I have a weekend to myself for the first time in months so I thought I'd indulge myself and dedicate my time to adding to this story. A lot more Anna and John interaction in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Julian Fellowes owns everything Downton Abbey related...


John squinted through his glasses as he tried to make sense of what was on the computer screen in front of him. He was online, that was for sure, but either Adam was experiencing a power cut or someones webcam wasn't working. Adam had been gone nearly a week now and they had shared a text or two but being so close, John had requested they chat over the internet. Arranging to meet online in the afternoon, morning US time, John was fiddling with his webcam and becoming increasingly frustrated.

'At last,' John exclaimed as he moved his glasses down his nose and looked over them at the screen. 'God said let there be light and light appeared.'

'Alright Dad,' Adam said, a big smile on his face.

'Son, is that you?' John said sarcastically. 'It seems like I've been plundering through the darkness for hours.'

'I left you step by step instructions,' Adam replied.

'Where?' John asked, looking around the desk in front of him, lifting several notebooks before almost losing his cup of tea. 'Ahh sh...'

'Dad, it's on the wall behind the monitor.' Adam said through a chuckle.

John went out of Adam's view to look at the wall he was facing behind the computer. 'Good stuff, son. Anyway. Are you having a good time?'

'Yeah, New York is amazing. The view out of the window of Mum's new apartment is awesome.' Adam enthused.

'That's nice, son,' John said unconvincingly.

'But no one plays football around here. It's all baseball and basketball.' Adam shrugged. 'But we're heading to Florida in the next couple of days. We're meeting with Mum's friend and her daughter.'

'Daughter eh?' John winked.

'Dad,' Adam moaned. 'I'm there for the roller coasters. Nothing else.'

'I'm glad to hear it.' John replied with a slight smirk.

'So how is life there?' Adam asked. 'Is Anna back in the north?'

'She is,' John shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'We spoke at Robert's barbecue.'

John had already decided he wouldn't reveal all to Adam about his date with Anna. He didn't know if it would become serious, plus he had never really had a girlfriend since Adam moved in with him permanently. A date here or there, but never a relationship. Adam had never had to encounter a woman in John's life. John was worried as to how Adam would react. What was sure was that he wouldn't tell Adam about something that might be nothing.

'Any more flirting?'

'No,' John lied before trying to change the subject. 'How are you getting on with your mother?'

'Yeah, she's been great,' Adam replied. 'It's been nice to spend time with her. I may complain about her a lot but I do miss her.'

'I know you do son,' John smiled, relieved that Adam and his Mum were getting along well. John looked up at the clock. He was due to meet with Robert for a pint before his date this evening and time was getting on. 'I'm going to have to love you leave you, Ads. I'm meeting Robert.'

'Yeah, no worries. Mum has been calling for me from the kitchen since we started anyway.' Adam replied. 'I'll text you when we are in Florida.'

'Alright son,' John smiled. 'Take care.'

'Be Cool.' John shook his head as Adam gave him a peace sign before darkness fell upon the webcam window once more.


Standing in Robert's kitchen as his friend got himself ready, John flicked through a magazine whilst he was waiting. It was one of Mary's showbiz magazines. He reached the 'Spotted' page, where readers tell all about where they have seen celebrities out and about. John had always thought these magazines absurd. However, one of the things spotted caught his eye.

'Anna Smith and Michael Groves in a coffee shop holding hands in London,' he read to himself.

John stepped back for a moment and thought about what he had just read. He knew of Michael Groves, he was an actor more famous for his looks rather than his acting ability. John may not have read gossip magazines as a rule but he read enough to know of Anna's relationship with Michael. He wondered to himself why it hadn't crossed his mind before. As far as he knew, Anna was single as he thought about a conversation he heard between Mary and Cora before Mary's party. Well, this sealed it for John, Anna just didn't see him in that way. Why would she when she had a man like Michael Groves as her boyfriend. Rich, good looking, attractive. Everything John was not.

'Ready to go, John? Robert asked as he appeared in the doorway.

'Yes,' John said as he closed the magazine and placed it back on the table.

'Everything alright, mate?' Robert continued as he picked up his wallet from the kitchen side.

'Yep,' John forced a smile. 'Come on, it's your round first.'

'No, what is it?' Robert forced John to sit at the table. Just then, Mary walked into the kitchen.

'I thought you two were going to the pub.' She said as she turned the kettle on to boil.

'Me too,' John huffed as Robert sat opposite him.

'Tell me.' Robert insisted. 'Something's troubling you. I know you well enough to know when something is on your mind.'

'I thought you'd be excited about the date tonight?' Mary added.

John sat with his arms folded as he noticed Mary now had his undivided attention. She would know, better than anyone, if what he had just read had any substance. He sighed before talking. 'It's just something I read in that magazine. On the 'Spotted' page.'

'About Anna and Michael Groves?' Mary asked almost instantly. 'Nothing in it. Anna's as free as a bird.'

