"Let me do that, you go and sit down."

Rita wrapped her arms about Connie from behind and pressed a gentle kiss to the nape of her neck. She could hear the crackle and rasp of the older woman's chest as she drew in a breath, and Connie yawned into the back of her hand and dutifully gestured with her other hand to the coffee machine.

"What time are they getting here?"

She asked, watching as Rita took over. She reached up for the mugs and set one, then another under the spout of the coffee machine, watching intently as the hot brown liquid filled the cups ¾ full.

"Ten...ish, I think."

She glanced around to Connie who was struggling against suppressing another yawn. She was tired...exhausted. Her eyes hurt and ever muscle in her body seemed to strain and ache with even the simplest of movements.

"They're often late."

She added, she knew that tardiness was something that irritated Connie more than most other things, and she said it quietly, willing Connie not to notice.

From upstairs came the creak of floorboards on the landing, and then the hop skip and jump of Grace coming down the stairs and the slap of bare feet on the tiled floor of the hallway before Grace appeared in the kitchen doorway, a hair brush in one hand, her phone in the other and a smile on her face.

"Mummy?"

Grace asked, and Connie turned to her, clearing her throat.

"What's happened to your face?!"

Grace's exclaimed, her eyes widening as she looked at her mother, the smile disappearing from her face.

"Oh, lovely! Thank you Grace."

Connie murmured, running her hands through her hair and pushing the errant curls back from her face, twisting them so that they stayed in a loose bun at the nape of her neck – a half hearted attempt at making herself look more presentable.

"Your Mum's caught a cold."

Rita said as she stirred sugar into her coffee. Grace looked from Rita back to her mother, a look of mild revulsion on her face.

"Wow. You're never ill."

"Yes well, apparently I am."

She hadn't meant to snap, but her sinuses had begun to throb and she pushed her fingers against them. Of all the days to come down with something...

"Your eyes have gone all funny and your nose is all red."

Grace continued, peering up at Connie who wafted a hand at her.

"Yes, thank you Grace..."

She sidestepped her daughter and reached up to the cupboard by the fridge, opening it and rummaging blindly in the wooden box that she kept all medical supplies in.

"Your voice sounds funny too."

Grace pointed out, and Connie tossed her a backward glance, raising an eyebrow as she caught Rita's smile.

She located the packet of painkillers and pushed two from the foil wrap and popped them into her mouth, swallowing quickly, forgoing the water and wincing at the bitter after taste.

"What was it you were going to ask me when you came in?"

She asked, anxious to change the subject. Grace looked momentarily confused.

"Oh! Please can we have a Halloween party? I was texting Florence and we -"

"I expect so."

Grace stopped abruptly, she had expected that she would have to do a lot more convincing, but before she could thank her mother, the doorbell rang, and Rita looked up at the clock, dark eyes wide with alarm.

"Who's that?!"

She asked, it was only 8:35.

"You go, I'll finish off here. I don't know if I can face anyone, what with my funny eyes and my red nose..."

Connie ushered her away from where she was about to pour milk into the coffee. Rita squeezed her hand as she moved passed. She poured a dribble of milk into Rita's mug but left her own, and as she stirred, watching the coffee change from dark, to a milky brown she heard Rita open the front door, she heard the low murmur of voices, and the close of the door, followed by Rita's footsteps.

She appeared again holding a box.

"It's for me?!"

She announced in an odd voice. Connie glanced at her as she set the coffee cups down on the table.

"Open it."

She said quietly, Rita raised her eyes to her as she set it down on the table. She noted the amusement behind Connie's eyes and ran her fingers along the edge of the sleek black box.

"What have you done?"

She asked, a smile at her lips, presents still had the ability to turn her into an excitable child.

Connie merely gave a press of her lips and a brief shake of her head as she pulled out a chair and sat down at the table.

"What is it?"

Grace asked, nearing the table and leaning against Rita as she begun untying the black ribbon that held it together. Grace stood on tiptoes, peering around Rita's elbow. She opened the box slowly and lifted the lid, beneath it was a layer of grey tissue paper, she folded it open and paused.

In the box was a coat, neatly folded. She touched her fingers to the fabric, it was dark blue and quilted. A square of white paper was placed on top of it, between two poppers.

"Cocoon yourself in luxury with Fendi's fur trim quilted coat. Insulated with fine goose feather and down filling, the quilted design is accented with a fur trimmed hood, zipped pockets and popper fastenings to seal out the cold. A great winter investment, the elasticated belt will flatter any figure."

She frowned slightly and touched the collar, moving it slightly aside so that she could see the label. She looped a finger about the ribbon tag and withdrew it so that she could see the price.

£2,450.00

"Connie..."

"I asked them to remove that..."

Connie reached out for the tag but Rita swatted away her hand.

"I would have googled it anyway."

She murmured, frowning again. Her voice seemed to clog in her throat. She glanced up at the woman opposite her. Connie shifted in her seat and lifted her coffee cup before her lips. She blew into the steam sending it billowing and spirraling out before her.

"Its Fendi."

She hissed, suddenly overcome by the desire to close the box back up and push it away. Surely she couldn't accept something so obscenely expensive.

"Mmm. Do you like it?"

Connie asked, squinting against the warmth that rose from her coffee.

"Yes...But, it's Fendi!"

"Yes..."

Connie took a sip and swallowed, seemingly oblivious to Rita's shock.

"What the f...what? Connie...!"

She bounced her fingers against the edge of the box and looked across at Connie, eyes so wide that she had no choice but to look up to meet her gaze.

"Seriously Connie, two grand on a coat is just..."

She paused.

"I don't own anything that expensive!"

"Well, we can't have you being cold..."

Connie drew up her shoulders. She felt cold herself, every so often her skin seemed to bristle with a chill that came over her all at once, only to be suddenly replaced by a raging heat that burned at the back of her eyes.

"But its Fendi..."

Rita repeated, seemingly at a loss for something else to say.

"Ye-es..."

Connie murmured through a swallow and Rita sighed. It was too much. All of a sudden she saw the Christmas that she had been looking forward to as something to dread. She should have known this would happen, Connie had more money than she did, of course she did...but now it had been proven to her. And she would never be able to match it.

"It's-"

"Fendi, we're established that."

Connie set down her cup. She stiffened in her chair. She felt ridiculous all of a sudden, and she cringed inwardly. Perhaps she didn't like it at all...

"No, I was going to say, it's lovely..."

Rita sucked in a breath as she tucked the lid back on the box and edged around the table, by passing Grace so that she could place a hand upon Connie's shoulder. She leant down and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Thank you..."

She whispered.

-.-

More very soon, anyone any idea as to what's going to happen next? ;)

xxx