"Oh Caroline, there's a space there," Celia gestures to an open stall in the bustling car park. Caroline parks the Jeep and turns off the ignition with a perturbed sigh.
"This is why I never wait until December to do my Christmas shopping, it's a bloody zoo."
It was a frigid Saturday morning in Leeds, two weeks to Christmas, and despite the especially cold air and threat of snow in the late afternoon, the shopping district was bursting with life. Masses of people moved about, making haste to the warmth of the arcades across the lot, puffs of hot breath hovering around their heads.
"Well, let's not spoil the day, alright. It's the first time we've spent some time together in ages and I want to enjoy my daughter in a good mood." Celia smiles warmly at Caroline, softening the slightly admonishing tone of her words. Caroline returns a conciliatory smile and the women climb out of the Jeep, wrapping thick scarves and buttoning wool coats to protect against the cold.
They join the scores of people walking briskly, arms linked, into Queen's Arcade. Christmas music and twinkling strands of garland set the mood, and despite the large crowd, Caroline can't stop the smile that spreads across her face. She really does love this time of year; bundling against the winter weather, happy people obviously enjoying the company of their companion, the lights, the music, and shopping for that perfect gift.
"So, where do we start?" Celia asks with a smile, she too feeling the Christmas spirit.
"Well, why don't we shop for the boys together first, then we can split up after lunch to shop for each other."
"Sounds perfect, lead the way." Celia links her arm back into her daughter's and they set off along the promenade, seeking the stores that Caroline knows will likely turn up the best results for two teenage boys.
Five stores later, the boys' shopping is complete and the mother-daughter duo decides to make the short walk to Victoria Quarter for lunch, followed by their solo shopping excursions.
oOo
"Well, I'm going to have the soup of the day and a side of sweet potato wedges. How about you?" Celia puts down the menu and removes her scarf, folding it neatly and laying it across her handbag in the extra chair.
"I think I'll have the salmon sandwich. Then maybe we can share a slice of that orange and lavender cake." Caroline says with a sly wink and smile.
"You are definitely my daughter." Celia says with a hearty laugh and nod of approval.
"Caroline, I love you." She reaches across the table and squeezes Caroline's hand with a warm smile. Caroline offers a crooked smile and squeezes Celia's hand in return.
"Oh mum, I love you too and I'm so glad we got to do this. It's been a lovely day."
"Indeed it has. You've changed though, don't think I haven't noticed." Celia says with a raised eyebrow, but the same open smile on her face.
"Have I? How do you mean?" Caroline asks, suddenly nervous. Oh God, surely she doesn't know about Kate! I've been very discreet.
"You've started to smile more and I can tell you are genuinely happy again. I know getting rid of that tosser is part of it, but I think there's more that you're not telling me. I am your mother, you know, I can sense these things." Celia's open expression transforms to a knowing, narrowed gaze.
Caroline's heart leaps into her throat and she releases a boisterous laugh in an effort to mask her nerves. Of course her mother would bring this up; her innate nosiness always prevents her from letting people have their own private lives. She's not angry, so much as amused, but she hopes desperately that her charade will be convincing enough for her mother to let it go.
"Oh mum, I can assure you that any change in me is strictly due to the joyous and long overdue loss of a 50 year old man-child, resulting in a much calmer, quieter and cleaner house!"
"Alright, whatever you say, love. I've told you before that I don't think you should be so quick to "close up shop", so to speak. You've got plenty of time ahead of you and it's never too late for love. Just look at Alan and I." The shy smile that crosses her face at the mention of Alan's name makes Caroline smile.
Do I look like that when I say Kate's name? She quickly pushes the thought from her head as she feels the corners of her mouth begin to turn up involuntarily.
"Yes, that is true, and you and Alan are quite lovely together. But as I told you before, I have no desire to find another man. I'm quite happy to let the only men in my future be the boys…and Alan, of course."
"Well, I think you'll change your mind, when some handsome, responsible, intelligent man comes and sweeps you off your feet."