'But...'

'She did see Michael when she was back in London, but instantly regretted it.' Mary said before a look of dread spread over her face. 'Although don't tell her I told you that. She'd kill me.'

'There you go, pal,' Robert said, standing up and patting John on the shoulder. 'Lets go for this pint. I haven't been to the pub for ages.'


Anna stood, waiting nervously for John outside the pub she had agreed to meet him at. It was within walking distance of her family home, where she had grown up and the landlord and landlady were good friends of her parents. She had chosen this particular location for that reason. Everyone knew her as plain old Anna in these parts, not Anna Smith the Pop Star. Although she loved her job and all that came with it, she wanted an evening where she would get as few interruptions as possible. She owed it to herself and she owed it to John.

Anna smiled as someone familiar came into view. He was wearing jeans, a black shirt and a brown suede jacket. She detected a hint of stubble yet he had his hair slicked back like both times she had met him previously. This look, she decided, definitely suited John more than his tuxedoed appearance at Mary's party. He seemed more relaxed when he wasn't pretending to be James Bond. He was certainly very fashionable for a single Dad in his late forties. She stepped forward as he got closer and held out her hand for him to shake. Thinking this far too formal, once she had his hand in hers, she leant up on tiptoes to place a gentle kiss on his cheek.

John couldn't believe his eyes. She looked stunning in a light blue dress, her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders once again. Then she kissed him on the cheek. John rubbed his hand where her lips had just pressed against him as she began to speak.

'Hello,' she said sweetly. 'Shall we go inside?'

John followed her in and was relieved to see the pub was relatively quiet. He stood patiently as Anna spoke to the Landlord who seated them in a secluded spot in the dining area. He was transfixed as she laughed and reminisced with the man who was obviously an old friend. She radiated beauty and confidence, John couldn't believe they were about to share a meal together or that she wanted to spend time with him.

'Sorry about that,' Anna apologised as the Landlord returned to the bar to prepare them some drinks. 'Trevor and Karen, the owners, are old family friends.'

'There's no need to apologise, you must have hundreds of people to catch up with while you up north.'

'Yes,' Anna nodded, 'but tonight I wanted you and me to get to know each other a little better. Away from prying eyes, so to speak.'

'Mary?'

Anna laughed as she looked John in the eye. 'Yes Mary. I know she means well but she's taking her matchmaker duties a little too seriously.'

John reciprocated her laugh before looking down at the table. He wanted so desperately to ask about Michael. What business of it was his, though? Anna could react badly and she'd have every right to. But either she was interested in him or not. He didn't want to get his hopes up to have them dashed when she went back to London.

'I was talking to her earlier,' John said. 'About you, as it happens.'

'Really?' Anna arched her eyebrows. 'I'm intrigued.'

John looked up from the part of the table that had had his attention for a little while now to look in her eyes. 'Look, Anna, Tell me if I am speaking out of turn.'

'Okay,' Anna replied, a puzzled expression playing upon her features.

'It's just I read something about you and Michael Groves in this magazine and, well...' John stopped as he struggled to find the right words to continued. 'Forget it, it's none of my business.'

Silence fell as John regretted broaching the subject. Her facial expression was giving nothing away as John's heart felt like it might beat right out of his chest. He was sure she was about to tell him she wanted to leave. Anna bit her bottom lip as John waited anxiously for her to say something.

Anna leant forward, her arms folded on the table in front of her as she began to speak. 'I had been seeing Michael on and off for three years. When we first got together, it was amazing, he was so charming, I fell for him quite quickly.'

'Anna, you don't have to explain to me, I shouldn't have asked you...'

'Did it occur to you, John that I might want to talk about this?' Anna interrupted. Her gaze met his and he gestured for her to continue. 'I was still only a backing singer. When we went out he received all the attention whilst I would be forced to stand beside him. Watching all these girls fling themselves at him. But I did it, because I loved him, Or thought I did anyway.'

'Your drinks,' the Landlord, Trevor, returned, placing a coke in front of John and a white wine for Anna.

'Are you sure all you want is a Coke?' Anna asked.

'Yeah, I'm driving,' John replied. John made sure Trevor was out of earshot before continuing. 'You were saying.'

'Well, I got the offer of a record contract and things just snowballed. He was axed from his show. Soon it was me getting recognised. And he couldn't handle it. He changed. So we broke up.'

'But you still saw him from time to time?'

'He just had this hold over me that I couldn't break.' Anna revealed. 'He was my first proper relationship, the first man I certainly believed I could ever love. I'll be honest with you, the last time I saw him was just before I came up here. But I left him in no uncertain terms that it was over. Time to move on.'

John smiled inwardly before taking a sip of his drink. 'How did he take it?'

'He agreed,' Anna answered. 'Thankfully. And promised to leave me alone. People I know have told me he has a new girlfriend and has done for a while. He's not a nice man at all, it just took me this long to realise it.'

