Tim and Amy

"Amy," called Mum, "your aunt and uncle are here."

I dashed into the hall and opened the door. Pam kissed me on the cheek saying, "Hi, Amy," then went through to the kitchen where Mum was putting the kettle on.

Tim stepped into the hall carrying two heavy-looking overnight bags, and I led him straight up the stairs to the guest room. "It's good to see you, Uncle Tim."

"You too, kid. How's it feel without Sally?"

"Weird. She calls and stuff, and we Facebook a couple of times a week, but it's not the same."

Tim dropped the bags on the bed.

"Come and have a look what I've done with my room now I've got it to myself," I said.

He followed me across the landing, and I closed the door behind us and sprawled on the bed.

"Loads of room," I said. "Come on, try it."

Tim looked shocked, and I grinned. "Nothing to be afraid of," I said, patting the bed beside me.

"OK," he said, and sat tentatively on the very edge of the bed.

"Properly," I said, and grabbed his shoulders so that he lost his balance. I playfully pinned him down. "I've really been looking forward to you visiting. I've thought of lots of things we can do."

I let him get up. "I think Mum is planning on taking Aunty Pam Christmas shopping tomorrow, so you'll be babysitting me. I'll wind Mum up pretending that I'm annoyed at being treated like a kid, but really it's going to be fun."

Tim grinned. "I'll play along and pretend to be a bit reluctant to look after you – I'll suggest making a jigsaw or something else boring."

Our charade worked perfectly, and Pam and Mum drove into town after breakfast the next morning. As the car pulled out of the drive, I tugged at Tim's hand.

"How about we use the hot tub?" I said. "I'll get my swimsuit on – you brought trunks like Mum said, right?"

Without waiting for an answer, I skipped up the stairs to my room to change. Tim followed me up and went into the guest room to put on his trunks. By the time he'd finished changing, I was already waiting on the landing in my bright yellow two-piece, leaning nonchalantly against the frame of my bedroom door.

"Very nice," said Tim, glancing at me.

I walked down the stairs, and Tim followed me out to the patio. Steam was already rising from the surface of the hot tub.

"I made sure it'd be pretty warm," I said, climbing in and lowering myself to my neck in the water.

Tim climbed in after me and sat facing me.

"So how are things, Amy?" he asked. "College going OK?"

"Really great," I said. "As soon as the Christmas break is over, I'll be getting down to some serious revision for my exams."

"What's your main subject?" he queried.

"Business studies."

As I said this, Tim's expression showed keen interest. "Do you think you'll take it further?" he asked.

"Definitely," I replied. "I've already got prospectuses – one course that looks really great is at the uni near you."

"Well," Tim said, "if you need any advice, just ask – you know what I do, right?"

"Mum says you've got some kind of hot-shot job with a big firm."

Tim smiled. "Well, I suppose you could say that. It's a fairly senior management role, plenty of responsibility."

I gave him a thoughtful look. "Maybe I'll take you up on your offer, then."

"Anyway," he grinned, "do you want to stay in the tub a little longer, or have you had enough of being in hot water?"

"It is pretty warm, isn't it," I said. We got out, and walked across the deck to the patio doors, picking up towels from a stack on the way.

I stood in the living room drying my hair, then spread my towel out on the floor and sat on it. Tim sat down beside me, looking into the embers of the log fire Mum had lit to counteract the chill of the winter morning.

Tim said hesitantly, "How are you doing without your Dad around? It can't have been easy when Donald moved out."

I sighed. "No, you're right. Mum does a great job of looking after me, but I miss Dad – there were things it was easier to talk about with him than with Mum."

Tim smiled wryly. "Well, if it's any help, you can talk to me about anything at all – and you can trust me not to let anything slip to your Mum."

I reached out and touched his shoulder. "Thanks – I really appreciate that."

"Do you have a boyfriend just now?" asked Tim.

I shook my head. "There was one guy, we got pretty close, but he wasn't really as... thoughtful, I suppose, as I'd hoped he would be."

I felt myself blushing. "You know, when we were together."

"I'm really sorry," said Tim, touching my hand. "I'm sure you'll find someone who's more considerate."

"Anyway," I said, taking a deep breath, "I'm getting hungry – I promised Mum I'd make us some sandwiches for lunch."

"I could definitely eat something too," grinned Tim.

