Calling Mrs Claus Read online

  “You aren’t a morning person, I take it?”

  Lina hears the smooth voice and sits up straighter in her bed, coughs and tries to sound a lot more pleasant. “Hi, I am, throat is gravelly from the alcohol last night.”

  She hears Ann’s chuckle and smiles too, “I believe you…Are you still okay for me to come around and see your other artwork?”

  Lina loves how Ann teases her which, both surprises her and delights her. She knows that she will not get away with anything. “Yes, definitely, what time are you thinking of coming over?”

  Ann is grinning and feeling more relaxed that Lina hasn’t changed her mind. “How about I bring you coffee in an hour, you know, to help your throat with it being so gravelly and all? Would that be okay or is it too soon?”

  “NO! I mean not at all, it’s not too soon. I would love to see you.”

  Ann loves the eagerness in Lina’s voice, “Okay, I will see you then and I have had a little idea for payback for our two friends.”

  “I am looking forward to hearing that, I want them to sweat.”

  “Oh, they will once we are through with them. Have you heard from Sophie yet?”

  “Not yet, she will call me soon though, she will be too nosey to wait too much longer.”

  “If she calls you first tell her you don’t want to talk, and you need a little time to talk to her. I will do the same with Olivia and that will set it up nicely.”

  “I like this side of you, I have no idea what you’re going to do, I am, however, glad I’m not the one on the receiving end of it.”

  “Not this time you aren’t but you will be warned by what you will see.”

  Lina laughs, “You’re very brave this morning, what has gotten into you?”

  Ann is blushing and glad that Lina can’t see her, “The force of your kiss has gotten into me. I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I do hope I can possibly get another one very soon?”

  Lina is grinning and feeling lighter than she has in years, “I think I can arrange that, but it does depend on what coffee you bring me as to what type of kiss you get.”

  “You’re challenging me, I should let you into a little secret. You should know to never challenge me, I always succeed.”

  “I like it, I don’t want to be kissing someone that I can walk over.”

  Ann laughs out loud, “That you will never do with me. I’m hanging up now before your mouth gets you into real trouble.”

  “See you soon, make that coffee extra special!”

  “I’ll give you an extra special…”

  She hangs up the phone hearing laughter on the other end. Lina jumps out of bed and into the shower. She puts on her jeans and tee and in a few minutes, she starts to pace feeling her nerves kick in. She hears a car pull up and she runs to the mirror to fix her hair and clothes. She rushes to the door just in time to see Ann get out of her car.

  “You went back to get your car already?”

  There is a disappointment tone in her voice making Ann smile softly, “Yes, I thought that maybe if you were up for it, I could take you out for a few hours and then drop you off to get your car afterwards?”

  Lina’s face changes from disappointment to the brightest smile Ann has ever gotten from her. “Where did you have in mind?”

  “Somewhere a little different but I thought it could be nice.”

  Lina quirks her eyebrow, “You aren’t telling me?”

  Ann shrugs, “Maybe later, now, do you want your coffee?”

  Lina leads her into the workshop and pulls the cover off two chairs that she had been working on. “Wow, these are amazing, Lina.”

  She runs her hands over the chairs gently feeling the carvings in detail. She has a look of wonder on her face which Lina is loving. “Please, take a seat.”

  Ann sits down and again rubs her fingers over the details in the arms of the chair. “This is amazing, I love them.”

  Lina grins and sits down, “I’ve made them for a family on the other side of the city. I was talking to Cécile a friend of Sophie and mine. She told me that her parents are sitting on crates because their chairs are so old, and they can’t afford new ones. I started them straight away and will be delivering them to them at the weekend.”

  “They will love them, and I really love how you help the community in so many different ways.”

  Lina waves the compliment off, turning her attention to the coffee, “So what did you decide on?”

  Ann grins and picks up the coffee, “This is a real calorie buster but hey, it tastes good. I got you a tobleroni and I got myself a Malteser one and I thought we could share a little treat.”

