The weather outside felt surprisingly mild outside for this time of year, it was slightly overcast and there was no breeze to be felt. The two friends made their way towards the beach and started slowly walking along the esplanade taking in the views of locals walking along the sand with their dogs and children on their left and the sounds of the gentle murmur of people filtering in to the various beach cafes and restaurants on their right.

Weymouth was especially pretty at this time of year; the natural beauty of the town could be taken in as long as the rain held off while the classic Christmas decorations added a spark of colour that the town needed to brighten up the town. The pair linked arms with one another and continued their walk towards the harbour.

“So, what are these big plans that we have to tackle this year” Ellen looked over at her friend and smiled.

“For a start, we have both been saying about needing a steady relationship. Secondly, the flat needs a makeover, as do we and I want to become my own boss.” Julia grinned back.

“Right.” She paused “Nothing like being ambitious”.

“Come on! We can do it! I mean, I know that we’ve both been out of relationships for some time now, but that can be easily rectified after our makeovers”.

“But I don’t want someone who is just with me because of my looks” Ellen grumbled.

“They won’t just be with you because of your looks; I mean you’re gorgeous as you are. I think we just need to soften your appearance slightly to make you look more approachable” she encouraged.

“Why do I need softening up?” She cried.

“I don’t think you do! But men tend to find you intimidating and don’t feel comfortable walking up to you”

Ellen rolled her eyes “Right! No time like the present” as she pulled her friend off course towards the town “I need an outfit for tomorrow”.

They walked down the almost deserted high street, the sun had finally come out and was making the town sparkle as the rays glistened off the rain soaked, paved high street. They both spent the next few hours visiting every open clothes shop. Ellen finally settled for a simple little black dress with a pair of suede pink stilettos with matching clutch bag all accessorised with a rose gold necklace with a half-moon pendant.

After their successful trip, they walked arm in arm down one of the town side streets into their favourite café. It was busy which meant that they had to wait a few minutes for one of the tables to clear, but as one became available, they instantly raced onwards it and sat down before the previously occupying family had even put their coats back on.

They didn’t need to look at the menu, Julia knew what they were both having and did not hesitate to stand back up to order their regular meals at the counter. Ellen was surprised when her phone vibrated, she didn’t hesitate to unlock the phone and read the message from Danny.

“Hey gorgeous, no the hangover isn’t too bad but work is a killer. Don’t suppose you want me to come around and cheer you up later do you? I would love to see your beautiful smile again xxxx”

She smiled to herself.

“Why are you torturing yourself so much?” Julia appeared at the table with two cups of tea.

“I’m not! It honestly is harmless fun, which is what we have always agreed. Plus, it would never work between us and he knows that. We work completely different hours for one, and for two he is not husband material. We are too close to be anything more” she defended as Julia sat down once more.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night” Julia winked.

“It IS the truth” Ellen retorted angrily.

They both went silent as the waitress arrived at their table with their food and smiled as she placed the bowls of stew down in front of the two women. The silence was not broken as they ate their lunches, both unsure of what to say to one another. Ellen fearful that her argument about Danny being no more than a friend with an arrangement that suits them both, and Julia afraid that her two best friends would end up hurting each other.

Eventually, just as Julia was finishing her last mouthful of food Ellen looked straight at her.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to fall out, especially not over this.”

Julia swallowed “I don’t want to either! I’m just concerned that my two best friends will end up hurt and I’ll potentially be in the middle of a fallout that may never recover”

Ellen nodded “I get it, I really do. But you have to believe me when I say there are no deeper feelings between us, you saw that when Denny was with his ex!”

“Natasha”.

“What?” Ellen looked confused and concerned that her friend had lost her mind.

“Her name was Natasha” Julia paused “I mean it obviously still is, she hasn’t changed her name just because the two of them have broken up”.

“I knew her name!” Ellen retorted.

“You have never said it though. You may think that this affair between the two of you is void of all emotion, but that’s just not possible!” She warned.

