Oakbrook - The Portal

Christmas Shopping

Christmas Shopping

The gentle breeze was biting cold through layers of clothes and warm coats. Kate stamped her feet in frustration. It wasn't the first time that Jack had been late, but it wasn't that common either. She was starting to be a little concerned, when his bright red hatchback pulled into the car park. He jumped out and waved at them like there was nothing wrong. Kate pulled a face and then carefully composed herself.

"Hi, Jack." She smirked, it always sounded funny when she said that.

"Daddy!" Yelled Tom, climbing from the car.

"Hi kiddo." He reached his arms around Tom and hugged him tight. "Just the two of you today?" He sneered, glancing at Kate's empty car. "Left the other waifs and strays behind?"

"I will not trade insults with you Jack." Kate's face was stony. "Sam's back, and she has Susan today. Now, do you want yours or shall I take him to the park?" That stung him, but he bit his lip and said nothing.

"I'm sorry, Kate. That was unfair." He smiled that familiar warm, little boy smile, and she almost remembered what it had been like to love him. His eyes twinkled like stars when he smiled and the crinkles at the corners as he aged just added to the charm.

"I heard she was back, but you were never in when I called. Why didn't you tell me? I would have taken Tom if you needed some time to help her, you know?" He looked almost sincere but Kate knew the offer only extended so far. "Do you fancy a coffee or something?" He rarely offered these days and Kate noticed the passenger seat of his car was unusually empty.

She agreed without really knowing why. They walked into the glass covered shopping centre to be greeted by blaring popular Christmas music. Well, supposedly popular but most people Kate knew found it irritating beyond belief. Tom loved it though and danced alongside Kate and Jack, trying to get them to hold his hands at the same time, like they used to.

"Oh, Gods." Kate groaned, "I am so glad it's not Christmas every day."

"MUM!" Tom danced past, circling them, "You say that every time you hear that one!" He sang along exuberantly but hopelessly out of tune. He grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him to the nearest shop window.

"Look Daddy!" He was almost floating, he was skipping along so fast. "Look. It's snow, and sparkly, and look at those." He chattered on, pointing out things to Jack, and he managed to tow her along the shop fronts, looking in every window. Kate had to smile to see him back to normal after the solstice incident. That reminded her that she really ought to tell Jack something before Tom did!

Before they got to the café they had to pass a Santa's grotto and of course Tom wanted to go, and Daddy wanted to take them. Kate sighed, but she'd said his time with Tom was his and if he wanted to spoil him that was fine. She wouldn't interfere.

So they stood in the line that wound away from the fake snow covered shed and poked fun at the very expensive, but badly animated reindeer and snowmen twitching outside. There were even wires poking out of one figure, but that one wasn't moving. Despite his insistence they go and see Father Christmas, but his assertion that he no longer believed, but he still wanted to go, Tom soon bored of waiting and fidgeted until Jack was starting to get irritated. Kate could tell by the set of his shoulders and that slight tension in his jaw. It was the little things she remembered about him that made her miss him.

The buzz in her pocket made her jump. She pulled out the mobile, and extricated herself from the line to answer it.

"Hey, Lily!" She greeted cheerfully, "I won't be long, I promise. I'm just having a cuppa with Jack and then I'll leave him with his overexcited son." She paused, smirking at the sight of Tom relentlessly annoying his father in the line for Father Christmas. She listened a moment more before replying, "Yeah, I know. But I couldn't just say no. Besides, he's paying! I'll be back as soon as I can." She flicked the phone off and shoved it back in her pocket. Jack and Tom had reached the front of the line, and he was paying for them to go in. She relaxed and lounged on a pillar to wait.