  She hands the bag over to Lina who takes a peek inside and smiles brightly. “Cheesecake, you chose very well. Challenge has well and truly been smashed.”

  Ann laughs, “I told you, you shouldn’t challenge me. I’m happy you approve though. If memory serves me right, I am to receive a kiss for this coffee.”

  She wriggles her eyebrows at Lina who sets the cheesecake and coffee to the side. She kneels in front of Ann, places her hands on her cheeks kisses her softly. The kiss is sensual tongues getting to know each other in a slow dance of their own rhythm. The kiss is interrupted by the ringing of both of their phones. They groan against each other’s lips before breaking apart and looking at the caller id on their screens.

  “It’s Sophie.”

  “It’s Olivia.”

  They look at each other unsure who should answer first. Ann holds up her finger let me answer first. “Olivia, this is not a good time. I don’t want to talk to you, I don’t appreciate being stood up. I looked ridiculous sitting in that restaurant alone for thirty minutes. No, I was not told you would be not arriving. I will talk to you later Olivia, I can’t believe you would do that to me. I thought we were friends.”

  She hangs up the phone laughing, “Damn, I surprise myself sometimes.”

  Lina shakes her head, “I don’t know if I will be that convincing if Sophie calls back.”

  “Oh, she will definitely call back. I have no doubt that Olivia has called her hysterically to see what she should do. Now, we just have to play Sophie and we will have the perfect setup.”

  “What exactly is the setup?”

  Ann shrugs, “It will come to me.”

  “You don’t know yet?”

  Ann doesn’t get to respond as Lina’s phone starts ringing, “Be strong and don’t be easy on her.”

  Lina shushes her answering the phone, “Are you okay? Are you in the hospital?”

  “Why would I be in the hospital?”

  “Sophie, it would be the only explanation as to why you would stand me up at the restaurant.”

  “I’m not in the hospital.”

  “So, you really just stood me up? I can’t believe it, you know that my time is precious when I am working on my art. I could have spent the time sanding down the sculptures, but no, my so-called best friend wanted to go out for a meal and have a catch-up, just the two of us. How could you do that, Sophie? I don’t want to talk to you right now and I’m going to do some work and I don’t want to be disturbed.”

  “Lina, wait, I can explain…”

  Lina hangs up the phone, “I feel bad, I’ve never spoken to her like that.”

  “Don’t, it will all be okay, she will see the payback in it. They will forgive us both just as we forgive them.”

  “What are we going to do now?”

  “We are going to go on our little date and then later, we will put on our finale and then bring them to dinner as a thank you.”

  “You’re a little scary, Ann, do you know that?”

  Ann grins, “Only when I’m challenged.”

  She leans in and kisses Lina again before they finish their coffee and cheesecake and make their way to a destination Lina has no idea about.

  Lina is leaning her head against the headrest with her eyes closed and feeling at ease. Ann reaches across and puts her hand on Lina’s thigh, “You doing okay?”
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  “I’m doing more than okay, I have no idea where we are going, and I don’t mind. I’m enjoying being here with you.”

  Ann loves the response, squeezes Lina’s thigh, “I’m happy I’m here with you too. We are going to Mechelen and that’s all I’m saying.”

  Lina tries to think of where they could be going but gives up, settles back in her seat, listening to the music and enjoying the light conversation with Ann.

  They park the car and Lina is still unsure of where they are going or what they are going to do. She looks at Ann confused, “We are here?”

  “Yes, we are, come on it will all become clear in just a minute.”

  They get out and Ann takes Lina’s hand walking to the museum. She stops at the doorway and turns to face Lina, “We are here, I thought, maybe we could come here and just have a little fun looking at the toys and we could get some ideas for the project.”

  Lina grins, “I love it, this will be fun.”

  Ann is relieved and smiles so big, “Come on let’s go see what they have.”

  The next few hours are spent looking through the years of toys from teddy bears to dolls to electronic games. Lina loves to see the wooden toys, and both enjoy the games that are set out for the patrons to try their wits on figuring out. After they finished seeing everything the museum has to offer Ann drives back to Lina’s car. Before they get out, they get into a heated make-out session that had been brewing all throughout the museum. When they have to break the kiss for the need to breathe, they sit back grinning at one another.