'Well, the man who eventually steals your heart will be a lucky man indeed,' John said honestly. He felt his heart miss a beat as Anna's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. 'So what's on the cards when you return down south?'

'Well, I have my flat in London now so I'll probably be doing that up.' Anna explained. 'Then writing for the new album. It's been lovely being back up here though. There really is no place like home.'

John hummed his agreement. 'I returned to Ireland for a while after I left the fire service, but this place is my home now.'

'It's where my Mum and Dad are. My brother. And of course Mary. Whom I love to pieces.'

'Yeah,' John chuckled. 'She's one of a kind. That's for sure.'

'And she re introduced me to you, which makes her even better in my book.' Their eyes met once more and it was now John's turn to blush a little.

'To Mary,' he said, raising his glass.

'To Mary,' Anna replied, clinking her glass against John's.


'So he was in the cupboard the whole time?' Anna laughed as John retold a story about Adam's younger days.

'Yes, much to my embarrassment. And relief. I really thought he'd gone missing. Two police cars and a full search of the street later, he just wandered out of the cupboard under the stairs and asked why there was a policeman in the kitchen.'

'God, I would have died,' Anna laughed. 'But you must have been panic stricken when you couldn't find him.'

'It was the worse five hours of my life.' John sighed. 'He had taken a book and torch in there with him saying he wanted somewhere quiet to read. He had fallen asleep. I never thought to look in the cupboard.'

'So what about his Mum?' Anna asked. 'What did she say?'

'She still doesn't know about it,' John replied. 'I was more concerned with finding him than letting her know. She couldn't have done anything thousands of miles away. And when we found him I felt there was no need.'

The conversation had been flowing all evening. Anna couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so much. John had her hanging on his every word. There was just something about him. She was relieved to realise the age gap wasn't an issue again. If she was honest to herself, it had never entered her mind. Anna couldn't deny she was beginning to feel some sort of attraction towards him. He was a wonderful father, that was an desirable attribute. She had also made it her mission that she would do everything in her power to make his smile reach his eyes, because when it did the way his eyes crinkled did something to her she couldn't explain.

Anna took a sip of her wine before considering a question to ask him. 'You never married Adam's mum, then?'

'God, no,' John said without missing a beat. 'I thought we would, but turns out she was seeing other blokes from the start. That's why I wanted to make sure Adam was mine.'

'I don't blame you.' Anna said. 'How did Vera take it?'

'She left me,' John revealed with a cynical laugh. 'In truth, we hadn't been properly married for a few months by then. Living separate lives.' Anna acknowledged his words with a nod of the head. John could sense she wanted to know more. 'As I said at the barbecue, I have no idea where she is. Well, only that she is back in Ireland.'

'Forgive me for being terribly forward,' Anna began. 'But would you find her? If the need arose?'

John thought about her question, meeting Anna's gaze. 'Depends if the situation was worth it, I suppose.' Anna celebrated a small, silent victory as the smile forming on his face found his eyes. 'If something was worth fighting for, then I would. No question.'


John had insisted on driving Anna home, although she only lived a five minute walk away. Sure enough, in a couple of minutes John was pulling up outside her house.

'I had a lovely evening, John. I hope we can do it again some time.'

'I'd really like that.'

'Bye then,' Anna said as she began to open the car door.

'No, wait,' John called after her. 'Don't let it be said that John Bates isn't chivalrous. Let me walk you to your door.'

They both got out of the car and John followed Anna down her garden path. He couldn't resist running his eyes along her stunning figure as he walked behind her. She really was beautiful, every inch of her.

'Well, good night then,' Anna said as they reached the door and she turned to face him.

'Look, it's occurred to me that I haven't actually asked you out yet. You instigated tonight, and suggested we go out for coffee yesterday.'

'That is correct,' Anna agreed. 'Not in keeping with your chivalrous persona.'

'Exactly,' John smirked. 'So I know you're probably already going but would you do me the pleasure of accompanying me to Robert and Cora's wedding anniversary party on Saturday?'

'That would be wonderful,' Anna beamed. 'I'd love to.'

'Great,' John said rather more enthusiastically than he would have liked. 'I'll pick you up about seven.'

'Okay. Night then.' Anna almost whispered.

'Night.'

It was if John wasn't in control of his body as he leant down to kiss Anna on the cheek, in the same vein as when she had greeted him earlier. He thought he might lose his senses as he lingered beside her ear. Her scent was intoxicating. The feel of his breath in her ear almost sent Anna over the edge. Having him this close to her had an effect on her she wasn't expecting.

'I best get going,' John said so softly Anna struggled to hear. 'I have work in the morning.'

'Alright. See you on Saturday.'

'Bye. 'John smiled again before turning on his heel and walking back towards his car.

Anna wasn't sure her life would ever be the same again.