Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Four

I finished unpacking all the things that I had brought with me before I finally had a good look around the flat that I would be living in. The flat looked very cosy with light wooden panels along the walls and shelves filled with wooden toys, like the ones in the bakery. The walls that didn't have the panelling had the red and white striped wallpaper that I had seen in the bakery. The furniture looked handmade as the couch and chair had light wooden frames with dark green cushions and gold throw cushions scattered over them. The floor was the same light wood as the furniture frames.

I smiled to myself as I ran my hand over the table that was sitting in the middle of the floor that was the same light wood like everything else. The carvings that ran over the legs of the furniture looked like they were handcrafted. There were carvings of sleighs and candy canes along with holly going between them. I looked over at the window which was behind sheer materials of emerald green and berry red with gold trimming. The window itself was big enough to see the view of the mountains that sat behind the town.

I walked into the kitchen and found the same sort of decorations that were in the sitting room. The worktops were the same light wood but were waxed enough to see your face in it. The cupboards were the same as the worktops but gave a more homely feel to the kitchen. Each cupboard door was decorated in pictures of Snowflakes, each one different than the last one. I walking out of the kitchen and headed down the small hall leading to the bedroom and bathroom.

I walked into the bedroom and noticed the big wooden frame of the king-sized bed which was yet again made in the same wood as everything else. The walls were painted in an evergreen green with sheer red material hung delicately over the window. The bed looked so comfortable I wished it was already bedtime. The bed had dark rich red bedding whilst the frame itself looked like a sleigh. The wood curved back on itself at the headboard with a carving of Santa's village. The bottom of the bed curved-forward until the edge of the wood met the wood again. The floor had a shag red rug in the middle between the bed and chest of drawers. On top of the drawers was a mirror that was designed to look like an antique. The closet was big enough for me to hang the clothes that I had brought with me.

The bathroom was jaw-dropping when you went into it as it looked like someone had carved it from a block of ice. The walls were a pale blue that looked like ice. The window had a sheer white material that has snowflakes embroidered into it. The window had a frosted look so you would have privacy. The bath was white with silver feet making it stand an inch off the floor. The sink looked like it floated against the wall. The toilet shone in the opposite of the bath. The shower was frosted glass like the window and it stood beside the bath. The bathroom floor looked like clear ice shining in the daylight.

I loved the feeling I got from the entire flat as it was welcoming and cosy. I already felt like I was already home and I hadn't felt like that for a while. I was walking back into the sitting room when my stomach growled at me. I haven't eaten since the cake at the bakery with Jean. I groaned as I should have asked Jean where the local grocery store was before I left earlier. In my defence, I was to busy eyeing up the brooding man who had walked into the bakery when Jean was giving me the key to my new home.

I walked to the front door and lifted my coat off the hook before putting it on. I opened the front door and stepped out into the cold. I turned and made sure that I had locked the door before walking down the stairs. I shoved my hands in my pockets as I headed towards the main road. When I got to the corner of the building I had to go by to get to the flat I was about to head to the bakery and ask Jean where the grocer was when I saw the man who I was just thinking about walk out of the bakery. I put my head down and crossed the road before he saw me as I got the impression that he didn't like me when I had met him earlier.

I kept him in my sight as I managed to get across the road in record time and started walking down the other side of the street. I was kicking myself when I saw him smirk when he saw me walking before turning and walking the other way. I let the breath go that I was holding hoping that he didn't come over and start anything.

I was determined that I would find the grocer before my stomach grumbled again as I walked down the street. I saw a few people but they were all shorter than me which shocked me a little bit. I kept my head down as I kept walking and didn't notice when I walked into someone coming out of one of the shops.

"Sorry," I said as I took a step back from the person I had just bumped into.

"Sorry, I should've been watching where I was going. Hey, are you new around here?" the woman asked with a grin.

I lifted my head and noticed the woman standing in front of me. She was the same height as me which was good but she had a familiar look to her that I have seen somewhere before. She had long chocolate coloured hair, blue eyes, a similar hourglass figure similar to my figure.

"I wasn't watching where I was walking. Yeah, I have just moved into the flat above the bakery Treasured Treats. I was actually looking for the grocery store. I'm Iona by the way," I smiled and offered my hand to the woman.