  “Let’s get the ball rolling and have some fun with Olivia and Sophie. Call Sophie and tell her to come around to the warehouse. I’m going to call Olivia and tell her I’m coming to see you and try one more time to change your mind and I want her help. Then when Sophie comes, I will put on the performance of a lifetime and you follow my lead.”

  Lina cocks her head to the side, “You are on my side, right?”

  Ann leans in and kisses her, “Of course, I am.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  “Lina, are you here? I come in peace and want to make up for not turning up at the restaurant.”

  She can hear raised voices, furrows her brows and follows the noise.

  “Sophie, what are you doing here?”

  Sophie turns around and spots Olivia, “I’m here to apologise to Lina. What are you doing here?”

  “Ann wanted to try one more time to change Lina’s mind on the project and asked for my help.”

  “I think you may be too late, listen.”

  Olivia’s eyes widen, “Shit, they are arguing.”

  They both go into the warehouse and see the standoff between Lina and Ann.

  “You are incredible, you say you are all about the community and I bend over backwards for you and you still don’t want to help me out.”

  “NO, I don’t, you are out for your boss and the bottom line, how much attention can the store get and how it will look in the magazine. You are a prim and proper woman with just another pay raise and so used to having everyone say yes ma’am to everything you want and need. I am not that person, I will not be a part of it.”

  Both Sophie and Olivia step forward, “Jesus, you two, break it up. What the hell is going on here?”

  Both Ann and Lina spin around facing the two women who look ready to jump in to defend their friend. Ann looks at Lina, “Now!”

  Sophie and Olivia have no time to react as both Ann and Lina take aim with the water pistols they were concealing.

  “This is for going behind our backs and trying to set us up at the hotel.”

  Sophie and Olivia try to run out of the line of fire but don’t succeed. They submit and hold their hands up. “You knew what we did?”

  “Of course, we did, we are not stupid. We had a meal together and, in the end, came to an agreement.”

  “An agreement?”

  Lina grins at the chorus from the two of them, “Oh yes, an agreement.”

  She pulls Ann into her arms and kisses her passionately. Both Sophie and Olivia are shocked with their mouths hanging open. “What the hell is this? Are you two dating now? I’m so damn confused.”

  Sophie’s eyes narrow, “You played the two of us, I was feeling so bad after our call and you were here snogging this one.”

  Lina and Ann laugh, “We were, but I felt bad too, but it had to be done to level the score.”

  Sophie screams and hugs her best friend and Ann, Olivia is unsure what to do or say. Sophie looks over her shoulder, “Why are you standing there, get in here, we got what we wanted and these two got a lot more.”

  Olivia grins and joins in the group hug. Ann is the first to speak, “Who fancies a proper meal, the four of us, now that we are all friends again?”

  She is met with a chorus of, “Absolutely and hell yes.”

  Chapter 11

  Lina arrives at the department store to have a look at the floor and know what she is working with. She waves to Olivia, who is with a customer. She smiles back brightly and points upstairs to let Lina know that Ann is up there too. Lina nods and takes the stairs two at a time to get to the upper floor. She reaches the top step and sees Ann pulling and dragging at boxes. She creeps up behind her, puts her arms around her waist and whispers in her ear, “Hi!”

  Ann screams and spins around, “You scared the life out of me. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to see my workspace and I was hoping to catch a glimpse of you.”

  Ann blushes, “You can’t look at me like that and say things like that in my workplace.”

  Lina tries to look innocent but fails miserably. Before she can say anything, a male voice calls out Ann’s name. Ann looks at Lina, “That’s my boss, behave!”

  Lina chuckles, “I always behave.”

  Ann puts on a bright smile and turns around to come face to face with Mr Willems, “Hi, Mr Willems, I was just trying to clear some space to make way for our displays.”

