Ch 4

A/N Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review this story, Andith shippers really are the tops.

This is a transitional chapter. We'll get to the heart of Anthony's backstory next.

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After escorting Edith back to reception, Anthony returned to his office almost in a state of shock. He sat back in his chair, closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Thinking about the unexpectedly intense meeting that he had just had with Edith Crawley, Anthony couldn't quite believe that he had offered her the job on the spot. He didn't do spontaneity. 'Good God, I can't even pick out a tie without asking myself 20 questions" he thought.

All he knew was that he couldn't let her walk out of his office for good.

He replayed the interview in his mind. She had undoubtedly mesmerized him with her fierce intelligence, intensity and raw passion for the subject but he was also astonished by the fact that at 26, Edith Crawley knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life and why. Few people ever gain that foresight, far less at such a young age.

If he was honest with himself, what really astounded and scared him most was how she made him feel. When she looked at him with those fiery brown eyes he saw a kindred spirit, an artist, an advocate, a partner….. Never in a million years did he think he would ever feel anything like that again. Far less for a woman 20 years his junior.

In less than 30 minutes this intense, unusual, quirky and yes beautiful woman had thrown Anthony's measured, controlled world completely off kilter.

Taking a deep breath, Anthony came to the realization that he was tired of being alone, tired of being scared all the time and maybe just maybe, it was time to start living again?

Anthony had held his life in aspic for so long, letting no one new in, could he even begin to try?

He couldn't sort it out alone. He needed to talk to someone. He picked up his phone and began to dial.

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Edith had just walked in the door of her flat when he phone rang. It was Anna Walker.

"So, how did it go?"
"Oh God Anna! I don't know where to start!"
"Uh oh. Okay, lets start from the beginning. I'm sitting comfortably, now spill!"

"Well, first of all, I tripped over myself while I'm introducing myself to the delectable Dr Strallan! You might have told me he was gorgeous. It was a bit early in the day for that level of embarrassment, even for me!"

"We'll deal with Dr Strallan in a minute – continue!"

"Okay, okay so then he brings me into his office and was really quite stand offish – wanting to know why I wanted the job and why I value the arts. So…..I let him have it. With both barrels."

"Oh boy. The full Crawley rant?"
"Uh huh, the full Crawley rant. I couldn't stop myself. Its like some mad pavlovian reaction whenever I'm asked to defend my work. Oh God I am mortified just thinking about it!"

Anna begins to laugh heartily down the phone.

"So how did that go over?"
"Well, I was so horrified at my behavior, that once I'd got my breath back, I got up to leave and Dr Strallan stopped me."
"He stopped you? What do you mean he stopped you?"
"He got up from his seat, took hold of my wrist and sat me back down.
"Really?"
"Yes, really!"
"Then he offered me the job…."
"He did WHAT?! Now you tell me! That is wonderful news!"
"You know, that's the first time I think I've ever known Anthony Strallan to do something like that."
"Like what?"
"Something impulsive, off the cuff. He's usually so measured with his actions. You must have made quite the impression on him my dear!"

Edith could feel her cheeks colouring with Anna's words.

"Edith, are you still there?"
"Yes, yes I am. That's good I guess. He certainly made an impression on me….."

"Ah ha, now we're getting to it. Might the confirmed singleton, self-professed emotional cold fish have a teeny tiny thing for the good Doctor?" Anna teased

"Maybe…" Edith said quietly.
"Ahh, you're serious..." Anna realized.

"He's supremely accomplished in our field and God knows I'm no expert in relationships, Anna, but something happened today. Something stopped him from letting me walk out of that interview when all good sense should have told him to; and lets be honest, you'd need to be lacking in a pulse not to find the man attractive."

"You're a big girl Edith and I'm not going to tell you what to do but just be careful, okay? Quite apart from the fact that he's going to be your boss, Anthony Strallan is a wounded man. I don't know the specifics but I do know that he was hurt many years ago and has never quite managed to get over it. I just don't want to see you get hurt as a result."

"Thanks Anna. You know me, I'm hopeless with men, nothing is going to come of it!"
"All the same, take care okay?"
"I will. I'll see you for a celebratory drink soon. Okay? Bye!"
"Okay, Bye Edith!"

Putting the phone down, Edith thought about the day. There was no denying it, she was stunned to have been offered the position and honestly even more stunned by her burgeoning attraction to the good doctor; but the discussion of his baggage had thrown her for a loop. Edith had a lot to think about.