Chapter 11

They reached Silbury Hill and parked the car. They started walking slowly through the snow and reached the inner landscapes of Silbury Hill. It stopped snowing. The hill and the landscapes were all snowy.

"This place really is beautiful," Hugh said.

"You should come here after the winter is over. The hill is all green and the landscape looks really beautiful with all the green grass on it. I would come here in summers and spend some time just looking around and admiring the beauty." Iris said while looking around.

"I can imagine. We must come here again when it gets all green."

The fog kept coming out of their mouth as they spoke.

Iris's face was flushed. She wasn't sure if what she heard was correct. Hugh talking about coming again with her made her heart jump inside her. He was going to stick around.

She blushed. The sun was slowly setting but it wasn't visible due to the climate. The sky had turned into a brilliant pink with slight purple hues. The snow on the ground was reflected from the pink sky.

"The sky looks amazing. Innit?" Hugh said looking up at the sky.

Iris was staring up at the sky too. "Yes. I love it when the sky changes its color. Makes everything look so heavenly."

Hugh shivered. "Ah! It's really cold. We shall head back."

"Okay! But where shall we go?"

Hugh folded his arms across his chest. "Do you mind coming to my place? I would really like to show you my new house."

Iris nodded. "Sure."

They reached The New Park. Hugh parked his car on the right side of his house since there was no garage. Iris got off the car and saw the grey house which was almost the same as hers.

Only her house was painted white from the outside. Hugh unlocked his brown door and they stepped in. The living area was just a little bigger than hers. The place was neat and furnished. It was painted grey and white from inside.

Hugh took off her jacket and hung it on the stand along with his jacket. Iris sat on the black couch. Hugh switched on the decorative lights and the light on the Christmas tree. The orange lights made the house look warm and pleasant.

"Give me a minute please," Hugh said and took off the scarf from around his neck.

"No problem."

Hugh went inside the kitchen and Iris looked around at the decorations.

Hugh walked out, holding a round cake in his hands, with a lit candle. Iris looked down and laughed.

"No way!" She said while still laughing.

Hugh started singing "Happy Birthday to you." With a wide smile on his face.

Iris shook her head and rose from the couch. Hugh continued singing and kept the cake on his wooden dining table.

"Come here, cut the cake." He beckoned her.

Iris walked to the table and saw the white cake. Happy Birthday, Iris was written in red. 

Iris chucked. "This is so kind of you." She said.

Hugh beamed. "Blow the candle."

Iris blew the candle and Hugh clapped. She cut the cake and fed a piece to Hugh and then he fed the same piece to her.

Iris was ecstatic. She couldn't contain her excitement.

"This is really the best birthday ever. I haven't celebrated in years and today for the first time my boss Mr. Davies got a cake for me and now you made my day better."

"I am glad this year turned out to be better for you. I always want you to be happy Iris." Hugh said and rubbed a piece of cake on her right cheek.

"Hey." She exclaimed and they both laughed.

Hugh got the huge chunks of cake in two plates and they both sat on the table eating the cake.

"I really can't thank you enough," Iris said.

"Come on now. You deserve it." Hugh looked at her with adoring eyes. The corner of his right lip curved into a side smile.

Iris's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

She looked away, unable to hold his gaze. 

"This cake is really delicious." She said softly to distract Hugh from gazing at her.

Hugh looked down and smiled his crooked smile. 

"I went outside the village to buy it when it had stopped snowing at the noon." He said.

"Really? Well, there's a cake shop here too."

"Yes, but I checked on the internet. The reviews about this cake shop were better than the one over here."

"You took efforts for my birthday." She looked at him with amazement. No smile on her face. She wanted to break down, but she fought back.

Hugh saw her face from the corner of his eyes and smiled softly.

"I just wanted the best for you." He said.

Iris nodded.

"Stay for dinner. I'll cook for you." He said.

"Sounds good. What are you planning to cook?" Iris asked.

"I have fish. Do you like fish & chips?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

"Okay! Then fish & chips is, and I have a bottle of wine in the fridge."

Iris chuckled. "Sounds great."