  He smiles at her and looks behind her, he cocks his head to the side wondering who the person is behind her. Ann blushes again and moves to the side, “This is the local artist and sculptor, Lina Wouters. She has agreed to work with us on this project.”

  His smile gets wider and brighter, “I’m happy to meet you, I know this is a big project to undertake but I have so much faith in Ann, I know she will make this look magnificent. If you need anything, my door is open.”

  Lina smiles and shakes his hand, “I think it would be prudent to have me on site for the next few days so I can take measurements and do up some sketches. Would that be okay for you, Mr Willems?”

  “Absolutely, I think that’s a wonderful idea. Ann will get you everything you want and need. I am getting that Christmas miracle feeling already. I knew you were the right lady for the job.”

  He walks away with a spring in his step and looking very confident. Ann turns to face a smiling Lina. “You’re going to be here for the next few days? I will get nothing done with you around.”

  “Of course, I have to know my canvas and get a feel for it all. I will do some sketches and see in my mind how things will look. The best thing of all is that your boss has told me that you will get me everything I want and need. That’s just the icing on the cake for me.”

  Ann hears the teasing tone and what she is implying, “You need to be professional, I cannot work alongside you if you are constantly going to be a hot seething mess of hormones.”

  Lina laughs heartily, “I am the picture of professionalism, I am merely saying that if I require something, you have to get it for me or give it to me.”

  She wriggles her eyebrows again watching Ann blush again. She loves how much she can tease her and the reactions she gets. Ann slaps her arm and hands her a box, “Since you are here, you are going to help me move these boxes and clear the area. Hopefully, it will keep you quiet and out of mischief for a while.”

  “This is not what I signed up for, Peeters.”

  Ann looks over her shou
lder, “You’re here and you don’t have a sketch pad with you, and I need help so, here we are.”

  Lina quirks an eyebrow, “You can be quite bossy, can’t you?”

  “You have no idea, but that is for another time.”

  Lina licks her lips as her mind swirls with images that are not exactly professional. She comes to a sudden stop when she bumps into the back of Ann. Ann turns around and sees the look in Lina’s eyes before she could hide it. She smirks, “You okay there, Lina, you look a bit flustered. Is that box too heavy for you?”

  “The box?” She looks at her hands and then up into the playful eyes of Ann, “Not too heavy at all, I was just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  She watches as Lina squirms trying to come up with something that would distract Ann from what she is reading in her eyes. “Just about the background and how I could make it look so romantic and have Christmas singing from the wood.”

  She blows out a breath and looks around the store. Ann steps closer, her warm breath on Lina’s neck, “I know that’s not what you were thinking, and I know exactly where your mind went. I like it and I love keeping you on your toes. The blush that starts in your neck and makes its way up to your cheeks, how your eyes darken. It’s sexy, but here is not the place to see how else you respond to things I say and do.”

  She steps back and opens the door to set the box that she was carrying and walks past a still stunned Lina. She grins and closes her open mouth, leans in and kisses her softly, “Back to work we go.”

  Lina watches as Ann saunters off, her hips swaying from side to side, the confident look over her shoulder. Lina snaps out of her trance-like state, puts the box away and quickly re-joins Ann to help with the other boxes.

  “What did you have up here anyway?”

  “Extra stock, there was talk of another, clothesline coming in and setting up in here but that hasn’t happened yet.”

  “So, all of this is free space?”

  Ann looks around, “Pretty much. It comes in handy when we run sales, we can open up this floor and it gives the shoppers more space and a chance to find a bargain or two.”

  Lina looks around and instantly gets snapshots in her mind of where certain things should be placed and what it should look like. She takes out her phone and starts taking photos. Ann continues to move the boxes and stops every so often to watch Lina. She looks like she has transported herself into a world only she can see. Every so often Lina will make a noise, open the notebook on her phone and put in thoughts. Ann smiles softly and again has a new sense of who Lina Wouters is and how she works. She is standing quietly box in her hands when Lina says her name from right beside her ear. She jumps, screams and drops the box. “Jesus, you need to stop doing that!”