Sid was chuffed with his boyfriend's present. Yes, he was. Sullivan was very fond of pyjamas of high quality, so when he came across a set of babydoll pyjamas, in red and black satin nonetheless, well, it was fate, wasn't it?

They were a real nice set; cut just short enough to be risqué, but still tasteful. Still classy.

It was a great solace, as he couldn't be with Sullivan on Christmas day, to know that he'd got him such a smashing present. It had been a bit of a shock, when Sullivan announced he was having to go home for Christmas, but he didn't mind. He'd be back on Boxing evening, hopefully wearing his present so Sid could really appreciate it fully.

He knew the man hadn't particularly wanted to leave him, but bossy elder sister prevailed. It was a bizarre thought, really, his Eddie surrounded by two sisters, a sister in law, a brother, two brother in laws and a screaming horde of kids. But hey, that was what the festive season was all about, wasn't it?

Sitting around the tree with people you barely liked, eating too much food, opening presents together -

NO.

Oh hell. Oh no. Oh dear God, please no.

From what he'd heard of the great Sullivan family Christmas, it would be the sort of celebration that would involve ritualistic opening the presents in front of everybody.

Oh no, no no no.

"Father!" He cried in a strangled voice, leaping off of the sofa. The priest, who had been 'listening' to the Queen's speech with Mrs McCarthy, jolted awake.

"Sidney, everything alright?"

"I gotta use the phone, right now!"

He bolted to the study, seizing the telephone and punching in the number Sullivan had gave him, 'in case of dire emergencies.'

Well, this was a dire emergency. The thought of Sullivan ripping off the wrapping paper to reveal a set of pyjamas like that, in the company of many adults and even more children, was worse than any emergency; flood, fire or famine.

He tapped his feet on the floor in distress. The dial tone continued. Oh God, answer, please answer -

"Hello?"

Shit. Not Eddie. Some unfamiliar male voice, serenaded by the noise of a rowdy family Christmas; children laughing, women chatting, men guffawing. Had he not have been in a state of extreme panic, he'd have marvelled at how strange a situation it would be to find Sullivan in.

"Anybody there?"

"Yes, yes I'm here." Sid quickly snapped, hastily adopting a very desperate attempt at a polite accent, "Is Inspector Sullivan there?"

"Who's asking?" The voice persisted. Sid winced; they were losing valuable time here.

"Carter - police constable Carter." It was only a little white lie, and it added to the urgency, "Sorry to interrupt your Christmas, but I have to speak to the Inspector right away."

"Is it important?"

"It's very fu- fundamental. A matter of grave importance."

"Oh alright," The brother/brother in law conceded, "EDGAR!"

Sid winced. The man had bellowed down the telephone line, probably louder than if he'd been standing beside him.

"Yes - phonecall - Carter? Yeah, that's right. Apparently it's really important."

The man then resumed his conversation with Sid, at a normal volume.

"He'll be with you in a minute, just opening a present. One of his only presents, poor sod."

"No!" Sid cried, "No, tell him I have to speak, don't let -"

Shocked laughter rang from the other end of the telephone. There was a silence, and then the room exploded into laughter and queries. He'd opened it.

"He's opened it." Sid lamented, "Oh fuck, he's opened it."

"Sid?"

"Ed! Oh my god, I'm so sorry -"

"That's quite alright, Sidney." Sullivan interjected in a jovial tone, rather loudly, "I assumed that particular present was for your girlfriend. There's obviously been a mix up."

"My... Yes! ," Sid instantly agreed, "Yeah, that's right. They're for... her. I got you a - a bottle of scotch and a calender."

"Oh, that's very kind of you. I look forward to receiving that when I get home. And I'm sure your girlfriend -"

Sid heard someone muttering to the man on the other side of the line.

"Looked like they were in men's sizes to me."

"Shut your mouth Lily or I'll tell your mum that you've been smoking out your bedroom window." Sullivan hissed.

"Sorry, sorry Sid. Like I said, I'll return these to you upon my own return - Yes, I did see you, I'm a police officer, you know. And I will tell. They're not for me."

"Great." Sid sniggered. "Look forward to seeing you when you get home."

"Indeed, the feeling is mutual. Oh stop whinging Lily - now piss off, this is a private phonecall."

"Who's Lily?" Sid laughed.

"An exceptionally irritating teenage niece, who thinks she knows everything. S'alright, she's gone now. Merry Christmas, by the way."

"Oh yeah, merry Christmas to you too." Sid replied.

"Mm." Sullivan dropped his voice. "Thank you, for the present."

"Oh. Do you like it?" Sid whispered back.

"I love it. But at the same time, Sid, you shouldn't have. You really shouldn't have."

"I know, forgot it wouldn't just be me and you." Sid mused, "You sure you're not mad at me?"

"No, I'm not mad. And you might get your wish - that might have got me struck off the guest list now. Auntie Margaret nearly went into heart failure." He snorted. "Oh God. What a bloody fiasco."

"Too right." Sid sank back into the chair, finally breathing again, "I only thought of it there now. I'm so sorry I didn't think sooner."

"Doesn't matter. I think we done a pretty good job of covering it up."

A party popper sounded, very loudly. Evidently it sounded right in Sullivan's ear, because he started cursing loudly.

"-sake, Michael, can't you go annoy someone else?"

"I only see you once a year!" A juvenile voice protested, "Have to get all the annoying in on one day!"

Sid burst out laughing. "Hey, I like this kid."

"Yes, I'm sure you would." Sullivan agreed, in a rather annoyed tone. "Push off Micheal, I want to say goodbye to this man."

"You're so mean to your nephew." Sid jokingly scolded, "You're gonna make yourself sound like a right old Scrooge."

"I'll give him a nip of my brandy, that'll smooth out any disagreements." Sullivan retorted, "Anyway, I'd probably better run."

He dropped his voice to a whisper.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Be waiting for you at the station Boxing night."

"Boxing afternoon. Can't get back to you soon enough."

"Soppy git." Sid teased, "I'll be waiting for ya, don't worry. Wear that, and I'll drive down for you myself."