She comes into the train station at a run. Well, as much as run as you can with an overnight bag slung over one shoulder, a briefcase, a skirt perhaps a little too short for the 'train station 100 metre invitational' and killer heels. The meeting had over-run, Friday afternoon management meetings always do, she knows this, makes allowances for it. Getting stuck in conversation with her boss afterwards had been stupid; she knows Marie loves to talk. Getting in the back of officially the 'Slowest cab in London' was plain unlucky, I mean, a cab driver who obeyed the speed limit and red lights, really? What the fuck..?

Late. It won't be at the platform, she knows this, but it still doesn't stop her flashing her travel card at the guard, and more or less leaping the barrier, ignoring his cries "Excuse me miss" she runs on. Her view of the platform obscured by the seemingly endless building works going on, she runs on still. Hopefully. Until she sees. Or rather, doesn't see.

"Fucking bollocks" She pulls up, stops running. Hands on knees, and slightly out of breath, she realises that was out loud, quite loud by the look of disgust on the face of the grandmother stewarding her charges away from the obviously deranged woman...

She sighs. "Oh cocking cock, there better be another train..." more quietly though, in case granny reports her to the swear police.

She walks at a more leisurely pace back to the main station, ignores the looks from the guard she previously ran past, and heads for the information board. She stands beneath it, and tries to understand it. Next train in 40 minutes she finally works out, OK, that's not so bad, she can get a coffee, maybe a copy of Heat, with a guiltily mental note to herself about how she really, really has to give it up. Her excuse about being in advertising was wearing thin, even to herself. Daydreaming slightly she turns, not looking really where she's going, walks slap bang into what feels like a solid wall of worsted Khaki coloured jacket. She's sent sprawling to the floor. She contemplates a wicked put down whilst re-arranging her dignity, but she's beaten to it.

"I can Still see your knickers"

She knows that voice.

"Cook?" She's incredulous, after all these years, she runs into Cook, and what the fuck, he's dressed as a soldier?

A hand is extended; she grasps it, and is pulled to her feet, easily. The Cook that meets her eyes has changed from his teenaged self, he's wiry, leaner, she can see it in his face, he's the eyes of some-one who's looked over the chasm. His broad smile is still the same though, and still slightly bemused she's pulled into a hug.

"Fucking hell, it's good to see a friendly face, even if it is one I haven't seen in fucking ages, how the fuck are you?"

She shakes her head in amusement, is about to say something, doesn't get the chance as another young soldier approaches. He's carrying a bag.

"Your bag, Sir", he hands over the regulation case to Cook "Anything else, Sir?"

Cook shakes his head, "No, thanks Paul, that's it."

The younger soldier executes a snappy salute; turns before he gets a response from Cook and walks away. Cook half salutes back, smiles ironically, and turns back to Naomi. He holds his arms wide, a classic Cook stance.

Naomi effects an air of casual disinterest as she states, "That man saluted you"

"Yep, it's in the rules..." Cook smiles, nods, remembers the 'game' he has to play with her

"That means you're an officer or something?" She's regained her normal composure. Straight face.

Cook points to the three stars on a shoulder patch, says nothing. Naomi looks, shakes her head, shrugs, "And they mean, what? That you're good at counting past two?"

Cook laughs; he's lost the 'game' "I'm a Captain"

It takes her a moment before she lets out a single sharp laugh, her eyes go wide. "Captain Cook? That's fucking brilliant, I thought I had it bad, but fuck me, Captain Cook, that's class".

"Thanks, of all the people I thought I'd get sympathy from, cheers Naomikins ". He's laughing still.

OooooO

"...Fucking hell, has it really been that long?" he runs his hands through his short Army regulation cut "Five years?" He pauses, "I suppose it must be". They're sat at a small table outside a coffee concession.

Naomi nods in agreement, "Must be at least" She pauses, a hand is extended, and waves incoherently "You know since..." she leaves the sentence unfinished but understood by both of them. "That's why I'm headed back to Bristol. Invite from Panda to come down. You?

Cook looks at his coffee, "Yeah lucky break" he's suddenly cautious, weary of what his says next "In between postings, got some time off, otherwise..." he shrugs. "It'll be good to catch up" he smiles again "Look at you though, fucking hell, you look like fucking business woman of the year, what gives, I thought you'd be saving the whale or sommat"

"Saving Ms Campbell's bank balance, more like" She smiles grimly "It's as bad as you think; she pauses, scrunches her face in embarrassment "Advertising"

"Fucking hell, you sold out! That's worse than me". He laughs at her obvious discomfort.

"Yeah well, it turns out I'm good at writing a snappy line". She's laughing now herself. "So shoot me!"

"Ha ha, very fucking funny" He's not laughing.

Naomi nods into the silence, "So... Army? You?"

Cook looks at her, sighs "Walked out of prison straight to the recruitment office, turns out I'm 'naturally gifted' so direct Commission, five years later, Captain..."

Naomi raises her eyebrows in surprise, "Wow, that was short and sweet" she smiles, waiting for him to continue, fill in the blanks. When none comes, she stares at her coffee, "Right then".

Cook changes the subject after the silence goes on just a little too long. "So Gossip, who's doing what to who?"

Naomi breathes in, thinks for a moment, "Right, You know about JJ and Lara?"

Cook shakes his head, "Nope"

"Fucking hell, where have you been? Right, married another Kid on the way, JJ does computer programmes for disabled kids and I did the promo work" She smiles proudly. "Ummm, Panda and Tommo, not so great, lasted a couple of years, fizzled out. Katie...Fuck knows, hangs around with Effy they're practically inseparable" She looks up at the mention of Effy "You're not still..?"

Cook looks momentarily confused, then "Eff? Fucking hell Naomi haven't seen her in years, not thought about her really"

"Right, I just thought, you know...So that's it, you're up to date"

"Not quite" he looks at her.

"Don't look at me like that", she closes her eyes, "Finished ages ago, haven't seen her"

"What happen to the declaration of undying love?"

Naomi looks at her untouched coffee, lists on her fingers ". Try; possessive, Jealous...And that was just chips" it's another well worn line, It wasn't even that funny the first time she used it on her Mother. She looks at Cook "It's fine, really. Water, bridges all that shit". Smiles sadly.

"You with anyone, girl, fella?"

"I could tell you to mind your own business", she pauses, "had a few dates...You know, nothing serious, I'm an equal opportunity letch". Another line "You?"

He looks up sharply, "There was, she's dead now" he goes on before she can ask "Is she going to be there?"

Naomi shrugs "Dunno". Takes a breath, knows Cook well enough not to press the point "Fuck 'em, we'll go together, the ones that got away, right?"

Cook nods, raises his coffee in mock salute, "To getting away" he smiles, they 'clink' paper cups. He looks at his watch suddenly remembers why they're there. " Fucking hell, look at the time, we'll have to run for it.

"Fucking hell, not again..."