‘Tis the night before Christmas and hardware store owner Harry Pettit was all alone in his store with only his accounts and a recording of La Boheme for company. When someone knocks at the shop’s door, Harry is surprised to see a knight in full armour. Thinking it’s a drunken prank or a hold up, Harry is reluctant to let the knight in. However, upon discovering the knight’s helmet is stuck closed, Harry’s good nature and the fact it’s Christmas has him invite the stranger inside. Once freed from the helmet, Harry is immediately captivated by the shy man underneath the armour. Seems George White was destined to attend a fancy-dress party with his brother, but when the brother cancels, George, like Harry, finds himself with nothing else to do on Christmas Eve. So why not spend it together? Can St. Nicholas deliver a happy Christmas and a good night to both men? Warning: this short holiday-themed story contains romance, poetry, snow, and a can of WD-40.

The Knight Before Christmas

“Sorry, did I surprise you? Bit of a music geek.”


“Uh, yes, to being surprised I mean, but in a good way. Didn’t think someone in his twenties would like opera.”


George smiled, popping his dimples again. “I’m thirty-five. Although I’ve liked opera, or at least some of it, most of my life.”


“You don’t look it. Thirty-Five I mean. I got teased at school for liking classical music.”


They continued to talk, all the while Harry marvelling at how, despite only meeting George that evening, it felt like he’d known the man for years. However, Harry was also conscious that George was just passing through and had somewhere else to be, so he reluctantly spoke up. “Look, this has been great, but I imagine Toby will be wondering where you are.”


George’s face, which moments earlier had been animated, fell.


Chapter 4