The following morning Lizzie left Jane still in bed at Bingley's, though she woke up just when her sister was about to slip out the door to go to work. "Are you going, Lizzie?"

"I have to, I can't miss another day. How are you feeling?"

Jane smiled, displaying the habitual glow that had been so dimmed over the past few days. "Much better. Looking forward to finally leaving this room."

"Will you be ok to get home?"

"I'll be fine."

After a few more assurances of the same sort, Lizzie left her sister alone. The house was dim in the early morning light as she felt her way to the kitchen to snatch some breakfast before she left, feeling like a thief as she rummaged through the fridge. Despite the fact she had barely seen a morsel of food pass Caroline's lips, she hoped the punnet of berries she helped herself to, were meant for her own breakfast.

She nearly dropped them in fright when Bingley walked in the door. "Morning, Lizzie."

"You startled me! I didn't think anyone else was up."

"Darcy and I are going for a surf. My heat's this arvo and I've got to loosen up a bit. How's Jane?"

"She says she's much better, I think she's ok to go home."

"Surely she should stay another day to make sure?"

"She said she'd be fine to drive herself home, though I could come back and get her later if she's not up to it. If it's ok to leave her car here til we can pick it up, that is?"

"Darcy and I'll look after that. I'll drive her on my way to Prevally this afternoon for the heats and he can follow us in her car."

Lizzie didn't think Darcy would be too pleased with how his friend planned to commandeer his time but didn't voice her suspicions. She waved the fruit she held at him. "I helped myself to some breakfast. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. You should come with us to the beach, now you're up. The swell's perfect this morning, I only hope it stays like it for the rest of the day."

She shook her head. "I can't, I have to go to work before there'll be no job for me to go to."

"We won't be long, Darcy's just coming downstairs now."

Lizzie had checked her phone for the time. "I really have to be going or I'll be late." The words weren't strictly true, the vineyard she worked in was only about ten minutes away but she felt it wise to leave before she ran out of luck and into some of the other members of the household. "Thanks for having me, Charlie, I'll see you soon. Good luck for today."

He smiled eagerly as he walked her out the front door to her car. "Maybe you and Jane could come and watch my heat this afternoon. It's at 3 o'clock."

Lizzie knew there was no way she would be able to get there but she just smiled and told him she would do her best. Darcy came outside just as she turned the ignition, joining Bingley on the steps as he waved farewell. Despite the morning chill, he was just wearing his board shorts with his wetsuit slung over his shoulder. It was obscene that he could look so good at that hour, his rumpled hair and sleep soft expression making him look positively approachable. Lizzie allowed herself one glance at the way his low-slung shorts embraced his narrow hips, exposing the ripple of muscle that ran up his torso before she forced her eyes to the driveway before her. It wasn't quite out of sight, out of mind though. The vision had revisited her all day, until she was ready to wash her contrary brain out with the bleach she was using so violently on the cellar floor she was cleaning.

Lizzie generally enjoyed her work on the vineyards. The part time hours allowed her time to study while allowing her to keep in touch with the industry. She was employed at one of the more popular wineries in the region but as it was still small scale, her duties were varied. Some jobs she enjoyed more than others. Tasting the new vintages was of course her favourite, but she didn't mind the physical labour in the vineyards either. The job she had to do that day however, she always hated. Cleaning out the cellars however, was as important a job as any, so she tried to be philosophical about it, working through her thoughts as she methodically swept and scrubbed. Often she would think about her thesis but today it couldn't hold forefront in her thoughts. In spite of her best efforts, William Darcy held that honour for much of the morning.

Lizzie's stomach was rumbling by the time the task was complete, the fruit she had eaten in the morning having long worn off. Usually she would take a packed lunch, for though the winery had a restaurant attached, the prices were a little out of her league for daily indulgence, despite the staff discount she received. She was considering whether she would allow herself to spurge for once and get the chef to make her a meal, or if she should make drive back to the Yallingup general store for a sandwich when Charlotte's welcome face appeared in the bright light streaming through the cellar door.

"Jesus, Lizzie, I know cellar cleaning can be a filthy job, but you don't have to use yourself as the mop!"

Lizzie laughed as she looked down at her soaked work shirt. "Sometimes you have to resort to desperate measures." She shoved the mop back into the store cupboard and walked outside to join her friend. "I'm so glad you're here, I have so much to tell you. You wouldn't believe the…" Her voice stopped abruptly at the sight of the unknown man standing beside Charlotte. "Oh, I didn't realise you were with someone."

