"We met in our usual place, Delia planting a gentle kiss on my cheek as we embrace. I take her hand behind the security of my back and rub my thumb over her knuckles. We both take a deep breath and turn heading once again for 'The Silver Buckle'.

It's quieter than last time so we're able to take a table in the far corner of the cafe, away from anyone else. The waitress comes to take our order before retreating to the counter.

Delia looks stunning this evening, her white shirt is the same one from the square dance and the blue scarf brings out the crystal blue of her eyes. She smiles softly at me before speaking.

"How are you, Pats?" I melt again at her use of my nickname, she is the only person I allow to call me Pats. When anyone else says it I bristle, but when it leaves Delia's lips there's a softening to it and single word that speaks 1000 words and all of love and affection. She raises her eyebrows making me realise I've not yet replied.

"I'm rather good thank you Deels, in fact I have some news"

We both pause as the waitress brings over our tea, making me even more grateful for the planning I did before I left.

"Oh yes, what's that?" Her Welsh tones permeate the air as the waitress leaves.

I reach into my bag and hand her the envelope. Her forehead crumples with confusion and she looks up to me for answers.

"I wasn't sure we'd be able to get somewhere private enough to talk so I've written it down for you to read." My heart is beating at 200 beats per minute as her expression changes from confusion to intrigue. "Open it" I encourage, hoping I've done the right thing.

A smile forms at the edge of her mouth as she slips the fold out of the envelope and pulls out the letter inside:

My darling Delia,

I made a promise to you, that we would be together. While I cannot make permanent at present, I have found a way for us to spend a weekend together, alone.

A confused smile crosses her face again, as if questioning my sanity. I pick up my cup and take a sip of tea, partly to control my smile and partly to hide my shaking.

I would be delighted if you would accompany me to Chelsea, where I have booked us a room in a hotel and have located the perfect place for us to be ourselves, together.

Her eyes widened and a huge grin appeared on her face along with a rose blush creeping up from below her scarf.

'The Gateways Club' is a place for people like you and I. A place where no one will notice, and more importantly no one will care what we do. We can be totally anonymous and totally in love.

Her jaw dropped as she continued to read, I knew exactly which part she was up to just by her face.

We leave at 10am on Saturday 21st, I've checked your rota and you're off all weekend. Two days of just you and I. Two days of being ourselves. Are you with me?

Forever yours

P x

She licks her top lip and she folds the letter back into the envelope. Then silently picks up her cup and takes a sip. My heart is in my throat. Have I done the right thing? Why isn't she saying anything?

It feels like an eternity of silence when in reality I'm sure it's less than a minute. She places her cup back on its saucer and takes a deep breath.

"I can think of anything I'd rather do" her face lightens as she speaks and I can feel mine doing the same. "And I'm most definitely with you"

She grins across the table at me and places her hand over mine. I don't stop her, I don't look around to check who's watching, I don't care. She rubs her thumb across mine as I feel my shakes subside. We stay like this for several minutes, no words required, just the silent knowledge that we will be together as I promised, even if it is just for 48 hours.

We struggle to make coherent conversation for the rest of the evening. Trying to keep our mind on Poplar and not on the prospect of Chelsea in a few short days. We very comfortably sit in silence staring into each other's eyes, into each other's souls, no words required. Before we realise we are the last people in the Silver Buckle, the tables around us emptied and clean ready for tomorrow. The waitress comes over to us informing us that their closing and we need to leave.

My heart sinks and I will tears not to form, I don't want to leave, leaving means leaving Delia, something I'm finding harder to do every time we're together. Saturday cannot come quickly enough. We walked out arm in arm, as I have done with Trixie many times before, it feels so different with Deels; I thank God that no one else can tell my heart rate has increased and my palms have become sweaty."