Page 91 of Christmas off Script
Ella: #ElvesArePeopleToo
Leo: Yeah. Bloody small ones
Ella: Lol
Leo: Have you had breakfast?
Ella: Not yet. Still trying to wake up properly
Leo: Okay, I’ll leave you to it then. Your start time is earlier than mine and I don’t want you to be late
Ella: Chat at lunchtime? I’m free at one for half an hour
Leo: Does Santa live at the North Pole?
Ella: When he’s not in Lapland
Leo: True. Can’t make a mistake like that in twelve days’ time
Ella: I hope we win
Leo: We will. We Noel it All, remember?
Ella: If you say so
Leo: I do. Now go to work and sleigh it X
Ella: You too x
Leavingthe school grounds just after one, Ella turned her phone on and headed for the park. She couldn’t have a conversation with Leo in the staff room, and she needed fresh air after a centrally-heated classroom filled with too many sweaty teenagers. The run up to Christmas was always manic, but this year there was so much more to deal with than normal. Crossing a line with Leo was the last straw, and Ella was emotionally as well as physically exhausted.
As her phone connected, it buzzed with notifications for missed calls. Her heart sank as she stared at the screen.Oliver’s parents.No prizes for guessing why they were calling. Her rent payment for December should have gone out of her account on Saturday. Entering the park, Ella perched on a wooden bench, the frosted wood cold and hard even through the thick layer of her coat.
Her thumb hovered over their number, irritation needling her. Why had they called so many times this morning? She was at work. Their son was also a teacher, so they knew the score.
But you’re anartteacher. It’s just colouring in and coffee breaks. Ella shook her head, remembering Oliver’s dad’s words. Not ever having to see Oliver’s parents again was one reason she was glad her relationship with him was over. Another was that Oliver never treated her half as well as Leo did.
Nor ever gave you an orgasm that made you see stars.
Don’t think about that! Leo’s your friend!
A brief pang of guilt hit her. Guilt for asking Leo to kiss her, and guilt for moving on so quickly from Oliver.
But you hadn’t had sex with Oliver for months! You knew in your heart of hearts things weren’t right. And you’re not moving on from Oliver, you’re moving back to Leo.
Even if we can never be together.
Before the internal argument could continue, she called Oliver’s parents.
‘Fitzcannon,’ an officious voice barked when the call connected.
Ella repressed an eye roll. Why couldn’t he just say his first name? Or, ‘Hello’?
‘Hi, Fabian, it’s Ella here. I’m just returning your calls.’
‘Miss Chamberlain. Finally, you deign to pick up your phone.’
‘I’ve been teaching all morning and only just switched it on.’