"I'm taking Bill here on a tour of the local wineries and thought we'd stop and have lunch with you. You can stop for lunch can't you?" Charlotte had an agitated look in her eye, which was unusual for her normally laid back friend. "My shout."

Bill stepped forward, looking as though he would shake her hand, but at the sight of her filthy clothes he flexed his fingers, holding them against his chest instead. "No, it would be an honour to buy such lovely young ladies a meal. Do join us."

"That's entirely unnecessary, thank you though." She wiped her hand on her jeans and held it out. "I'm Lizzie Bennet, nice to meet you."

"Charmed indeed." He finally took her fingers, shaking them perfunctorily though by the feel of his sweaty palm, Lizzie was grateful for it's brevity. "William Collins, but please call me Bill."

"Please join us for lunch, Lizzie. Bill here can tell you all about De Bourgh Estate, he's the vineyard manager there. He's been...uh...regaling me with fascinating stories about it all morning and I don't doubt he'd be happy to share them with you." Charlotte's look of appeal had become more of one of desperation.

"I'd be very happy to tell you about the estate, I'm sure you are desperate to more about the workings of the place and, of course, Mrs de Bourgh's brilliant management style." Bill puffed out his chest as he looked around the site. "What a charming entrance to the cellar, it put's me in mind of Mrs De Bourgh's own cellar doors, though hers of course are much more imposing."

Lizzie nodded at him. She been to De Bourgh estate on a few occasions, though the techniques of mass production applied there didn't interest her as much as the smaller, more traditional wineries she liked to visit. It was one of the largest producers in the region, having numerous vineyards, as well as buying in large quantities of grapes from smaller producers. The Lucas holding was one such supplier but, by the way the family had to bend themselves into shapes to keep the contract, it wasn't something Lizzie envied them.

"Lizzie, go and get changed. In fact, Bill, you go ahead and have a look around the gardens, I know how much you enjoy them, and I'll just go with Lizzie for a moment. See you in the restaurant in 10 minutes?"

Charlotte didn't wait for his response, taking Lizzie's arm and dragging her away. "What's got into you, Lottie?"

"One more second in that man's company and I'm likely to throttle him. He is the most pompous prat I've ever met, I can barely look at him anymore without wanting to run in the opposite direction."

"Why are you touring vineyards with him then?"

"Dad made me. He's come to get some vine cuttings and they're not ready yet so dad fobbed him off onto me. It sounded better than digging out stumps in the new plot we're preparing for planting, but that was before I met him. All morning it's been Mrs De Bourgh this, and Mrs De Bourgh that. I had to drag him here in self preservation."

"So you thought you'd share the pleasure around?"

"Well, actually, I'm trying to do you a favour. De Bourgh estate is looking for an assistant manager to fill in for a few months while their regular goes to France for training. I thought it might be something you'd be interested in. No more scrubbing cellars?"

"Aren't you qualified for that too?"

"Yes, but they're looking for a number of people and it didn't take me long to realise that the only way I could bear Bill's company for more that a day would be if you were there to share it."

Lizzie giggled. "Generous of you."

"Yes, it is isn't it? Now, hurry up. If I leave Bill for too long he's likely to get into some sort of trouble. You wouldn't believe the to-do at Wild Wood Estate when I lost him for ten minutes only to find him in the manager's office looking at their accounts book. I swear, Lizzie, the man has no sense of boundaries."

Lizzie shucked off her work clothes, sniffing ruefully at the garments she had worn there that morning. It couldn't be too soon before she got home to her own shower and clean clothes. Luckily, Bill hadn't got far and Lizzie and Charlotte found him admiring the plane trees shading the restaurant. He didn't stop prosing about their autumnal colours until the waitress had taken their order. Lizzie hesitated at the offer of wine; she didn't usually drink with lunch, but swiftly decided that the best way to deal with the tedium of Bill's company was to lubricate it.

"Charlotte tells me that you're completing a masters in viticulture, Lizzie. What is your thesis topic?"

"I'm looking at how traditional organic vineyard practices can be adapted for larger operations."

"You must be fascinated by De Bourgh estate then, there's no winery with greater efficiency of practice."

