A/N: Hey everyone! Here's another chapter for you. There's a couple of characters being introduced here – they're not main characters by any means but they will crop up every now and again.

Thank you as always for your lovely reviews, they don't half make my day.

Zoe punched the number into her phone. Hesitating for a moment, she contemplated cancelling the numbers but she persevered and hit the green 'call' button.

"Hello?"

"Craig? It's Zoe."

"Doctor Hanna? How are you?"

"I'm fine thanks. Listen, I was wondering if you were doing anything on Thursday night."

The line was silent for a few moments and then relief spread through her when he finally answered, "Nope, I'm free. As you know, I have no social life whatsoever."

She laughed a little at him.

"I was thinking that maybe we could go for a drink or something."

"Do you want me to invite the others as well?" Zoe could hear the nerves in his voice.

"I thought it could just be the two of us, that's if you want to."

"Want to? Yeah, yeah that sounds great." He was cute when he got flustered.

"Great," Zoe beamed.

"I'll pick you up at 7?"

"Okay. I'll see you then, Doctor McLeish."

"Bye, Zoe."

"Bye, Craig."

The call ended with Zoe beaming and Craig wondering if he had a decent shirt to wear.

Zoe thanked whoever had sorted out the rota for the week – she had Thursday off. She spent the day in the best way she knew how; shopping.

She swept through the stores like a seasoned pro – gliding around rails and rails of tempting fabric delights. A deep green top caught Zoe's eye. Deciding that it was about time she treated herself, she tried it on.

It was flattering and forgiving where it needed to be. She looked great, even if she did say so herself. All she needed to do was find a pair of shoes that would match. Challenge accepted, Zoe thought.

An hour later she had the perfect pair of court shoes. Zoe strode through the small town streets with her boutique bags and everything was better than she could have ever expected.

Deciding that no stint of retail therapy was complete without a coffee break, she slipped into a small café. It was tastefully decorated in pastel shades and Zoe decided this would become her favourite place to sit and relax. Taking a seat in the window and elderly lady approached.

"Hello there dear, can I get you anything?"

Zoe smiled at her, "Could I have a coffee?"

"Of course, any cake? Bertie's just brought out a fresh batch of chocolate chip muffins." The woman turned and looked affectionately at the old man behind the counter who smiled.

"Yeah, a muffin would be lovely, thank you."

"Not at all dear. Bertie'll bring everything over in a moment."

Zoe found herself watching the couple with a sense of wonder. She couldn't imagine how two people could have spent such a long time together. It warmed her heart to see how love could stay so strong.

Bertie pottered over with a tray which he laid down on the table.

"Here we go," he poured the coffee from the pot into a china cup, "The milk and sugar are in these," he gestured to two small containers on the tray, "and here's your muffin. They're still warm; I've not long fetched them out of the oven."

"Thank you, Bertie," Zoe said, receiving a wide grin from the grey haired man.

"You're more than welcome. If you need anything, just give us a wave. Me or Aggie will come and sort you out."

She nodded in understanding and Bertie went back to nattering with his wife.

The muffin was divine. She could have eaten three more. And the coffee, wow, Zoe was quite fussy with what she drank but this was out of this world. Aggie and Bertie were obviously experts.

Once she'd cleaned her plate and drained the pot of its contents, she carried the tray back to the counter.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Two-sixty please, my love." Zoe fished the coins from her purse knowing that they really should have charged her more.

"And thanks for bringing the tray back dear," Aggie said from where she was arranging another batch of cakes onto a stand.

"No problem."

"We'll see you again?"

"Of course," Zoe said.

"Wonderful. I'll try and make sure we have some of those muffins in for you."

She grinned widely, "Now that Bertie, would be lovely. I tell you what, I'll pop back in this weekend. It's a friend of mine's birthday, I'll bring him with me."

"We look forward to it."

"Well, I'd best be going. Thanks for the cake and coffee, they were both great."

"Thank you dear. Have a nice evening."

They waved as she looked back at them through the window.

Time passed relatively quickly for Zoe. She spent the rest of the day sorting her things out in the house properly. She hadn't had the time really since she'd moved in and now seemed the ideal time to do it.

Once the whole place was spic and span, Zoe noticed it was getting on for five. Time to get ready. She showered and then took her time drying her hair into the perfect place. Her make-up was masterfully applied and then she got dressed.

She twirled in front of the mirror admiring herself from all angles. She shoes set everything off; she was glad she found them. Zoe checked the clock again. It was half past six. She smiled. There was plenty of time for a quick glass of wine; to calm the nerves of course.

Craig had been sitting outside her home in his car for fifteen minutes. He liked her, he liked her a lot. This was obviously why he was sitting out here like a chicken. He looked at himself in the rear-view mirror; his brown hair was erratic on his head but it looked rather stylish and he had a hint of stubble but what really set off his face were his bright green eyes. He swiped his teeth with his tongue, took a deep breath and headed for Zoe's front door.

He knocked three times on the dark wood and looked at his shoes while he waited for her to answer. Craig looked up as he heard the catch; the door swung open to reveal Doctor Zoe Hanna.

Craig stood there and didn't speak.

"What? Don't you like it?" Zoe made sure he'd be able to hear just a hint of disappointment.

"No, no, it's not that," he stuttered out, "You look amazing."

Zoe grinned widely.

"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself." She reached out to wiggle to knot of his tie so it was a little less wonky than it was before.

He offered Zoe his arm, "Come on, you must be hungry, I know I am."

They exchanged smiles as Zoe took his arm. Craig led her to the black Mercedes that stood fifty feet from her front door. The cogs in her head whirled; if that had been silver she'd have been forgiven for thinking it was Nick's car.

Pushing the stray thought away, she hopped into the passenger seat and Craig drove the car through the night.

A/N: And there we have it. I know it's short but I wanted to write the date separately. I hope you liked it.