Fast Fiction special
Janice ‘s office Christmas gift had a strange effect on her
Janice was the last to open her Secret Santa present. As she tore off the paper, she gasped. Inside was a set of skimpy lacetrimmed underwear. It was bright red, too.
‘Thanks,’ she said, quickly trying to hide the sexy lingerie from her workmates. Paula stopped her. ‘Let’s have a look.’ ‘It’s a bit too exotic for me,’ Janice admitted with an embarrassed smile.
‘Nonsense,’ replied Paula. ‘Great underwear works wonders. I should know,’ she added with a wink towards Martin from accounts.
Janice wanted to disappear into a hole in the ground.
Everyone she worked with seemed to have buckets of confidence, but she’d always been shy. And since her marriage had broken up after 15 years, she kept mostly to herself. ‘Some of us are going to the
pub,’ continued Paula. ‘Why don’t you come along?’
Janice shook her head. ‘No thanks.’
‘You’re not upset about the Secret Santa, are you? It’s only a bit of fun.’
‘I know,’ Janice replied, ‘but I could never wear anything like that.’
‘Course you could. Go try it on. Nobody will see, not unless you want them to,’ Paula added with a mischievous grin. ‘We’ll be at the pub if you change your mind and join us. Simon’s buying!’
As she sorted out her desk, Janice thought about what Paula had said. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to try on the underwear.
She headed for the ladies and got changed. When she looked in the mirror, she was stunned at the difference. She felt amazing so kept the undies on. And instead of heading home, she went to the pub.
Her boss, Simon, spotted her and waved her over.
‘Hi Janice, what are you having?’ he asked.
She intended to say a fruit juice, please, but the words ‘ a glass of bubbly, thanks,’ came out.
‘Got any plans for Christmas?’ he asked.
Nothing special, she meant to say. Instead, she said, ‘I’m going online to look for a last-minute bargain holiday.’
‘Really? How exciting. Where are you thinking of going?’ Simon enthused.
She shrugged. ‘Depends what there is on offer.’
‘What a great idea,’ Simon nodded. ‘I didn’t think you were the adventurous type.’
‘I’m not,’ she admitted, ‘But it’s Christmas and I’m on my own,’ she smiled as though last-minute holidays were nothing special.
Simon sipped his drink and seemed deep in thought.
‘I was just wondering,’ he said at last, ‘if you might like some company? I don’t mean sharing a room,’ he added quickly, ‘but well, it’s just that I’m on my own too this year. Say no, if you want to, I quite understand. It’s a crazy idea.’
You’re right. It IS a crazy idea. I’ve never been away with a man other than my ex,’ she thought, but she said something else entirely.
‘Why not? It’d be great to have some company. Let’s go back to the office and do some internet surfing.’
Two hours later, the holiday was booked – five nights in Byron Bay, flying out on Christmas Eve.
‘Say no if you want to, I quite understand. It’s a crazy idea’
As she packed her bag, the doubts crept in.
What was she thinking? Going away at Christmas, with a man, and not just any man – her good-looking, recently divorced boss.
Janice looked at the underwear drying on the makeshift washing line.
Why did she feel so different when wearing it? Maybe the lacy item was a kind of good luck charm.
The holiday was so much better than she’d dared to hope. Simon was great company and the weather was beautiful. It felt more like a dream than Christmas.
On their last morning, Simon knocked on her door.
‘I’ll meet you in the foyer in 10 minutes.’
Somehow she’d slept through the alarm. Leaping out of bed, Janice showered and dressed in record time.
They spent the day wandering through the town and relaxing in beachside cafes. It had been the happiest Christmas Janice could remember.
If she was honest, she’d had a crush on Simon for ages. It was a shame they couldn’t be more than friends.
That evening, as they walked back to the hotel, Simon suddenly stopped.
‘I need to tell you something. I was your Secret Santa. I gave you the underwear. I never meant to embarrass you.’
‘You?’ Janice said, shocked. ‘I thought it was Paula!’
‘Well, it was her idea. I’ve wanted to ask you out for ages, but you were so shy, I didn’t think you’d agree. Paula said all a girl needs to give her confidence is great underwear, so… sorry.’ Janice smiled. ‘That’s okay. I’m glad you did. When I wear it, I feel brave. Shame I can’t wear it every day.’
Simon drew her into his arms and kissed her.
‘Maybe you won’t need to,’ he said softly.
That’s when she realised something. She’d been in such a rush getting ready, she’d grabbed the first clothes she could find – and wasn’t wearing her ‘lucky’ underwear.
And when Simon kissed her again, Janice kissed him right back.