Fairy Tale of New Lawke (NaNoWriMo)

Chapter 17 - Elliot

The last week and a half of November flew by quicker than Elliot would have liked, leaving him deep in a pit of Christmas panic. He'd wondered on numerous occasions over the days how on earth a three year old could cost so much money for one day of the year. When he was a child, a budget of £200 was guaranteed to lead to a living room full of Christmas presents that you'd wade in until the new year. An endless stream of boxes and discarded wrapping paper. Not that Elliot ever received more than five or six gifts from his parents, the bitter jealousy still vivid in his memory as he watched his brother and sister open their massive piles of presents.

He blamed technology and their extortion over desperate customers for the soaring expenses yet diminished present pile children now exerienced. What three year old needs a tablet, he baffled as he browsed Argos for one suitable for Bonnielola. He refused to spend obscene amounts on something he knew she was bound to drop and crack in less than a month. Settling on a Vtech tablet with unnecessary amounts of built in games and a camera he knew his daughter would love, he hit click and collect. The nearest Argos store was forty-five minutes from his home and he dreaded the queue that would stand before him as he waited to collect his order. Opening a fresh browser, he scanned the Pandora website, hunting for anything that caught his eye. He wanted to get something little for Adaline, things going incredibly well for the pair since the night he'd bombarded Dottie's home, his scared child by his side. She'd been wonderful then and he appreciated it far more than he could put into words. Come to think of it, in the time she'd crashed back into his life, Elliot had never seen a single piece of jewellery adorning Adaline's body. Not so much as studded earrings on ears he longed to nibble. No, Pandora simply wouldn't do. Whatever he bought her had to be perfect. Something she'd truly love, no pretences. He racked his brain, trying to think of something, anything, she might have said that could bail him out. They'd talked a lot. It was all they did really; hung out and talked until early hours. He wasn't complaining, he loved the ease that came with being with her. How natural everything felt. But her lips, oh how they teased him. He had fought hard on multiple occasions not to lean forward and claim them as his own. He was desperate to do things right this time around. To take his time, really get to know her. No sex, no kissing. She seemed quite content with that herself.

Musicals! She'd mentioned something about musicals and always longing to see one in the West End. A quick Google search presented him with a vast selection to choose from. Wicked, something about The Wizard of Oz from what he could gather, had astounding reviews but was it right for her? Would she enjoy it? Les Misérables? He knew of the version starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway but he'd never bothered to watch it. Mamma Mia? God no. The film version Adaline had coerced him into watching three days prior still left him traumatised. What woman has a child potentially fathered by three men and makes and song and dance about it? That's it! He couldn't choose. Stepping back to the drawing board in his mind, Elliot frowned. There had to be something for her. He wondered if Dottie could provide some ideas.

Trapsing through bitter cold wind, the Vtech tablet under his arm, Elliot headed straight for the nearest coffee shop. If he was going to be this far from home he might as well make the most of it. He resented the prices in Costa, but with only one other coffee shop in spitting distance that just so happened to be packed, he relented. The warm air was a blessing against his frozen face. Removing his beanie hat, he stood in the queue - three customers before him, giving him plenty of time to decide his order.
"Next," a croaky teenage voice called to him. The boy behind the counter was no older than eighteen Elliot concluded, taking in his acne ridden face and gangly appearance. He ordered a cappuccino with a shot of salted caramel syrup and a seasonal reindeer cake for good measure before tapping his card and taking a seat near the window. Another generational development Elliot was not keen on. Cards that gave away your hard earned money with a brief tap on a machine. Anyone could use your card, he'd thought the first time he'd received a contactless bank card.
"Sorry for the wait," the gangly teen said, placing the cappuccino in front of Elliot who smiled his thanks. The hot drink was happily welcomed as he took a large gulp, burning his taste buds in the process. The cake was mediocre at best, definitely not worth the £2.25 it had set him back by.

After a half satisfying stop, Elliot continued his way through the mass of people all hunting for last minute gifts. Bonnielola's gifts now all purchased, and parents he gave little more than a printed picture of his daughter and a box of chocolates he didn't have much else to buy. Laura and he had agreed to take Bonnielola out separately to purchase something of her choosing for the other parent - this he planned to do at the weekend. His brother and sister he'd already bought a little something for, no real love or thought put in after the years of emotional torment he had suffered while they received the love and affection he too had deserved. Dottie had been easy; stalking Adaline's Facebook page had led him to a photo of her family, smiling broadly at the camera. Joshua must have been around Bonnielola's age when it was taken, his cheeks round with what Laura called baby chub. He'd saved it quickly before sending it to his friend with a photo of Adaline's dad. In the bottom of his wardrobe now sat a fairly large canvas of the original image of the family and the addition of her father smiling at the camera next to Dottie. It had cost him a fair bit but he didn't care. He knew she would love it the moment her eyes fell upon it and that's all that mattered to him. Adaline still posed a problem. He'd found a few books he thought she'd enjoy and hoped she didn't already own them.

After he'd exhausted every shop, Elliot admitted defeat and began the long journey home. Traffic was slow, the evening rush hour in full swing. He was thankful for the heating in his car as the wind picked up outside, carrying with it the slow showering of rain that felt like razor blades against the skin. When the traffic pulled to a stop, he dialled Laura hoping she'd be of some help. He hated asking her for advice, especially after the pain she'd caused, but he didn't know who else to turn to.
"Hey, is everything alright?"
"Yeah everything's good, I just need your help. You're a woman right?"
"Well I was the last time I checked. Why?" She laughed down the phone, Bonnielola screeching in the background wanting to talk to Elliot.
"I need help picking a present for Adaline. I don't know what to get her," he admitted, leaning his head back against the seat. A pause sounded on the other end of the receiver. He waited patiently, not wanting to cause an argument.
"I don't know, I barely know the woman. Perfume or jewellry maybe? Look I'd love to help, but I really need to get Bons dinner on. Sorry," the receiver clicked as she ended the call. Thanks for nothing. Refusing to give up, Elliot decided to pay a visit to Dottie. If all else failed he'd purchase a ticket for them both to see Wicked, the tickets already in a basket waiting. Contemplating for a moment, Elliot reopened Google and hit buy now. Two tickets that he hoped were good seats paid for, an email announcing the tickets were already with him. It was something at least, though he still wanted to get her a present she'd be able to open in front of him. He still needed Dottie's help.

The house was quiet when he pulled into the drive way, the Christmas tree radiating a soft glow through the window. Knocking loudly he held his breath, listening intently for the sound of Dottie shuffling along. It didn't come. He knew they were home, Adaline's car sat collecting a tiny film of snow in the driveway. The door pulled open slightly, chain attached and Adaline's head cautiously poking around it. Her eyes opened wide as she took in Elliot's shivering frame. The door slammed shut, the sound of metal clicking together loud in his ears, before it reopened fully.
"Oh my god. Come in! You'll freeze out there,"
Elliot didn't need to be told twice. Gratefully stepping back into the warmth he took his coat and hung it on the hooks in the porch, slipping his shoes off at the same time. He found Dottie in the kitchen, the homely aroma of sausage casserole taunting him. He could have kissed her when she told him to sit and join them for dinner. They sat together, merrily eating the comfort food, a soft hum of conversation flowing. It was then the perfect gift hit him. He knew exactly what he was going to buy her. Thank god for innocent conversations at the dinner table! He felt the weight ease off his shoulders as he sneakily ordered the gifts from Amazon, thankful for next day delivery. He was finally ready for Christmas. And for the first time in years, he was truly excited for the festivities; for himself and not just for his child. This year, everything would be perfect.