Lizzie merely nodded, deciding that the present wasn't the time to say that the methods adopted at the estate could hardly be defined as sustainable practice. Instead she asked about their processing methods, which Bill took as an invitation to pontificate about the inefficiencies of hand picking and how nearly all the vines at De Bourgh had been converted for machine harvesting. "Finally Mrs De Bourgh doesn't need to employ the rabble of ferals and drop outs that we used to have to tolerate during harvest. Mung beans and drug addicts the lot of them."

Lizzie couldn't hold her tongue to mere pleasantries for any longer. "I think the variety of people you meet during harvest makes it one of the best times of year. I don't think you can damn everyone who comes here for the season like that."

"You just look at the crime statistics, Lizzie, you'll see Mrs De Bourgh is right. She can't wait for the time when all the properties around here are industrialised and we don't need to put up with it anymore."

"But what about the oldest plantings of grapes that can't be converted. They make some of the best vintages around here?"

"That's debatable. You can't stand in the way of technology, Lizzie, it's the way of the future."

Lizzie couldn't be bothered telling him that that was exactly why she had chosen the topic for her thesis and that sustainable practice was at the core of her interest in her studies. Luckily their food arrived and Bill turned his focus to the plate before him, rather than continuing to assert his inflammatory opinions.

After making good inroads into his meal, he revisited the conversation. "It's quite a quaint operation they have here. What duties does your position entail?"

"Officially I'm the cellar hand, but it's such a small holding that I pretty much get involved in everything."

"You must be anxious to stop having to do so much manual labour and find a position at a larger company."

Lizzie considered her words before she spoke. She enjoyed most of the manual tasks she needed to do and the variety in her work had given her an insight into many of the processes in a commercial estate that otherwise she wouldn't have been exposed to. But likewise, she was interested in experiencing the techniques applied at De Bourgh Estate first hand, so she made her reply conciliatory. "I'm interested in all practices in viticulture. And there's always hard work to do in a vineyard, no matter how much technology is introduced. There's no pruning machine yet."

Collins shook his head. "Not yet, but some of the advances they're making in California might prove that that isn't far off. It's already possible to make fine wine, without a human hand touching the raw product and from what I saw in the US last year, soon we'll be able to do without manual handling at all." Bill pushed his empty plate away and gave a satisfied sigh. "You must tell the chef here that his aioli is on par with that served at De Bourgh Estate. He'll be flattered to know, I'm sure."

"I'll let her know. She'll be in transports of delight by your praise, I'm sure."

Charlotte snorted at her plate but Bill didn't pick up on the sarcasm that coloured Lizzie's words, just nodding thoughtfully before continuing. "Perhaps you may get the chance to experience our chef's work yourself. We are looking to offer an opportunity for someone to second with us for a few months and Charlotte mentioned you as a suitable applicant. The position is paid of course, but really by the experience we can offer there, the lucky people who we employ should really be paying her. She even provides separate facilities for the employees on site so they don't have to find accommodation elsewhere."

Lizzie nearly choked on the last of her salad. She took a gulp of her wine to clear her throat. "How exceptional of her."

"Indeed. There is no one more generous. So when will you be able to attend her?"

"Uh…" The fast turn of conversation from discussion to certainties left Lizzie a little adrift and she could wish she hadn't drunk her wine so fast. "I'll need to discuss it with my boss, I don't want to leave him short handed. But, you're right, it's an amazing opportunity."

"If you could come to us for two weeks in June, both you and Charlotte, you would be able to see what the positions entail. You would, of course, have to receive approval from Mrs de Bourgh herself but, from what I have seen, she may just find you satisfactory."

Lizzie considered the offer. The position would be a great addition to her resume and furthermore, it would save her from the gruelling months of vine pruning, which now that the harvest season was over would be her main duty for the foreseeable future. Bill didn't look particularly happy when she reiterated that she'd have to discuss it with her current employer but he did concede it was the correct thing to do. "Bird in hand, I suppose. And Mrs De Bourgh may decide you're unsuitable after all."

Lizzie decided not to reply by saying that it could just as easily go the other way and instead smiled her thanks before checking the time. "I have to get back to work now. Thanks again for the offer, I'll definitely consider it. I assume I can get your contact details from Charlotte to let you know if I can come?"

Bill nodded. "Can you let me know by end of day tomorrow? Mrs De Bourgh is anxious to have it settled, she very much dislikes uncertainty when is comes to her staffing arrangements."

