Page 45 of Christmas off Script
‘I’m just finishing up in here,’ he called from the bathroom. ‘Ella’s coming later and we’re off to the Christmas market.’
Ella opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly wasn’t sure what to say. Who did Leo think was in his bedroom?
Then he wandered out of the bathroom, a white towel around his hips, his head inside another one as he rubbed his wet hair. Water dripped off the hard planes of his chest to the floor.
‘I’m thinking of wearing the t-shirt which says “Iaman elf, I’m just tall”,’ he said into the towel. ‘What do you think? Good call?’
Ella didn’t reply, her mouth dry as she stared at his body. Normal cognitive function had been suspended, to be replaced with the kind of urgent and carnal feelings one should never have for one’s friends. She knew Leo took care of himself, but she never imagined he was hiding allthatunder his clothes. Before she could stop the movement of her eyes, they tracked down his six-pack, following his happy trail to its final destination: the bulge underneath the towel.
‘Willow?’
Ella’s gaze shot guiltily back up to Leo’s head as he removed the towel from his face and stared back at her.
‘Sorry! Sorry!’ she began, her face on fire and her hands raised as if fending off attacking birds. Stepping backwards without knowing where she was going, she collided with the edge of Leo’s enormous bed and fell backwards onto it.
‘No, er, my fault.’ He dashed back into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Scrambling off the bed, Ella ran for the door. ‘I’ll be in my room!’ she called out. ‘Just knock when you’re ready!’
Without waiting for a reply, she dashed into the corridor. And straight into Willow.
‘Oh my god, are you alright?’ Willow held onto Ella’s shoulders, gazing at her with concern. ‘What’s happened?’
Ella’s heart was beating so hard she almost couldn’t speak. ‘I knocked, and Leo said to come in, but he thought I was you, and he was…’
Willow rolled her eyes. ‘Was he naked? Honestly, he’s as bad as Dad.’
‘He had a towel on. I didn’t see, erm, anything.’
‘Thank goodness for that. When we were in our teens, he used to forget to tie his dressing gown up properly. All. The. Time. He only stopped when Estelle started carrying a riding crop with her, threatening to whack “Little Leo” with it.’
Ella gave a hysterical laugh, and Willow frowned. ‘Shall I make you a chamomile tea for the shock?’
‘I, er—’
The door to Leo’s room flung open, and he entered the corridor, buttoning up his jeans. His wet hair was sticking up in all directions and his t-shirt was askew.
‘Ella! I’m sorry, I—’
‘No, no, it’s entirely my fault,’ she interrupted.
Willow slapped the back of her hand against his chest. ‘You gave poor Ella the fright of her life.’
‘Ow! I thought she was you! You said you were coming up to discuss my panto costume!’
‘I should have said something when I came in,’ Ella said quickly. ‘I’m to blame.’ She stared at the tall elf on Leo’s t-shirt. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy like that.’
He sighed. ‘Please don’t apologise. There’s nothing to be sorry for.’
She shook her head, still too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
‘Well, as Ella’s back now, we can discuss the costume another time,’ Willow said. ‘Have an amazing time at the Christmas market!’
‘Do you want to come?’ Ella asked.
Willow smiled and shook her head. ‘Thanks, but no thanks. I’m going first thing in the morning in a couple of weeks, when it’s guaranteed to be fairly empty.’ She gave Ella a quick hug. ‘If I don’t catch you later, I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast or at the rehearsal.’ Giving them both a wave, she strolled off down the corridor.
Ella held her breath. What could she say to bring normality back to her friendship with Leo?
