Page 7 of Only for Christmas

‘Then how should I address you? Where I’m from we like to show old folk some respect.’

‘Oi, less of the “old”, matey.’ She patted the side of her curlers. ‘And you can call me Mrs Kelsey.’

He extended a hand. ‘A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Kelsey.’

‘I doubt that,’ she said, sneering. ‘I’m not known for being neighbourly.’

‘That’s a shame. I’m new to town and I don’t know many people.’

‘Yeah, well, that’s not my problem.’ She waved her hand about. ‘Now, what you doing about that car?’

‘I’m going to move it first thing in the morning. If that’s okay with you, Mrs Kelsey?’

‘You make sure you do. First thing, mind, no taking liberties.’ She shuffled back indoors. He wanted to check on her breathing, but he suspected she might wallop him with her stick if he suggested it, so he thought better of it.

‘You have my word!’ he called after her. ‘I hope to see you around, Mrs Kelsey.’

‘Not if I have anything to do with it.’ The door slammed shut.

‘Night then.’

Silence.

Okay, so not a great first interaction with his neighbour.

Maybe he’d have better luck with the tenant in the other apartment. The light was on upstairs, so he figured someone was home. Hopefully whoever lived there would be less volatile than Mrs Kelsey.

He took the two flights of steps up to the top of the building and knocked on the door of number three. No answer.

He could hear movement inside, so he tried again. This time he heard a faint bark, followed by a load of hushing. There was a pause before the door cracked open a fraction.

‘Yes, what do you want?’ A pair of deep brown eyes peered at him through the gap. Pretty eyes. Well, hello there. Things might be looking up.

‘Hey there, I’m Lucas, your new neighbour.’ He held out his hand, hoping for a warm response, but the door remained only partially open. ‘How y’doing?’

Her brown eyes flickered over him. And then she frowned. Frowning was never a good sign. ‘Did you need something?’

He tilted his head. ‘Something?’

‘A cup of sugar, or something? Isn’t that why most people knock on a neighbour’s door?’

‘Er… no, ma’am. I’m good for sugar. Just thought I’d be polite and say hi.’

‘That’s it?’

‘Yep, that’s it.’ Anyone would think a neighbour being friendly was unusual.

She disappeared inside, and for a moment he thought she was going to shut the door. He wasn’t expecting a dinner invitation, but would it hurt her to say hi and shake his hand?

Turning for the stairs, he was resigned to striking out with both his neighbours, when the door opened again.

‘Sorry about that.’ Her face was more visible now between the gap. And boy, what a face. If Mrs Kelsey was a Roald Dahl character, then this woman was a contender for a Disney princess. Long glossy dark hair, a heart-shaped face and a set of pouty lips that made him a little dizzy. ‘I’m sorry, you’ve caught me at a bad time,’ she said, glancing behind her.

‘No worries. You own a dog?’

‘A dog?’ Her head shot around to face him. ‘Why would you think I owned a dog? That’s absurd, of course I don’t own a dog. I’ve never heard of anything so stupid. No dog here. Nope, nothing of the sort. No pets in this apartment.’

Why was she so flustered? ‘I thought I heard a bark.’

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