hey here it is sorry it took so long xx hope you guys enjoy and we would love it if you could review it thanks :)

Settees-under-siege (wrote this chapter) :D

After a tiring evening, Matt had been keen to get home to bed. Heidi had owned that she would have a shower first which was just fine by him as it gave him some unexpected breathing space for a while. Wanting to make the most of it he had changed into his pajamas in record time as soon as the ensuite door had clicked shut. Curling up on his side with his back to the door he began thinking about the events of that night. His oh-so-considerate girlfriend had spent the entire time seeming joined to him at the hip, talking and laughing with his friends while he could scarcely get a word in edgeways. He actually found himself amazed that they hadn't said anything. John had tried to get him on his own once but the usually evocative Leon had been oddly quiet. In fact, the only positive thing he could pinpoint out of the entire evening was running into that American.

Matt shifted positions until he was lying on his bad and staring up at the ceiling. He looked but he did not see it. Instead, images of her tall, slender body raced through his mind. Her luscious, shoulder length hair had shimmered in the light and her eyes were the most startling blue he had ever seen. But more than that, she was sassy. She had dared to take him down a couple of pegs for his dimwittedness despite the fact that he was a complete stranger to her. She had dared to look upon his physical features openly and she had not even bothered to ask his name even after releasing hers to him. He had no idea who she was or why she had been at John's party. All he knew was that in spite of feeling more riled than ever directly after meeting her, there was something about her that he found intensely attractive. Something which he couldn't yet put his finger yet. He didn't have a clue whether or not he would ever lay eyes on her again, but secretly, he very much hoped he would.

A gust of steam whooshed into the room signaling the end of Matt's alone time yet again and he found himself feeling disappointed that the woman coming to bed with him was not her.

"Well I think that was a most wonderful evening Matty," Heidi said conversationally. "Good times, good people and you on my arm. A perfect evening if I say so myself," she affirmed. Matt continued to stare up at the ceiling, not bothering to acknowledge her announcement. Truth be told it made his stomach squirm. Undeterred, Heidi continued. "Your old friend Leon is a bit reserved. I'm sure I only counted 3 words leaving his mouth tonight. What on earth do you see in him?"

"He's not usually like that," Matt sighed. "And please stop calling me Matty!" Heidi merely shrugged and slid under the covers towards him. Matt folded his arms across his chest, hoping to put her off snuggling against him, as was one of her favourite hobbies. If only she could snuggle against me, Matt thought and then checked himself. She was a stranger. He barely knew a thing about her aside from her name. How was it that a woman could affect him like this? He had been raised as a decent, honourable man. He should be above such thoughts and yet after a one minute conversation two hours earlier he was already under siege.

Studying his faraway look intently, Heidi nestled closer to him, hoping to comfort him from whatever plagued him. "I love you Matty, so much," she whispered and placed her hand over his waist. Matt inwardly groaned and rolled away from her with a "humph". He had had enough of his name being mangled into something that sounded so ridiculously childish for one evening. Squeezing his eyes closed, he hoped sleep would come swiftly.

Sleep did not claim Heidi Webster for many hours. She wasn't sure what had gotten her boyfriend into such a mood but it had really cut her when he had turned away from her just as she told him she loved him. Of all the moments. Perhaps he was serious about her not calling him 'Matty' anymore. If that was for him and the possibility of her affection being rebuffed was too painful to consider. On the other hand, Matt did seem put out by Leon's lack of enjoyment in the party and he did say that it was unusual. Perhaps that is what was bothering him? Heidi decided to assume it was. After all, he surely couldn't be serious about the other thing. Satisfied that she had gotten to the bottom of his brooding, she fell asleep.

