AN: Hey guys, really pleased to see more followers and favourites! Would really love to see some reviews too...hint hint.
Christmas shopping, my favourite and least favourite thing in the world. Favourite because I love Christmas more than anything in the world, and least favourite because of the people everywhere. I wove through the crowd in Debenhams toward the costume jewelry for my mum. After almost coming to physical blows with a woman over a multi-coloured necklace, I left the shop triumphantly, but not before treating myself to some perfume, Bouquet by Vera Wang.
My text tone went off and I dug it out of my pocket, juggling my shopping bags.
"Should a shopping addict be walking around with that many bags? SH."
I looked around the shopping centre questioningly.
"That was a long time ago. How did you know where I am?" I sent back to Sherlock.
My phone beeped again, "Addiction never goes away. I'm in the security room, looking over their cctv. SH."
I shook my head incredulously and looked up at the closest camera, sticking my tongue out petulantly at it then walked away briskly.
"That was rude. SH."
"So is spying on someone." I replied before going into Lush for my grandmas present.
"Not spying on you, I'm looking for a man in a green coat with a limp. SH."
"In Sheffield? It's Christmas shopping anyway, an unavoidable dose of addiction. What do you know about addiction anyway?"
"Yes, I do leave London occasionally. Christmas shopping isn't optional? Enough. SH."
I frowned at that, enough? He didn't seem the type to have first hand knowledge. Other than the smoking. Oh, of course the smoking.
"I didn't think you went anywhere you couldn't access in a black cab. And yes, when you have a family as big as mine and friends who are all married and/or have children." I paid the girl and left with a paper bag filled with a couple of presents, one for her and one for me.
"I've never been Christmas shopping. SH."
I looked for the closest security camera, raising my eyebrows at it then realised how weird I must look to everyone. "You've never had to buy a present for a girlfriend?"
"That's never been an issue. SH."
I raised my eyebrows at the camera again, "Oh…or a boyfriend?"
His reply was all but instant, "Why would I have a boyfriend? SH"
"Because you said girlfriends had never been an issue, just wondered." I was blushing again. I hurried into a booze shop to find a nice brandy for my granddad.
"I'm not gay. I'm just not interested, I have no time for things like that. SH."
I perused the shelves before answering, "So you're married to your work."
"You could say that. SH."
The rest of the shopping trip went without incident, if you don't include the hundreds of people who crushed my toes by shoving past to get what they were after. I left MeadowHall and loaded the bags into my car. There are big shopping centres closer to home in London but no matter what I always go to MeadowHall for my Christmas shopping. It's tradition.
I drove back to London never really dipping below 90mph, speeding is a naughty habit I never could break, with the new Mr Hudson album playing loudly. My car just beeped to warn me it was on empty as I pulled into the garage under my house. Eurgh, that's only 50 miles left in the tank. My petrol tank and I are in a constant battle of wills, as Eathan describes it. I will force it to keep going, even though I have the money.
Dragging all the bags into the house I kicked off my boots and went upstairs to shower ready for the work Christmas party. After my shower I threw on some pyjamas while I did my makeup and my hair. With my eyes smokey and my hair curled loosely, I pulled on a one shoulder, navy blue dress in greek style with a braided cord under the bust, accentuating my large chest and falling loose over my not-very-small-waist.
My phone rang and I grabbed it, answering as I sprayed with hairspray.
"Whaddup babycakes?" I asked.
"Hey you, you gonna be ready to be picked up in fifteen minutes?" Eathans voice came back from me.
I thought about what else I needed to do, "Oh ok, yeah sure, see you then."
"See you soon dear."
I hung up then realised I had a text.
"So you should buy presents for friends then? SH."
"Yeah, close friends. You've never bought any of your friends presents?"
"I don't have friends, I have no need for them. SH."
"Everyone needs friends, Sherlock."
"I have my work. Speaking of which, have fun at your work Christmas party tonight. SH."
I almost asked how he knew, then realised it was Sherlock I was talking to. It occurred to me as I sprayed with my perfume that Sherlocks life was incredibly sad, not that he saw it that way. No friends. No romantic connections. Wow. A loud honking shocked me out of my thoughts and I dropped my phone, some lipgloss and other things into my handbag and strapped on my navy blue wedges. Pulling on some gold jewelry I hurried out of the door to jump into Eathan and Lucy's taxi.
Several hours, and glasses of wine, later I was feeling dizzy and giggly. Eathan and Lucy had gone home an hour or so ago and I was left with Joanne – a girl from the admin department and the guy she was getting off with, John I think… who couldn't seem to drag their lips apart for more than 5 minutes at a time. I groaned and stood up, swaying. I headed over to the doors and leaned on the column next to it, pulling my phone out to call a taxi.
"Holmes," a deep voice answered.
I screwed my eyes shut, "Sherlock?"
He sounded unimpressed, "Dr. Townshend you're drunk."
"I was trying to call a taxi…"I slurred back.
"Are you alone?" he asked.
"I'm outshide the party," I answered him.
I held the phone to my ear and frowned, "Are you ok?"
Jessica sounded totally drunk when she replied, "Aww yeah I'm fiiiine. Merry Christmas Sherrrrrrlock!"
"Goodnight Jessica, call a taxi," I sighed and rubbed at my eyes as I stared at the report from Molly.
"Don't let the bedbugs bite Sherlock!" she all but squealed back before the line went dead.
I left it half an hour before I text her again, "Did you get home ok? SH."
"I'M HOIOMM, you areed the modsrt annoygiung confusign man evrfy. Xxxxxxxx" was the reply I got.
Satisfied that she was safe, I went back to my work.
There's a reason I only drink small amounts of whisky and that's very rarely.
