See, she's not completely out of it, she remembered my birthday!' Hawnlica thought with a small smile masking great enthusiasm as she made her exit

'Though it's important to know when to call it a day and leave her to collect her thoughts.

Her many, many random thoughts...' she continued to muse.

Hawnlica stuck her over-the-ear headphones on as she journeyed from the care home to her own abode; along the way, passing the loitering teens at the wall and a row outside 'Lera's', before a careful walk along the field, to the graffiti decorated side wall of her home.

"Layla!" Hawnlica shouted as she rushed to approach a young woman headed to her home.

The girl turned around to face Hawnlica.

"Hawnny!" she shouted as they met...

"Happy birthday hun" she said as she pulled Hawnlica into a tight hug; almost absorbing Hawnlicas' slim frame within her calf-length, puffy faux fur coat and giant mane of jet-black hair.

"I swear ya try'na, smother me, 'n put me out my misery" Hawnlica joked as she struggled to pull out of Layla's grip.

"Oh stop it, things aren't that bad" Layla stated as let go and backtracked a little into the front wall of the house; she grasped an exceptionally large cardboard bag with a horizontal black and white print and a burnt orange logo reading 'Unique Boutique' in incursive text.

"Please tell me you're just re-using an oversized bag" Hawnlica enquired with a furrowed brow.

"What do you mean?" Layla asked, her enthusiasm seemed to fade, just slightly.

"You didn't buy me something from there!?" Hawnlica asked.

"You know what ,I actually knew you'd say this, so if it makes ya feel better, I got it from the sale rail" Layla stated as she pushed the bag into Hawnlica's chest "and I was shopping there anyway, AND, I saved money on a half price dress, so take it!" she finished as sternly as she seemingly could.

"So I'm stuck with it" Hawnlica accepted in content defeat.

"Yes you are, and you're going to like it" Layla replied.

"Fine" Hawnlica said as she moved the bag into one hand then moved past her friend, she unlocked the front door & entered, followed by Layla who took her shoes off upon entry; loosing a couple of inches; now standing closer to Hawnlica's height.

Hawnlica pulled the gift out the bag, she studied it with a blank expression.

It was a large grey faux fur.

"Twins" Layla yelped whilst pulling at either side of her collar to put enthuses on her identical coat.

"Seriously?" Hawnlica snarked "You may be able to pull anything off, but I can't".

"Anybody can pull off grey, if black goes with anything and white goes with anything, than so does grey, it's both of them you know" Layla stated matter-of-factly.

"You know what, yeah, it looks warm and I'm always cold, so thanks Lay', I like it" Hawnlica smiled.

'I'll be wearing it around the house though' Hawnlica though inwardly

Time passed by - the girls made small talk, ate instant noodles and drank lattes that came from sachets.

"I wanna open Esters' gift in front of everyone, but I don't think I can wait?" Hawnlica pondered.

"Why didn't you do it this morning?" Layla asked.

"Everyone's out early these days, it was you who woke me up when you called" Hawnlica answered as she unconsciously gazed towards the used bowl an pair of cups at the other end of the table "oh, and I forgot the all about the prezzie as well, you know, I think she gave me a bit of a fright yesterday"

"You're going soft Hawnny" Layla said.

"I am not" Hawnlica threw back with a hint of humour.

"I'm only messin', but yeah, I'd be scared too" Layla said before a brief pause "and how does she even get at without being noticed?" she enquired.

"You ought to come visit her with me some time, ya wouldn't think she'd be able to walk just by lookin' at her, but you'd be wrong" Hawnlica rushed "know what, I can't wait, I'm openin' it now!" Hawnlica said as she got up from her seat.

"Oh, let me record!" Layla said as she gathered her phone from her pocket "The grand opening of the surprise".

Hawnlica pulled tongues at the recording device as she returned to her seat with the present. She tossed aside the taped on envelope and ripped open the red shiny wrapping paper.

She peered at the gift inside in silence for a while before speaking "Stop recording" she said calmly.

"Why, what is it" Layla asked as she moved to view Hawnlica away from the screen, seemingly aware of some seriousness.

"Shut it off!" Hawnlica ordered.

Layla did as she was told with haste "What is it Hawn'?" Layla asked.