They met one late afternoon on a street packed with people doing their last minute shopping for the Holiday. Esme was just emerging from the butchers shop.

They fell on each other like old friends, because that’s what they were. She and Demelza went all the way back to the Academy, getting up to all sorts of japes and high jinks, promising they’d always stay in touch after graduating. Of course life gets in the way of the best intentions and it had been years since they’d last seen each other.

They gave raucous screams, speaking at once and finishing each others questions in a flurry of excitement and causing raised eyebrows from those jostling to get past on the narrow pavement.

I can’t believe it,’ Esme breathed eventually as they calmed and caught their breath. ‘I was thinking of you only yesterday. It’s been how long now?’

‘Five years,’ Demelza shook her head wonderingly.

‘Where’d the time go?’ Esme bleated and they both laughed.

Demelza looked down at the baby carrier and raised a rueful eye. ‘You too eh?’ She swung her own round from behind her, beneath the blankets a soft lumpy ball of tow hair and wide, button bright eyes stared up as Esme leant over to scrutinise.

‘Oh I could eat them alive at that age,’ she gave a little wave and the button eyes crinkled in response.

Demelza looked at Esme’s bundle. The same peachy face but the button eyes squeezed tight in sleep and a shock of jet-black hair.

'Awww,' she cooed. 'How much?'

Ten pounds and two ounces,’ Demelza replied.

Esme looked impressed. ‘This one was eight pounds on the dot.’

‘Delivery…?’

‘Bloody dreadful, right at the last minute as usual.’ Esme grimaced sharply.

‘Mine too, they never arrive on time do they?’

 ‘And Tom?’ Esme enquired.

‘Demelza shook her head. ‘Never worked out.’

Esme pulled a sympathetic face. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised….’

‘I know…I know. But I’ve got a lovely fella now,’ she added brightly. ‘He’s waiting at home.’

‘Oooh lovely,’ Esme squinted up at the festive decorations strung across the high street. You got many coming this year?’

‘Quite a few, I’m dreading it be honest. I’m absolutely knackered…and skint.’

‘It gets more commercialised every year though doesn’t it.’

‘Tell me about it. My veins are gypping me something terrible from all this traipsing around.’

Esme chuckled. ‘Look we mustn’t lose touch again, it’s so good to see you.’

They whipped out mobiles and hurriedly clicked buttons storing their respective numbers and promising to talk very soon.

‘I’ll fill you in on all the gossip,’ Esme cried. ‘I can’t wait to meet you’re new fella.’

‘Look forward to it.’ Demelza raised the baby carrier. ‘Listen I’d better get on. The rest of the families coming at midnight and I’ve got to get this little bundle in the oven and all cooked and ready by then.’

Esme raised hers in response and smiled ruefully. ‘I’m worried sick I didn’t buy big enough this year.’

They both laughed and pecked each others cheek, the wart on Demelzas nose still tickled.

‘Happy Halloween.’ Esme said and turned to go. She bumped into a troll laden down with last minute gifts. ‘Oh sorry dear.’

The troll grunted rudely. It really was murder here today. She ought to give that butcher a rocket. Her order went in a month ago and still wasn’t ready for collection until right on the very day. She hurried muttering to where she’d parked the broomstick.