We went through into the kitchen and I occupied myself buttering bread and finding cold meat in the fridge. Tim put the kettle on and made coffee.

When we'd finished lunch, I said, "So, you want to have a go at that jigsaw?"

"Sure," he replied. "Perhaps we'd better change, it'd feel a bit odd sitting at the dining table in trunks."

He went upstairs and closed the door on the guest room while he changed. I went into my own room and put on jeans and a t-shirt, then went down to the dining room to start getting the jigsaw pieces out of their box.

We'd spent several hours on the puzzle, and we'd got quite a lot done, when I heard the sound of the car pulling up outside. Mum and Pam came in carrying several bags each.

"Wow, you're doing really well with the puzzle," said Mum.

I pretended a grudging smile. "Yeah, it's more fun than I thought."

"Well, it'll be OK to leave it on the dining table," said Mum. "I'll make us something to eat, and we can have trays on our laps in front of the television. It is the Christmas holiday, after all."

When we'd eaten, Tim pleaded tiredness – he'd only finished work for Christmas the previous day – and he and Pam went off to bed. Mum and I chatted for a while, then I went up too.

I undressed, and lay in bed thinking over the day. I was a little surprised at how open I'd been with Tim, telling him things that I was certain even Mum didn't know. But I decided I really did trust him.

I drifted off to sleep wondering how the rest of this Christmas holiday was going to turn out...

***

At breakfast, we all discussed our plans for the day. I overdid my show of reluctance when Mum mentioned that she and Pam would be out again for the first part of the day. Mum lost her temper a little, and took me out into the porch to talk to me on my own.

"Now look, young lady, Uncle Tim's being very thoughtful agreeing to look after you while Pam and I go shopping."

I made a face, and Mum flared up, leaning over to slap me with the flat of her hand on the seat of my jeans.

We went back into the kitchen and I mumbled an apology. Mum and Pam left, Mum admonishing me on the way out to 'be good, and do what Uncle Tim tells you.'

As the car drew away, Tim asked, "Amy, did Caroline really hit you?"

"She whacked me on the bum with the flat of her hand," I replied. "It didn't really hurt."

"OK," he said. "Perhaps we can stop pretending so hard that we can just about bear one another's company."

I grinned. "It's a deal. Now, what shall we do first? The jigsaw can wait till after lunch."

"I know something I need to do," said Tim seriously. "I brought the presents, but I need to wrap them up. I did bring the wrapping paper, though."

"Typical man," I snorted, "leaving it to the last minute. OK, I'll help."

"With one exception," Tim smiled. "I did get something for you, and I'm sure you want it to be a surprise."

"OK – you can do that one last. I'll find scissors and sticky tape."

I went into the box room that functioned as Mum's study, and found the tape and scissors. When I got back down to the living room, Tim had fetched the presents from upstairs.

I helped him wrap and stick labels on. "Isn't there anything else?" I asked. "What about Mum and Pam?"

Tim grinned. "These," he said, holding up two ordinary-looking envelopes.

"Well," I said, "I'd always heard that the smaller the package, the more expensive the gift."

"You're not wrong there," he said, "but they're worth it. Do you want to know?"

I thought for a moment. "No, that's OK – then I can really look as surprised as they do."

"Very wise," said Tim. "Now, yours is the only one left that needs wrapping, so shoo! And no peeking."

I went out to the kitchen and sat at the table listening to the sound of paper rustling and sticky tape being unrolled from its spool.

"OK, you can come back now," called Tim. He handed me a small, neatly-wrapped flat package. "You can shake it, but I don't think it'll tell you anything."

I handed it back with a grin. "OK – put it under the tree with the others."

I leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "And thanks."

"I'll expect the same again when you open it," he teased. "Now, what about lunch?"

Again we had sandwiches, and afterwards we settled down at the dining table to work on the jigsaw.

"I think we can finish it by the end of tomorrow," I said after a couple of hours.

Tim nodded. "Although we might end up watching the Bond film after Christmas lunch instead."

Mum and Pam returned half way through the afternoon, full of talk about the Christmas lights, the shops, and the gifts they'd bought, and we chatted until it started going dark. Mum had made a casserole for dinner, then we watched TV till quite late, and went to bed.

The next morning, Pam and Mum immersed themselves in preparations for Christmas lunch, while Tim and I carried on with our jigsaw.

"When do you think we'll get some more time alone?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Tim said. "Just watch."

