Thanks for the reviews.

Now let's see how Eddie got on shall we...

Twiddling his thumbs after sitting there for another twenty minutes after he finished his light lunch, Eddie couldn't take it any longer. He needed to speak to her more. He picked up his jacket off the back of his chair and made his way to the bar, he thought it would be best to move there considering he was taking up a table for four people. Placing his jacket on the back of the bar chair, he propped himself comfortably and waited for Rachel to take his order again.

"Are you ready to pay?"

"Oh no, I'd like to order another drink, decided to come and sit at the bar instead."

"Oh" she pouted her lips with a creased brow and then gently licked the top of her lip before she spoke again

"In that case, what can I get for you?"

"I think, considering it's a Saturday. I'll go for one of your beers, the Budweiser will be ok for now. Would you like to join me? First round is on me"

Rachel couldn't help but smile "how very generous of you" then broke out into a laugh

"What's so funny?" Eddie started to laugh to, a little embarrassed if he had pushed it to soon

"Well I should think you were buying the first round anyway, considering it is you that has asked me to join you. But unfortunately for you, I am working till four, so I will not be able to join. As lovely as it sounds. Thank you very much though" she turned and grabbed his beer from the fridge, taking the cap off and handing him a beer and a pint glass.

As Eddie reached for the glass, their fingers touched. Rachel inhaled sharply and pulled away quickly and walked to the kitchen. Eddie puzzled, he didn't mean to touch her hoping she didn't take offence. He just carried on pouring his beer, hoping she would return soon.

What was that? Rachel thought. Her stomach was in an overwhelming swarm of butterflies right now. She needed to sit down, so she hurried off to the bathroom, put the lid down to the toilet and sat there with her head in her hands.

Our fingers touched and I'm immediately back in that hospital room, hearing a voice. Could it be his, what's going on. School bells ringing in her ears.

Starting to panic, she flushed the toilet, even though she hadn't been and fast paced walked to the staff room where her bag was hanging up. She found her purse, hands shaking she pulled out Doctor Smith contact card. Pressing hard on the buttons on her phone, she dialled his number and pressed call

"Smith"

"Oh hey doctor Smith. It's Rachel, Rachel Mason.."

"Ah Rachel, it's been a while. How are you?"

"Yes. I'm doing great, but I was wondering if there was a chance I could make an appointment with you? Just have a few things I'd like to discuss that's all"

"Yes, that should be fine, let me just check my diary, hang on a sec"

Rachel waited for the doctor to respond, she peaked out the staff room over to the bar and seen that Eddie was still there, enjoying his pint. He was handsome wasn't he, there's just something about him, his presence and I feel like I can tell him everything about me. Why do I feel like that...

"Miss Mason, you still there?"

Shaking her head to bring her away from her thoughts "yes, I'm still here"

"I'm quite busy in the week and well majority of the upcoming weeks actually. The only day and time I've got free is tomorrow around noon. How does that work for you?"

"That works perfectly, thank you so much again Doctor. I will see you tomorrow at noon"

"No problem, see you then"

"Bye" ending the call button and putting the phone and card back into her bag, pulling out the mirror to check over how her make up was looking, smiling with approval she placed the mirror back into her bag and made her way back over to the bar.

"Everything ok?" Eddie said before taking a sip of his beer.

He was drinking that beer rather slow. Although Eddie wasn't actually a fan of drinking in the day, unless it was with the lads watching the football. But he didn't want to go for another cup of coffee nor a juice, so he thought nothing of it and ordered it anyway, hoping that Rachel could actually join him.

"Yes, sorry about that. I..er.."

"Hey, don't worry about it. It's not my business what's going on with you, as long as you're ok" he offered a friendly smile

Rachel pointed towards the beer "do you like that" raising her eyebrows

Eddie laughed "just because I drink slow doesn't mean I don't like it, I like to enjoy my drinks thank you very much. It's not often I treat myself to a pint. I'm savouring every moment"

Holding her hands up in defence " ok ok, just checking"

"So you said you finished around four, was it?"

"Yes" definitely blushing at this point, she knew what was coming

"Fancy joining me for a drink when your shift has finished? I can come back and meet you if you'd like?" Eddie could feel his palms sweating, hoping it didn't sound that he was eager for you to join him for a drink, even though he really was. He wants Rachel to get to know Eddie again.

Alarm bells were ringing in Rachel's head, telling herself to say no. Not until she spoke to the Doctor tomorrow at least. But there was something about this stranger sat before her, that made her just want to embrace into his arms and shout yes from the rooftops. Was it safety she was feeling? Did this man named Eddie make her feel safe?

"Yeah, ok. I'd like that. Thank you Eddie" she couldn't help but smile and she had no doubts that she was definitely blushing right now.

"Great!

Failing at hiding his happiness right now

"I'll pick you up at four then. There's a great pub not far from here, I'll take you there"

"Perfect"

With that Eddie downed the rest of his pint and stood up to get his jacket

Totally gobsmacked, shaking her head

"What?"

"The man who likes to enjoy his pints I take it" She started to get his bill up on the computer

"Well Rachel, I do have a date to get ready for, do I not?"

Giggling like a school girl "I believe you do"

Eddie tapped his card and settled his bill. "Well then, I shall see you at four" he turned on his heels and made his way to the door

"Bye then"

He just raised his back hand and waved, didn't look back

"Wow, that man" shaking her head, smiling. Rachel was feeling all kinds of wonderful, she felt like she had a school girl crush. This was totally out of the ordinary for her, she hasn't done this in a very long time. She wasn't even interested in men, not after her past anyway. Oh gosh, the thought..if this gets serious between us, I will have to tell him about my past, shaking away the idea, she got back to work with a quick glance down at her watch..only three hours to go.

If the streets weren't busy with other people Eddie would be skipping to his car right now. So overjoyed that Rachel decided to go on a date with him, but a slight panic rose, he didn't want to mess this up nor come onto her that he actually knows Rachel. What if he buggers it up he thought.

When he got to his car, he sat in and put the key in the ignition but didn't start it. Instead he pulled out his phone and called who he would thought could offer the best advice for him right now

"Eddie, everything ok? How did it go with Rachel?"

"Hey Tom. More than ok, it was perfect. It's why I'm calling you actually, I need advice"

"Go on..."

"Rachel has agreed to go on a date with me, late afternoon at four.."

He paused

"That's great Eddie! Although where do I come into this?"

"I don't want to mess it up Tom. You should of seen us in there, we got on like a house on fire

"Shit, totally wrong expression for me to use, sorry. But the chemistry between us, it's still there Tom. I just don't want to balls it up and stick my foot in it. I need to pretend that we're strangers meeting for the first time"

"Well you're not strangers are you Eddie, you just ate at the restaurant she works in and she's agreed for a date. So you're already acquaintances"

"You know what I mean! But any advice? Friend to a friend"

"Just be yourself mate. If she asks questions, don't lie. Be totally honest with her.

"Great"

"However, don't push her. You need to take this slowly. This date isn't going to bring her back to you, but it's the first step and it will just take time. I strongly advise not to talk about Waterloo Road just yet, unless she asks the questions but try not to let it slip about her experiences there. It will all come together in time"

Eddie smiled, although Tom couldn't see "thanks Tom, knew I could count on you. Right I better go, need to drive home. See you Monday"

"No worries mate. See you Monday! And hey, good luck, you've got this."

"Cheers" he hung up the phone and placed it on the seat next to him. Turned the key to start up the car, and took the long way route back to his house to get ready for his date with Rachel.