Disclaimer. I do not own any of the recognisable characters. They belong to L.J.Smith.

The Dockside Lass

1. The meeting of two strangers.

Newcastle England, December 1915.

"Aggie!"

"Aggie. You opened up yet?"

The low voice came booming down the stairs.

"Aye I have father." Agnes Robinson called back up the stairs. She was 16 years of age, but in these hard times, she had to help out more than ever in the shop. She was a very unusual girl. Pretty, with long fair hair and clear grey eyes. But the thing that made people stare was the birthmark just below her left cheekbone. It was pale in colour and looked as if someone had smeared a finger gently across her face.

They owned their own shop. Robinson's bakery and confectionary. Agnes was used to serving in the shop, she didn't really see the need to continue at school. She had all the education she needed. But never the less she continued to do as she was told.

Her father came in.

"Ah good lass. Now I'll need you to bake the orders today lass." He told her as he started to sort out the sweets. "The bread's already been done, I got up early and did that. You just need to do the rest."

With her instructions she headed to the back room. She was used to baking. She could cook all sorts, but was never really need to do any. Well that was until the war, and their two bakers signed up. That left them with just Mrs Jameson who was excellent but couldn't manage on her own.

There came a slight tap on the back door. It was already open and as Agnes turned she smiled when she saw whom was standing there.

"Freddy!" Agnes exclaimed running up to him and hugging him. "What are you doing here?" She lowered her voice, looking over her shoulder.

"I just had to see you." He said swinging her round. Frederic Hewitt was nineteen and his family owned the tobacconists and florists down the road. "Oh Aggie how I've missed you so."

"Yes me too. But you shouldn't be here!" she pushed him outside. "You know what my father will do if he finds us."

"I know Aggie. That's why I intend to do the right thing."

She looked at him puzzled.

He laughed then kissed her.

"I best be off. I'll see you later." He bent over and gave her one last kiss before he left.

Agnes lent against the wall as she watched him go. With a big smile, and a feeling of contempt, she turned around and went back in.

After she had finished the first batch, she took them into the shop. Things were going steady and starting to pick up.

"Aggie I need you to look after things whilst I make a run to the market. Ma is upstairs if you need her."

"I'm sure I'll manage Pa, and besides, whenever has mother come down into the shop?"

Her father laughed at this as he left. It was one of those rare occasions when she saw him express some normal, happy emotion.

Agnes got on with the rest of the time in a cheery mood. She was polite as ever and her goodness radiated off her.

She was busy putting some of the sweets back up on the top shelves so incidentally had to use the step ladder, and typically the door opened.

"I won't be a moment." She called.

She hurried but still being careful as not to drop anything.

"right." She clambered down and straightened out her skirts before she looked up.

Agnes was frozen. There was a young gentleman looking, no admiring, the shop. He was extremely handsome, with white-blonde hair and intense eyes. Old eyes that hid an old secret behind them.

She pulled herself together.

"May I help you?"

He turned around and smiled at her. She felt her knees going weak.

"Oh yes. I'm after a box of those delicious looking chocolates." He said pointing to a box in the window. His voice was light and he had a mixed accent. But there was no mistaken that he was from America.

"Certainly." She said pulling a box of the same chocolates off the shelf. "is there anything else?"

"No thank you."

"Right that'll be 1 pound and six pence please." She said wrapping them up.

"Thank you." He said handing the money over and taking the box.

"Thank you." Agnes replied smiling sweetly.

"may… may I enquire as to whom I have this pleasure?" he asked.

Agnes blushed slightly. "Agnes Robinson, sir." She said lightly, smiling.

He smiled back at her. "Thierry Descouedres. It's been a pleasure Miss Robinson. I hope to make your acquaintance again."

"That would be nice, thank you." Agnes couldn't believe how she was acting.

"Well goodbye Miss Robinson." He said as he left.

"Goodbye!" she called cheerily after him.

After he had gone Agnes stopped for a moment. "What about Freddy?" she thought to herself.

"It was a one off. I doubt I'll ever see him again." And with that she got back to work.

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Hiya! Yes I know another story! This came as a bit of inspiration, I hope u like and I wud love some feed back. Thank you!

Xx Jez xx