Lizzie agreed that a quick response was achievable. She was almost about to offer to pay for own lunch but changed her mind when Bill pulled out his wallet. Mrs De Bourgh's corporate account could surely bear the cost of her meal.

As she walked back to get changed into her work clothes again after farewelling Charlotte and Bill, Lizzie's phone sounded an alert. It was from Wickham and she smiled to herself as she read his message asking her what time they were to meet that evening and if she wanted him to pick her up. It surprised Lizzie that it had slipped her mind that her date with him was for that day but there had been so much on her plate recently that it wasn't that odd she had forgotten. She responded by telling him she would meet him at the pub in Margaret River, calculating exactly how long it would take her to get home and wash her hair before confirming the time.

The remainder of the afternoon passed quickly with both Bill's offer and her date with Wickham to keep Lizzie's thoughts occupied. After completing her final tasks for the day, she found her boss to discuss with him the opportunity as De Bourgh Estate. "You should take it, Liz. God knows we'd hate to lose you during the pruning season, but we can't offer that kind of experience." He winked at her as he continued. "Just watch your step around Mrs De Bourgh, she's notoriously difficult and we want you back with us in one piece, ok? And if it all goes pear shaped, you can come back anytime."

Lizzie stayed chatting with her boss for longer than she realised, making her feel rushed to get ready when she finally got home. Jane was working at her computer but stopped when Lizzie returned, following her to the bathroom to talk to her while she showered.

"How did Charlie go in his heat this afternoon?"

"I don't know, it hasn't been published on the website yet."

"You couldn't go down to watch?"

Jane shook her head, looking a little upset. "No, I had so many emails from clients when I got home, I just couldn't neglect work any longer. Charlie begged me to come down but… I feel terrible that I couldn't go."

"Jane, everyone has to work, I'm sure he understands."

"I guess so, but I still feel bad." Jane didn't look too convinced that Lizzie's instincts were correct. "Where are you going with Wickham tonight."

"We're just meeting at the Margaret River pub, we haven't set anything else." Lizzie turned off the shower. "Pass me a towel? And can you be a sweetheart and find me something clean to wear? I don't want to be late."

Lizzie looked critically at her reflection in the mirror, deciding she'd have to leave off blowing drying her hair if she were to make it in time. Tying her damp curls up into a ponytail would have to do, though she added a bit of makeup to look like she had at least made some effort for her date. Jane had found her a knit dress, which Lizzie put on without argument. It skimmed her curves but didn't show so much cleavage that Lizzie would be uncomfortable. "Thanks, you're a darling. Is my hair ok?"

"It's fine. What time will you be home?"

"I don't know, not late I don't think."

"I'll wait up for you."

Wickham already there when she finally reached the pub. He stood up to greet her, giving her a kiss on the cheek before gesturing at his half empty pint glass, his handsome face twisting into a rueful grin. "You're a sight for sore eyes. Sorry, I started without you. I know we said coffee but I need a bloody drink after the day I had today. What'll you have, Lizzie? My round, you can get the next one."

"What ever you're having will be fine." Lizzie hadn't planned on drinking but she thought she could manage one or two and still drive home later.

He quickly downed the last of his drink and left her at the table. Lizzie's position at the table gave her ample opportunity to observe him as he ordered. It was obvious the barmaid was taken by his charming manner; he seemed ready to flirt with everyone. But when he returned to Lizzie, his smile seemed to be just for her.

"Do you surf, Lizzie?"

"Yes, you?"

"Of course, how couldn't I, growing up round here? I used to think I'd be one of the competitors on the circuit once upon a time but alas, that wasn't meant to be. It amazing how expensive it can be if you don't have a sponsor."

"I can imagine."

"There's nothing I'd rather be doing though, even though the ocean isn't the faithful lover I wish she was." He touched his bent nose with a grin. "More like an abusive mistress really, she even ruined my chance for a modelling career."

Lizzie thought the lack of symmetry to Wickham's nose in no way detracted from his looks but she held the thought without voicing it, laughing instead. "I've had my fair share of close calls, though I never broken anything. A few brushes with sharks though."

Wickham shuddered. "The older I get the more frightened of them I become."

"I know, sometimes I get so spooked when I'm out, I can't get to shore fast enough, even if there's not a fin in sight. I don't agree with the shark cull though"

"Really? I with they'd go out and bait the lot of them."