“If there were real feelings there, would I really be going on this date tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. Look, I’m sorry, I just care about you both so much and you mean the world to me” Julia reached out and took her friends hand “Let’s head home and relax for the evening”

Ellen nodded and walked out of the café with her friend.

The walk home was quick and direct. The two women had power walked home to keep warm as the night sky had already blanketed the town and the temperature had already dropped to freezing. They had both immediately got changed out of their shopping outfits and joined each other on the sofa in their pyjamas in preparation of an evening at home binge watching their favourite TV shows.

The night quickly passed and before the even realised, it was 11pm and the tolls of the festive season had impacted them both. The doorbell rang and they both jumped.

“Who comes around this late on New Year’s Day? Did they not get the memo that the party was last night?” Julia stomped to the front door and opened it “Oh” she stepped aside.

“Well you look much better now” Danny towered over the sofa and smiled at Ellen.

“What are you doing here?” She asked looking at Julia who was staring at them both.

“I’m going to bed. I’ll see you both in the morning” Julia winked as she walked to her bedroom and shut the door.

Danny sat on the sofa and kissed Ellen softly “Hey” he grinned cheekily.

“Hi, you still haven’t answered me” She smiled back

“I just finished work and you didn’t text me no”.

“Oh! I forgot to reply. I just assumed you’d take that as a no. I’m so sorry”.

In that moment Danny’s face looked visibly hurt “Oh, I’ll head home then”

Ellen sighed “Don’t go home now, it’s too late and I need someone to keep me warm in bed”.

Danny smiled and strolled over to her room “I’d best make a start then” he quickly disappeared inside and Ellen didn’t hesitate to join.

“Danny, I don’t understand. We said no strings” Ellen whispered.

“I can’t help it, you are just so beautiful and amazing and perfect. I want to be able to call you mine that is all that I have wanted for the longest time” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

“But we agreed” Ellen argued.

“Well I have changed my mind”

“We can’t. We’d be jeopardising our friendship and we always said that our friendship is more important than anything more” Even in her drunken state Ellen knew that this couldn’t happen. She knew how she felt about him, but she also knew that he was the type of man that didn’t stay in a relationship for any significant amount of time. She needed someone that was going to be forever, she needed someone who would marry her and settle down with her not someone who wanted to flirt and play games.

“But you’re my soulmate” He gazed directly into her eyes and put her hand on his heart “I can feel it right here. It hurts when I picture my life without you”.

Her eyes started to well up with tears “We really can’t”

“But I love you!” Danny urged as he pulled Ellen close and kissed her softly “I know that we said that we couldn’t fall for each other, but it’s too late! I am head over heels in love with you!”

Ellen kissed him before he could finish talking “I love you too. It has been so hard to fight it”

Ellen suddenly woke up and sat upright, her room was pitch black, Danny was sound asleep beside her and all she could smell was his aftershave on his t-shirt that she was wearing. She shook her head and curled back up beside him. She was now more convinced that her dreams were actually flashbacks of the evening and was terrified that his feelings may be more real than she had considered up until now. Was Julia right? She hated it when that happened. It was in that moment that the rain started to fall and pound against the window, she stood up and walked to pull back the curtains and stare outside. She felt a tingle up her spine, something that she always felt when the weather outside was awful but she was nice and warm inside. She stood glued to the spot with her eyes focused out on the dark street in front of her for a few minutes until she was disturbed by Danny turning over in her bed and looking straight at her, smiling.

“You need to stop getting up in the middle of the night. I’m a light sleeper; so, when you’re awake, I’m awake” Danny croaked.

“No one forced you to stay!” Ellen immediately retorted without thinking but with a feeling of instant regret.

“No, you’re right” Danny stood up and got himself dressed without saying another word.

Ellen got back into her bed and shed a single tear as she heard the door shut. She decided that them both taking a bit of time and space away from each other would be in both of their best interests, even if it did hurt right now. She curled back up in bed and willed for her sleep to come quickly and for the night to pass quickly.