No marshmallows

It was with some ease that she glided along the ice, almost like a sturdy creature with an instinct to stay upright, but looking around her, she could see two people down on the ice and they were laughing. She searches out Davie only to find he is holding onto the edge and engaged in deep conversation with someone - a man, fifties maybe, and in the line to skate.

Vanessa, rather than wait around and get numb with the crisp, frosty cold, she skates around now able to make a few fancy moves such as turning to stop and a little basic twirl.

“Daddy look at the lady, I want to do that too!” a girl around six or seven points Vanessa out to her dad. Vanessa blushing, demonstrates her twirl to the girl, and the dad nodding in approval thanks her.

“I can tell you have done this before, we are novices but Jessica here has a real passion it seems, she has the edge over me for sure” the dad obviously proud of his daughter adds “ would you care to join us afterwards for a hot chocolate?”

“Oh I would love to” she searches for Jessica's reaction which is hopeful “ But I’m actually with someone” She looks to indicate but Davie has disappeared.

“Well we will be at ‘The Hot chocolate parlour’ in around twenty minutes, if you change your mind”

“Okay, nice to meet you both” Vanessa skates off and joins the main group of skaters rotating around the rink, with a sharp eye looking out for Davie but no sight of him. She wonders if it was something work related.

With her usual footwear back on, her rounded toe boots, she feels like she is walking on air at first and looking at her phone she sees a message from Davie.

‘Vanessa, I’ve met the guy who works at the new office, the one working on the merger deal, we are having a impromptu meeting, so sorry to abandon you like that, it is important’

Deflated yet again, Vanessa sighs, and out of the corner of her eye she notices little Jessica and her Dad seated at the ‘Hot chocolate parlour’ They wave and Jessica suddenly feeling all warm inside walks toward them.

The Dad stands at Vanessa’s arrival at their table, outstretches his arm.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Serge” His smile widening “....and as you know, Jessica”

“Yes, I’m so happy you came, what is your name?” Jessica becomes quite animated, making her cuddly plush fly through the air.

“I’m Vanessa but who is this little guy Jessica?”

“He is called Sammy, mommy got him for me before she went to the angels”

Not knowing how to respond, Vanessa asks “How are the marshmallows Jessica?”

“They are yummy, but Dad doesn’t like them,” Jessica shrugs with an expression of disbelief.

“But, Serge, what did you toast at camp then?” Vanessa laughed with intrigue.

“Oh, I was too busy sharing stories, I still remember some of them” Serge shakes his head.

“He has a really funny one, with ‘Marvin monster’ and he tells me it before I sleep” Jessica’s eyes widen as she recounts the story to Vanessa.

Half an hour later, Vanessa receives a message from Davie that the meeting is being prolonged as the ideas are flowing.

Vanessa, disheartened, turns her attention to Jessica.

“I have to go now but it was lovely to meet you both” Hesitating, she hands her card to the little girl.

“If you want a skating play date with a big person, and it’s okay with your dad, just call me Jessica”

“I would Love that! It is fine with him!” Serge’ now quite bashful looks pleased.

Vanessa walks off with an emotion stirring, as she knows only too well what it is to lose a mother. She turns and waves at them and ignores a call from Davie.