I hurry out and back into the shopping centre, my eyes darting around as I look for Sarah and her bobble hat. My heart is racing. This has the potential to either be the best or worst day of my life. Adrenaline pumping, I weave in and out of shoppers, checking stores, before finally ending up at her old coffee shop at the end of the mall. I see her through the window, sitting at a table with two of her old colleagues.
‘Nick? Is that you?’
Startled, I whip around in the direction of that familiar voice and see Izzy, in full elf costume, hands on hips and frowning at me like she’s just caught me shoplifting.
‘Hey! Izzy. Long time.’
‘I thought it was you. It’s very nice to see you.’
‘You sure? You look mad at me.’
‘I am sure.’
‘Still spreading Christmas cheer, I see,’ I say, gesturing to her outfit.
She nods. ‘But this Santa is no good. Always with the nose blowing. You were better. . . Why you keep staring at the window?’
‘Sarah is in there, I’m just—’
She peers in. ‘Oh,this oneagain with the little boy! Sorry, but she doesn’t work here anymore.’
‘Oh, I know, she’s just—’
Izzy starts to laugh. I’m not sure I’ve seen Izzy laugh before. ‘First time you come here, you stare at her like acachorro, wagging your tail when she talk with you. Now you come back and. . .’
As Izzy continues to ramble, my mind flashes back to the time Sarah first ran into the grotto to find Alfie. How she looked at me and took my breath away. When I see her emerge from Belle Blend, I know exactly what I need to do.
‘Izzy,’ I say, interrupting her flow, ‘how do you say “good luck” in Spanish?’
‘Buena suerte.’
‘Thanks!’
She tilts her head in confusion as I rush over to Sarah and take her by the hand, leading her towards the grotto.
‘Come on!’
‘What? Why? Nick, I don’t think you’re allowed to just—’
‘Please,’ I say. ‘Just trust me.’
We both slip under the rope and I instruct Sarah to sit on the throne.
She places her bags on the floor and takes a seat, looking around her nervously. I see the security guard at the door stop to stare at us. I don’t recognise him. I wonder what happened to Charles and his stupid beard.
‘You’re sitting in the same place I was when I first met you,’ I begin. ‘Three years ago, almost to the day.’
Her face lights up and she laughs. ‘Oh my God, you’re right! I must have looked a right state, I was so flustered from racing around, looking for Alfie.’
I shake my head. ‘I thought you looked beautiful. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about how beautiful you are.’
‘Aww, honey, that’s so sweet of. . . um, Nick, that security guy is heading over here, we should probably move.’
I glance over my shoulder to see him marching towards us. Fuck. I need to be quick.
‘Sarah, I love you. . . in fact, those words don’t even come close to how I feel about you,’ I say, reaching into my pocket. ‘I’m not even sure there are words—’
‘Sir, the grotto is closed, you can’t be in here.’
