"You're still okay for tonight?" Carla asked as she rushed around the flat.
"Tonight?" Nick teased as he walked out of the bedroom.
"The party?" Carla said as she turned to face Nick.
"Party?" Nick said with a slight smile.
"Nick," Carla moaned.
"Carla," Nick mimicked, "How could I forget that my business was catering for the biggest party of the year?"
"That's more like it," Carla smiled sarcastically, "Please tell whoever the chef is today not to be late because my lot will all start moaning."
"Carla, chill out. It's only the Christmas party," Nick laughed, "Since when were you so bothered about it anyway?"
"I just want them to have a good night," Carla admitted as she picked up her stuff to leave.
"Not such an ice queen after all hey," Nick smiled.
"Hmm, don't let the factory lot hear ya say that," Carla warned with a slight laugh before leaving for work.
"So you're going to home to get changed?" Beth asked Eva.
"Well yeah, I'd rather not come in this to be honest," Eva said referring to her plain everyday outfit.
"Yeah good point, but make sure you don't upstage Mrs C, she'll be less than impressed," Sean said dramatically.
"Who's upstaging who?" Carla asked as she walked in.
"We're talking about tonight. Sean's warning Eva not to upstage you," Beth said, "But if you're coming in that then she won't find it hard."
Carla frowned and looked at her outfit; she wore black jeans and a simple white jumper with her normal boots. All the factory workers also looked their boss up and down trying to find Beth's problem.
"Personally I can't see anything wrong with my outfit," Carla started, "At least my make-up matches my outfit and my hair doesn't look like a toddler did it," Carla finished before walking off into the office.
"You better cheer up before tonight," Johnny warned as she walked into the office, "The party will be very tense if you remain in this mood."
"I'm not in a bad mood, I just woke up late so had to rush and the cheek on Beth is beyond me," Carla stressed as she logged into the computer and began reading through her e-mails.
"Woke up late ey," Aidan teased.
"I did actually," Carla snapped.
"Oh and I wonder why that was," Aidan laughed causing Carla to start throwing pens across the office at him.
"You two, can you stop acting like kids for two minutes?" Johnny said in an annoyed tone as he picked up the office phone that had begun to ring.
"Feel like I'm back at school," Carla stated quietly making both her and Aidan laugh.
After Johnny had come off the phone the office had been silent, everyone was tapping away at their computer or filing paperwork. Carla was less than impressed when she heard someone knock on the door.
"What?" Carla snapped.
"Um I'm so sorry but everyone was wondering if we could have a plus one. Y'know for tonight," Sean said playing with his fingers as he did so. Carla sighed and stood from her chair going onto the factory floor.
"Right you lot, tonight there's no plus ones because well, just because. Um and if you get this order done you can leave to get ready half an hour early," Carla informed them.
"Half an hour?" Eva asked clearly unimpressed by this time frame.
"Yes Eva half an hour. This is the 'Underworld' Christmas do not a formal ball," Carla said, "So if you get on then the sooner you can go."
"Mrs C?" Sean said as Carla began to walk back to the office.
"Yes Sean."
"Well this no plus ones rule. Beth and Kirk are married so technically they have each other so why can't we all bring someone?"
"Well you see Sean the factory isn't that big and if your Billy worked here he'd get an invite but he doesn't so you're shit out of luck," Carla said assertively before returning to the office.
"So you never persuaded Carla about the DJ then," Beth observed.
"I tried but she wasn't having it," Kate explained, "But she did buy another crate of drinks to make up for it."
"Ah good one," Beth said with a smile.
"Powers of family hey," Kate laughed before walking off to converse with others.
"So what usually happens and these parties then?" Aidan asked," Because from where I'm standing it looks like they're just gossiping."
"Yeah, it just looks like a tea break," Johnny added.
"Well they usually chat for a bit then when the drinks get flowing they play games sometimes and things," Carla said as she sipped her drink, "They have something to eat, talk about Christmas plans, we do 'secret Santa' and all sorts."
"Hey darling," Nick said as he came behind Carla making her jump slightly.
"Hi, what are you doing 'ere?"
"Oh I can leave if you want," Nick laughed, "I just came to make sure you were having a good time."
"Aw isn't he sweet," Aidan said sarcastically before walking off.
"Ignore him," Carla said smiling at Nick, "I'm having a good time thank you."
"Good," Nick said before kissing her cheek and going to walk off. Carla grabbed his hand to stop him.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Stay for a bit?" Carla said trying to pull him back closer to her.
"I'm not seeing anyone else from outside the business," Nick observed.
"But I'm the boss," Carla said with a smile.
"Ah so that's how it works is it?" Nick laughed and Carla nodded.
"Um what happened to no plus ones?" Sean said as he noticed Nick still standing with Carla.
"Well his business did provide the food and I'm the boss," Carla stated.
"Well, I suppose Nick is alright," San flounced before joining in the game that was taking place around the table.
Time had progressed and most members of staff were now slightly tipsy. They'd done all sorts: played games, gossiped, exchanged gifts and eaten food. Sinead was washing a cup when she noticed the mistletoe hanging from the shelf; she smiled to herself before grabbing it.
"Look what I found," She said waving it infront of her, "Right let's see. Auntie Beth you're first." Sinead walked over to Beth and Kirk and held the mistletoe above both their heads. The married couple kissed underneath it causing "ooo" to be heard from many of the others.
"Right who else?"
"You see I would but seen as my Billy weren't allowed to come," Sean moaned and looked at Carla who was stood with Nick behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist.
"Sean, I'll kiss you," Kate said as she went over to him, grabbing the mistletoe on her way. The two friends shared a short peck before Kate ran over to Aidan like a small child.
"Do you want a go?" Kate asked him waving the mistletoe above his head.
"Who with?" Aidan asked grumpily.
"Eva come over here!" Kate shouted, Eva, now in a red dress, walked over and looked confused when she saw the mistletoe above Aidan's head.
"Well go on then," Kate encouraged. Aidan and Eva looked at each other before their lips met, it was a short kiss but everyone could sense there was something there.
"Yes Eva pulling the boss!" Sean shouted making everyone laugh and both Aidan and Eva blush.
"Only one couple left then," Kate said slowly as she walked over to Nick and Carla.
"I don't think so," Carla said trying to remove the mistletoe from Kate's hand but she kept a firm grip.
"Oh come on Carla, everyone wants to see the couple of the street under the mistletoe."
"No, I'm not one for these public displays," Carla said making everyone laugh, "What's funny?"
"You two barley have your hands off each other!" Sally exclaimed as if it personally affected her.
"She has a point," Nick whispered in her ear making Carla smile.
Kate smiled at this and held the mistletoe up above both of their heads.
Nick kissed Carla, he moved his hand to the side of her face as he did so and she smiled into their kiss. They broke it off pretty quickly remembering where they were and smiled at each other.
"Bet you're glad you stayed now," Carla commented once everyone had begun their conversations again.
"It's been good, I've enjoyed watching you have fun," Nick said as he placed his hands on either side of her waist, "I love you."
"You're alright too I suppose," Carla said pretending to be deadly serious.
"That wasn't very festive of you," Nick teased.
"I love you too," Carla said with a smile before allowing Nick to pull her into a warm hug.
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