A/N: So, this is a response to TerrieJane's Anna & Mr. Bates' Weekend Challenge on Tumblr, which was "See those two highly attractive people up there? What's their story?" I've been watching a lot of Gilmore Girls lately, and for some reason (I think the plaid and/or the scruff) this picture of Brendan Coyle reminded me a little of Luke(For those of you who don't know the show, Luke is the main's character's love interest, who owns a diner), and this story just sort of popped into my head fully formed. As for Anna, I once read a snippet of an interview with Joanne Froggatt where she said that she thought if Anna were a real person today she'd be a nurse, so that's where that came from.
This will probably not be a one-shot, but as I've another story I'm currently working on, it'll just be a couple more chapters. Just some fun, holiday-themed fluff, mostly :)
Anyways, enjoy, and thanks to TerrieJane for the inspiration!
The tinkling of a bell that accompanied the door opening was all but drowned out by the howl of the storm outside, as his sole customer of the last three hours staggered inside along with a flurry of snow.
"Coffee, please," she began breathlessly, pulling off her gloves and beginning to unbutton her coat before taking a seat at the counter. "Cream and sugar." He was surprised that the words came out not in the accent of a native New Yorker, but in the pleasantly lilting tones of the country of his youth.
"Right away," he murmured with a nod.
As the man who'd taken her order left the counter to get her coffee, Anna pulled off her hat and unwound the scarf from around her neck, shaking out her hair just a little. She glanced around her, taking in her surroundings and noticing somewhat uncomfortably that she was the diner's sole patron. She felt self-conscious of how she looked, especially given her being alone. The few times that she'd gone out after allowing Mary to use her as a dress-up doll she'd garnered far more attention than she was comfortable with - which was why she usually washed off the makeup before leaving her friend's flat. Today, however, with the weather getting steadily worse, she'd been anxious to get in her car and beat the storm home. Fat lot of good it did, she thought, glancing out the window at the swirling snow. She could barely see her car, parked 20 feet outside the diner's window.
"There you are," with a little jolt, she noticed the accent her server was speaking in, which she'd missed before. She wasn't sure why, but it automatically put her a little more at ease. Perhaps it was because blokes often used her accent as an invitation to hit on her, and someone who shared it was less likely to make a remark about how much they loved British girls.
"Thank you," she told him, gratefully accepting the steaming cup in her chilled hands.
"So I have to ask, what is a Yorkshire lass who looks like she just stepped off a fashion plate doing on a highway in upstate New York in the middle of a blizzard?"
"Call it wishful thinking," she replied wryly, "but I wouldn't say it's quite a blizzard. As for your question, the short answer is she's trying," she eyed the snow outside dispiritedly, "to get home for work tomorrow."
"And what's the long answer?" he asked with a hint of a grin. Although she supposed what he was doing could be construed as flirting, it didn't put Anna as much on edge as this sort of thing usually did.
"I suppose I've got time, it doesn't look as if I'm going anywhere soon, does it?" she laughed, masking her unease as she cast another glance out at the storm.
"No," he agreed. "On that note, can I get you anything else? Something to eat?"
Anna considered. "Some pie, perhaps?" she gestured to the half an apple pie sitting under a glass dome on the counter.
"Shall I heat that up for you?" he asked, sliding a generous slice onto a plate.
She nodded."Please."
"Ice cream?"
She shook her head, smiling ruefully. "I think I've had quite enough ice for tonight, thank you!"
John brought the plate back to the counter, placing it before the woman seated there. Fifteen minutes ago, he'd been looking forward to closing up early because of the storm and having a quiet evening in his flat upstairs. He'd been annoyed when he heard the bell signalling a new customer, knowing that anyone coming in now wouldn't be likely to leave in a hurry. He found his annoyance had quickly dissipated, however. It could simply be that she was gorgeous - looking like she'd be more at place in a five-star New York restaurant than his roadside diner - he reasoned, although it usually took more than looks to recommend a girl to him. Perhaps it was simply hearing her speak in that familiar accent. He'd been feeling a bit homesick of late. A moment after he returned, she picked up the conversation again.
"My best friend lives in the city," she explained "She's a make-up artist and stylist, and whenever I go down to visit her she twists my arm into letting her dress me up. I'm not sure if she's hoping the makeover will take one of these days, or if she just likes having a free model." she rolled her eyes. She then turned her attention to the pie in front of her, taking a bite. "This is delicious. Do you make these here?"
