Chapter 2: Anticipation

The next few days passed very slowly for Sid as he waited for Maxxie to call back. He made tentative enquiries at work about taking a day off at very short notice.

After just over a week, Sid's phone rang. As he hoped, it was Maxxie.

"Hello, Maxxie!" said Sid, "Any news?"

"I went to the café with Caterina and got her to do all the talking." said Maxxie, "It seems Cassie's working Tuesday to Saturday mornings next week."

"Thanks Maxx." said Sid, "Did she suspect anything?"

"I don't think so," said Maxxie. "but it appears that Caterina knows Cassie. What day do you think you might come to London?"

"Saturday would be good." said Sid. "I won't have to take a day off. You suggested we should meet. Are you free next Saturday?"

"Yes – until mid afternoon." said Maxxie, "Then I have to go to the theatre for the evening performance."

"I'll catch an early train." said Sid, "Shall we meet at the café?"

"That's a good idea." said Maxxie, "It might be better if you got there first. You'll be able to surprise Cassie before I show up. What time do you think you'll be able to get to the café?"

"I should be able to get there before half past ten." said Sid.

"I'll see you at the café at eleven." said Maxxie.

"That's a date then." said Sid, "I'll see you next Saturday. I just hope Cassie will still want to see me."

"I'll look forward to seeing two very happy people when I get there." said Maxxie, "Good luck!"

"Thanks!" said Sid, "I hope you will. Bye for now! See you next Saturday at Pete's café."

For Sid, the Saturday of the following week could not come quickly enough. He booked a ticket on the 7:30 train to Paddington. This would get him to London shortly after 9 o'clock. He would have time to get to Hampstead before half past ten so that he could surprise Cassie before Maxxie's arrival. Using Maxxie's directions, Sid consulted Google Streetview and found an outside view of the café. This would make sure he found it at the first attempt. He was also reassured that the outside tables on Streetview did look like the ones in the photograph.

Time dragged on. Sid carried on working and socialising through the next week or so. On the Thursday evening he met Tony and Michelle in one of the City Centre pubs. He showed Tony a selection of the pictures including the ones with the bus and the café tables.

"She certainly does look sad." said Tony, "Was Maxxie any help?"

"Yes." said Sid, "He happened to meet her a couple of weeks before I called him. She's working as a waitress at a café in Hampstead. I'm going up there on Saturday."

"Don't be upset if she bursts into tears when she sees you." said Michelle, "It'll be a big emotional shock for her."

"Maxxie did warn me that might happen." said Sid, "What should I do if she does cry?"

"I should 'play it by ear'." said Michelle, "She may want some space, or she may want a shoulder to cry on. You'll have to try to read her mood."

"Hopefully she's missed you as much as you've missed her." said Tony, "If that's the case, she'll want to hold you and not let go in case you disappear. If she cries in your arms, I think you know what to do."

"Thanks Tony!" said Sid, "I hope you're right."

"After all," said Tony, "this won't be the first time you've suddenly appeared at her workplace."

"New York was different." said Sid, "That time, she'd only been away for a few weeks and we hadn't even said 'Goodbye' to each other."

"I don't see that it's all that different." said Tony, "You're still unexpectedly turning up out of the blue."

"S'pose!" said Sid, "I'll just have to hope for the best."

"Anyway," said Michelle, "let us know how you get on. We'd be really happy if you succeeded in getting back with Cassie. You two make such a perfect couple."

"Thanks." said Sid, "I know you two have tried to help me, but I feel I must try to get her back. This might be my last chance."

"Have you any idea who took the pictures?" asked Tony.

"No." replied Sid, "All there is in the website is the title page and a gallery of pictures of Cassie."

For Sid, Saturday could not come soon enough. Finally, it dawned, clear and bright. It was going to be a sunny day over the whole of the South of England. Liz gave Sid a lift to the station. He advised her that he would not be back until about half past one on Sunday Morning. She wished him luck and sincerely hoped that he would find Cassie and resume his relationship with her.

Sid boarded the train with hope in his heart, but this was tempered by a niggling worry about what Cassie's reaction would be when they met. After all, he had not spoken to her in two years, and a lot could have happened in that time. He occupied his mind during the journey by attempting the Sudoku puzzles in his paper and playing games on his phone.

Finally, just after ten past nine, the train pulled into Paddington. Sid found the Underground and bought a travelcard as he was going to make several separate journeys within London.

At a quarter past ten, he found himself approaching Pete's café. His heart was beating fast as he was feeling anxious about Cassie's possible response. However, he knew he had to give the impression of being calm. He took several deep breaths, entered the café and sat down at a vacant table.