Christmas With Elijah

6. Little Matilda Things

‘Today is the day!’ I say excitedly, bounding into Elijah’s room. I honestly could not sleep last night. The anticipation that Elijah could get a job today is so overwhelming. Unfortunately, Elijah isn’t sharing the same enthusiasm as he is still snoozing. I perch on the edge of the bed and nudge him gently, hoping to wake him up.

He opens his eyes blearily and it sends me straight back to thinking about waking up next to him two years ago back at uni. The dreamy look in his eyes, the tousled hair, the dimples, the bronzed skin, he was divine.

‘Morning sleepyhead,’ I say softly. ‘It’s interview day. You need to get up.’

Elijah rubs his eyes and rests his head in the middle of his pillow and pouts up at me as he scratches the back of his neck. ‘I’m nervous.’

I lie beside Elijah and look into his eyes and say, ‘You will do the best you can and that’s all that matters.’

I head over to the cupboard and pull out his suit and a pair of boxers and lay them on the bed near him. Yawning, Elijah stretches out wide and I notice he is shirtless as he moves his duvet aside so I quickly leave him be to change for his interview. I promised I would go there with him today, partly for moral support and partly to pay for his fares.

I spend a little while getting myself ready, putting on my favourite cranberry coloured jeans and cream jumper. I even go so far as to straighten my hair and apply a natural amount of makeup, before deeming myself ready to accompany Elijah today. I slip my boots on and wait in the kitchen for him. I think I am equally as nervous as Elijah is.

As I pour myself a drink, I feel Elijah’s hand rest on my lower back. I tilt my head to look up and smile positively. I turn to face him properly and am so impressed by the way he looks. He looks so smart and handsome. If a woman is interviewing him today, I’m pretty sure she’ll hire him regardless for how drop dead gorgeous he looks.

After force feeding Elijah to eat some breakfast, we make our way into London and I lead the way to Galaxy Studios. The morning busy rush hour of commuters is absolute hell, so much so, Elijah grabs my hand and pulls me back to him, whispering, ‘Don’t walk too far away from me. I don’t want to lose you.’

My heart flutters hearing this, so I walk a bit slower, hand in hand with Elijah. We definitely look like a couple right now.

We finally make it to the studios and I can tell Elijah feels incredibly nervous. He’s bouncing his leg up and down in the waiting room. I gently rest my hand on his knee, causing him to look at me. ‘Whatever happens, happens, okay? I’m going to be here for you.’

‘ELIJAH FINSBURY,’ the receptionist calls out. I stand up and so does Elijah. He walks towards the room number, before looking back at me. I give him a thumbs up and he gives me a half smile, before disappearing into the room.

Twenty minutes later, after nervously skim reading two magazines, Elijah appears from the room. I watch him shake the interviewer’s hand, before turning around and shutting the door. I stand up, not knowing the outcome, when I see the bright smile on his face. Instantly, Elijah rushes across the room to me and lifts me up, spinning me in excitement. We are both cheering like lunatics. As he places me down, he holds my head in his hands and beams at me.

‘We did it, Tilda!’ He exclaims, pure elation written across his face.

I pull him towards me and hug him tightly. ‘I am so happy for you.’

‘I couldn’t have done it without you. I wanted to do this for you.’

I blush at the tenderness of his compliment and touch his cheek affectionately, ‘Well I’m really proud of you, Lij. Well done.’