‘Oh, Lisa.’ Flick went round to Lisa’s side of the table and rubbed her back. ‘I suppose when people break up it’s because something is broken, like the clue is in the title.’
But nothing was broken, it was just…I wasn’t ready…backthen.
‘I am sorry I encouraged you,’ Flick continued.
‘Me too,’ Melissa added.
‘Honestly, it’s fine,’ Lisa lied. ‘Let’s just enjoy Christmas shopping, it’s been years since I have done it properly.’
‘Are you sure you’re up to it?’ Flick asked.
Lisa took a swig of her latte. ‘Definitely.’
‘OK.’ Felicity scooted back round to her own side of the table, rummaged in her bag and produced an A4 print out of a spreadsheet listing Christmas presents foreach of her children.
About to comment Lisa noticed that Felicity was extricating another neatly folded piece of paper from the depths of her bag. This one had the names of family members down the first column, followed by their gifts and what they would be getting for her children in the next two. ‘Wow. That’s organised.’
‘Believe me four children and Christmas means being organisedor going insane.’
‘It’s impressive.’ Melissa smiled, revealing her own handwritten list. ‘I’ve found it harder this year, exciting too, of course – it being Bella’s first, but what do you suggest when everyone wants to know what to get a baby who wants for nothing.’
‘I know and I have four to sort; sometimes it feels more like a military operation than Christmas.’
Lisapicked up the spreadsheets. ‘We’ll need more than a day to do this lot.’
Felicity sat up, a knowing smile on her face. ‘See those in red, they’re coming from Amazon; those in blue, they’re pre-ordered from Argos – and are ready for collection now. That leaves a few stocking bits, biscuits and vouchers for Pete’s side, and chocolates for the teachers to get. I figured if we get that donethis morning we could fit in a leisurely lunch and maybe even the cinema. How about it, ladies?’
‘I’m in! Most of what I need to get is on order from ELC, Next and Mothercare.’ Melissa smiled.
‘I thought you were actually Christmas shopping today.’ Lisa wished she had been more organised, Christmas was too close and she had too much work on to fit in another shopping day.
‘We are!’ Melissa and Felicity chimed together.
‘Well, at least as far as Adam and Pete know. This way they get some quality time with the children, and we get to sit down and eat lunch in a fancy restaurant with the only dinner we have to cut up being our own.’
‘Bliss.’ Melissa sighed.
Lisa smiled;oh bugger, is it too late to order a hamper?
