‘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,” George said, rubbing his stomach.


“Hungry?” When George seemed to be finding a polite way of saying he was, Harry went on, “I’m starving. Haven’t eaten, anything solid at least, since lunch.”


“I was too worked up over that stupid fancy dress party to eat much at lunchtime, and Toby said there’d be plenty of food at the party, so I thought I’d eat there.”


“There’s plenty of food here, too. It’s nothing fancy but you’re welcome to share it with me.” Harry started for the kitchen, George following a few steps behind. Harry paused in the doorway and turned around. “I take it knights eat beef?”


George rolled his eyes. “This knight eats beef.”


“Good to know. Want some bread with it?” Harry reached into the bread bin and pulled out a bag of wholemeal rolls. He gave one of them a slight squeeze. “Got them from the bakery yesterday. Should be all right for dipping in the gravy.”


George’s stomach growled again. “Sorry.”


Chapter 8