He nodded. "It's my uncle's recipe, he used to own the place. Mine don't quite measure up to his, but they hold their own," he shrugged modestly, and then had to laugh at her surprised expression.
"You made this?" She punctuated the question by pointing her fork at him.
"With my own fair hands" he grinned.
Anna looked at her watch, and then out at the snow again, which showed no signs of letting up, although she'd been there for about an hour. He followed her gaze, looking out at the swirling whiteness. Although she'd politely insisted he needn't keep her company, he'd stayed at the counter most of the hour, idly conversing about this and that. She was glad he'd stayed. It was nicer not to have to wait out the storm alone.
"I don't suppose there's a nice little bed and breakfast just a short walk from here?" she joked, partially to mask the sinking feeling in her stomach. The roads had been barely passable when she pulled in here, and she hadn't seen any plows come by since.
"I'm afraid not,"
She hesitated. "I hate to ask, but- is there any chance you'd let me kip here tonight, in one of the booths?" she gestured. "I don't see how I'll be able to get home."
He shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid I couldn't allow that-"
"Of course," she said hurriedly, cutting him off. "You've got to get home, I'm sure, you couldn't let me stay here - It was rude of me to ask, I'm sorry," she stood up, embarrassed. "I'll figure something out, I'm certain," she assured him unconvincingly.
He held up a hand. "No- I didn't mean to kick you out into the cold. What sort of a person would I be?" he shook his head at the thought. "Obviously you can't get home. I only meant it would be very ungentlemanly of me to allow you to sleep down here in the cold with just your coat for a blanket, when my flat's just upstairs. You can stay there tonight. I've a cot I can bring down to my office for myself" he gestured vaguely behind him.
Anna was touched, but embarrassed, by the offer. "Oh no, I couldn't ask that-"
"I'm offering," he reminded her.
"At least let me take the cot,"
He shook his head. "I couldn't do that. It's freezing down here at night."
"But you were going to sleep here," she pointed out.
He shrugged. "I'm tough."
She sat up a little straighter, fixing him with a determined gaze. "So am I!"
He fought a smile. "I'm sure you are. But I'd feel awfully rude. Please, just take the flat."
"Alright," she conceded. "But," she held up a hand. "there's no reason you can't also sleep there, on the cot. Or I'll take the cot-"
"I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable," he said simply.
"Oh," It was odd, she realized, that he had thought of that, and she hadn't. Why hadn't she? By all reason, she should be uncomfortable. But she wasn't. "I'm offering," she countered.
"Okay," he threw up his hands in defeat. "But, I will insist on sleeping in the main room and you taking the bedroom. It locks from the inside," he offered by way of an explanation.
"When do you need to be off in the morning?" he asked after showing her around his small flat. She noticed he'd been careful to keep his distance, and was touched by the way he seemed determined to be as non-threatening as possible. He was a real gentleman. "You said you had to work?"
"Oh goodness, yes!" she exclaimed. "I'd nearly forgotten. I was supposed to be in at six, but I think I'll give my supervisor a ring and see if she can't spare me until a little later."
"Six?" he raised an eyebrow.
"I'm a nurse," she explained, before pulling her phone out. "I'll just be a moment."
"Take your time."
She dialled Nurse Hughes's number, grateful that her supervisor had the night shift that day, so she wouldn't be waking her. "Hello?" Elsie answered after the second ring.
"Hello Elsie. It's Anna."
"Anna? Don't you start early tomorrow? What are you doing still up?" the older woman admonished.
"About that, Mrs. Hughes. I was visiting a friend in New York City this weekend, and I got stranded by the storm halfway home."
"Oh my dear!" Elsie's voice was now full of concern. "You poor thing! Are you alright?"
"I am," Anna assured her. "I stopped at a diner off the highway, hoping to wait out the storm, but when it didn't let up, the owner offered to put me up for the night. He lives above the place," she explained.
"He?" Elsie's voice was alarmed again, and Anna realized too late that she'd misspoke. "Anna, I don't like the thought of you staying in a strange man's home all alone! I don't like it at all."
"I don't have much of a choice, Elsie. There's nowhere else to go, unless you'd prefer I risk hypothermia sleeping in my car? Besides, I'm not worried. I don't know how to explain it, but he seems trustworthy. And he's given me a room that locks from the inside."
"Well," she heard Elsie sigh. "I suppose there's nothing to be done for it. Still, I'd feel better if I knew where you were. What's the name of this place?"
