June 5, 2013
John couldn't help the smile spreading across his face as he saw Anna rounding the corner and approaching the bus stop. He had known her for about a month now and he couldn't deny that he just felt better being around her. After he had met her that wet day in May, he had found that he couldn't stop thinking about her. Her smile, her easy going cheerfulness, try as he might, she kept invading his thoughts.
At first, he told himself he was going to work early because his knee had been acting up and exacerbating his insomnia. Then, he tried to convince himself that he enjoyed the hour or so before Barrow and O'Brien got to the office with their sneers and snide comments. Finally, he had to admit that he was hoping to run into Anna again, and not just to get his umbrella back.
And it had worked. Once he had started taking the earlier bus they 'ran into' each other on a regular basis. Each morning they chatted, and at this point, had struck up some kind of friendship. Although he knew little to nothing about her, seeing Anna each morning was the highlight of John's day.
"Good morning, Mr. Bates," Anna smiled up at him, "here's your tea."
Initially, it had taken Anna awhile to return John's umbrella. She didn't know exactly which days the two of them would be at the bus stop at the same time. Anna tried to return it for several days in a row immediately after he had given it to her, but when he wasn't there day after day she had finally given it up and left the umbrella at home. When he started appearing at the right time again, she was slow to believe in the regularity of it and was caught with him in the rain without his or any other umbrella again and again. And again and again he would share his new umbrella with her (a recent purchase, he pointed out). Once she was convinced he would be there, she began to bring him a tea each morning by way of saying thank you for his generosity. By now, it had become their routine.
"Good morning, Anna," John smiled in the way that took Anna's breath away. Yes, she knew he was much older than she was and yes, she knew that they barely knew each other, although they saw one another five days a week. But she also knew that when she closed her eyes at night it was his smile that she saw; the same smile that was greeting her this morning. Furthermore (and she was a little ashamed to admit she had looked) she knew that he didn't wear a wedding ring. Most of all, she knew he was a true gentleman, and those were in short supply in London these days.
She handed him his tea saying, "Two sugars and no milk, just how you like it."
"Thank you." He said no more because by now he knew arguing with Anna Smith was fruitless.
She took a sip of her own drink and then placed her hand on his arm to steady herself. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked, "I've gotten a rock in my shoe or something. It's been killing me ever since the tea shop."
"Not at all," John replied over the lump that had formed in his throat. He hated to admit the thrill that went through him when she touched him. She had never done so before. Anna continued to chatter away as she removed her shoe, brushed her foot and returned the footwear to its rightful place, but John heard none of it. He couldn't concentrate on anything but the feel and sight of her delicate hand on his coat sleeve. He was disappointed when he heard the bus rumble its way down the street.
"Goodness, that was quick," Anna sighed, "I barely had time to give you your tea. I guess I walk more slowly when my foot's killing me."
John gave her his now familiar half smile, "Probably not as slowly as I walk with this knee."
"Enough of that now Mr. Bates. There's sugar in that tea, be sweet to yourself as well as others." She looked regretfully at the bus, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"That you will, Anna. That you will."
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John had stayed rather late at work that day looking over an account of Barrow's that Robert had concerns about. The client had complained of mismanagement and Robert had wanted another set of eyes to look it over, but after hours when Barrow was out of the building. As John exited the bus he retrieved his buzzing phone from his pocket. It was his divorce lawyer, and by the time John rang off another bus had arrived. Much to John's surprise and delight, Anna was just exiting the vehicle as he looked up.
"Hello Anna," he smiled brightly.
"Mr. Bates," she said in surprise, stepping toward him to get out of the way of the other passengers, "what a surprise. You weren't waiting for me were you?" she teased.
John could feel his face turn red immediately, "Um no, I...I had to work late and then… um, I got a phone call just as I was…"
"Relax, Mr. Bates," she laughed, "I'm just teasing."
John smiled a more relaxed smile. He looked at his watch and asked, "And what brings you home so late?"
Anna held up some shopping bags, "Just spending some time and money in the shops downtown. More variety there than in this bit of London. Funny," she continued, "I never think of seeing you in the evening, but I guess it's a coincidence that we haven't run into one another before now. You must live in this neighborhood as well if this is where you catch the bus."
