It was the day before Christmas Eve and everyone at Sun Hill was in a happy mood especially DS Phil Hunter and DS Samantha Nixon. They had been flirting like crazy with each other the last couple of weeks but nothing had come of it yet. Tonight was the Christmas party and everyone was looking forward to it. It was being held at the Canley Arms function suite and Jack and Gina had left early to get things sorted. Sam bustled about finishing her filing and reports. Phil whistled at her and then looked away. Sam blushed.

'Give it a rest Phil' she giggled.

'You looking forward to tonight' he directed the question to Sam

'Course I am gorgeous' said Terry from beneath a pile of paperwork

'Who's gorgeous' asked Jo as she walked through the door balancing five coffees on a folder.

'Phil' replied Terry

'Well that's debatable' added Sam as she ducked from the ball of paper that flew across the room.

PC's Tony Stamp and Honey Harmon came in and walked over to Phil.

'Serge, I'm here to pass over an assault case' said Tony

'Great, don't criminals know its Christmas' Phil said with a sigh.

Sam came over and sat on Phil's desk.

'I'll help as well' she added

'OK I'm sure you'll like this. Someone's punched Santa down at the centre and made of with his beard and he wants to press charges' said Honey trying to keep a straight face.

'So let me get this straight, I'm looking for someone who's nicked a beard' said Phil

'He's downstairs waiting to give a statement' added Tony

'OK thanks' said Sam

'Will you guys be going tonight' asked Honey

'Yeah off course' smiled Phil

Sam and Phil headed off downstairs to hopefully wrap the case up quickly.

'Ok can I take your name please' asked Phil

'Mr James Fox'

'Ok Mr Fox can you tell me in your own words what happened'

'Well I was walking about saying Ho Ho Ho, when a guy dressed in a green hoodie and jeans came up and asked for my beard. I told him no I wouldn't give him it. He punched me in the stomach grabbed the beard and ran off up the escalator'

Sam could see Phil was having difficulty keeping a straight face so she took over the questioning.

'What did he look like Mr Fox'

'Well he had brown hair and he was about my height I guess'

'Anything else' she prompted

'Yes he was carrying a Bargain Toys carrier bag'

'Ok Mr Fox, if you leave that with us we'll look into it'

Sam stood up and opened the door for Mr Fox who quickly walked out of the station.