Oakbrook - The Portal

New Year

New Year

Lily opened the door to find two snow covered children, with Kate and Sam. Each was clutching a bag, New Year at Lily's meant a sleepover.

"Happy New Year, Lily!" They chorused, along with Kate and Sam, who had appeared close behind them.

"Now, that's not until later!" Lily mock admonished them, "Come on in before you get me frozen." She ushered them into her kitchen, where they shed coats and other outdoor wear, then the children were called upstairs by an exuberant Andrew. Tom and Susan fled up the staircase, giggling as they went. Lily picked the coats up off the floor and hung them up on the hooks above the radiator. She took coats from Kate and Sam too and waved them into the dining room. Then she carefully paired up the children's boots and popped them in a neat line by the same radiator that the coats hung over.

There was a group of guests already in the dining room and Kate felt Sam stiffen beside her at the small crowd. Kate grabbed a couple of glasses of a reasonably sweet white wine from the table and handed one to Sam. They took a look round the group scattered in small clusters and Kate saw a few faces she vaguely recognized, but Sam was feeling lost. The only person she knew, other than Kate and Lily, was Jack. She sipped her wine slowly, hanging back.

The table was laid with a white cloth and set with glasses already poured and open wine bottles for topping up. Bowls and plates of snacks were spread around the cloth too. In the centre of the table there was a large wide glass bowl half filled with water. In it floated several small candles. It was simple but effective. Sam helped herself to a small plate and piled some savoury snacks onto it. A hand on her shoulder made her tense for a second but when she looked it was Lily.

"If this is a bit much for you the spare room upstairs is all ready if you need it. The kids will show you which one." Lily spoke softly and tried to reassure Sam, but she was worried by the look on Sam's face.

"Thanks for the offer." Sam replied gratefully, "But I have to get used to people again sometime." She smiled wistfully, "I used to be the life and soul. I should be able to cope with this." Lily nodded, remembering tales of wild parties.

"You were. This is why we worry when you're not." Lily replied and squeezed Sam's shoulders in a brief supportive hug, then trailed her hand over the nape of Sam's neck. Sam shivered.

Kate watched as Lily spoke to Sam and her eyes narrowed as she spotted the almost unnoticeable gesture that Lily made. But Sam seemed unaware and it was too public to say anything. She sipped at her wine slowly, allowing herself to enjoy it, they weren't driving home tonight.

Lily moved easily amongst the small crowd, seeming to speak to everyone. She was an excellent hostess anyway but tonight she was in her element.

Midnight approached and the chattering noise died down as Lily flicked the television on for Big Ben. Kate found herself at the far end of the dining room, standing beside the fireplace. She was enjoying the heat radiating from the deep open fire that was now only smouldering. Lily had turned all the electric lights out and the rooms were lit only by candlelight. There were candles everywhere. Lily had mistletoe, holly and assorted other greenery hung around the room and the air smelled deliciously fragrant. As the bell tolled midnight and the start of a new year, glasses were raised.

Kate bent to pick something up from the floor, forgetting the long skirt she had chosen to wear. As she stood up she caught her foot in the hem and almost fell, off balance.

A pair of strong arms held on to her as she caught her balance and disentangled her foot. She turned to thank her rescuer and found herself unexpectedly, but pleasantly firmly kissed. His wine warmed lips brushed hers and then fastened to her own as he felt her rising response. The heat that flushed through her was no drunken reaction. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with a passion. His hand laced into her hair and gently stroked the sensitive area at the nape of her neck, and she shivered. Kate pulled away, shocked at herself, to look Jack straight in the eye. He stared at her for a moment before lowering his eyes.