"I do. Just over off Cambridge, close to the river. You?"
"Not down by the river, that's for sure. I spend all my money on clothes for work. I live closer to the park. But it seems we go in the same direction for a few blocks anyway."
"We do. Can I carry your bags for you?"
"Oh that's not necessary Mr. Bates, I can manage."
"I've no doubt you can, but a burden shared is a burden halved."
Anna looked at him in surprise, "That's what my mother used to say!"
John reached for the larger, heavier of the two packages. Smiling he said, "Well then you can't argue with me."
They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes. As they passed a little cafe, John had an idea. He steeled his courage and asked, "Can I treat you to a bite, Anna? I feel I owe you for all the tea you've bought me these past few weeks."
Anna looked up at him touching his arm again, "Oh that's not necessary, Mr. Bates."
Disappointed, he broke eye contact, looking over her shoulder, "Of course. I'm sure you already have plans."
"No I haven't," Anna answered quickly, "that's not what I meant at all. It's just that you've rescued me from the rain so many times, it's my pleasure to get you tea in the morning."
They looked at each other for a moment. John didn't know what to say or do. He didn't want to ask and be turned down again but he didn't want to give up if there was even a chance Anna would say yes to sharing a meal.
Finally, Anna spoke, "You know... I am famished, I had to skip lunch. Mary, my boss, was in quite a mood today."
"So is that a 'yes' then?" John asked again.
"Absolutely, I can't think of anything nicer." Anna slipped her arm through John's as they turned toward the door of the cafe and he had to make himself concentrate on navigating the one step which lay in their path to the restaurant.
He opened the door for her and the hostess led them to a table. Anna half expected John to hold her chair out for her but he was busy sorting her packages and his cane as she sat. A waitress appeared immediately and asked them what they would like to drink and they both ordered tea. She brought their drinks quickly and took their food order. When she left them, John reached for the milk and poured some into his tea without thinking.
"Why did you do that, Mr. Bates?" Anna asked curiously, "you don't take your tea with milk. Two sugars and no milk, like always."
John got a sheepish look on his face and rubbed the back of his neck, "Actually, I take milk and no sugar."
"But? You mean I've been fixing it wrong for a whole month and you never told me?"
"Well... at first I thought it was so kind of you to bring me a tea at all that I figured I would just drink it. And then when you started bringing me a cup everyday I was too embarrassed to tell you."
"So you were just going to go on drinking tea you didn't like for the rest of your life?" Anna's eyes were sparkling with merriment at John's embarrassment.
John was so captivated by her face and her smile that what wanted to say was, "I'd think I'd probably do anything you asked me to do for the rest of my life," but what he said instead was, "Yes, probably."
"Well that's just silly, Mr. Bates. Please don't ever pretend to be something you're not for my sake. I like you just the way you are." She patted his hand across the table.
John felt his whole body flush with the warmth of her words and touch. "You know what else is silly?" he retaliated, "You calling me Mr. Bates. Please call me John."
"Alright John," Anna continued to tease him, "Is there anything else I should know about how you've been misleading me?"
Her words stung, even though he knew she was teasing him, "There is one thing…"
"Oh?" Anna tried, unsuccessfully, to appear shocked.
Just then the waitress came back with their food and they were quiet until she departed. When she left, Anna spoke.
"You're deep, dark secret, John?" she looked to him with interest and John thrilled to be the focus of her attention and to hear his name on her lips.
"When I said I lived by the river…"
"You don't?"
"I do," he said, hands flailing slightly, "but I'm afraid it might lead you to think I'm grander than I really am. I live in a house that I bought from my best mate and he charged me very little for it. I think he felt sorry for me. He gave me my job too. You see, I moved to London from up north about six months ago." He looked down at his food and sighed, "I'm getting a divorce and it's not going as smoothly as I would like."
