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The Holby christmas market was much as it always was – vastly improved by imbibing generous amounts of mulled wine (sadly overpriced). Serena and Sian wandered round, merry in a tipsy haze, enjoying the stalls and the lights and the fake snow. It had actually snowed one year. That had been a treat.
“Ooh, Serena,” Sian jostled their interlined arms, “look, that’s a new one!”
They knew most of the stalls, regulars over the two decades that the market had been running. But this one, as Sian had said, was new. Serena stared at it. Berenice’s silhouettes. The stall was done up in a victorian style, and adorning the edges were silhouette profile portraits. Sitting quietly in the stall, a blonde lady with her hands neatly folded in her lap watched them with a smile.
“Ooh go on Serena,” Sian nudged her. “You could give it to your lover for Christmas.”
“I keep telling you,” Serena said, “there is nothing going on between Raf and me! He’s very handsome-” that was the drink loosening her tongue - “but he’s not my type.”
“He is handsome, isn’t he,” Sian mused, “I think I’ll have a go in the new year.” She poked Serena forward. “Get this for your profile picture on tinder then.”
“I’m not on tinder!” Serena needed another mulled wine to deal with Sian right now.
The lady in the stall stepped forward. “What about just having it for yourself?” she suggested. Her eyes traced Serena’s face and she swallowed involuntarily. “You do have an excellent profile.”
Serena smiled. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” The lady grinned at her and Serena grinned back. She let Sian go and moved into the stall. “You must be Berenice,” she said. Berenice was just a fraction taller than her, had soft brown eyes which twinkled with amusement.
“I prefer Bernie,” she said, “but Berenice’s sounds fancier for the stall.”
“Well, Bernie,” Serena said, “where do you want me?” She ignored what sounded like a snort from Sian.
“Over here.” Bernie led her gently to a stool. “Um, if you wouldn’t mind – your hat?”
Serena’s hands flew to her head. Of course. “It’s very warm,” she said, mildly defensive as she tugged it off.”
“It looks it. Now, will you sit down here, please?” Serena sat obediently. “May I, um?” Serena nodded, and then gentle fingers were tilting her chin, sweeping her hair behind her ears. Heat sparked everywhere that they touched. Serena shifted slightly on the stool. Must be the alcohol.
A hand fell onto her shoulder. “If you would sit still, please?”
Bernie disappeared for a second and then a bright light switched on. Serena started in surprise, even though it was hitting her side on.
“Nice and still, Serena,” Bernie murmured. Careful hands adjusted her position minutely. “Perfect.”
Serena focussed on looking forward and keeping still, though she dearly wanted to turn and watch Bernie work. She kept running over the way her name had sounded in Bernie’s voice. She wanted to hear it again.
A few moments later, and Bernie said, “There, all done. You can move now.” Bernie’s hand was in hers, helping her off the stool. “Now, I’ll just get this all made up for you and you can pick it up in ten minutes.” She smiled and Serena was transfixed.
“Thank you,” she managed.
“Wait,” Bernie said just as she’d left. “Your hat!”
Serena’s hand flew to her head. Of course, that’s why her ears felt chilly. She turned back and Bernie was holding it, but instead of passing it over, she stepped towards Serena.
Serena held her breath as Bernie lifted it up and pulled it down onto her head. “There,” she said, “perfect.”
They stood, staring at each other, until Sian broke the moment. “Come on Serena, there’s another glass of mulled wine with my name on it. We’ll be back in ten,” she promised Bernie.
Serena lifted a hand mutely and Bernie nodded. Reluctantly, Serena let Sian tow her away.
“Well, you’ve got it bad,” Sian teased.
“Hmm? Got what?”
“Rendered mute by an attractive blonde. About time you had a go in that direction. Fleur will be disappointed its not her.”
“Oh!” Serena flushed. “I mean – she was – is – um. Do you think she liked me?” She finished rather pathetically.
“Serena darling, she couldn’t keep her eyes off you.”
Ten minutes later, they made their way back to Berenice’s. To Serena’s utter disappointment, there were other customers there. Bernie glanced at her as they walked up, smiled a luminous smile and darted away from the portrait that was in progress.
“Here you are, Serena.” She handed a small paper bag over to Serena. “It’s come out really well. I – um – I hope I see you again?”
Serena nodded. Bernie darted away and Serena sighed a little.
“Lets have a look then?” Sian demanded.
Serena opened up the bag and pulled out a small, framed portrait with her name written in beautiful script underneath. “Oh, it’s lovely.”
“And you won’t need to use it for a tinder profile either,” Sian said, retrieving a bit of card from the bag.
Bernie’s business card. Scrawled on the back was a mobile number and call me xx
Serena grinned. What an excellent evening this had turned out to be.