All Wrapped Up!
ROMANTIC SHORT STORY BY LISA ALLEN
Where could Maisie find some festive magic to bring her stall out of the shadows and a jingle to her heart?
Maisie followed the smartly dressed woman through bustling crowds.
The cobbled city street – a pedestrian zone – swelled with noise and festive colour; performers wheeling past in hoops and on stilts, others juggling or miming statues. Reels of candy-striped market stalls unravelled along both sides of the street.
Maisie’s wide eyes swooped between stalls, unlit overhead Christmas lights, entertainers and early shoppers. Her heart jingled with excitement. But before she’d had time to soak it all up, she realised the woman had curved off into a dark, narrow side street, where the last of the market stalls faded out.
The woman turned, an arm outstretched to one side.
“This is you. Pitch 113.”
Maisie’s heart stopped jingling as she stared at the gloomy market stall. It was the end of the festive ribbon. Her disappointed gaze slid to Gemma, the Christmas Market manager.
“But I’m off the main thoroughfare. No one will even notice I’m here!”
Gemma looked uncomfortable.
It is our cheapest pitch. The prime pitches cost three times as much. Maybe you could put a sign on the corner?
Maisie followed Gemma’s gaze. The footfall was almost non-existent, except for a couple of residents in office suits.
It took an hour for Maisie to set up her stall. Jolly tinsel and glittery bows spiralled up the frame to a roof fashioned from hurriedly woven festive fake foliage which Maisie had bargained over at another stall. Samples of cute gift wrap, ribbons, toppers and embellishments framed her glassless shop window. Scissors and tape filled her gift-wrap toolbox. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked Christmassy.
Satisfied, she adjusted the banner that announced Maisie’s Merry Gift Wrap Service and took a step back.
“Ouch!”
Maisie spun round, removing her boot from a man’s polished shoe. Looking up into his handsome face, she blushed.
“I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t worry. I can buy one of your Christmas bows to hide the scuff mark.”
“I really hope it’s not scuffed! Though you’d be my first, and possibly only, customer of the day.”
You are a bit off the beaten track, here, aren’t you?
He nodded towards the building opposite. “That’s why I bought that flat. You could put a sign –”
Maisie pointed to a banner hanging from the street sign. They both laughed.
“I promise to spread the word on my way to work. I’m Dan, by the way.”
It was dark when Dan returned home. The Christmas bazaar was at its best; shaking with the sound of bells and a brass band, swarming with cosily clad shoppers, lights sparkling along the thoroughfare. Not that Maisie could enjoy much of that.
How was your day?
Maisie was idly curling ribbon with scissors.
“Slooooow. A grand total of five visitors: You, twice. A lady wanting directions. And a couple asking for a restaurant recommendation. I may as well give up!”
“Hey, that’s not the festive spirit. I’m sure there’s something we can do.”
“We?”
“I work in marketing. And tomorrow’s Saturday – perfect time to flex my skills!”
The sky was bright blue, the perfect start to a crisp wintry day, as Maisie reached her stall. Her hand flew to her mouth as Dan opened his front door.
“What do you look like!”
Dan had a big sign announcing Maisie’s Merry Gift Wrapping this way – free candy cane with every purchase! and a basket of candies in one hand, phone in the other.
“A giant festive gingerbread man, I hope. Smile for the camera!”
“You want to spend Saturday doing this?” Maisie burst out laughing as he uploaded their selfie to social media.
“It beats cleaning my flat.”
“I can’t believe I sold out of gift wrap and ribbons!”
The sky was inky night blue, Christmas lights twinkling behind them.
Dan’s handsome face broke into a grin.
My marketing skills; your gift wrapping talent. We’re the dream team!
Their eyes met, a sparkle of magic passing between them.
Maisie blushed. “Thank you.”
“I’m starving – fancy trying out a local restaurant? You know, in case you get asked for a recommendation again.”
“Why not.” Maisie’s heart jingled. “It beats cleaning my flat.”