Lizzie couldn't agree with his sentiment and passionately engaged him in friendly argument until she noticed they'd both finished their drinks. The barmaid was clearly disappointed when she came to the bar instead of Wickham this time, shooting glances over to their table, where her companion was checking his phone. When she returned, he changed the subject. "Have you seen Will Darcy since I last talked to you last?"

"Yes, just this morning in fact."

Wickham raised his eyebrow but didn't look up from his beer. "You know him pretty well then?"

"Not at all. I met him less than three weeks ago. It's a pleasure I could have done without really."

"It's a nice change to be in a place where no one's brown nosing the great Darcy."

Lizzie laughed. "No, you'll still find that round here, just not from me."

"It can't be escaped I 'spose. I should know. I grew up with it."

"You grew up with Darcy?" Lizzie was astonished that they were so connected.

"Yeah, my father was Pemberley's vineyard manager so I grew up on the estate." Wickham's reply was perfunctory, as if he didn't wish to elaborate. "Is he staying around here for much longer or will he leave with his friend after the tour's over?"

"I wouldn't think he'd stay, it's obvious that Bingley is the only thing that keeps him here. Are you trying to avoid him?"

"Ha! No, I'd say it's the opposite. We don't have anything to do with each other anymore, for reasons which at least I've no reason to avoid him for, but he knows if I spend to long in his company, he's liable to end up with a broken nose. But his father was a great man, almost like a father to me after my own dad died when I was 14, so I guess you could call that a reason not to punch his face in."

Lizzie was surprised at his vehemence but it didn't shock her that she wasn't the only one who's dislike of Darcy made her feel violent. She tried to tease more information from him but Wickham merely smiled at her efforts. "I refuse to talk about him anymore. Tell me about you. I know you're studying, tell me more about that."

It wasn't difficult for Lizzie to give him a run down on her work, though at that very moment she found their previous topic of conversation far more engrossing. But his clear interest in her work was flattering and under his warm attention she found herself explaining the outline of her thesis, feeling quietly thrilled that he understood her passions in the area.

"That sounds amazing. I always wanted to work my way up to being a vintner. I studied viticulture at uni myself, along with business management. If it wasn't for Darcy, I might be managing a vineyard right now."

"Really?" Lizzie didn't even try to disguise her obvious diversion by his words.

"Oh yeah, it was always planned that I would take over the position at the Pemberley main estate when the old manager retired, but once Darcy's old man died and the winery was in his hands, that was never going to happen."

"But if it was part of his will, how could've the executors allowed it?"

"Well, Darcy was one of the executors himself so anything's possible, but really it was more of a deathbed promise than a bequest and Darcy was legally entitled to ignore it. Besides, I never completed my degree in management, as his father died before I could finish it."

"His dad was paying for your education?"

"Yep. I said that my father had worked for him, well, he died in an accident in his vineyard no less, so his Dad took it upon himself to raise me in his stead and paid for all my education until his death when I was 21."

"And Darcy wouldn't continue to do so?" Lizzie felt outraged on Wickham's behalf.

"Apparently not."

"But surely you could have continued in spite of not having Darcy's support?"

"I tried but it was impossible to support myself and finish my education. Darcy's very well connected at the university and industry as you can probably imagine, so it was made sure that I got the shittiest placements under the most difficult of terms. So here I am, stuck on the grape picking circuit."

"Why does he hate you so much?"

"Fuck knows. I guess I told him what I thought of him often enough, I'm not one of his brown nosers. He doesn't really like it if you don't kiss his arse."

Lizzie hadn't noticed him liking being sucked up to anymore than he liked anything else but she nodded her head thoughtfully. "I can't believe he got away with that, surely the other executors would've at least supported you to finish your study?"

"I guess I could've fought harder, but I adored his father and I didn't want to drag his name through the courts. Besides, Darcy hated me so much that no matter how much I wanted the job at Pemberley, I couldn't put up with that everyday. I confess, when it came down to it, I just wanted to put it all behind me."

Lizzie blew out her breath. "I can understand that feeling. But you should've been compensated."

"Yeah well, I revert to my first statement. And his father loved me too. I suppose Darcy was jealous of it. He always tried to show me up when we were kids. The first to point the finger to blame me when we got into trouble."

Lizzie shook her head. "I disliked him immediately but I never guessed he could be so unjust in how he's treated you." She paused for a moment, thinking back on her conversations with Darcy the evening before. "He did say to me that his character was resentful. I guess he was exposing himself as more of an arsehole than I realised."