Anna thought for a moment, trying to picture the menu that had been lying beside her on the counter. "On the Road Again," she supplied after a moment. "But really, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."
"Still, I'm glad to know."
"Anyways, Elsie, I really just called to ask if I might come in a few hours later tomorrow. I don't know if I could make it in for six. I'm awfully sorry."
"Nonsense, dear. Why don't you just take tomorrow off? Ethel can cover for you."
"She won't be happy about it," Anna remarked doubtfully.
Elsie made a disapproving noise. "It won't kill her. That girl needs to pay her dues, same as you did, same as everyone else. I daresay you deserve a little special treatment now and then, my dear."
Anna smiled, grateful. "Thank you Elsie, really."
"You're welcome Anna. Take care. And do please phone me when you get home."
"I will, Elsie. Goodnight."
"Your boss is worried about you," He remarked when she hung up.
Anna shrugged. "She is, but that's Elsie for you."
"But you're not?"
"Perhaps I should be," she said thoughtfully, "but I'm not."
Her words hung in the air for a moment, until he broke the silence. "So I take it you were successful in getting your shift pushed back?"
"Yes," she smiled. "As a matter of fact, she gave me the day off tomorrow. When do you need me gone by?"
"Sleep as long as you like. I've a feeling it won't be busy tomorrow."
"Alright," she moved back towards the door of the bedroom. "Goodnight, then. And thank you, so much."
"You're very welcome. Sleep well."
Anna had just closed the door when her mobile, still in her hand, buzzed. She unlocked it and realized she had eight texts and three missed calls, which she somehow hadn't noticed when she'd phone Elsie. All of them were from Mary Crawley. She opened up the messages.
9:32 I just realized how bad this storm is getting. Did you make it home safe?
9:56 Anna, text me back please?
10:10 Call me when you get this?
10:47 Anna, really! I'm worried sick.
10:58 Call me.
11:02 Anna!
11:08 ANNA CALL ME
11:16 ANNA
She shook her head, then dialled her best friend's number. "Anna thank god! Did you make it home safe? Why haven't you been answering your phone? I left three messages!"
"I saw," said Anna calmly. "I'm sorry, Mary. I wasn't checking my phone. But I'm fine."
"So you made it home?"
"No, I got stranded at a diner. But the owner lives in a flat above, and he's putting me up for the night."
"He?!"
Anna sighed again. "That's the same reaction Elsie had. But it's fine, Mary. He seems trustworthy. Besides, the room I'm in locks from inside. Don't worry."
"It's hard not to!"
"I'm a big girl, Mary. I can take care of myself." Anna's voice was exasperated, but she was secretly touched by her friend's concern.
"Call me in the morning?"
"I will. Goodnight, Mary."
"Goodnight, Anna. Sleep well, darling."
The first thing Anna registered when she woke up was the sun streaming in through the window. She eagerly looked out the window, to find a glaringly bright world, covered in an unending white blanket. A slight depression in the snow, stretching along as far as the eye could see was the only sign of the still-unplowed road. She yawned, then picked up her phone to check the time, and saw a text from Mary, sent ten minutes earlier.
Still alive?
She rolled her eyes before typing her reply.
Yes, Mary. I'll call you later.
She dressed quickly, glad to be back in normal clothes. Gathering her things, she lingered in the doorway, feeling she needed to make some sort of a gesture. She settled for making the bed, as neat as can be. She hoped it would convey some small sliver of how grateful she was.
He greeted her as she emerged from the stairs into the still-empty diner. "Sleep well?"
"Very well. Thank you again, truly."
He looked down, a little embarrassed. "It was nothing. Breakfast?"
"Yes, please. Do you know when the plows are supposed to be by?"
"I heard within an hour, on the radio."
"Excellent. Do you have a shovel I might borrow? I'll need to-" she turned automatically to look out at the parking lot, and her words trailed off as she saw her car, and the neat path that had been cleared in the snow from it to the parking lot's exit. She turned back to stare at him, speechless.
He shrugged. "I was up early to open, but the place has been dead, obviously."
"Thank you," she breathed, still blown over by the kindness. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know." he shrugged again. "Like I said, I didn't have anything else to do."
The snowplows came by at the same moment her breakfast did, although she found she still wasn't in a hurry as she ate, him joining her in a cup of coffee from the other side of the counter. Finally, it was time for her to go. She stood up, pulling out her wallet. "What do I owe you?"