When lunch was in hand, Pam and Mum came back into the living room, and Pam said, "Now, how about we all open our presents?"

She and Mum opened their presents from Tim, and both glanced at each other with a broad smile.

"A pamper day – how thoughtful!" said Mum. "And tomorrow, too – I hadn't thought they'd open on Boxing Day."

"Only for these special gift vouchers," said Tim, managing to wink at me without Pam or Mum noticing. I winked back, already looking forward to a whole day on our own.

"What have you got from Tim, Amy?" asked Mum.

I unwrapped my gift. "Wow, the latest Twilight novel! How did you know I was into that?" I leaned over to kiss Tim on the cheek.

"We have our methods, Watson," he grinned.

We opened the rest of the presents, then sat down at the table and enjoyed the spread. Afterwards, we went back into the living room; Tim sat on one of the sofas, and I bounced playfully on the seat next to him, then virtually into his lap.

"Don't hassle your uncle," chided Mum, "After a meal like that, he probably wants a nap."

I pouted convincingly, then said, "You don't mind, do you, Uncle Tim?"

"Of course not," he smiled, and gave me a quick hug. I settled down against his shoulder, and Mum shrugged, turning her attention to the Bond film that we'd all seen dozens of times before.

When the film finished, Mum got up and made snacks for us – nobody felt like a substantial meal after the Christmas lunch – and Tim and I ate still in our comfortable position.

"We'd better go and dig some things out for tomorrow," said Pam, and she and Mum went upstairs to find their swimsuits, towels, and whatever they'd need to be 'pampered'.

While they were out of the room, I snuggled closer to Tim, and he put his arm round me without speaking.

We heard footsteps on the stairs, and sat up. When Pam and Mum re-entered the room, we were both doing our best to look fascinated by the inane 'review of the year' show on the TV.

"Probably time we all went to bed," suggested Mum. "Pam and I have to be up early to start our day, and I thought you two could take a look at the sales in town."

"Sounds great," I said. "I got some vouchers for Christmas, and I can drag Uncle Tim around the clothes shops while I try stuff on."

"I'll probably end up in the coffee shop after about ten minutes," he warned.

Pam nodded. "He isn't great at shopping, so I wouldn't get your hopes up."

"OK," I said, "but I definitely want to get some new stuff."

I got up, and tried to do a convincing job of going up the stairs as though I was suddenly bored of the stuffy adults and their lack of enthusiasm for anything a young woman would find interesting.

The next morning, Pam and Mum left for their pamper day just after breakfast, and Tim and I set off to walk into town to see what the sales had to offer.

"Do you think it would be too conspicuous if we held hands?" I asked.

"I don't have a problem with that," replied Tim. "If we see someone you know, you can just do the 'my boring uncle doesn't think I'm old enough to go off around town by myself' act.

I grinned, and took his hand. When we reached the main shopping street, I stopped. "You won't really go and sit in the coffee shop, will you?"

"Of course not," he grinned. "I have to tell you what I think of the clothes you're going to try on, don't I?"

I smiled, and pulled him into the first shop, one of my favourite places to buy clothes. I chose some things that caught my eye, then walked toward the changing rooms.

Tim followed me, waiting outside the cubicle for me to emerge in the different outfits.

He gave his opinion on each – I was surprised that he actually had quite a good sense of what worked and what didn't – and when I came out in a red dress cut low at the front, he said, "Wow – that really suits you. It'd do for a ball or a cocktail party. What do you think?"

I hugged him, being careful not to crease the dress, and smiled. "What I think is that I'll buy it, and see if I can find an occasion we can both go to, so you can admire it properly, with makeup and everything."

I changed back into my own clothes, and paid for the dress, and soon we were back on the street.

"Now," said Tim, "there's somewhere I want to take you shopping." He took my elbow, and guided me toward an expensive jeweller's. My eyes widened, but I didn't say anything.

"Watch this," Tim said, as we went into the shop. We were approached by an assistant, and I smiled as the man obviously tried to work out exactly what our relationship was to one another.

"I'm looking for something special for the young lady as a late Christmas present," Tim said. "Perhaps something with rubies, to go with a new dress."

My eyes widened again, but the assistant simply said, "If you'll follow me?"

He led us to a glass display case with some exquisite pieces. "Perhaps the lady would like to try this one?" he said, indicating an elegant necklace with a central ruby and several smaller diamonds.