"You'll have no disagreement with that from me." Wickham smiled at her, spreading out his fingers out beside hers. "But seriously, Lizzie, I'm not one to live in the past. I get by, in spite of Darcy."

Lizzie looked up at Wickham, meeting his eyes with a return smile. She could have answered that it was obvious that Darcy would be jealous of the charm and charisma that Wickham possessed, but she held her tongue. Still, she felt her cheeks warming as she finally replied. "I'm appalled that you were treated like that. That he could do that to someone he grew up with...it's just...just...words fail me at how unfair it is."

"I know. My father gave up his dreams of owning his own vineyard to work for Darcy's father. He gave him the best years of his life. But he was the kind of man you would do that for. I think the most unfair outcome is that the old man didn't have the son he deserved."

"You're very generous. I don't think I could be so magnanimous." She paused considering for a moment. "Darcy's so full of his own consequence, it makes me wonder how he could lower himself to behave in such a petty way, to so materially damage you."

"It's because I didn't matter. Darcy's well aware of his obligations to others but only if he wants something in return. He's always very careful to maintain his status. If he donates to charity, then you can be sure the media will be informed so everyone can marvel at his generosity."

"I did think him capricious. You've only proven that to me without doubt."

"If you're lucky enough to be his friend or family, then you can be sure to be looked after."

"I don't think I like Darcy's method of looking after his friends. I've seen it with my own eyes. What's his sister like?"

Wickham rolled his eyes comically. "Just like her brother, as arrogant as they come. As a kid, she was a sweetheart and I spent a lot of time with her but Darcy, of course, poisoned her against me. I haven't seen her for a long time but I've heard Darcy is hyper-protective and controls her every movement. He refuses to let her leave Pemberley to go to a decent school."

"I thought that was probably the case." Lizzie shook her head wonderingly. "I don't understand how he can be such good friends with Charles Bingley. He's a lovely guy, though he lets Darcy walk all over him. Do you know him as well?"

"Not at all."

"If you don't know him, you can bet he doesn't know what Darcy did to you."

"I can't imagine that information's something that Darcy really wants to get around."

"No, I wouldn't think so. Aren't you just a little tempted to go public with it?"

"Yes, but it's only Darcy that I want to revenge myself on, not the whole family. Besides, can you imagine the tabloid frenzy I'd have to endure? No, thank you. Since Gina Rinehart's son went off the market, he's the local gossip column's favourite son."

Lizzie blinked at his description of Darcy. It made sense that his wealth and his looks would make him a media darling but it hadn't struck her that this was something Darcy would seek out.

Wickham swallowed the last of his pint and checked his phone, which had been constantly flashing with message alerts. "Lizzie, I wish I could stay and take you out for dinner but I have to go see a man about a dog. I'm sorry to cut this short."

Lizzie felt a little on her back foot by the abrupt ending to their date. "That's ok, I should get home and do some reading anyway. The past few days have put me well behind on my research."

Wickham waited while she collected her things before walking her out of the pub to the car park, placing his hand on her arm before she could unlock her vehicle. "Do you want to come out surfing with me on Friday morning? I'd really like to see you again soon."

"I'd love to, I haven't been out on my board in ages but I can't, I have to work, damn it. I could go Saturday instead though?"

"Saturday it is." Wickham stood for a moment looking down at her, his eyes bright. Lizzie's breath caught, thinking he was about to kiss her but instead his mouth just twisted up into a grin. "I'll be seeing you later then, Lizzie Bennet."

Lizzie's own lips curled in response. "Bye, George. I appreciate you telling me what you did earlier. I must've been hard to share. Thanks for trusting me."

He twinkled at her, his grin matching hers. "It wasn't hard to tell you, Lizzie. I don't think it would be hard to tell you anything. Thanks for listening to me. I'm sorry if I bored you to death but God knows I've got few enough people to talk to about things like this."

The smile on Lizzie's face remained long after he had dropped out of sight of the rear vision mirror, waving to her as she pulled away. She drove home with her thoughts full of his engaging smile and quick wit. It was slightly disappointing that he hadn't kissed her but it was their first date, if she could even call it such. Perhaps he only looked at her as a friend but surely it was impossible to ignore the warm spark of interest in his eyes.

A long, plotful chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, let me know if you did. Or if you didn't! Any feedback is always welcome. Thanks for the r's, f's and f's.