Candlelight Kisses by Elna Holst

Author:Elna Holst [Holst, Elna]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: NineStar Press, LGBT, lesbian, coming of age, historical
Publisher: NineStar Press
Published: 2017-12-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“YOU LOOK…GREAT.”

It was the understatement of the year. Padma looked positively radiant—as became the Bearer of Light. Erika couldn’t resist smoothing a stray ringlet of her shiny black hair from her forehead, tucking it in place beneath the wreath of holly leaves that encircled her head and formed the base for the crown of candles that was the hallmark of St Lucy.

Padma didn’t say anything. She was picking at the satin sash around her waist, a nervous tick that Erika recognized from important sporting events at school: every time, before a race, a jump, whatever, Padma would pick at the elastic waistband of her shorts, her gaze trained at some distant point, well away from the cacophony around her.

Erika knew better than to try to break the spell.

“I think it’s time to light these.”

The room was already filled with the unmistakable scent of burning candles, which, combined with the hushed conversations and the bated breaths, lent an almost sacral quality to the atmosphere. Twelve candidates and their assistants were gathered in the vestry of St John’s church, every candidate in full-blown Lucia costume. They were all charming to look at, Erika observed objectively; although to her, it was clear who outshone the rest. She got up on a low stool, matchbook in hand, and endeavoured to keep steady as she lit the tall white candles atop Padma’s head.

“This is an insane tradition,” she murmured as she jumped down onto the floor again. Padma finally looked at her and smiled.

“Thank you.”

Erika’s face broke into a corny grin. In the cramped space of the vestry, they stood mere centimetres apart; it would be nothing, nothing at all, to just list towards her and touch her lips to…

The door opened. A ripple of anticipation went through the room. Maggan’s tightly permed head came into view around the doorpost, simpering like a benign hobgoblin.

“The photographer’s ready for you, ladies. Come on out.”

Padma’s hand pressed hers. Without thinking, Erika lifted it and placed a kiss in her palm. They stared at each other, for one long, tentative moment, and then Padma was pulled along by the procession, out into the main hall.

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