A Wish For Valentine’s Day Dreams can come true

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a Fairy Godmother would appear and magically solve our romantic dilemmas? Oh, wait…

I’m sorry to trouble you, but I was wondering if I could sit down and catch my breath a moment?” the woman at the door asked.

Alesha blinked at the strange request. She didn’t recognise the woman. Her mind had been on Valentine’s Day next week. Everyone in the office was talking about it and she’d been wondering whether this was an opportunity to let Brian know that she liked him.

“Are you OK? Has there been an accident or something?” Alesha peered out before pulling the door open wider for the small, rounded woman to enter.

“No. It was just a steep walk up that hill. I should be fit enough really with all the running around I seem to do.”

“You run?” Alesha arched a brow.

“Metaphorically, dear. Constantly busy with work. I hardly get the time to draw breath these days. That’s why I’m grateful to you for your kindness.” She folded gracefully onto the small green velvet chair in the corner of Alesha’s hall.

“No problem. Do you want a glass of water, Mrs…?”

Alesha let the question hang, feeling that as the woman had entered, she ought to at least know her name. Her visitor stared at her. “I haven’t really got a name. I’m what’s known as a Fairy Godmother.”

“Pardon?” Alesha stared at the woman. Had she heard right?

“I can see by the look on your face you’re bemused,” the woman said briskly. “I don’t blame you. It’s the world we live in. People find it terribly hard to believe in magic. Until they wish for something, and it comes true.” She nodded wisely. “It makes one realise how much we are still needed.”

“Wait. You mean you really are a Fairy Godmother?” Alesha’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was crazy!

“Yes. I just said so,” the woman answered matter-of-factly, then gave Alesha a warm smile. “And I needed to see if you were worthy or not.” “Don’t you grant everyone’s wish?” “Oh no. Not everyone deserves it.” There was a lifting of delicate eyebrows. “But I wanted to grant yours.”

Alesha felt as if she’d been transported into some alternative reality where talking to people who thought they were fairytale characters was as common as choosing which cereal to buy. She wrinkled her brow, trying to remember what she may have recently wished for. Brian’s face sprang to mind and she felt her cheeks flush. “That’s the one!” Her visitor nodded. “You read my mind?” “Well, I am a Fairy Godmother,” the woman smiled. “Magic and miracles… not exactly high-brow stuff.”

“I guess,” Alesha said slowly, wondering if this was all some hoax. “But I don’t think Brian’s interested in me…”

“Well, Brian doesn’t know the real you, does he? With it being Valentine’s Day next week, your wish sparkled just like a new pin. I do love organising people’s love lives. And even though I’m run off my feet with work, I knew I had to make time.” “Are there many Fairy Godmothers?” “Not enough to go around, judging by my workload,” the woman retorted in annoyance, before quickly smiling again. “That’s why I have to put people to the test – sort out the worthy from the unworthy. You passed. People who are rude, I’ve no time for.” She rubbed her hands together. “Now then…”

“What are you going to do? Put me into some amazing ballgown and turn a pumpkin into a coach?”

Alesha couldn’t prevent the sarcasm popping out. The idea of the woman actually being a fairytale troubleshooter still seemed ridiculous.

“Oh, don’t be daft.” The Fairy Godmother tutted. “That was perfect for Cinderella and it turned into a happy ever after, but this is the twenty-first century and unless you’ve got an upcoming ball to attend…?”

Alesha shook her head. The works do that weekend didn’t really count; it was only a few drinks in a pub.

“Well, then. And please don’t do what

“Even though I’m run OFF MY FEET I knew I HAD TO make time for you”

Cinders did and think you can get away with magic after midnight. It just doesn’t work. Although, as it turned out, it was all meant to be.”

“You were Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother?”

“Yes. That was me. Not everything’s a fairy story, you know. Of course, certain details have become garbled over time. But we won’t go into the realms of history. Now, what you need is a special outfit for the works do in a few days. Something to make Brian notice you.” “You know about the works do?” “Hellooo – I am a Fairy Godmother!” The woman rolled her eyes. “Now what I want you to do is…”

Alesha listened intently.

After showing her unexpected visitor out, Alesha sat at her laptop and typed in the web address she’d just been given and clicked “buy”. Her Fairy Godmother had been specific.

Alesha was beginning to believe the woman actually might be who she said she was. How else could she have known about Brian or the works do? She hadn’t posted it on Facebook.

When the dress arrived a few days later, it fitted like a dream. She recalled the woman’s words.

“We have to move with the times. Why have a dog and bark yourself? Using the internet is just as quick these days. And it halves my magic time. We have quotas to manage.”

But how was the Fairy Godmother going to get Brian to notice her? Alesha stared at her reflection. At her freckles and short, slightly wayward curls that refused to bow to any hairdresser’s magic touch. She studied the azure-blue silky dress, loving the way it rippled and hugged curves she didn’t even know she had. Was it too OTT? She hoped not.

Walking into the bar, she glanced around for familiar faces. Seeing a couple of other girls, she wandered over, drink in hand.

“Harry’s taking me out to this posh restaurant for Valentine’s Day,” Emma was enthusing.

“You lucky thing. Travis wanted to know my favourite flowers, so I’m hoping for a huge bouquet to arrive on the day,” Lucy said. “What are you doing for Valentine’s Day, Alesha?”

“Um, not sure yet,” Alesha mumbled.

