Lizzy arrived at the cheese train earlier than Darcy. Unlike Darcy, she was hungry and didn't wait for him to start eating.

She was savouring the creamy delights of a soft continental cheese with a glass of cider and looked in the middle of a foodgasm when he had walked in.

So she didn't notice his presence until he sat next to her and started taking some cheese plates off the conveyor belt.

He was hungry. She was no longer.

"Hi Lizzy" and he kissed her on the cheek. He did this slowly so she could smell his aftershave. He looked tired but looked happy to see her.

"Hi Will" she said dreamily, "this cheese is absolutely delightful."

And she kissed him back on the cheek and was almost tempted to lick him slowly and see if he tasted like cheese.

He could smell the combination of cheese, cider and perfume. A very Lizzy combo he thought.

"You smell nice" he said.

"So do you", she responded as she went back to her cheese plate.

XXX

After eating enough cheese to satisfy his hunger, Darcy asked her what her plans were over the next few days. This seemed to be a common theme with him, she noted.

"Will, every time I pass this place or enter this joint, the opera is calling out to me. Mimi and Rodolfo are calling to me. So I plan to heed their call." She summarised.

Darcy thought on this carefully. Lizzy at the opera with him. So much simpler than organising her trip to Scotland, no favours required.

"And have you booked your ticket yet?" He asked.

She shook her head as she took another plate. "I plan to rock up and get a discounted ticket" she said.

Darcy groaned. This is like her youth hostel in Hogmanay thing. Is she never organised? Was she always this impulsive?

He hesitated, then said "I have a box at the opera."

She smiled. Of course he would! She didn't say a thing. And just continued eating her cheese.

He watched her carefully because he knew her knee-jerk response to such displays of his wealth almost seemed always to border on derision. The fact she had not said a thing was a bit curious.

"I was wondering if you would like to go to the opera with me tomorrow night as more than Charles relative, your travelling companion or as a mere casual acquaintance."

He had rushed this quickly because he was reminded of Newtown and the drawn out disaster there.

Lizzy stopped eating her cheese. Lizzy's eyes widened. Maybe her aunt was right, that maybe he did like her - more than just a friend. He did just say that didn't he?

"For any avoidance of doubt, you're asking me out on a proper date - right?" She said carefully and with just a touch of amusement.

"Yes," he whispered.

She paused. So this was it. Darcy was asking her out on an official date. Their first official date.

Darcy had held his breath because he wasn't sure if she would reject him again.

"Alright," she said. "I would love to go to the opera with you."

He started breathing again. She said yes. Yes! No, I hate you Will because you repel me, but yes!

"What's the dress code for the box?" She asked.

His head was still getting around her acceptance, "Ummm...I'll probably wear my tux."

"Oh." She didn't bring any evening wear. She must do some shopping or raid her aunt's wardrobe.

She quickly finished her cheese, smiled, kissed him on the cheek and said, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

She left him with his heart beating wildly.

XXX

Lizzy rushed back to Clapham and asked her aunt if she had any decent evening wear for the opera.

"What happened Lizzy?" Lizzy was distracted with a million thoughts going through her head. She looked positively distracted.

"Will asked me out to the opera." She explained.

"Oh." And with a look of understanding said "Come cherie, we must dress you for the opera."