"Right, ok mum, whatever you say." Caroline says with a slightly annoyed roll of her eyes.
"Anywho, what do you want for Christmas? I've no idea what to get you this year and as we're about to part ways to shop, I need some ideas."
"A new scarf, driving gloves, a massage at the Turkish Baths, a trip to Fiji, an Italian villa on the Amalfi coast," deadpans Caroline.
"Oh, you're no help, you. You'll be lucky to end up with a knitted tea cosy." Celia scolds in jest as they collect their belongings to go.
"I don't know mum. You know what I like, just pick out something that makes you think of me and I'm sure I'll love it." Caroline says as they step out into the busy promenade and prepare to part ways.
"Fine. What time do you want to meet back?"
"It's quarter past 2 now, why don't we meet back here at 5. Is that enough time for you?" Caroline asks as she adjusts her coat and scarf, now growing warm after the cup of tea and full belly.
"Plenty of time, I've only you and Alan left to shop for. Oh, and I might get something small for Gillian and Raff, though I have no idea really what they like."
"Right, I'll see you back here at 5 then." Caroline bends and kisses her mother's cheek before waving her off in the opposite direction.
Caroline had decided months ago what she would get her mother for Christmas, shortly after the "engagement do" that Gillian had hosted at the farm. She heads straight for the Swarovski store, having already researched options online.
She steps into the immaculate boutique, blindingly white and shiny (a sly marketing ploy by the company) and is immediately greeted by a sophisticated older woman.
"Good afternoon ma'am, welcome to Swarovski. My name is Miriam, and how may I be of assistance to you?"
"Yes, I'm looking for a particular jewelry set I saw in your catalog online. It's clear crystal set in silver; has a necklace, drop earrings and a matching bracelet. The stones are different shapes and sizes."
"That sounds like our Diapason set. It's right over here." She ushers her to a case in the corner, where she removes a set and places it on top of the case for Caroline to see.
"Yes, that's it! I'll take it." Caroline says with a large smile, happy to find that the pieces are as exquisite as they had looked online.
"Excellent, and would you like it gift wrapped?"
"No, thank you. Just the box and tissue is fine." She waits patiently as the woman carefully boxes the pieces, then pays and leaves with a smile.
She steps back out into the promenade and looks at her watch, still two hours before she's due back to her mother. Suddenly she's nervous as she realizes it's time to find "that special gift".
This is the first Christmas she and Kate have been dating and she wants to get her something special. It needs to be perfect, not too extravagant, but something more special than you would buy a friend. A scarf was too impersonal, clothing was the same. She was leaning towards jewelry or a book because it was something that could last and had a personal element, but she didn't know for sure what Kate would like.
She wanders a few doors down and sees Azendi, the jewelry store, to her right. She decides to stop and have a look.
She's greeted at the door by an impossibly attractive young man, with a broad smile and gleaming teeth.
"Hello ma'am and welcome to Azendi. My name is Ethan; how can I be of assistance today?"
"Oh, I'm just browsing for a gift for a friend. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for." She says with a shrug.
"Well, I'd be happy to help you find something. Are you shopping for a man or woman?" He asks with a smile.
"A woman, a friend." Caroline replies a bit nervously. His question was innocent, but her own mind begins to fill her with paranoia.
"Alright, are you looking for a particular piece- necklace, bracelet, earrings?"
"I'm not really sure." She's growing more nervous by the second and quickly second guessing herself for coming in. She's only ever bought jewelry for herself and her mother because she's always seen it as a personal and intimate gift and she's growing more convinced that he must think the same.
"Ok, not a problem. Tell me a bit about this friend and I'll help you find something that would suit her, we've got a great selection. How close are you? What types of things does she like?" He guides her away from the entrance to a corner of the store where a high top round table sits.
"Umm, well, we are close friends. She likes orchids, peonies, warm weather and her favorite color is purple. She's a language and music teacher; loves playing the piano. She has understated, but classy, style."
