'We're simply having a wonderful Christmas time' sang Paul McCartney to Kate for what must have been the tenth time that day.

'We simply are not,' Kate thought to herself as she took a sip of her gingerbread latte.

She was in a coffee shop and had taken several envious glances at everyone else having a break from their Christmas shopping.
Couples and large family groups all seemed to be in the spirit of the season with large numbers of bags full of gifts for their loved ones.
She was the only person by herself and had one bag by contrast. Her presents for Josh.

Being an only child with parents that had separated, Kate had never known a large Christmas celebration. She'd spent her childhood alternating her time between her mum and her dad for the holidays. Then when she had married Mark, it had been just him and her with Josh joining them later.

Now she herself had separated from Mark, it was Josh that alternated his time. This year he would be with his father for Christmas Day, leaving her all alone and eating her microwaveable dinner out of the plastic tray.

Not even forty and she was going to be totally alone. She felt pathetic. There was no one that she could spend the day with either. She had left AC-12 earlier in the year so she didn't even have Steve to fall back on. Despite their best intentions, real life had got in the way and the former partners had drifted apart. She hadn't even got him a present this year.

As she drained the last dregs of her coffee she came to a decision. If she wasn't going to be spending her money on other people she was going to spend it on herself. She'd earned it after all. Instead of wallowing in self pity, she would treat herself to a whole new wardrobe from top to toe, including accessories she thought to herself.

Two hours later, the number of bags she was now toting around the shops had increased exponentially. She had new work clothes, leisure clothes, shoes and bags. Now she was headed to the lingerie section for some new underwear.

Leisure wear bras for lazy weekend days went in to her basket. Bras for work also were quickly found. She was about to call it a day when some pretty lace bras caught her eye. A nice pastel coloured set she could wear to work and a fancy black lace set were her favourites and she stood admiring them wondering if she should just buy one set or both.

The black set was probably a waste of money she thought to herself. They were more something you would wear on a date for someone else to look at and admire at the end of the evening. She was single and not even dating. She was a very long way from having someone admire them.

"I prefer the black ones," a male voice announced behind her.

Great! Kate thought. A pervert who thought he was being friendly. Well he'd chosen the wrong person to target today. She wasn't in the mood. Preparing to give him a piece of her mind, she turned around and was pleasantly delighted to see her old best friend standing behind her.

"Tit!" She'd scolded as she slapped him on the arm, before enveloping him in a hug. "It's good to see you," she said honestly as she released her hold on him.

"Likewise," Steve replied.

"So what are you doing skulking around this lingerie department like some sort of weirdo?".

"I'm not skulking," Steve defended. "I saw you and followed you over here,".

"So you're stalking me?" Kate teased. "Not sure that is much better!".

"Was wondering if I could ask your help, actually?" Steve explained. "Mum's Christmas present. I've literally got no idea. Was wondering if I could get a woman's advice,".

"Sure," Kate replied, glad to have a mission. She returned her attention to the underwear still in her hands. "So you like the black best?". Steve nodded. Kate put both sets in her basket. "Ok. I'm all yours," she declared. "Has your mum given you any ideas about what she would like or are you starting from scratch?".

"Well she suggested jewellery but that's a complete minefield as far as I'm concerned. The odds of getting something she doesn't like are way too high,". Kate accepted he might have a point. "She also mentioned nightwear hence why I was in the lingerie section when I saw you," Steve explained.

The two old friends wandered over to the night wear. "So what type of thing is she looking for?" Kate asked. She had never met Steve's mum and had no idea what she liked.

"Something to wear to bed," Steve replied like Kate was being stupid.

"But there's different types of nightwear," Kate explained patiently. How could he not know this?

"Like what exactly?".

"Well there's practical pyjamas or maybe something a bit more... sexy. Get your dad in the mood," Kate teased.

"Ewww," Steve replied, pulling a face. "Piss off!".

"What?" Kate retorted. "Your parents most likely are still having sex,".

"I know," Steve replied. "I just don't want to encourage them!" he informed her. "I'm regretting asking you for help now. You're turning in to more of a hindrance than anything,".

"Sorry," Kate apologised. "Let's focus. What do you think she will like?".

Steve looked at the night wear on the hangers in front of him. After Kate's comment all he could now picture was his parents having sex. "Maybe I go back to jewellery?" he said.

Kate smiled. Steve was still so easy to wind up. She'd missed their banter since leaving AC-12. "Let me pay for my stuff and I'll help,".

"Let's hope you don't have any comments about my parents and jewellery," Steve replied as he followed Kate to the tills.

They visited a few shops before they found an elegant silver brooch with some amber stones in it that they both thought Steve's mum would like.

Pleasantly surprised that he was finished a lot sooner than he thought, and not wanting to say goodbye to Kate just yet he invited her for a coffee.

Despite already having one earlier, Kate accepted. Who cared if she couldn't sleep tonight?

They found another shop and ordered their drinks before sitting down for a good catch up. Kate enjoying the fact that she wasn't alone this time. Steve asked about MIT and she asked how AC-12 and the gaffer were doing after her departure.

All too soon though, it was time to depart. They had parked in different car parks at opposite ends of the city and so had to say farewell to each other after leaving the coffee shop.

"See you, mate," Kate said as she gave her old pal a good bye hug. She had really enjoyed the afternoon with him and didn't know when they would see each other again.

"We should arrange another catch up after Christmas is over," Steve suggested. Now they had met up again he wanted to do it again. And soon.

"Sounds good," replied Kate. Hoping he would follow through on the idea in the new year and not forget about it.

They hugged again before walking away from each other. Kate hadn't got all that far before she heard her name being called. She turned to see Steve running after her before he stopped right in front of her. He stood there looking a little awkward before he finally asked her a question.

"You free Thursday evening?" Kate noticed he had blushed a little in embarrassment as he asked his question.

They had spent lots of evenings together whilst partners but he had never been so shy and Kate thought she might know the reason why. "Are you asking me out?" she asked, surprised that he had finally done it. She had sort of known he had a little crush on her from the very start of their friendship.

"Maybe," Steve answered. "I think finally it's a good time. We're both single and no longer working together,".

Kate didn't take long to put him out of his misery. "Ok," she agreed. "I would like that,". She had really enjoyed her afternoon with him and realised how important he was to her.

Steve smiled in relief that she had accepted his invitation and it looked like they might be on the same page regarding attempting a relationship. "Good," he said. "Well I'll be in contact about a time and stuff," he said. As soon as he got home he would be thinking about where to take her.

"I'll look forward to it," Kate replied.

This time they both walked away from each other with a spring in their step.