He waved the question away. "It's on the house."
"I can't accept-"
"I insist. Stranded traveller's special." he grinned. "All I ask is that you remember this place next time you're passing through."
"That," she flashed him a brilliant smile, "I can promise."
"Anna!"
"Oh, Gwen, I'm sorry. I was miles away. What were you asking?"
"Clearly," her friend shook her head. "I said, can you please pass me that chart?"
Anna did as she was asked and Gwen took the chart from her, flipping through it. "So what's on your mind?" she asked casually, looking up.
She blushed, avoiding Gwen's gaze. "Nothing."
"Does nothing have a name?" Gwen's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Not one that I know," Anna admitted sheepishly. She realized she'd never asked it.
"Weeeelllll this sounds interesting!"
She eternally grateful that at that moment Ethel rounded the corner, calling her name exasperatedly.
Anna woke up, immediately registering something was wrong. There wasn't an alarm. She shouldn't be waking up without an alarm. A feeling of dread creeping over her, she grabbed her little bedside clock. 7:30.
"Shoot shoot shoot!" She jumped out of bed, frantically searching for clothes. She must've shut her alarm off accidentally. She should have been on the road half an hour ago.
Fifteen minutes later, having skipped both breakfast and coffee, she was in her car, hoping that Mary would forgive her. Half an hour out, her phone rang. "Hello?"
"Anna, hello,"
"Hi Mary,"
"I know you'll be on the road already, but I just wanted to let you know the bridal store called," Mary began, sounding annoyed already, "to say there'd been a mix-up, and they've had to push my appointment back to noon."
"Oh thank god!"
"What? It's a terrible inconvenience!"
"I overslept," Anna admitted sheepishly.
"Anna Smith, overslept?"
"It's been known to happen, once or twice," She admitted ruefully. "I was having a good dream."
"Well then, at least it works out well for you!"
"That it does," Anna laughed. "I'll see you in a couple hours, Mary."
No sooner had she hung up the phone when she saw the building emerge into view on the road ahead, its windows bright and inviting. Well that was good timing.
John was just coming out from his office, where he'd been taking advantage of the slow morning to work on getting his upcoming food order in, when he heard the door open. His eyes sought out the new arrival automatically, and when the sight registered he felt a pleasant jolt. It was her. He'd be lying if he hadn't hoped this would happen soon.
"Good morning!" she called out with a smile.
"Well," he couldn't keep the smile from his face as she took a seat at the counter. "I'm glad to see you're a woman of your word. What will it be?"
"Breakfast!" she laughed. "And coffee, please. I overslept this morning," she explained, "but luck would have it that I don't have to be in New York as soon as I thought I did."
John shook his head a little, trying to clear it as he walked back into the kitchen to give her order to the cook. You barely know her, Bates. He told himself. He'd had a longstanding no-fraternization policy with customers for years, and it had always been easy to keep, until now. But there was something about her.
"Thank you," she looked up at him, smiling that smile as he set her plate down in front of her. "I realized after I left last week," she remarked, "that I don't even know your name. Mine's Anna. Anna Smith" she supplied.
"John Bates."
"Well, Mr. Bates, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she joked.
"The pleasure's all mine, Ms. Smith." She turned her attention to her plate of eggs and toast to hide the blush spreading over her cheeks.
If he'd hoped to share some conversation while she ate, he was disappointed. The diner picked that moment to get busy, and he didn't have a moment to speak to her again until she waved him over, her plate empty. "I'd best be going, I'm afraid. Can I get the bill?"
"Just a moment." He was back a minute later, trying to hide his reluctance in handing it to her.
"Thank you for breakfast, it was wonderful."
"I'm glad. Do you need to pay with a card?"
She shook her head. "I've got cash, I'm good. Thank you again, John," saying his name, she smiled ever so slightly. He was called away to another table then, and had to be contented with a "You're welcome, Anna." spoken over his shoulder.
He was disappointed, but not surprised, to find her seat empty when he was finished at the other table. He went over to clear her plate and shook his head when he saw the bills beside her plate, enough to cover her tab, plus an almost twenty-dollar tip. However, it wasn't until he picked up the money that a real smile spread over his face. Underneath it was a napkin, and on the napkin, written in a bold hand, was a phone number.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed my little bit of fluff :) Like I said, I'm picturing another couple of chapters to this, so here's hoping I'll have time in the next couple weeks to get them up!