A short chapter leading up to dinner.

May you all have health, happiness, prosperity and lots of Andith in the coming year!

Once Edith's shift had ended, she gathered her coat and belongings and was preparing to leave when she heard Charles Carson calling her name.

"Edith" he said, rushing to catch the strawberry blonde at the front entrance.

"Yes, Mr. Carson" she asked, turning towards him.

Her employer paused to catch his breath, "Anthony called just now to ask if you might consider having tomorrow's dinner at his place rather than some restaurant. It would be quiet and the two of you could discuss your book without any distractions. He was concerned though, that you might feel uncomfortable in such an intimate setting if it were just the two of you, so he's asked Mrs. Carson and myself to join you. With your permission, of course."

The strawberry blonde bit her bottom lip, uncertain whether or not to accept the invitation. "Well, as long as you and Mrs Carson will be there, I suppose it would be ok" she finally said. She paused, "you and your wife will be there right?"

"As I said earlier" the older gentleman replied, "I think this would be a great opportunity for you and if our presence means that you'll accept, then yes, we'll be there."

"Okay then, I accept" she smiled.

"Good, it's settled then" Carson grinned, "Anthony can pick you up here after your shift and Elsie and I will be over shortly afterwards.

Edith, excited at the prospect of dining with Anthony the next evening, slept very little that night. And, at work the next day, time slowed to a crawl as the redhead kept one eye on the clock and the other on the door. Finally, at quarter to seven, Edith blushed and smiled shyly when, upon his arrival, the tall blonde flashed an awkward grin as he headed in her direction.

"How are you this evening, Sir Anthony" she asked, bashfully casting her eyes to towards the floor as a sudden rush of heat rose to her cheeks.

Upon hearing Edith use his title, the blue eyed baronet stopped mid stride nearly stumbling over his own feet.

"Ah, well... this... is rather...embarrassing... someone...I... Charles, I presume... has let the cat out of the bag" he stuttered. "I hope you're not too upset with me" he said sheepishly.

"I was at first" the young lady admitted, "but not anymore. Mr. Carson was kind enough to help me to see things from your point of view. He seems to think rather highly of you."

Anthony blushed at the compliment, "the feeling's mutual."

Just then the man in question appeared, greeting Anthony with a handshake, "here to whisk away my favorite employee are you, Sir Anthony?"

"Enough already Charles, you know how I feel about using my title."

"Yes, I do" he said, mischievously glancing towards the strawberry blonde, "perhaps Miss Edith here, will at some point tonight, enlighten you with her opinion on the subject."

"I'm not much of a cook" the tall blonde confesssed as Mrs. Carson joined the little group, "so I'm afraid we'll be having take away from the Chinese place around the corner. I hope that's okay."

"Charles, sweetheart, I see you haven't yet told them."

"Told us what" Edith asked nervously.

"Oh dear" Elsie apologised, "Unfortunately, my sister decided at the very last minute to accept our invitation to spend the holidays with us. She arrived not fifteen minutes ago and phoned to ask if we'd pick her up at the station. So, I'm afraid, Charlie and I can't make it to this little dinner after all. It appears you'll have to manage on your own."

"But...but...that would be...most...improper" Anthony sputtered.

Elsie rolled her eyes, "It's not 1917, Anthony. The two of you are both adults. Now run along" she shooed the two of them towards the door, "mustn't allow all that food to go waste."

"Elsie May Carson" Charles accused as he and his wife watched the bewildered couple shuffle out the door together, "you are such a plotter! You knew last night when you accepted Anthony's invitation that your sister's train was arriving today!"

"I must admit" Elsie smirked, "I've been hoping Edith and Anthony might get together. Anyway, it's not plotting, my dear, when you're giving two people who are perfect for one another a much needed nudge in the right direction."