Matthew glanced at his watch as he pulled the handbrake and exited his car. Nearly 6.30pm. He hadn't meant to do overtime at the office or that's what he planned to tell Heidi. Truthfully, he had spent the whole day only half concentrating on the new contract he had established with a client and the rest of it chastising himself every time is mind wandered to the vision of Elizabeth. He had only half-heartedly fought the fantasies of meeting her again and getting to know her and it made him angry with himself. On the other hand it had kept his mind off his clingy girlfriend for most of the day but as the sun disappeared over the high-rise buildings, he was dreading coming home. A little extra time spent at work making up for all the time he had wasted that day would surely not hurt?

Now it was with great trepidation that he walked up to the front door and unlocked it. Stepping into the foyer the most delicious aroma hit him. Inhaling it deeply he took off his coat and made his way into the brightly lit cream coloured kitchen. Heidi was bent over the bench putting the final touches on his surprise when he cleared his throat. Whipping round, she found herself caught out at his appearance.

"Something smells good," he noted, trying to cast his eyes around to the source. Heidi blushed, happy that she had his attention.

"I made you a fruit cake Matty, to cheer you up." Smiling, she turned back to her masterpiece and cut him a slice.

"To cheer me up?" Matt repeated, dumbstruck.

"Yes," she squeaked.

"What for?"

"Well you were clearly very upset about Leon's lack of interaction at the party last night so I thought I'd take your mind off things by baking you your favourite cake," she explained, setting his large piece onto a small plate. Matt stood watching her, glad she was paying attention to the cake and not him. For if she had been watching him, she would have seen a range of emotions cross his features in quick succession. The shock realization that she had interpreted his distance from her last night and then waking and leaving for work first thing as some sort of distress about his mate was almost laughable. She did have point. Perhaps he should be more concerned about Leon and contact him. But more pressingly, he was just relieved that she had no idea as to the real reason of his discomfort.

Heidi approached him with the piece of cake and handed him the plate, kissing his cheek. "A sweet delight for my gorgeous boyfriend before dinner. I've already forgiven you for your rude behaviour last night Matty." Matt tensed as she placed her hands on his arms. She rubbed her hands up and down for a minute before walking over to the cooker and examining the roast chicken. Apparently she was still hell-bent on calling him Matty and this did nothing to help him warm to her. On the other hand, it was clear she had gone to some lengths for him this evening, believing she was on the right track.

Suddenly, Matt felt a bit light headed. His conscience had torn him in two. On one hand he was irked by her lack of understanding for his true feelings and on the other he was now beginning to sample the results of his girlfriend trying to show him she cared and it made him feel guilty. So horribly guilty. He had wasted his day over another woman, put off coming home and now he was eating the most delicious piece of fruitcake he had ever sampled. The whole situation weighed upon him. The hot air which carried the sweet scents of her labour felt claustrophobic. It was torture. He needed to escape and quickly. Gusting down the cake as Heidi started cleaning up the bench, he pulled out his phone and keyed in a text.

Fancy a pint at the Rose and Crown?

Scrolling through his contacts he selected Leon and sent it off, hoping for a fast response. In an attempt to calm his frayed nerves he sat down at the small dining table in the corner, breathing deeply. Thinking about how he had singlehandedly managed to tangle himself in such a mental web, he nearly jumped out of his skin when the phone in his pocket vibrated. Extracting it from his blue jeans he saw the text was from Leon.

Meet you there in 15.

Relieved that he had found an excuse to leave and clear his head he stood up.

"I'm sorry Heidi but I've just been reminded that I was meant to meet Leon tonight for a drink," he lied. Heidi stopped bustling over organizing the dishes and gaped at him.

"But what about dinner?" she protested. "It'll be ready in twenty minutes!"

"I am sorry. Honestly it was my mistake for forgetting about it," Matt said smoothly while his stomach jerked around uncomfortably. "I've got to go or I'll be late." He started for the door.

"You really expect me to eat a big roast on my own?" Heidi shot at him, her voice trembling. Matt couldn't help but look at her pitifully.

"Save me some. The fruitcake was delicious, thank you." Pulling his gaze from her face which was distorting alarmingly quickly, Matt spun on his heels and made a beeline for the door.

"Come back here Matt," a deep, gravelly voice belted after him. Glancing behind him to check for flying objects he barreled out the door and back into his car.

