Charles looked down into his beer. He hated drinking alone in public. It made him feel like a pathetic, lonely bachelor. He never did it, as a rule, but this time his friend had been called away from their chat at the bar when Charles was only half-finished with his drink. He had promised to pay his friend's bill, and he was stuck there, alone. Lately it seemed he could not be alone without thinking of the woman on the plane - Elsie. She had wandered through his thoughts and dreams since the day they met. In fact, he had even dreamed of her when he fell asleep sitting beside her on the flight to Shackleton. There was not much to the dream, and it was not scandalous in the slightest, but it had repeated itself a number of times since then. Charles had kicked himself on his way home from the airport for not asking her for her phone number, but it couldn't be helped. They might soon be residents of the same city, so he was still hopeful that he might see her again, but who knew how long it would take, or even if she would get the job she had interviewed for. Even were he inclined to make an effort to find her, he knew nothing about her interests or her career, things that might have helped him guess where she might be found. It was just as well, he supposed. He would feel a bit like a stalker if he did try to find her. And he had been avoiding anything beyond superficial conversation with attractive women for years. There was no reason to change that now.

Charles felt like he'd been punched in the gut when he looked up and saw Elsie at the other end of the bar. There she is. She must have gotten the job. Part of him was afraid, did not feel ready, but he knew if he let this opportunity pass, he would deeply regret it. He was not pursuing her, he told himself, but perhaps they could be friends. He got the bartender's attention and paid his bill, but before he reached Elsie, she was approached by another man. Charles stopped to watch and it wasn't long before he could see that the man was a stranger to Elsie, and that she had rebuffed his advance, but he persisted. Her irritation was evident; Charles was angry. He hated the sort of man that treated women that way. He hesitated briefly, but his anger propelled him toward Elsie and the stranger.

"Elsie!" he called out to her when he reached her. He kissed her cheek and spoke to her as if they were old friends, pretending not to notice the stranger. "I'm dreadfully sorry I'm so late. I hope you haven't been waiting long."

Elsie had been a little shocked when Charles came seemingly out of nowhere and kissed her, but she regained her composure quickly and played along with his little ruse, putting to rest Charles's slight fear that she wouldn't remember him. "You needn't worry, Charles. I've only been here a few minutes." She turned slightly and spoke coldly to the stranger. "As you can see, I'm quite busy. Please leave me alone." The man hesitated for only a second before he slunk away. She turned back to Charles.

"Hello, Elsie," he greeted her.

"Hello, Charles." Elsie smiled. "Thank you for that. I'm sure I would have shaken him off eventually, but you've gotten rid of him much faster.

"I, um, I'm sorry for taking a liberty."

Elsie wasn't sure what he meant. "A liberty? What do you mean?"

"When I…" He floundered.

"Oh, when you kissed me? I didn't mind, so don't give it another thought." She glanced around the room briefly before turning her attention back to Charles. "So how have you been? Is your summer going well?"

"It is. I'm on holiday right now and enjoying my leisure," he told her. "And you? How are you settling in? I presume you got the job?"

"Yes, I did," Elsie replied, smiling. "And things are going well at work. I'm supposed to be meeting a friend here for a drink." She looked around again and shrugged.

"Do let me know if there's anything I can do to help you feel more at home here."

Elsie pulled out her phone. "I'd better take your number, then," she remarked.

Charles was glad she had asked. He was so distracted by her presence that he might have forgotten again. They exchanged numbers and as Charles was trying to think of something to say, Elsie scanned the crowd again.

"Oh, there is my friend!" she exclaimed, before turning back to Charles. "I must go, Charles, but it's been lovely to see you again."

"Likewise, Elsie. Best of luck to you." And he hurried away, leaving the place immediately. Elsie watched after him, surprised at his quick departure, but then turned back and made her way to her friend's table.

To be continued…