Christmas Spirit

Anja Weatley had just served her last customer and with a sigh she finally managed to close the doors. It was well after six in the evening on Christmas Eve and she was exhausted. She had been on her feet since eight that morning without a break. It had been a busy day of trading in her gift shop which pleased her but it also wore her out. At the age of thirty six a busy day would not normally cause such fatigue but it had been three weeks of such days and now it was over for another year and it had not happened too soon for Anja. For a second she leaned her back on the door, allowing it to take her weight as she closed her lovely green eyes.

Anja’s reprieve did not last long however. Before she could move away from the door she was startled by a knock on the glass. Her eyes flew open and by instinct, her head snapped around and she inspected the handsome male face that was looking down at her with a pleading expression.

At just one hundred and fifty seven centimetres tall most people looked down at Anja. It was something that she had long since come to accept. One consolation was that her height was at least in proportion to her slender build.

“I’m closed” she called through the glass tucking some loose strands of brown hair behind her ear. Her long hair had been neat when she started out that day but it had got more untidy as the day wore on. Now at well past her closing time she longed to just let it loose.

“Please” he said gazing at her with beseeching eyes that would not have been out of place on a puppy.

For a second Anja stared at the attractive male face on the other side of the glass. He was tall and lean and looked to be thirty something. With short dark hair and light blue eyes surrounded by long black lashes he really was very good looking. Anja could not help the feeling of power that she got from realising that in that moment, she had complete control over the fortunes of one of nature’s beautiful people. She could turn him away empty handed, which she had a perfect right to do or she could help him out. But as quickly as that thought occurred to her she felt a measure of disgust with herself for enjoying herself at his expense and she moved to unlock the door.