Her first stop was her favorite clothing store on the corner of Bernard and Fifth Avenue. The clothes were a little over her price range, but she and Roz had been here many times and she had to admit that she'd fallen in love with the cozy atmosphere and warm, friendly service; two aspects that were sadly lacking in Seattle.
Just last month she'd been in here with Roz when they took the bus downtown. She smiled remembering how her friend had practically salivated over a stunning green blouse that she simply had to have.
"This will be perfect for my date with Pierre!" Roz exclaimed, holding up the blouse to admire it. But when she glanced at the price tag, her happiness wilted. "Damn that figures."
"What's wrong?"
"Eighty bucks? Are they kidding? I don't have that kind of money! I do have to eat!"
"I admit it is a bit pricy but it brings out your eyes and it looks gorgeous on you!" Daphne offered, hoping her encouragement would lift Roz's spirits.
"Thanks, Daphne but I think I'll pass on it. Maybe it'll show up in their outlet store one of these days; should they ever get one."
Daphne laughed. Leave it to Roz to always be on the lookout for a bargain. Frasier would cringe if he knew how careful with money Roz was. To him, eighty dollars for a shirt was a drop in the hat. Roz worked hard and it was just as well that the shirt remained in the store. The date had commenced as planned but what was once a promising relationship fizzled after only one evening.
But as Daphne rounded the corner of the clothes racks she could not believe her eyes. There on the sale rack, at almost 60% off, was the stunning green blouse that Roz had been admiring. She checked the price tag to be sure and was delighted to find that it was marked down even further, bringing the price to only $20. This had to be a sign.
Quickly she snatched the blouse from the rack, and then searched through the other items until she found a scarf that would compliment it nicely as well as a pair of earrings. With a renewed eagerness, she approached the counter and paid for her purchase, relieved to have gotten one person crossed off her list.
Now it was on to shop for the hardest people; the Crane men. Nothing but the best would do for Frasier and Niles. But first she'd stop into Bedford's the discount clothing store that Martin frequented.
He loved the store almost as much as he loved Eddie and his Ballantine beers and what better way to show her gratitude than to buy him an entire wardrobe?
His plaid flannel shirts were getting quite worn out and she suspected it was only a matter of time before the pants would start fading as well.
She hurried inside and made polite conversation with the store associates who were even more helpful than usual in putting together the perfect wardrobe for their favorite customer. And a half hour later, she exited the store, carrying several bags filled with plaid shirts, a new jacket and pants that would keep him clothed for a few more years.
It was a bit extravagant, and she knew she'd gone over her budget but Martin was worth it. And when she thought of how kind he'd been to her that morning, showing such concern for her well-being, she pushed all thoughts of any future money problems that might arise. She'd cross that bridge when she came to it.
Standing on the sidewalk, she pulled out her list and crossed off Martin's name. Despite the crowds and the hustle and bustle she was making great progress. And with any luck she'd be home hours before Frasier returned and she could wrap her gifts in peace.
The next names on her list were people she cared about a great deal; Frasier and Niles. They had been so kind to her and they deserved nothing but the best. But how would she possibly choose the right gift?
Both men were impossibly fussy and any flaw in her purchase would be noticed immediately. But while Frasier would blatantly point it out to her, she knew Niles would not. Sometimes it secretly infuriated her, how sweet and kind he was. Just once she'd like to hear him complain about something she'd done. She'd heard it often from his father and brother but Niles seemed to think she was perfect. The thought made her laugh because she was far from it and she could never figure out why he would think such a thing. He was the sweetest man and so unlike his brother.
She loved Frasier and he was a caring and considerate man but he could be stern when he wanted to be. Niles on the other hand was the complete opposite, always complimenting her in one way or another. It was almost too much for a person to take but she'd never tell him so. He'd just come out of a horrible marriage and more often than not she could see the sadness in his eyes.
Perhaps his fussing over her was his way of coping with heartache. The thought made her want to hug him.
Both Crane men meant the world to her and therefore deserved the best. And so she walked several blocks north until she came to Hart and Marx, the exclusive men's clothing store that Frasier and Niles were always raving about.
There had to be something inside that would be perfect for the men who meant so much to her.
Enthusiastically, she pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. She'd been in before, many times in fact but today was different. The store had been transformed into an elegant Christmas wonderland.
The sales associate recognized her immediately and was only too happy to help her with her purchases. But she had to hide her shock when she lifted the price tags on the items he showed her, for they were almost triple what she'd paid for their father's clothes.
But as she'd reminded herself so many times, they were worth it. And it wouldn't hurt to splurge a little this season. She'd always gone overboard when it came to giving gifts to her family and shipping them to Manchester managed to increase the price even further.
She loved her parents and her brothers dearly but rarely did they ask how she was enjoying her time in America; instead asking about her track record with eligible men which always led to a lecture by her mum.
Simon was forever asking her about the beers in America and Billy was always curious about the ballroom dancing opportunities that, as he put it, abounded in Seattle. If he had his way, she'd be a professional ballroom dancer instead of a physical therapist taking care of a nice old man and his stuffy but sweet sons.
And it was moments like those that made her even more grateful to be oceans away from them, where a twenty minute phone call twice a month was more than sufficient as far as conversation went.
Her brother Stephen was a different story. He was the only one who seemed genuinely interested in her life; asking her about her friends and the Cranes.
Leave it to her favorite older brother to let her know that he worried about her constantly. It was because of him that she often grew homesick but as it was, Manchester wasn't just an airplane ride away, so their visits were few and far between.
The salesman approached her carrying a gorgeous navy v-neck cashmere sweater, one that she could just picture Frasier wearing on one of his dates.
It was perfect and without even glancing at the price tag, she instructed the salesman to put it in her stack of purchases. She added a tie and a wallet to the stack and then turned her attention to shopping for his younger brother.
It would be easy to buy similar gifts for Niles but it would be wrong. He was completely different than his father and his brother and deserved something special.
She looked around the store until she found the perfect gift; a silk tie that was so stunning she almost wished she could buy one for herself.
The silly thought made her laugh but as she held up the tie for inspection she could tell that it was something that was sure to please him.
The royal blue tie was accented with tiny gold lines and interspersed with even smaller yellow dots. The blue would definitely bring out his eyes and would make him seem even more handsome; a feat she didn't think was possible.
At the thought of his blonde hair and sweet smile her heart skipped a beat and she found herself willing the warm feeling away.
Perhaps she needed some fresh air.
She bought the tie and added a bottle of his favorite cologne and a silver pen before handing over her credit card.
When the total was presented, she cringed once more, panicking at the thought of having to pay such a massive bill come January. But she'd deal with that later.
Her marathon shopping trip was beginning to take its toll on her and she glanced at her watch surprised to find that it was much later than she realized.
So with her arms full of shopping bags, she headed for her favorite bistro for a bite to eat. A nourishing meal would be just the thing to lift her spirits.