"We don't get very many new people moving into the town, but I'm happy that you have moved here. I'm Holly, my parents own the bakery and that flat." Holy said as she grasped my hand and shook it. "I can show you where the grocer is as I am heading that way, myself."

I grinned at Holly. " That would be great, thanks."

As we walked along the street she linked her arm with mine if we were old friends. I hated small chat so I just nodded when I needed to as we walked. I was trying to keep my concentration on what she was saying but my mind was going back to the man I met earlier.

"Iona?" Holly's voice managed to get me out of my thoughts and back into the conversation.

"Sorry, I zoned out there for a minute. What were you saying?" I mumbled feeling my cheeks heat up from embarrassment.

"I was saying that the grocer is just around the corner. Plus if you had managed to find somewhere to work," Holly said not fazed that I had stopped listening to her.

"Um, yeah I start work tomorrow actually at the bakery. Your mum offered to let me work at the bakery instead of paying rent. I mean I'm grateful but I don't like taking advantage of people," I swore as it sounded like I was being ungrateful when it was the complete opposite.

"My mum is great and if she offered you that then she saw something in you. She tends to see into people's souls and offers them things that they need at the time," Holly said as they turned the corner.

I looked ahead and saw the grocery store. I grinned knowing that I would be able to get something to eat before my stomach started eating itself. "Thanks, Holly for helping me find the store."

Holly grinned proudly as she walked beside me. I swallowed a laugh as she reminded me of a peacock strutting his feathers in pride. She looked at me wondering what I was smirking at.

"I'm surprised you didn't meet my brother as he was heading to see our father earlier," Holly said suddenly making me stop in my tracks.

"I think I did as just as your mum handed me the key for the flat a guy came into the bakery and your mum pulled him into a hug," I gulped suddenly nervous that I have already seen her brother. "Is he tall with short blonde hair, blue eyes and athletic build?" I asked trying to sound unaffected.

"Yeah, that's him, unfortunately, we don't talk at the moment as he's too pig-headed for his own good," Holly said sullenly, a look of concern flash over her face before she shook her head and her smile returned.

"OK, I met him but never spoke to him and I'll drop the subject," I said hip bumping into her, getting her to lose her balance slightly.

Holly giggled before holding her hand out. She must've seen the confused look on my face. "Give me your phone silly."

I handed her my phone and waited while she entered her number in my contact list before sending a text to herself so she had my number. "There now we have each other's numbers now so if you need anything just let me know, or if anyone gives you a hard time," Holly said triumphantly.

We both laughed before Holly hugged me before pushing me towards the grocery store. I stumbled but managed to keep standing as I waved as she turned and walked off.

I walked into the grocery store and picked up a basket thinking of what was necessary for tonight and tomorrow morning. I had decided that I would bring my car to do a decent shop so I only had tonight to get for. I wondered over to the fruit and veg aisle and grabbed some granny smith apples and some bananas. As I wandered up and down the aisles I grabbed milk, bread, tea, cereal and other essentials. I was just about to go and join the line in front of the cashier to buy what I had stuffed in the basket hanging off my arm.

The line seemed to move along slowly as the basket started feeling like it was filled with bricks. I sighed and moved the basket to my other arm. I was listening to the Christmas tunes that were playing over the stores tannoy when I felt someone standing behind me. I didn't want to look around to see who was standing behind me. I started looking from side to side to see if I could catch a glimpse of whoever it was. As I turned my head and looked towards the shelves I was standing next to I sucked in my breath.

I couldn't believe it, it was Holly's brother who didn't look pleased to see me in front of him. "Does he always look so miserable?" I wondered to myself trying to ignore the butterflies that suddenly fluttered in my stomach. As the line moved up towards the cashier I could hear the huffs coming from behind me. I looked ahead of me as the person in front of me moved forward to pay for his goods. I was thankful that he only had a couple of items and before I knew it I was putting my purchases on the belt in front of the cashier.

I tried not looking at Holly's brother but my eyes kept betraying me as they looked his way. I felt uncomfortable as he smirked when my eyes connected with his blue ones.

"Like what you see there?" he asked smugly.

I paid for my goods and walking away from the cashier before turning my head sideways over my shoulder. "I have seen better," before I left the shop before he saw how red my cheeks were from our encounter. I breathed deeply the crisp air before walking back the way I came towards my flat knowing that I wouldn't see him again in the near future.