"Yes, let's try it," Tim said. The assistant unlocked the case, and carefully handed Tim the necklace. Tim moved behind me, and fastened the necklace around my throat. I looked in the mirror, and smiled.

"I think that shade will go perfectly with the dress," I said. My voice betrayed my anxiety in case I was not playing the right part in the game Tim seemed to have started.

Tim played his final card. "Lovely – we'll take it."

As the assistant moved to the counter to find a box for the necklace and wrap it, Tim smiled at the look on my face.

"Are you serious?" I said, shocked and pleased all at once.

"Absolutely," Tim replied. "We can tell your mother it's costume jewellery, but we'll know."

"But the price!" I said.

He looked straight into my eyes, and said carefully, "I promise not to spoil you, but if you're OK with me getting you one special treat this time around, I'd be really grateful."

I nodded, not speaking. The assistant returned, and said, "If you'll follow me, sir."

Tim went with him to the discreet area of the shop where the till was situated, and gave him a black credit card to swipe. Then the assistant handed over my purchase in a small carrier bag with the shop's logo, and Tim rejoined me.

Back on the street, I said, "I thought it would be you who'd give up first, but I'm a little overwhelmed with shopping already."

Tim chuckled. "Just one more stop, then we can go back."

He led me to a shop which had just recently opened in the town, specialising in lingerie and sexy nightwear. He stopped outside the door, and said, "I figure you'll enjoy treating yourself to some things you can wear under the dress."

I grinned, and disappeared into the shop. I came back out a short while later with several bags.

"That didn't take long," Tim said.

"I've looked through their catalogue before," I said, "and I knew exactly what I would choose if I ever went in there."

We walked back to the house, and as I closed the door behind us, I said, "Can I?"

Tim nodded, knowing what I meant without having to wait for an explanation. I grabbed the bags and walked up the stairs, closing the door of my room behind me.

I undressed, then put on the most sexy of the lingerie I'd bought, enjoying the feel of it against my skin. I carefully slipped on the red dress, then took the velvet box containing the necklace from its small bag. Finally I put on a pair of high-heeled shoes.

I went back down the stairs, calling to Tim, "You have to close your eyes."

I reached the bottom of the stairs and stood in front of him.

"You can open them now," I said.

He opened his eyes, seeing me standing there in high heels, stockings, and the red dress. He glanced at my throat, then saw that I was carrying the velvet box from the jeweller's in my hand.

"I wanted you to put it on me like you did before," I said.

He complied, opening the box and moving behind me to clasp the necklace round my throat.

He put what he was obviously feeling into words. "Amy, you're beautiful. Even if we hadn't had the great time we have over the last couple of days, I would be overwhelmed seeing you like this."

I turned to him, and put my hands over his shoulders. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you, Tim, it really helps me to know that someone can see me that way. And thank you for the gorgeous gift, too."

With a feeling almost of regret, I went back upstairs and took off the red dress, hanging it carefully in the wardrobe. I unclasped the necklace and put it back in its velvet box and then in the back of my underwear drawer. I pulled on jeans and t-shirt, then went back downstairs. Tim grinned at the transformation.

We managed a scratch lunch of leftover turkey and vegetables heated in the microwave, then sat and watched a DVD.

As the credits rolled, I heard the sound of the car in the drive, and Tim got up to open the door. Pam and Mum looked relaxed and happy, and Tim hugged Pam as she came through the door.

"Have you two managed OK?" Mum asked.

"I managed to survive the shops, and I think Amy got a few things she liked," Tim said.

"Good. Well, we didn't think you'd feel like cooking, so we brought pizza."

"Perfect!" I said.

We all sat in the living room and ate pizza out of the boxes, and Mum opened a bottle of wine for us all.

We put the TV on and watched an old film. As the end credits rolled, Pam yawned and said, "Tim, you ready for bed?"

Tim nodded. He wished us goodnight and followed Pam up the stairs.

***

At breakfast, Pam reminded Tim that this was their last full day with us; tomorrow after lunch they'd be driving back.

Mum had asked me to help her with the housework that morning, so I put on some scruffy clothes and tied my hair up.

Just after lunch, the phone rang, and Mum took the call in the dining room. She returned after only a few moments, her face pale, and Pam asked, "What's wrong?"

"Donald is ill. The hospital have asked me to go to him as soon as possible, and I think you should come too, Pam."