Robert shut the door of his car and pressed the button on his key to lock it. The chilly weather made him want to crawl back in the car where it was warmer but he didn't have much time, it was almost eight and he had promised Cora to meet her at the bridge. He took a long breath and started walking towards it. He knew what it was going to be about so he told himself not to make a scene. He walked slowly towards the bridge; he saw that the stars were nowhere to be seen in the sky. It was really foggy today, he felt like he was in a scene from a movie. What a sad movie, he thought.

He stopped at a point, putting hands on the brick surface of the railing of the bridge. Cora hadn't arrived yet so he busied himself looking out at the boats. He started counting them and then a small smile set on his lips. The boat that is as they called their boat was right in the middle of the boats tied to the deck. He could still remember when he took Cora's hand and lead her into it. She was wearing a black sleeveless dress and her lips were painted red, she had looked so beautiful that day. He still remembered her expressions when he kneeled down. Her breath caught in her throat and he stopped momentarily because it felt surreal and so meant to be and so right. It was perfect. They were so happy. Why did it have to go wrong? If it wasn't meant to be why did it feel so great at the time? He clutched his coat tighter around him and took out his phone to distract himself. He checked his messages. How boring is his life?

Phone company.

Bates' reminder for the meeting tomorrow.

Message from the bank confirming about his purchase of a travel bag a few hours ago.

Rosamund's message to invite him for their usual siblings Tuesday night dinner.

A message from Tom that he might pay him a visit soon so that they can watch the cricket match together.

Ah! He started replying to the ones needed replying when his phone started ringing and Cora's beautiful face appeared on the screen. He picked up.

"Hey", he said.

"Hi, where are you?"

"On the bridge"

"Oh, I just got out of my car and wanted to confirm. There's so much fog, I can hardly see a thing", she chuckled.

He chuckled back, "I'm not far. Come on"

"Yeah, wait, I am almost there"

He then saw a figure emerging from the fog.

She wore a blue dress, a dress that matched her eyes perfectly, her lips were painted pink and she wore a black coat over it. It was just like a scene in those cheesy movies but gosh, it was like she descended straight from heaven. She looked so angelic. They were still on the phone and she spotted him, giving him a wave and a smile she cancelled the call. He waved back awkwardly, trying to steady his heart.

This was his wife. His.

And he was meeting her to let her go. He let out a breath and looked away before she reached him. The pain was too much but he didn't want to look like a broken person that he so obviously was.

She reached him and he looked back at her and moved to awkwardly kiss her cheek. He could smell the scent of her flowery perfume.

Damn.

Stop it, Robert. Get a hold of yourself.

He distracted himself and spoke, "How are you"

"Good", she smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her nervous habit. She was nervous and it only confirmed his suspicion about what she came to talk about. Ouch, his heart.

"Hungry?" he said.

"Starving", she chuckled.

He smiled and starting walking with her towards the restaurant, "Let's go".

She nodded and followed him.

She wanted to loop her arm through his arm or just take his hand but they weren't on such good terms and it would feel awkward clinging to the man she came to break up with.

Break up with.

Why does the realization hurt every time? Every time. What the hell!

She followed him and he talked to the waiter and within two minutes they were seated.

"The usual?" he asked.

She nodded.

He went through the motions of ordering their food and then they sat awkwardly as the waiter brought their drinks.

"How is work?"

She asked taking a sip of her drink.

"Really good" he smiled. "We have a big development coming up"

"Oh?"

"Yes, but I won't bore you with details", he smiled and she nodded. "How about yours? Sybil told me you are working on a new painting you found"

"Yeah, well I haven't seen it yet but hopefully I will soon"

He adjusted his napkin and nodded "What's it about?"

She raised her eyebrow knowing very well that he had zero interest in the history of a painting.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled and she nodded. "Shouldn't bore you with details" she said copying him.

He grinned "Always a fan of a comeback, Cora Craw-. Cora" His face immediately flushed.

Uh oh! Awkward and painful.

She won't be a Crawley longer so he didn't say but he almost did and she of course noticed that and met his eyes and then looked down to adjust the napkin, her face just as red.

It was always like this. If it even goes a bit less awkward something happens which purposely reminded them of their position.

Thankfully the waiter came with their food and the rest of the dinner passed as all the previous ones did. Both needed to talk but not now, after dinner.

The dinner passed talking about the children, the weather, the sports, the new fashion and the viral infections.

They weren't ready to dip in the hole just yet.


Seriously no idea why I am updating so quickly haha! Because I don't think I will be able to keep this pace up, I have a long weekend (woho!) and somehow the motivation crept into me and made me type out 4 chapter in a day hahaha! Tbh, I still don't know what I feel about this story, which is why I am updating so soon, to know what you all think about it. I would be most grateful to read reviews, I am VERY nervous.