The Midnight Crew
ROMANTIC SHORT STORY BY LISA ALLEN
A sparkling Christmas spectacular meets a challenge – could a charming stranger save the night?
Under cover of darkness Phoebe leapt out of a van.
“OK crew, you know the drill.” She glanced at her accomplices – all dressed in black – and flipped open an electronic tablet. A blueprint of the city’s most famous hotel glimmered beneath an umbrella of ten skilful eyes.
“We start here…” her finger trailed the ground floor corridor. She tapped. “And finish the job there.”
“The boss said we’ve gotta be outta there before anyone notices,” said Sam.
Phoebe gave a nod.
We can’t risk anything going wrong tonight.
“The drop-off’s expected at the usual time,” Sam added, checking her watch.
Phoebe’s eyes steeled.
“Remember, we get one chance at this. Ready?”
The crew nodded.
An hour later a huge lorry pulled alongside the hotel’s grand entrance. Phoebe clapped her hands.
“The drop-off!”
Her crew buzzed through the large open front doors as the driver raised the lorry’s side curtain revealing a 25ft Norwegian fir tree secured on its side.
Sam gasped.
It’s our best yet!
Phoebe beamed, already visualising how it would look once covered with her bespoke decorations.
As the founder of a Christmas and Occasions Events and Decorator business, this hotel contract was her biggest challenge yet.
The hotel boss, Malcolm Farthing, was a notorious perfectionist, and Phoebe was keen to impress with her showstopper lobby Christmas tree.
The tree was carefully carried in and pulled up by ropes, filling the lobby with the scent of forests and Christmas.
A handsome face from the concierge desk appeared beside Phoebe.
“Now that’s a centrepiece.”
Phoebe turned. “Wait until you see it with all the decorations!”
“What’s the theme?”
Phoebe glanced at his name pin, Theo.
“Forests and fairy tales. I–”
Sam pushed between them.
There’s a problem. Our other van’s broken down. They won’t make it here before dawn.
“What? They have to!”
Phoebe’s eyes filled with tears. Malcolm would be furious.
“I can’t source new decorations at midnight!”
Theo cleared his throat.
“I might be able to assist you.”
Sam and Phoebe stared at him.
He grinned.
“Never underestimate the concierge desk – always on duty, always making wishes come true. I’ll make a call.”
Sam yanked open the van doors. Inside, boxes and crates were overflowing with decorations.
Phoebe’s eyes widened.
Sam clamped her arms round a crate.
You can thank Prince Charming. His contacts match a Fairy Godmother’s! Oh, and he’s been gazing at you since we arrived.
Phoebe blushed.
“He hasn’t!”
“You’ve been too busy stressing to notice.” Sam grinned. “Come on – let’s get this done before the boss notices.”
The lift doors sprung open. A large man with a stern moustache stepped into the grand hotel lobby. His eyes ran along the wintry blooms and festive displays trimming the lobby walls before slowly climbing the huge Christmas tree.
The fairytale fir was a snow-sprinkled dream of icicles, white lights, books, mini bears, princes and princesses, wolves, pine cones, berries and frosty bows.
The midnight crew’s eyes watched nervously as the Boss whipped his stern gaze towards Phoebe.
“Spectacular.” He smiled.
Phoebe opened her mouth to speak, but he was already striding off.
“Congratulations!” Sam nudged Phoebe. “We’ll pack up while you pass on our thanks to Prince Charming.”
Theo appeared, smiling.
“The tree looks incredible!”
Phoebe met Theo’s gaze.
“Only thanks to you – you saved Christmas!”
Theo’s eyes crinkled.
“I just called a friend. You worked the magic tonight.”
A spark passed between their eyes.
“Um, I better get going – Christmas trees won’t decorate themselves.”
Theo nodded, a little disappointed.
Maybe see you next Christmas?
Phoebe smiled, turning to leave.
“Or–” Her heart urged her to glance back. “Maybe even this Christmas… if you’re ever off duty?”
Theo’s face broke into a shy grin.
“Saturday’s my day off. I know a café that does the best hot chocolates with sprinkles and marshmallows.”
Phoebe grinned back at him, her heart sledding sky high and the jingling bells of Christmas magic tinkling in her ears.
