Hugh! Wait, please wait,” but her gasps go unnoticed by the stocky man striding ahead of her, already pushing his way through swinging doors into the shopping centre. For one second she hesitates, should she just…give up? That doesn’t work though, and she blinks as more snowflakes land in her eyes, so clutching her throat as if to prevent her heart from making its way out through there she staggers on, trying to pick up speed again.
She looks down at the tiled floor, knowing that the slightest unevenness will be the end of her mad dash. “Why on earth did I think it would be a good idea to wear high heels to this, and in this weather too?” she moans, not for the first time this afternoon. “This must be the fastest I have ever run in high heels though,” she keeps up the conversation in her head, hoping that the rhythm of her words will somehow make her legs join in. She tries to ignore the tightness of her shoes, hoping that they will soon reach their destination. Hugh is only just visible, making her feel annoyed, and clutching her salmon coloured bag she considers just pretending that she had to stop. “Maybe I could trip, or I might not need to pretend, soon I will have to stop or collapse,” she grumbles, not even able to mutter the words anymore.
Her throat burns from the erratic gasps, as she struggles more and more to draw in enough oxygen to supply her through this mad run. “I…I just can’t anymore,” her lips form the words, and she leans on the large pillar in the shopping centre, unable to move, her heart beating a loud thumping tune in her head, forcing her to close her eyes. She leans over, gulping in air, her lungs protesting against the rough treatment, making her cough. Her legs are shaking, unaccustomed to her semi high heels, and it’s a definite first for running in these shoes, and judging by her sore feet, probably the last time as well! Self pity is making her breath sound more wobbly, and just when it is growing and flooding her mind, Hugh is there. A very unhappy Hugh.
“Where were you? One minute you’re right behind me, next time I look round you’ve disappeared, and then I find you skulking behind this pillar!” His voice sounds accusing, and his eyes look at her with disdain. She would like to roll her eyes at the unfairness of it all, for Hugh isn’t even out of breath in the slightest! “We need to go, or we’ll be late, and then what?” He asks, but she knows he doesn’t expect an answer, so she merely nods, and manages to stand up straight again. This time she clings on to his arm, determined not to be running after him again, and hopefully he can take some of her weight, and relieve her feet a little!
Together they push through the mass of humanity that seems to have descended on this particular shopping centre. “You’d think they were giving stuff away for free to attract so many people,” Hugh sounds gruff, and she just smiles a bland smile, knowing it’s best not to react. She’s actually grateful for the throng of shoppers meandering down the wide path, for it means that Hugh will have to slow down, allowing her to feel more steady on her heels. Finally they’re in the cosy restaurant, and she feels herself relaxing a little, for even though a whole meal with Anika doesn’t particularly thrill her, the best thing is that she can kick her shoes off for the evening. The meal itself is lovely, the steak just right, and she smiles and nods at Anika’s endless stories about her little dog, wondering all the time how she is going to make it back to the car… Guilt fills her when it’s Anika who suggests that the men get the car, and for a moment she wished she had paid attention to the dog stories, you know, as a ‘thank you’ gesture. Her “Merry Christmas to you both,” just before lowering herself into the car is therefore more genuine than it has ever been, and freeing her ultra thin tights from the blood encrusted blisters, she whispers through gritted teeth, “and a Happy New Year!”