A little thrill went through Anna as she heard about John's divorce. She felt guilty, but she had to admit that she was happy to hear that he would soon be single. She couldn't imagine anyone wanting to divorce such a kind, thoughtful and handsome man. She didn't know why it mattered to her so much. She felt sure he couldn't be interested in her 'that way'. She was so much younger than he and she had an irritating tendency to babble whenever she was around him.
"Well, that's a shame," she managed to utter quietly, quickly taking another sip of her tea.
"Not really," John continued, surprised he was opening up to Anna so easily, but then, she always seemed to put him at ease. At least she did when he wasn't trying to ask her to tea. "Vera and I were married a long time ago, when we were both far too young. Our marriage was always...problematic. We decided to marry in a rush before I went to Afghanistan and when I came back injured," he stopped speaking for a moment before he sighed, "well, we never really hit our stride."
Silence reigned as the two of them spent the next few minutes eating their supper.
"Let's change the subject, shall we?" John asked.
"Alright," Anna agreed brightly.
"What did you buy in the shops today? If that's not too personal a question."
"Not at all," Anna began rifling through her bags as she answered him, "in fact you can help me with some valuable advice."
"I can?"
"Mmmm, I'd like your opinion on this," Anna held up what was clearly a man's scarf. "Is this pattern too wild for a man in his thirties who works in a law firm downtown do you think?"
John's food turned to ashes in his mouth as his mind raced. What a fool he was. Of course someone as young and beautiful as Anna had a partner. She was probably being kind to John in the same way she would to a favorite uncle, he thought.
He put down his cutlery and apologized, "Anna, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to eat with me. I'm sure whoever that scarf is for would find it unseemly, and I can't say I blame him."
Anna shook her head as if trying to make sense of John's words, "Why would my brother-in-law find it unseemly for me to share a meal with you?"
"Your brother-in law?"
"Yes… oh my god. You thought this was for my boyfriend?" she almost laughed.
"It's not?" John was feeling very unsettled by this whole conversation now.
"No," Anna replied, the devilishness returning to her eyes, "but I really would need you to give me advice about what to get him, seeing as I haven't even met him yet."
"So you don't… I mean you're not…" he stopped speaking wondering what the hell he was doing even asking these questions.
"Seeing someone?" Anna finished for him, "Nope, it seems the gentlemen here in London haven't discovered the irresistible charms of Anna May Smith just yet."
"One of them has," John thought to himself.
"Although I must say I haven't given them much of a chance lately," Anna continued. "Since I got my new job a few months ago I've been working all hours. My boss, who also happens to be my best friend, is quite a slave driver."
"Well I'm glad she kept you late this evening, else I wouldn't have run into you." The words escaped before John had a chance to think about what he was saying.
Anna blushed slightly, "Thank you, John. I feel the same."
It was quiet again as they concentrated on their food. Then Anna reached into her bags again and said, "Look at what else I bought today. These are just for me." She proudly held up three new books for John to peruse and the two of them spent the next hour or so happily discussing literature.
When the bill came, John reached for it before Anna had a chance. He was already getting his wallet out of the inside pocket of his suit coat by the time she could form a protest.
"Now, now Miss Smith. I invited you to dinner as repayment for all the tea you've brought me, remember?"
"Yes, but I bought you all the tea as repayment for sheltering me under your umbrella. Remember, Mister Bates?"
John smiled a wicked smile as he put the money onto the tray, "I tell you what… you can get the bill next time."
Anna practically melted through the floor, but managed to say, "Will there be a next time, John?"
His smile softened, "I certainly hope so." He rose from his chair and quickly stepped around the table, holding Anna's chair for her so she could rise. He helped her on with her coat and as she flipped her hair from under the collar he had to bite his lip to stifle the sigh that threatened to escape him.
As they left the restaurant, Anna took John's arm again and the two of them walked in silence down the block.
"This is where I turn off," Anna said, her voice full of regret.
"I should walk you home," John said, standing as close as if they were still huddled under the same umbrella at the bus stop.
"Oh no. I wouldn't want you to do that. Don't trouble yourself to go all that extra way on your leg. I'll be fine."
John could feel the hope that had been building within him all evening deflate a little at her words, "No," he said, "we wouldn't want that."