Thank you for the encouraging words in response to my first effort. I cannot believe people are not only reading my story, but liking it too. I have already planned this story in my mind to a point, so it's lovely to know some people want it to continue. I will continue with a series of short chapters for the time being, as that is how I have imagined it.

Thanks again.

Nothing belongs to me.

She didn't like going out to clubs, especially on a week night. But it was Daisy's birthday, Daisy being her best friend. Gwen would be there, and Ethel. The three women making up her group of friends. Checking her look in the mirror, she shrugged. She would pass, she supposed as she straightened out her black dress before running a hand through her long blonde hair. After another monotonous, long winded day at work this really was the last thing she wanted to be dressed in. Her Winnie The Pooh pyjamas seemed a much more inviting proposition.

Looking to her watch, she released a deep sigh. Then the buzzer sounded and there was no turning back now. Walking to the front door, she lifted the receiver which instantly ended the buzzer.

'Come on, Anna. It's party time.'

It was Gwen, she was able to hear Ethel and Daisy talking in the background. The sound of their excited voices instantly lifted her spirits. Maybe she could have a good time tonight, she always did when with her friends. It was only seven now, they didn't have to be out late.

'I'll be right down.'

Bloody hell, it was cold. Shifting from foot to foot, trying anything to keep warm, he looked up to see a group of women approaching the entrance to the club. Being a bouncer wasn't the most glamorous of occupations, but it paid the bills. If only busking was enough, he often thought to himself.

Looking at the faces of the women who were now entering 'Sugar And Spice' nightclub, he realised he wouldn't need to trouble any of them for identification. Offering a friendly smile as they passed him, he wondered whether, maybe somewhat harshly, if a few of them had got dressed in the dark.

Feeling a presence beside him, he looked up to see his colleague, Thomas reassume his position on the other side of the door. The two of them had never got along, although he didn't know why. He had never really cared to find out why either, if he was honest.

Female shrieking brought him out of his reverie. Looking to his left, he made a double take. It couldn't be, could it? A group of four young ladies were making their approach, one of them he instantly recognised. Familiar feelings surged within him. His heart was beating faster, his throat was dry. She hadn't notice him yet. Attempts to regain his composure were fruitless, he was just waiting with baited breath for her to notice him, for what her reaction would be.

Then she looked up.

He was sure their surroundings had melted away, it was just the two of them. This was madness. They were effectively strangers, they had never even spoken yet every time his eyes met hers, fireworks went off in his head, cohesive thoughts were impossible.

'Evening ladies.'

Thomas's voice suddenly reached his ears, breaking the connection he was holding with the young woman. One of the other girls attempted to flirt with his fellow bouncer, he barely noticed as the pretty blonde woman continued to smile at him. Then she spoke, and he was sure a sweeter sound had never been heard.

'It's her birthday,' she said in reply to something Thomas had asked, pointing to the petite brunette in front of her. She then turned to face him once again, they simply stared at each other. Thomas must be wondering if they were quite well.

'Come on, Anna,' one of the women shouted, grabbing her by the wrist. 'They're playing Beyoncé.'

Anna. So that was her name, then. It suited her. Sophisticated. Beautiful. And with a nod of the head, she had disappeared into the club behind her friends. He watched, unable to take his eyes off her. Needing more, he made an excuse of needing to use the toilet to disappear inside. The sound of 'Single Ladies' was deafening, but he managed to make her out in the crowd, in the middle of the dance floor.

Her friends were dancing in some sort of coordinated rhythm, she standing by trying to join in. She was laughing. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. The vision he saw before him right now made standing out in the cold more than worth it.

She knew going out last night was a bad idea. She hadn't time for her coffee as she burst through the barriers at Waterloo having overslept. Dodging her way thorough the crowds of the morning rush hour, she trod the floor towards the bridge that lead to the south bank. Then she remembered. Who she saw last night. A smile was unavoidable. She knew he couldn't be a busker by trade, but a bouncer was the furthest thing from her mind when she thought what 'her busker' might do for a living.

As she grew closer to where he would inevitably be situated, she smiled as she recognised the tune he was singing. He must have seen her last night. She and her friends always went mad for that song. As he came into view, she was pleased to see he was wearing his flat cap.

'If you like it then you should have put a ring on it...'

He had noticed her, singing the song as their eye contact threatened to knock her to the ground. She couldn't help but sing along as he sang the 'uh oh oh,' portion of the song. She stood in front of him, not wanting to seem egotistical but knowing this time the song he was singing was for her benefit. As he finished, she gave him a hearty round of applause, the smile he afforded her was breathtaking. After dropping her two pound coin in his guitar case, she offered him a smirk and a nod of acknowledgement before turning on her heel.

'Have a good day, Anna.'

She stopped dead in her tracks. He had just spoken to her. The first interaction beyond eye contact and exchanges of smiles they had ever had. His voice was deep, a hint of Irish to his tone. She loved it. Looking back over her shoulder, he was smirking,

'And you.' She replied with a nod. 'Take care.'