Lyon
The café was placed to make the most of the view of the city from the hill that was Fourvière and it was from here that Henrik Hanssen sat with his coffee in silent contemplation looking out over the city of Lyon. He saw the red/orange rooves of the old city drop down to the dancing waters of the Saône and then to the Rhone. Beyond that, the apartment blocks of the new city and the crayon that was Part Dieu. Then, further still, in the distance he could see the outline of The Alps. The morning was promising to shape up into another beautiful day. Henrik had always loved this city ever since he had come to a conference here many years before. Since that time he had always planned to bring her here, someday, when the time was right, and now, in his mind's eye, he could picture himself sharing it with the woman he loved.
As he continued to stare the noise from the market at the side of the Saône gradually faded into the background and he heard her low modulated voice speaking to him. They walked down through the sweet scented Jardin des roses. "June is always a good time to see the city" he said to her as they continued their descent. "Not to crowded, not to busy and definitely not to hot!" He smiled at her response and felt her hand in his, and he closed his larger one around hers. The traboules at the base of the hill provided cool shade from the sun and he leant into her to explain the history as she said she was interested. He could tell she was only humouring him as he did this and he loved for it. He knew exactly which restaurant to eat at. It was intimate and quirky and just made for 2 lovers to share a romantic meal. He knew the goldfish in the bath halfway down the stairs would appeal to her sense of humour and it did. He saw her smile slowly and sensually and look lovingly into his eyes. He felt her stroke his face with the back of her soft hands. The touch held a promise of what was to come and he took it and kissed her fingers. Her warm eyes were wide in the soft light and her hair fell like a dark waterfall around her face before pooling around her shoulders. Later, he thought, he would run his fingers through that soft hair and pull the voluptuous mouth towards his and loose himself totally, completely and forever. They walked back to the hotel along the subtly lit narrow, cobbled streets, ignoring the noise coming from the bars and bouchons. Her perfume tickled his nose as she rested her head on his shoulder and his arm lay protectively round hers. They stopped in front of the brightly lit cathedral St. Jean and kissed before continuing on their way, seemingly oblivious to all but themselves.
Henrik came back to the present and turned to his now lukewarm coffee. His colleagues thought he was a cold clinical man, without feelings, without a heart. It was a good thing they couldn't see him now thought Henrik ironically as he squeezed his eyes shut and put his head in his hand in an attempt to hold back the tears that were hiding there. As he definitely had a heart, and right now it was hurting! For he knew he would never show his love this city, the time now 'would never be right.' For several months ago she had made a choice. A choice to leave him and all that he could offer behind. As she closed his office door, for him, the world stopped turning. The tears slid out as he opened his eyes, and the view blurred.