly and Reg took over on the Twister mat.
�Excuse me.� June stood and set off after Jim. She found him standing by the sink, waving his hand and swearing under his breath.
�I thought you said that had stopped hurting.�
�Well, it did until Tony grabbed it.� Jim hurriedly looked away.
�Jim Carver, don�t lie to me.�
�What do you want me to say?� Jim dug in a cupboard for the crisps. �That I�m in agony? That, yes please, I�d like to be taken to casualty to sit in a waiting room for god knows how long on Christmas Day?�
�Jim�I don�t care about Christmas, I just don�t like to see you in pain! And by knowing you�re in pain, you are hurting me!�
�It is just a small burn. I can live with it.� Jim turned his back on June, and she knew, when Jim was in this kind of belligerent mood, that it was best just to leave it.
***
Together, Polly and June prepared some sandwiches, crisps and dips for the evening meal. Tony, Reg, Jim, Polly and herself tucked in, but Gina had just had her tenth lager and was fast asleep � and snoring � in the armchair.
Jim could see a devilish glint in June�s eye � spurred on, he imagined � by five vodka and oranges � and leant over to her. �What are you thinking?�
�I�m thinking that there�s a black marker pen in the drawer beside the sink.�
Jim frowned, then looked to Gina. �No � June � you wouldn�t!�
�Wouldn�t I?�
�She would never forgive you! She�ll make next year hell!� Try as he may, Jim couldn�t help but laugh.
�She�s out of it. She won�t even know who it was!�
�No�I can�t let you do it.�
�Oh, please?�
�No � June�I�ll do it.� He stood, and tiptoed across the room. When he got to the door, he looked back, and June mouthed �I love you.� at him.
***
The rest of the guests looked on, trying to suppress gales of laughter, as Jim fashioned a Hitler moustache on Gina�s upper lip with the marker pen. He stood back, regarding his work, then leant forward again. He seemed to be writing something, then he put the top back onto the pen with a click, and stood back.
�Oh, JIM!� June clamped her hand to her mouth. Jim had written: �Kiss Me Quick� on Gina�s forehead.
�Not quite finished�� He looked at Reg. �Reg, you still got that mistletoe?�
�Yes�but I really don�t agree with this, it�s insubordination.�
�Reg, just give me the bloody mistletoe and lighten up!�
Reg leaned over and took the mistletoe from the bag he had brought with him. Jim broke off a sprig and handed the rest back to Reg. �Cheers.�
He moved back over to Gina, and pushed the sprig under Gina�s paper hat. �That�s it.�
He looked over at June, who was giggling and squirming on the sofa. Then he went back to join her. �Don�t say I never do anything for you.�
�Thank you�� June kissed Jim deeply, and there was a groan from the others.
�Pack it in you two!� Tony slurred. �You�re putting me off my grub!�
This comment, made by Tony, who�s appetite was only bettered by Jim, finally made the others lose control and snort with laughter � waking Gina up.
****
�Do you reckon she�s caught on yet?� Polly asked, up to her wrists in Fairy bubbles.
�Nope. Not even when Reg kissed her. She�s well tanked.�
�I don�t want to be around when she sobers up.� Polly grinned then blew some bubbles from her hand toward Jim, who was wiping the dishes. Some landed on his nose and he laughed and blew them away. �You seem really happy, Jim � I don�t think I�ve ever known you like this.�
Jim paused for a moment, looking at her, then he smiled. �I�ve never known me like this.�
�So�any wedding plans?� She asked, deliberately repeating the question she had asked June.
�I don�t know. I�d ask her any day, but�I don�t think she�d say yes.�
�Hmmm.� Polly turned her attention back to the dishes.
�Hmm, what?�
�Nothing.�
�Pol��
�Jim�June�s my best mate, right. She tells me everything. She even told me how good you are in bed.�
Jim stared at her, aghast, and flushed to the tips of his ears.
