Page 14 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“Okay. So, the road isn’t wide enough to push it round in one go. We need to make a three-point turn. Forward, back, then forward again.”

“I know what a three-point turn is.” I get the feeling that Jason thinks I’m an imbecile.

“I just need to be clear because we’re doing this together. We’re a team, Charlie.”

“Alright,” I say opening the door. “Let’s do this.”

I run to Bertie’s driver's door and throw myself in. Jason runs to the back and taps on the roof to let me know that he’s ready. I release the handbrake and slowly I feel my little car crawl forward. I pull the steering wheel over as far as I can. Before I hit the bank on the other side of the road, Jason taps the roof again. Then he sprints round to the front and heaves Bertie backwards with me steering the opposite way this time. Another tap on the roof and Jason is at the back again pushing Bertie with all his might but we hardly make any headway because of the upwards incline. Jason taps the roof then appears at my window. I wind it down to hear what he has to say.

“I’m going to push you back down the hill, so steer over behind the Chevy. Careful to cover your brake, in case you pick up too much speed. You don’t want to end up in the ditch.”

I nod and wind the window up as Jason gets in front and leans onto the hood. The slight gradient works in our favor this time and I easily coast backward to smoothly rest behind Jason’s truck.

I look for Jason, to see if I get the thumbs up for a job well done, but he has disappeared. In a moment he returns from the Chevy’s cab with a coil of rope. Without hesitation, he drops to the ground and secures the rope hook somewhere on Bertie’s underside. It makes a scrapingnoise and a vibration beneath my feet. He then jumps up and masterfully takes the other end and hooks it to the rear end of the Chevy. In a moment he’s back at my window.

“Alright, Charlie. Have you been towed before? I’m guessing yes.”

“Why yes?” I’m indignant at the assumption.

“Because of the car you drive. It’s old. Anyway...”

“Yes. Yes, I’ve been towed before, so… Shall we?”

“Just hold your foot over the brake,” Jason shouts with authority. “I know we’re mostly going uphill, but I don’t want you to rear-end my truck, okay? Although, I think Bertie would come off much worse than the big old Chevy.”

“Sure. Got it. It’s not that far. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Charlie, that is not a question you should be asking.” Jason straightens up and taps Bertie’s roof. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

I wind up the window and prepare to steer, still feeling prickly about Jason’s bossiness. But I let it go because he’s helping me out. Big time. And also, I’m a bit overwhelmed with his handsome heroics. No one has ever thrown themselves on the wet cold ground at my feet before. I get the sense that he is quite the capable man and, if I was attractedto him before this moment, I am actually falling in love now. But he does have an attitude and also, he’s more than a little negative, especially around Christmas and fairies. But we can work on that when we…

“Okay, Charlie?” Jason shouts before he gets into the Chevy.

I toot Bertie’s horn a couple of times and wave although I’m pretty sure Jason isn’t looking.

The Chevy’s taillights blaze in the gloom, as Jason slowly pulls away. The tow rope extends out straight then I feel the tug as it pulls on my car. Then I remember to release the handbrake, and I jolt forward as if I’ve been kicked from behind.

“Oops.”

The rope slackens off as Jason makes the turn, his hazard lights blink an orange warning which is amplified through the rain-splattered window, although no one is on the road to see them, or likely to be.

Chapter 7

Jason

My plan to release the fairy back into the wild fell flat at the radio announcement of the incoming blizzard. The DJ was fizzy with delight as he said the words ‘code red’ as if he was announcing a prize giveaway. Anyway. It’s fine. What are my choices? The window of opportunity to, Option A, get the ancient VW started so Charlie could drive away to where she came from; or, Option B, to drive her to wherever she wanted to go - has slammed shut with a resounding bang.

I was fully prepared to take her to her boyfriend’s place. Family. Her downtown apartment. I don’t know. Somewhere away from here. Now, it seems, we are stuck here to wait out the storm together. It’s a good thing I stopped by the supermarket on the way back from Meredith’s. I’m pretty sure we have enough supplies for two or three days, if it comes to that.

As I slowly drive through the gate, the sleet has turned to snow. My windshield wipers slosh from side to side at double speed but fail to clear the snow build-up fast enough. I park close to the gatehouse, cut the engine, and jump out. I wave at Charlie, although her windshield and windows are almost completely covered in snow. I’m not sure how much she can see so I tap the VW roof as I stride to the gate, push it shut, and secure the chain which is icy to touch. The wind gusts and throws the snow around. It stings my face, and my fingers are numb with cold. Charlie is at the front door waiting for me, hopping from one foot to the other.

“It’s not locked. Go on in,” I tell her, surprised that she’s still outside in the freezing porch.

“After you,” she yells above the din of the storm. “Rocko might eat me.”

Rocko is in the hall to greet us. He pushes his head into my hand and leans against my legs. Charlie takes off the rain jacket.

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