The Rose and Crown was crawling with people as Matt pushed his way to the bar, his mind set on a pint of Carlsberg. Managing to maneuver into a free spot he flagged down an attendant making his way over to the other side of the bar, pint of Guinness in hand.

"Carlsberg please," Matt said clearly and plonked £3.30 onto the bench. The barman nodded and stopped to fetch a glass, placing it under the appropriate tap.

"Oi! What do you think you are doing?" A loud voice boomed at the bar attendant. Matt craned his neck and spotted Leon, sitting at the bar in a dark grey suit. "I haven't got all day for you to mess about," he barked. Matt bit his lip. This sounded much more like the Leon he knew. He watched as the flustered barman set the drink down in front of his friend who slammed some coins down in front of him saying something that sounded like "incompetent staff".

The bar attendant couldn't retreat fast enough to pour Matt's drink. As he brought it over, Matt pushed the money towards the man. "Don't mind the other guy; he can be a bit bolshy at times." The red-faced barman nodded and took the money to the till as another customer set his glass down and pushed it forward.

Matt grasped his drink and made his way around to the other side where Leon sat sipping his drink. Perching on a stool beside him he set his glass down and looked at his old friend.

"Hi Matt," Leon muttered.

"Well that was enthusiastic," Matt said sarcastically. "What's up with you?"

"Karen dumped me."

"Ah."

"I don't understand it Matt. I'm a great catch. Handsome, cool, sexy… She says she's found someone who cares about her more. I cared about her. How the hell can she tell me she's found someone else?" Leon spluttered.

"Well…" Matt replied, uncertain how to start.

"How Matt? How?"

"Perhaps she felt that you didn't spend enough time with her?" he suggested.

"Are you fucking kidding me? I spent loads of time with her-" Leon stopped and pulled his ringing phone out of his pocket. "Hang on Matt, I've just got to take this." Matt raised his eyebrows at the irony of the moment.

"Jude? No you are not going to do the Cameron film. No, stop. That script is the cheesiest, mushiest crap that has been distributed this year. I'm sending you the script for the Minghella film. It's an intense, challenging, sexy role that you are gonna love. It's just out. Right." Ringing off Leon stared down at his phone then brought his attention back to Matt.

"Who was that?" Matt asked curiously.

"Jude Law, my new client. He's a serious piece of arse but an ace actor. Did you see him in 'Gattaca'?"

"No."

"He was aces in it man," Leon raved.

"Leon, about Karen," Matt probed hesitantly.

"What about her?"

"You could try taking her back?"

"Nah, if she can't appreciate me for who I am then that is her problem. There are other bigger fish in the sea."

"Hi Leon," a female voice emitted right behind Matt, causing him to jump in surprise. He knew that accent.

"Elizabeth you rascal how are ya?" Leon said jovially as the American beauty stepped towards him.

"Good thanks. How about you?"

"Yeah good. Just having a drink with my old chum Matt. He's in publishing. You may have seen him last night at the party actually." Elizabeth turned and rested her eyes on Matt and he stood to attention.

"As it happens we did meet briefly last night," Matt confirmed.

"Yes. I might have missed the pleasure if you hadn't taken so long in the washroom." She flashed him a dazzling smile and he felt himself begin to get hot under the collar.

"What the hell were you mucking around in there for Matt?" Leon interjected.

"I erm," he began. He watched as Leon pulled out a package from his briefcase that rested at his feet.

"Elizabeth, this is the script for the Pimpernel series. You'll have to move fast if you want this one as the rest of the casting is complete. Let me know by midday tomorrow ok?"

"Ok Leon, will do."

"Catch you later darling."

"Goodbye Leon," Elizabeth said, her soft American vocals ringing through the air. Matt realized with some degree of horror that she wasn't going to stay. But he wanted her to. He wanted to get to know her.

"Elizabeth wait," he called after her. Pausing, she glanced back over her shoulder at him.

"Would you like a drink?"