Every week they met. Every Sunday at 2 precisely. Just the park at first but then to the Pictures, to tiny cafes who served terrible tea, to the Zoo and, as summer approached, a trip to the seaside.

It had been Violet who had suggested it.

To both of them, stuck in grand houses in the city day after day, it seemed like the best way to escape.

Warwick was unsure as to exactly when they had casually slipped into first name terms but he rather liked it. No one called him by his Christian name anymore and to hear it slip gently off Miss Whissets lips was rather delightful.

They had planned their little adventure meticulously over several weeks and now it was only one more week to go. They were visiting a seaside town called Brighton, to which neither had been before and Pritchard was rather excited. He had chosen his outfit, yes he did do that sort of thing, planning really was his strong point. The closer Sunday came the more nervous he got. It did not go unnoticed by the other inhabitants of165 Eaton Place. Twice Pritchard caught Johnny, Beryl and Eunice giggling in the kitchens. On the same day.

"Don't worry love, it'll all be fine" Mrs Thackeray's coarse voice cut across the silence in his office.

"Yes, well…"Warwick sighed. As much as he hated to admit it to anyone, let alone himself, he could really do with some advice "I've not really done this sort of thing…" he gestured randomly to his left, Mrs Thackeray raised her eyebrows and smirked at him from the door frame "…Thank you for the normal support" he finished somewhat lamely. She grinned "Cup of tea?" He nodded wearily.

"Best to get it over and done with quickly!" The cook's cynical tone was obvious "Just shut your eyes…and lean forwards"

Pritchard stared at her blankly. "I know how to kiss!"

There was a rather awkward pause.

Mrs Thackeray rolled her eyes and smiled indulgently with a shake of her head

"Of course you do dear"

…

The moment had been perfect; the Brighton coast hummed a calming hush as the blue waves lapped the beach, the clear sky shone down on them, her soft grip upon his hand…Pritchard felt instinctively it was time to strike.

If this was a dinner party, it was time for the dessert.

Eagerly he turned towards her and brought his hand up to her face…

SMACK

There was a sickening crack.

Warwick sat, arm suspended, staring at Violet in shock who in return looked equally terrified.

"I am so sorry…."

Thickly Warwick brought his hand back to his own face and was mildly surprised to find it came away covered in blood.

His nose hurt.

Violet lead him to a near by bench and began hastily pulling tissues from her handbag and dabbing his nose with them gingerly, apologising non stop and red in the face with shame.

"Did…did you hit me?" The words fell bluntly from Pritchard as he stared with disbelief at Miss Whisset.

"No…I am so sorry, my darling…I was, I was going to…" She sighed loudly torn between humiliation and tears.

Gently she brought her hands up to his face and wiped at his bloody nose gently, aware of how much she was stared up at her completely confused but contented as her fingers tenderly caressed his face. Violet gathered her remaining courage and placed a hand on each cheek, looking Warwick full in the face.

"I was going to kiss you"

"Oh"

"Sorry" She whispered quietly. Violet made to pull her hands away, expecting rejection. For a moment he looked totally confused but then his face broke into a lopsided smile. Pritchard caught her retreating hands and held them fast, careful to avoid his nose.

"Next time we shall give each other pior warning that we are about to kiss so we don't crash?"

Violet let slip a weak giggle and stroked his cheek affectionately.

"You're not cross?"

"That you headbutted me? A little…" She blushed a lovely pink, spreading from her cheeks to her lips. He turned his head to find her curled fingers and kissed her shaking palm. Her skin was lightly scented, it was a comforting smell. He looked back at her and was please to find her closer than before, her face tentative and apologetic.

"I'm going to kiss you…now"

And he did.

Her lips were soft against his.

He felt her fingers cup his cheek more tenderly, pulling him closer to her.

His nose gave a slight twinge.

Warwick Pritchard didn't even care.

After a moment they broke apart. Violet pushed her glasses back up her nose and took his hand in hers, feeling squeezed her warm hand back and grinned at her.

"Can I kiss you again?"

She nodded

…

"You tried to kiss her and she broke your nose?" Spargo threw his head back and roared with laughter. Beryl was trying hard to hide her giggles and Eunice just looked confused. Pritchard was sat down at the kitchen table nursing a cup of tea and a silly grin. Mrs Thackeray casually handed him a bag of something icy as if she had been expecting it.

Johnny patted Pritchard warily on the back "But…did you?…you know…"

Warwickglared at him over the frozen peas.

"I'll take that as a yes then!" The Cook leaned over and pulled the ice away as he winced again, still unable to hide his grin. "Look's like you'll have a lovely big bruise in the morning dear…I hope it was worth it!"

Pritchard excused himself from the table as the staff burst into another round of giggles and gales of laughter. His office was cool and quiet. He breath slowly, shutting the door, and found the lingering image, or sense, of her lips brushing his, her hands on his face.

His mouth curled into that still unfamiliar smile.

"It was." He said to no one in particular "It was worth it."