Page 2 of A London Little's Pom Pom

The voice was clearly trying to be quiet, though they hadn’t quite managed it, and rather than embarrassing themby popping her head around the corner, Rosie decided to stay where she was.

“Isn’t she adorable?” Eloise whispered back, clearly oblivious to the fact that Rosie could hear her. “She got a bit overwhelmed by all the people, I think, so I let her curl up down there for some respite.”

“She’s holdingPom Pom,” the voice sounded awed.

Eloise cleared her throat. “No need to make a big deal out of it Essie. She clearly needed some comfort, and Pom Pom was in my bag.”

“Exactly,” said Essie. “Pom Pom isalwaysin your bag. He’s the perfect stuffie for your perfect Little. You won’t even letmehold him.”

“Well you’re not my perfect Little now, are you?” But Eloise was chuckling. “You look sweet but damn if you aren’t a brat in your own way Essie.”

Rosie could hear Essie laughing, a soft sound that had no bitterness or malice in it. “You’re avoiding the question Elle.”

“I wasn’t aware that you asked a question.”

Rosie, realising that she might be about to hear a little more than Eloise might be comfortable with her hearing cleared her throat, and then made a big show of stretching and moving so that the beanbag rustled.

Two heads popped over to look at her.

“Hey!” said Essie, her long hair falling in front of her face. “You’re super cute when you sleep by the way. Make little snuffly noises and everything.”

Rosie flushed and Eloise rolled her eyes and nudged Essie with her shoulder. “Ignore this one, you were absolutely fine. How did you sleep?”

“Really well thank you,” she replied, continuing with stretches until all of her felt awake again. “Thank you for lending me Pom Pom.” She went to hand Pom Pom back, and Eloisejust stared down at her. “What’s the matter? Oh goodness, I didn’t drool on him or anything did I?” Rosie started turning the stuffie over and over in her hands, checking for any dreaded wet patches.

“No no,” said Eloise. “It’s just that,” she looked slightly awkward, brushing a hand through her cropped hair. “Well, it’s just that he looks like he was made for you. Cuddle him to you for a second.”

Rosie did, and found that he nestled up against her perfectly. That wasn’t usually the case. Most stuffies were made to be held by children, or skinny adults, and Rosie was all soft fatness. And yet Pom Pom fitted against her perfectly. It made her fall in love with the stuffie a little bit more.

“See? He couldn’t be anymore perfect for you if he tried.” Eloise pointedly ignored Essie’s look of astonishment. “You have to have him.”

Rosie looked longingly at the orange stuffie in her arms. “I’d love to, only I’ve spent my budget for the fair already and I—”

But Eloise was already getting out a box, branded with a logo of a bear wearing a bowler hat and a plaster over his eyebrow. “No arguments, he’s yours…” She paused then, and looked a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name!”

“It’s Rosie,” said Rosie, and hugged Pom Pom to her once more, before handing him over to be put into the box. “And thank you, it’s really too kind of you.”

“Isn’t it?” said Essie, but the younger woman was smiling. “Did you know that Eloise does crochet classes as well? I’m sure she’d be able to teach you how to make friends for Pom Pom.”

“Oh really?” Rosie turned eagerly to Eloise, and caught an unreadable expression on the other woman’s faface.oh, but I’m sure you’re super busy…”

“I’d make space in my calendar for you,” said Eloise and then went bright red. “I mean…”

“Let me look at our diary,” said Essie. “We’ve all got a shared work calendar, and I can book you in right now.”

Rosie almost stumbled as she got to her feet, and Eloise put a hand out to catch her. “Be careful, Little one.”

They both froze then, unable to look away from each other. Essie rolled her eyes and tugged Rosie towards the tablet, “Come on, because if I leave it up to you two…”

And as she compared the calendars to find Rosie a slot, Rosie peeked at Eloise, who was looking at her with a warmth in her eyes that made Rosie feel tingly all over.

Chapter Two

Standing outside Stuffie Hospital London, the next day, Rosie felt more than a little bit nervous. She hadn’t expected the crochet lesson to be so soon, but as soon as Essie had noticed that Eloise had a Sunday free, she’d pounced on it.

Rosie got the distinct impression that Essie was trying to set the two of them up.

She hadn’t had a date in quite some time, but kind, capable women like Eloise were definitely her type. Women with sharp angles and soft brown eyes, and hands that were deft with a crochet hook… Rosie had to give herself a slight shake. Nope. No getting distracted.

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