'Brian? What's up? What's wrong? Has there been an accident? Has something happened?'

'Nooooooo…'

Well what then?

'I don't know what to buy Steve for Christmas.'

Silence.

'You called me up in the middle of the fucking night to tell me that you don't know what to buy Steve for Christmas?'

'Yep. And it' s not the middle of the night.'

'It. Is. Here.'

Brian heard shuffling in the background and a female voice whisper something too low for him to make out.

No, he hadn't been asleep but he had *definitely* been in bed. Brian knew that he had about 30 seconds before the insect theory kicked in and Daniel hung up.

'Pleaaaaase Danny, I really need your help. I can't think of anything.'

'Brian you spend 10 months of the year practically living with the guy, you should know better than anyone what he's into to.'

Brian gave a dirty snigger.

'Oh for fuck's sake.'

'Sorry.'

A sigh followed by the sound of a lighter flicking open. Whatever Daniel may or may not have been doing when Brian called, it appeared he had now given up on the idea.

'Oh well at least this isn't a 3 o'clock in the morning 'my life is falling apart' phone call.'

'Huh?'

'Nothing. Go on, what have you come up with so far.'

'Nada, zilch, zip, precisely a big fat zero.'

'And what makes you think I'll know what to get him.'

'You're straight aren't you?'

'Last time I looked yeah. But you're his friend, you know him better than I do.'

'Guess so.'

'Brian…'

'Yeah…'

'Have you ever thought of just asking him?'

'Er no.'

'Brian…'

'Yeah…'

'Goodnight.'