Thanks for the reviews and thanks especially to Charlotte who inspired the whole Skype thing almost a year ago in her story: The Beauty of the End. And I did ask her before I stole her idea, so thanks for being gracious and sharing Charlotte.

"We have to Skype all the time," you order. "I'll set it up at work. It will be like having you back. New York is what, five hours behind? I can eat lunch while you're having breakfast."

So if you haven't read that, go read it!

This will eventually have it's own picture but can't get my latest one to register...any clues?


Chapter Three

Sunday 26th August 2012

I'll be there: I know what you're thinking, you're alone now.

"Hi, Nikki Are you there?"

"Harry?"

"I can't hear you?"

"Hang on, I'll try and dial in again."

Nikki sat at her laptop, waiting for Skype to burble its ringtone at her. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad.

"Ah that's better," she said as the connection held this time. "How are you?"

"Not, bad, it was only the day before yesterday when you saw me."

"I know," she smiled.

"Thanks for taking me to the airport. What a journey!" he paused unsure of what to say next. "Sorry,"

"It's not your fault, there were four cars involved in total, three fatalities. They've not come to us though. I'm glad you made it in time."

"It was still touch and go," he paused. "Thanks for the guide book."

"You're welcome, I thought it might be useful."

"Yes, it is," he agreed. He didn't mention the inscription and he didn't mention his words either.

"I'll take it everywhere with me," he said, hoping that covered his meaning.

"So what's it like?" Nikki asked.

"Hot…busy…noisy. I've got this hotel room for another night and then hopefully I'll have an apartment sorted by then. I looked at a couple yesterday."

"And?" Nikki asked but over the top of Harry's voice, the digital delay not registering quickly enough.

"Sorry?"

"What?"

"You go first," Nikki concluded. This Skype might be free but it wasn't easy.

"Well I saw two apartments, one was really smart even had a view over the East River."

"But,"

"It didn't have a kitchen! There was a microwave and a miniature sink; that was it. I asked the estate agent or realtor or whatever they are called and they just said that many young professionals found they didn't need a kitchen so in the interests of space they didn't put them in."

"Sounds perfect Harry, it's not like you cook."

"I can't rent a flat with no kitchen! It's just not right. "You have to have a fridge don't you?"

"Apparently not," Nikki replied.

"I at least need somewhere to keep the milk for my cereal," he added hastily, this talk of fridges was taking them off in a dark direction.

"Hmm you might be disappointed there unless you're into Cap'n Crunch or Fruit Loops I don't remember cereal being a forte."

"What? I thought they invented cornflakes!"

"Anyway Harry, we were talking about apartments not the woeful lack of nutritious and healthy breakfast cereals."

"The other one was ok, the neighbourhood seemed fine. I could walk to work, I could even walk to Central Park, the realtor said that this was the only place in America where people did still walk, so I should be ok."

"Make sure you cross at the crossings then,"

"Pardon?"

"They get a bit shirty about crossing where there's not a crossing."

"Really? Nikki how do you know all this stuff?"

"I pay attention Harry, you should try it someday. Have you been into the office yet?"

"Not yet, I'm going in on Monday. Apparently we all share a big open plan office area; professors aren't allowed to hole up in their studies any more. There were too many harassment claims so all supervisions and meetings have to be done in public now."

"Poor you, there goes your first batch of twenty-somethings and your dreams of a quiet life."

"You know that's not why I came don't you."

"Yes, I know," she smiled.

"So all quiet there?"

"Yep. Nothing to report. Leo phoned to check you got off alright.

"You mean Leo phoned to see how you were?"

"I was exhausted and I'd only sat in the traffic for a couple of hours. You must have been catatonic."

"I got a bit of sleep on the plane." He smiled at her. He may have asked Nikki to watch out for his mum, and he knew he didn't have to ask Leo to do the same for Nikki but he'd asked anyway. Leo had harrumphed in the way that Leo did when Harry said something he thought was ridiculous but he had promised nonetheless and he had obviously kept his word.

Did the man come about the car?" Harry asked.

"He's due in about half an hour. I should go really.

"It's good to see you Nikki, talk to you next week?"

"Next Sunday,"

"At one?"

"Next Sunday at one."

They both paused then and looked at each other. Nikki had banned the word 'bye' before he had gone. Harry held up his hand and waved at her.

"See you next week," he said.

"I'll be there. Next week," she smiled back.


I'll be there: The Four Tops