Lena gazed at the Christmas tree standing at the edge of the ice rink, resplendent in all its finery. The coloured lights entwined around its branches flickered on and off, casting iridescent shadows on the opaque ice. Baubles of gold and silver twinkled underneath shimmering tinsel as skaters glided over the ice to the sound of Elvis singing Blue Christmas, and were then urged to go faster by the husky tones of Brenda Lee belting out Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
‘Just my luck! He has a girlfriend’
Skating was Lena’s first love, with Christmas following close behind. After weeks of pleading with her parents, they had finally caved in and allowed her to go to the Christmas Eve session at the ice rink. She had been overjoyed – not just for the thrill of skating or the wonder of Christmas – but she might also see the gorgeous hunk she had spied at the rink the previous week.
Smitten by his good looks, she had tried everything in her power
