title: Are You Ready for Christmas?
author: Jenny Broom
description: Jenny Broom studied at the Slade School of Art. She now writes, edits and illustrates books for children of all ages. Helen Lang has worked extensively in the stationery, print and poster industry for clients such as John Lewis, Fat Face and the Really Good Card Company, as well as having her work reproduced on mugs with McLaggan Smith.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  A Christmas Challenge
  
  
  
  
  
  “Is my virtue safe?” Sam asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Safer than it was in Chicago,” Jenny answered, getting the better of him.
  
  
  
  
  
  He chuckled. “Phew! Okay. That’s a relief. Yes, I will come watch a Christmas
  movie with you. But you better keep your hands to yourself, Jenny. I mean it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She shook her head, smiling as they made their way across the bridge. “You are
  an ass.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He gasped. “Jenny Lindstrom! A swearword!”
  
  
  
  
  
  She giggled merrily. “An animal.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “The back end of one.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “As you said.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Do you kiss your father with that mouth?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I kissed you with that mouth.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He stopped walking beside her, but their hands connected them and she had to
  drop his hand or stop and turn back to him. She stopped and turned. He was
  standing beside the last lamppost on the bridge, leaning against it with his
  arm outstretched to her. As she approached him in the dim light, she could see
  his eyes sparkling.
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, Jen. I kissed you.” He pulled her closer