"She sounds like a lovely and special woman." He says with a knowing smile and wink. Caroline blushes instantly and it takes all her will power not to turn and run away. He sees the look on her face and reaches his hand across the table, placing it on her forearm and speaks in a hushed tone.
"My fiancé is a singer and I recently got him a piece from our new music collection. There's a beautiful gold bangle in the collection that I think would be perfect." He smiles warmly and nods his head when she makes timid eye contact and gestures for her to follow him to a case across the store.
He goes behind the case and opens the door, removing a bracelet stand with a sturdy, yet delicate, gold bracelet. As he places it on the case before her, Caroline sees that the top of the bangle is actually in the shape of a treble clef that continues on the same horizontal plane as the band of the bracelet. It's a beautifully crafted piece, simple and elegant. She smiles broadly and looks up at him with tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
"It's absolutely perfect." She says with a small smile.
"I thought it might be." He replies with a wink.
"We have a gorgeous metallic deep purple gift wrap that I could do it up in as well, with a nice gold bow. We can also print a customized card to place inside the box if you'd like. You just write down what you want it to say and I put it in the machine. You can pick from three fonts as well."
"Alright, that sounds perfect." She waits a moment while he retrieves a slip of paper and pen for her to write on. She hesitates slightly before writing down her note and slips it back to him silently with a blush, never looking up to meet his gaze.
He picks up the slip of paper and walks to the transcription machine, reading it as he enters in the message. He smiles broadly to himself as he reads it.
He prints the card and brings it to Caroline, discreetly showing it to her for approval. She smiles and nods shyly, but can't stop the pleased grin that moves across her lips as he wraps the box and ties the delicate gold bow.
"She's going to love it, and I bet she'll even show you how much." He flashes a wide smile as he hands Caroline the box and receipt. She blushes brightly and shakes her head with a grin.
"Thank you Ethan, you've been really lovely." Caroline replies as she takes the small box and offers her hand.
"The pleasure was all mine. Good luck and Happy Christmas." He shakes her hand firmly.
"Happy Christmas to you as well," she replies as she waves and walks out the door.
oOo
Caroline walks into her bedroom from the en suite, rubbing lotion into her hands as she prepares for bed. Her mobile buzzes on her nightstand and she picks it up with a smile as she sees Kate's name on the screen.
"Hello you."
"Hello. I was just getting ready for bed, but I wanted to call to say goodnight. Did you have a nice day shopping with your mum?" Kate's smooth voice comes through, widening the smile on Caroline's face.
"Actually, yes, we had a lovely day. All Christmas shopping is finished too, which is a great relief." She lifts the duvet and slips into bed, propping up a few pillows behind her.
"Mine too. I made a few stops around town and popped over to Leeds for a final stop as well."
"Did you? What for?"
"Can't say, it's confidential." Caroline can hear the smile in her voice.
"Oh, I see. Well, I might have gotten one of those "confidential gifts" today as well." Caroline returns the jest.
"Well then, I guess we need to make a confidential plan, don't we?"
"Sounds like it. When is your mum flying in again?"
"She'll be here Friday and she's staying through Boxing Day. I know you're booked through Christmas, but might you have some free time in your schedule to spend New Year's Eve with your lovely girlfriend?" Kate questions teasingly.
"Oh, that's already been written in the books. The boys have plans and mum's staying with Alan in Halifax, so I'm yours."
"Lucky me! You want to come here?" Kate asks as she slips into bed.
"Yep."
"Excellent. I'd love to have a quick dinner this week before mum gets in, if we can manage it."
"How about Tuesday? Lawrence is going to a holiday party with Angus and William is working at the library."
"It's a date." Kate replies with a broad smile.
"Brilliant. Well, I'll say goodnight then, I'm knackered. Sleep well darling and I'll see you Monday. Just one week left, thank God!"
"Yes, I'm so ready for a proper lie in! Good night darling, sweet dreams."
"Goodnight. Bye."
"Bye Caroline."