“Ladies! You’re all looking lovely tonight.” A deep voice behind her almost made her jump. It was Brian.

As their eyes met, Alesha felt her face flush. She also saw a look of interest flicker in Brian’s eyes. “Can I get you another drink, Alesha?” “Um…” Looking at her glass, which she’d barely sipped from, she suddenly saw it was empty. Odd. “Sure.”

As they moved towards a quieter area of the bar, Alesha spotted the Fairy Godmother sitting on a bar stool. She gave Alesha a knowing smile.

“Please take my seat – I’m off home to put my feet up,” she said.

“Thank you – that’s kind,” Brian said, pulling it out for Alesha.

“Yes – thank you,” Alesha echoed. She still couldn’t believe this was happening to her.

“I was hoping I’d get a chance to talk to you tonight – only it felt a bit awkward approaching you in the office,” Brian admitted.

“I’m glad you did,” Alesha answered, feeling her heart fluttering. She’d never thought he’d be interested in her. His neatly cut dark hair and chiselled jawline had been a draw for most of the

girls in the office. Tall and well-muscled, he hadn’t seemed to flirt with anyone. The assumption was that he was already seeing someone.

But it was his gorgeous blue eyes that had hypnotised Alesha. Plus, he was good fun with a quirky sense of humour – just like her.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur, and as midnight approached Alesha suddenly had an awful thought. What if the magic wore off as the clock struck twelve? She wouldn’t be left in jeans and a baggy sweatshirt, would she?

“Do you want to share a cab?” Brian interrupted her thoughts.

“Thanks!” Alesha said gratefully, glancing round. The place was practically deserted. She’d been so enchanted chatting with Brian she hadn’t noticed the time.

“Can I get your number?” he said as the cab pulled up outside Alesha’s flat.

He pulled her to him for a goodnight kiss. Getting out of the cab, she felt she was floating above the pavement.

The evening had been magical. Clicking the front door, she noticed the time. Twelve minutes past midnight – and she was still wearing the dress. Giving a wry grin, she headed for bed.

Luxuriating in a long lie-in, it being a Saturday, Alesha stretched and yawned before giving a contented smile. Thank you, she said silently to her Fairy Godmother.

She half-expected to hear from Brian, but her phone remained silent. As it did the next day. Considering how well they’d got on, it seemed strange. At least she’d see him at work on Monday. Only she didn’t. She woke on Monday coughing, spluttering and sneezing, feeling as weak as a kitten. No way would she make it into work. “Hopefully just some forty-eight-hour bug,” she croaked to her boss.

“Where’s Brian?” she asked Emma on Wednesday when she struggled in.

“Oh, he’s been transferred to another branch. Did he not give you his number?”

Alesha shook her head. She’d given Brian her number, but she’d forgotten to ask for his. And why hadn’t he said he was being transferred?

“He’ll be in touch. Valentine’s Day tomorrow,” Emma winked.

Alesha gave a vague response, and got on with her work. Maybe she’d hear from Brian that evening. Or she could ask around and see if anyone else had his number.

But there was no phone call, that day or evening. And no-one seemed to have his contact details. He wasn’t on social media either.

“Why do YOU GIRLS make things COMPLICATED? Men are EASIER”

“Where are you, Fairy Godmother, when I need you?” Alesha moaned as she headed to bed. Why on earth hadn’t Brian rung her?

Waking on Valentine’s Day and with still no word from Brian, Alesha stared into the mirror. It seems magic only happened in fairy tales after all, she thought miserably.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted her musings. Opening it, she gaped at seeing her Fairy Godmother standing there, a slight look of frustration on her lovely face.

“Why is it that you girls make things so complicated? Snow White was just the same.” The Fairy Godmother swept inside. “Honestly, men normally are much easier. I know exactly what happened. You forgot to take Brian’s number and he didn’t put yours properly into his phone. You’re both now in a right mess and can’t think how to contact each other, which in this day and age of social media is a bit of a poor excuse.”

“Sorry…” The word slipped automatically from Alesha’s lips.

“Oh well, I’ll just have to rise to the occasion and do something magnificent.” The Fairy Godmother gave a heavy sigh. “And being magnificent always takes so much out of me! Right, this is what I want you to do…”

Nodding at her advice, Alesha walked to work via the park. Something she didn’t normally do. Thankfully it was a dry, bright morning. A little cold, but to be expected being February.

As she rounded the corner, she saw Brian sitting on a bench in front of her.

“Alesha!” He leapt to his feet. “I’m so glad I bumped into you. I’ve no idea what made me sit on that hard bench in the cold, except for a nagging thought that I might run into you.”

“And your nagging thought was right!” Alesha grinned happily.

As Brian pulled her to him in a tight embrace, Alesha glanced over his shoulder to see the Fairy Godmother clapping her hands together in glee. With a cheery wave and a knowing smile, she turned on her heel, quickly vanishing behind a large oak tree.

“Before we do anything else, let me have your correct number,” Brian said, “and I’ll give you mine. I should have told you I was being transferred too. I couldn’t remember your address, and the cab company refused to let me have the details.

“I did ring work, but HR wouldn’t give me your number either. And I couldn’t get away from the new office to come and see you in working hours.

“Running into you now today seems like a miracle. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day. And yes, it does – doesn’t it?” Alesha grinned mischievously. “Or maybe we just both have the same Fairy Godmother!”