�I asked her the same thing, and��
�What?�
�I just reckon you might be surprised, that�s all.�
***
�Don�t worry, I�ll make sure she gets home.� Tony had a semi-conscious Gina Gold slumped beside him, clutching precariously to his shoulder. She still hadn�t caught on to what had happened to her, even though she had now been kissed by everyone at the party � including the women.
�Just make sure you�re well away before she sobers up.� June giggled.
Tony winked, said his final goodbyes and helped Gina out to the first of three waiting cabs � which Jim and June had laid on as their guests were in no fit state to drive home.
�June�Jim�it�s been fantastic.� Polly hugged them both in turn. �We�d should do this again next year.�
�We should.�
�Maybe by then there�ll be two Carver�s in the house.� She looked at June knowingly. �See ya in the New Year.� With that, she was gone.
�Come on, Reg!� Jim guffawed. Reg was making his way slowly down the stairs after spending at least twenty minutes in the toilet.
�I�m coming�what did you put in that beer, Jim?�
�Um�just beer. Never could hold your drinks could ya, Reg?�
�No. Thanks you two.�
�Our pleasure. Merry Christmas.� June kissed Reg on the cheek, and he blushed. Jim chuckled. �Oh, come here you daft thing.� He said, grabbing Reg�s arm and planting a huge kiss right on Reg�s lips.
June looked on aghast. �Jim, you�ll make me jealous!�
�There�s no need to be, June�no need to be.�
�Here�s your bag.� June held out Reg�s duffle bag to him. �Take care.�
�I will. And you do the same.� Reg paused for a moment, then dug into his bag, pulling out the rest of the mistletoe. �This�ll probably come in more useful to you than me.� He handed it over.
�Oh, Reg�thank you��
A few more goodbye�s later and Reg was gone. June closed the door behind him and sighed. �As much as I�ve enjoyed today�I�m glad of the peace and quiet.�
�Me too.�
�Come here.� She said, still leaning against the door. She held the mistletoe up above their heads. They kissed, and Jim�s hands moved to touch her, to pull her close.
�Let�s have an early night.� He muttered, his tone mischievous.
�Nah-uh.� June pulled away. �We�ve still got the last of the presents to open�and you�re going to casualty about that hand first.�
Jim rolled his eyes, then sighed. �Alright. But why not presents first?�
�Because it�s not so much fun that way.� June moved to the phone. �I�ll get us a cab.�
***
�I�m glad that didn�t take long.� Jim fumbled for his door key with his good hand � his burnt hand now properly dressed and treated.
�Mmm. It was quieter than I thought.� June took the key from him and opened the door. �Let�s get in, it�s freezing out here.� She opened the door and they both bundled into the house.
�Maybe it�ll snow.� Jim glanced at his watch. �Still three hours to go.�
�Maybe��
June opened the door of the living room and switched on the light. She started as she saw Toto � their cat � lying warming himself in front of the radiator. �Toto! Where have you been hiding?�
�He�s shy. I think he was with me in the kitchen when Gina leered up at the window. He must have bolted.�
�Can�t say I blame him.�
�So�presents?�
�Mmmm.� They had already opened their more token presents, June had bought Jim some new shirts and trousers � and socks, and Jim had bought her some bits and pieces for her home office, and two blouses.
June reached under the tree for the last gift. �Here.�
Jim unwrapped it as best he could with one hand. �Oh�June!� He gasped. It was a silver photo frame, and the picture it held was of himself and June, nearly twenty years ago, celebrating their first Christmas as friends. Jim had tinsel draped over his shoulders, and June had her arm around him. She�d pulled him close, their faces touching.
�Bet you didn�t know I had that.�
�I was in such a state at that party I didn�t even know anyone took that!� Jim gazed at it. �It�s fantastic, June. I love it.� He kissed her cheek.
Then he ducked under the tree, taking a worrying amount of time to find his gift.
�Jim��
�I know it�s here somewhere�� He groaned.
