The present he hands her is so much larger than the one she'd gotten him, and for a moment Rosie feels just the slightest bit guilty. But it's the thought behind the gift, not the size, that matters most, and she knows it. The wrapped parcel in her lap, she looks up at Charlie for a moment as he stands there blushing, a bright smile on her face and her heart overflowing with affection. "In that case, I can't wait to see what it is," she says, waiting for him to sit before she tears into the paper.

The sweater inside is beautiful and soft, the kind of green that she knows looks striking on her; she lets out a pleased little giggle as she strokes a hand down the plush knit, fingers tracing the delicate pattern of cables. "Oh, I love it," she says, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

Sitting back, Rosie glances with ill-concealed anticipation at the other gift in his hands, the narrow box containing a pair of gloves in a rich brown leather that's almost the same chestnut as Charlie's hair. "It seems we both saw things out shopping and thought of one another," she says. "I hope you like them."