Hello- this is the author speaking. I'm SO sorry I haven't written for so long. I'll try to write more often now that exams are over. This is the chapter where Will and Louisa meet for the first time- it gets interesting! I hope you enjoy, and leave a comment- they're tremendous encouragement. Thank you :)
Charlie had slept through the night, his chest rising and falling through his sponge bob onesie. Louisa sat next to his crib in the dark, smiling down at the infant. She always felt a little melancholy around children. They were small and innocent, and they didn't know what it was like to be burned. If she had it her way, they would stay kids forever. There was so much pain in the world, and she knew that sooner or later, Charlie would get a taste. There was no way around it. He was Asian. Stortford was the opposite of ethnically diverse- what if Charlie got bullied because of the way he looked?
The front door unlocked and opened and Louisa turned her head to the sound of male voices talking and laughing. She got up as quietly as she dared and left Charlie's room to greet the parents. What were they doing here so early? She froze when she saw a third man with them. In a lot of ways, he looked like John. He was much younger though, and he had an adventurous air to him.
It was her. It was truly her. Louisa Clark. In the flesh. Will wanted to run to her, pick her up in his arms, and twirl her around. But he stopped himself. They were strangers.
"Ah- Louisa. Unforeseen turn of events." chuckled Michael.
"You will never guess what happened." said John.
Will just looked at her.
Louisa was truly confused. Who was this man? What about John's father?
"C'mon, let's all sit down and I'll tell you what happened," John said, beckoning to the sofa.
An hour later, Louisa was familiar with the night's events, and they all sat around talking and laughing- except Will, who didn't dare say more than a few words at a time. Although he tried his best to act normally- how could he? When the love of his life was sitting across the table from him, oblivious to his feelings for her.
"So, Will." said Louisa, addressing him for the first time.
"Yeah?" he replied trying to act casual.
"How do you like your tea?"
"Oh... um"
"I insist on knowing this about a person- it says a lot about them. John likes his strong with no sugar, and Michael likes his with two lumps and cream."
"Right you are" added John.
"Oh well... I like my tea warm with a splash of honey."
"Hmmm... So under that rigid exterior, you're sweet."
"I think you just described a watermelon, Louisa." interjected Michael.
They all laughed.
"Whoo, would you look at the time. Let's call it night," said John checking his watch.
"Let's say goodnight to Charlie." suggested Michael. John agreed and followed him to the baby's room
This left Will and Louisa together, alone.
"So... you babysit Charlie?" asked Will tentatively.
Louisa's eyes lit up.
"Yes! Great kid. Love him to bits." she replied.
She then found herself rambling on about Charlie, she couldn't help herself. Will just lost himself in her words, his eyes falling on her paisley sweater. What a garment! He didn't even think it was possible to knit paisley. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud SLAP.
"Oi! My eyes are up here you pervert!" cried Louisa.
"What!" spluttered Will, still shellshocked.
John and Michael scrambled out of Charlie's room.
"What happened?" asked John.
"This pervert here was looking at me boobs!" cried Louisa.
"I wasn't- I was admiring how ridiculous your sweater is!" blurted out Will.
"Oh- so you think my sweaters ridiculous? Well, I think you're ridiculous."
Will couldn't help but laugh.
"You think I'm ridiculous- How so?"
"Well, your entire body's ridiculous. You're much too tall and you're head's much too small. You - look like... like a "
"Like a what?" demanded Will.
"LIKE A MATCHSTICK, YOU WANKER!"
At this point, John and Michael were doubled up laughing.
Will resisted the urge to laugh just because he was afraid of another slap. Instead, he raised both his arms in defeat.
"You're quite something, aren't you Louisa."
Louisa just seethed for a few more seconds before grabbing her bag and stomping towards the door.
"C'mon Louisa, don't leave." called Michael.
"I'm not spending another second with this... this-" Unable to find a word vile enough to describe her new enemy, she left without another word, leaving the three men in silence. Michael broke the silence first.
"Matchstick with the soul of a watermelon." he said, punching Will lightly on the arm.
"Oh shut up," Will said, although he felt a smile tugging at his lips.
Louisa stormed away from the house. Even as she walked, she started to feel that twinge of regret. Will didn't deserve that. She knew that she'd been paranoid, but ever since that dreadful day in the maze, she'd been afraid of men looking at her as... well as a woman. But then his stupid laugh flashed before her eyes and she felt angry all over. What a jerk!