�It better be.�
�Ah�hang on�.got it�� Jim stood, beaming. He held up a tiny box, wrapped in gold paper. �Merry Christmas, June.�
June unwrapped the gift urgently, finding a small box inside. She cracked it open. �Oh�� A ring sparkled up at her. It was gold, with diamonds encircling it.
�They�re real.� Jim shrugged. �It�s an eternity ring.�
�Jim�you shouldn�t have��
�Yeah, I should.� Jim took the box from her, slid the ring out. �I want to be with you forever, June. For eternity.� He slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. �And I want everyone else to know it, too.�
�I��
�It�s not an engagement ring � not yet � but�it�s a �she�s taken� ring.�
�Then I�ll gladly wear it.� June gazed up into his eyes. �Jim, I�d love to marry you, but��
�Let�s wait. Let�s savour this before we burden ourselves with churches and flowers and bridesmaids and��
�Yes. As long as, one day��
�I promise. I promise you. You will be my wife. Soon.�
�Good�� June placed her head against his chest. She glanced out of the window. �Jim?�
�Mmmm��
�It�s snowing.�
�You�re kidding!� Jim laughed.
�Could this get any more perfect?� June�s eyes sparkled.
�I don�t think so.� Jim shook his head. �I really don�t think so.�
June hugged him tightly once more, and he kissed her head. �Jim��
�Mmmm.�
�Take me to bed.�
�OK.� Now it was time for Jim�s eyes to sparkle as he took June�s hand and led her from the room. But instead of leading her upstairs, he led her into the kitchen.
�Jim?�
�Hang on�where�d you put it?�
�Where did I put what?� June was utterly confused.
�That can of cream we had with the Christmas pudding.�
�Back in the fridge � wh�� June�s eyes widened. �JIM!�
He shrugged. �I�m still hungry.�
***
June yelped with surprise, and Jim flushed. �I�m sorry � I didn�t expect it to come out that fast.�
June snorted and giggled beneath him. �It�s not that, it�s cold!�
�Well, it did just come out of the fridge!�
�I can�t believe we�re doing this.� June smirked as Jim spread the cream evenly over her breasts, her stomach. She flailed a hand out, trying to grab the can. �Give me that.�
�Why?�
�Just give me it!�
Jim passed over the can - albeit reluctantly. �I hate to think what you�re going to do with that.�
�Oooh, don�t give me ideas. You had THAT present this morning, remember?�
�Mmm.�
�Come here.� June looped her hand round Jim�s neck and pulled him close. Then as soon as he was close enough, she squirted the cream in his face, fashioning a passable beard. �Who says there�s no Santa Claus?�
�Well, I doubt if he�d give you presents like this�� Jim leant down and kissed her intensely. June writhed beneath him.
�Mmm�.no�� Jim smirked and pulled back. �Now we�re both Santa.� June put a hand up to her chin and felt the cream. �Oh, Jim!�
Jim laughed - his deep infectious laugh that made June love him all the more. But slowly, he stopped laughing, his gaze burning into her own. �I love you June. More than I could ever say.�
�You don�t have to tell me. I know.� She pulled him down toward her again. �Now, let�s get rid of all this cream��
***
She was asleep now, exhausted by the long day, the excitement, the drink, and the passion they had just shared. He wrapped his arm around her protectively, and she moved and laid her arm across his chest. The ring that he had bought her still sparkled on her finger, and he took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it. She moaned lightly, and he looked to her, her face still covered with a light sheen of perspiration, her body still glowing.
Then he looked over to the clock, just as 11:59 clicked over to 12:00.
�Thank you.� He whispered. �Thank you for giving me my perfect Christmas.�
She didn�t reply, but she snuggled closer to him.
�I love you�� His eyes fell closed, and in moments, sleep claimed him.
June cracked open her eyes, looked up at him sleeping. �You�re my Christmas angel.� She murmured. �And I will never�ever�let you go.�
THE END