Thank for being part of my P and P modern fanfic writing journey thus far! Just responding to some comments:

Yes, there will be sex but it will be towards the end if not the end. Darcy is acting like a horny teenager hence I'll give him some relief/release. However, if I introduce sex right now it will totally bugger them up. They're already confused as buggery and prone to misinterpretation so adding sex (which they would both like - it's been awhile since either have had some LOL) to the mix now, would in the words of Amanda Price, render them to lifelong therapy. This also explains why both of them have very, very active sporting lives.

I don't know who DoraC is so you may have confused me for someone else. DoraC sounds lovely but she is not me. This is my first fanfic ever!

On this website, I've been inspired by AntonM's "Coconut Trees" (love your work!), Laure001's suite of books and 4givemeJane's classic (because it surely is now!) "A rush of blackbirds."

I initially thought this would be a quick and easy output but it seems I'm following in the footsteps of the romance angsty stories of those writers above. Who doesn't love some good angst and pining? There will be HEA (because I've written them already - LOL ) but as mentioned earlier, it's the bridging chapters that I'm struggling with. So sorry but there will be more and more and more drama! It will be a roller coaster and I still have not introduced Alistair yet (it's taking awhile...)

Happy to do a Q and A the end (LOL if I ever get to it - sorry, still need to sort out some sub-plots) to help you understand some of the Aussie vernacular. The aim was to give an Aussie flavour and appeal to the Aussie audience here because our modern takes are under-represented with the exception of Lizzy working as a nanny for actor Darcy from grovvymumma's "Trainwreck." And well, most regency fanfic writers like to send Wickham to Australia (LOL).

The "Parramatta River" chapter I wrote is my assessment of "what if" a 19th century Darcy lived in Australia. He would have failed. The portrait of "John Blaxland Jr." is a competing hottie (the first portrait because there are two - the second looks as if he's dying of consumption) to Colin Firth in a cravat. And shout out to Elliot Cowan's Instagram page where he is prancing about doing tradie jobs in a cravat. Mmm-mmm.

But anyway, welcome my international readers. I'm glad you are enjoying the Aussie-ness of it here.

Re: FIFO refers to our well-paid miners who'd fly-in fly-out (similar to working on an oil rig) to big massive mines in Western Australia from the east coast. I see Darcy's Queensferry place as his FIFO pad as it's there for his convenience, nothing else.

Re: Map of Tassie. Yes, the tabloid press were very naughty during Fred and Mary's trip here; but the British tabloid press is the scum of the earth.

The tyranny of distance and travel has always been part of the Aussie experience so I hope I've conveyed that here - time zones, jet lag, confusion, we have it all!

After a sleepless night, Lizzy texted Darcy the following message which took her an hour to compose to be satisfied with:

"Thanks for last night. Enjoyed it a lot. What are your plans for the rest of the week? When you're free, want to catch up?"

Was it too formal? Suggestive? Or was it friendly enough? Surely he can't misread or misinterpret it.

She waited for his response.

After a couple of hours she was tempted to give him a ring.

At midday she rang his number. It went to voicemail.

She wondered if something had happened.

In panic, she rang his office number. The receptionist said, "He's unavailable but if you leave a message I'll ask his PA to give you a ring."

She declined the offer.

XXX

That night she just stared at her unresponded text.

Her uncle and aunt were a bit bewildered she was carrying her mobile with her at the dinner table, "Just waiting for a call...in case", she explained.

Maddy had asked how the opera went and she said "It went well - the performance was great."

"And how was your beau?" Maddy enquired.

"He's not my beau tante, I think you're quite wrong on that point. He was very much the polite gentleman." She corrected Maddy.

She tried to sleep but couldn't.

XXX

The following day, there was still no text.

She reasoned that being the most eligible bachelor across three continents meant if he was in an accident - and when that thought passed, fear gripped her - it would be all over the news.

XXX

There was no response the day after.

She thought, perhaps this was the way he ended his relationships with people he grew bored with.

Then she bitterly laughed at that word. What relationship? She was his best friend's sister in law, nothing more, nothing less.

She'll see him again another time and they'll both be civil with each other again.

XXX

There was still no response the day after that.

Well, she thought, that was a bit rude.

XXX

Nearly a week after her unresponded text, Darcy texted her back and wrote "Sorry. Had to leave abruptly and couldn't respond until now. Clusterfuck in NY. Hope you are well."

Her heart sang. The world was bright again. Lizzy looked at the time. Jeez it's 2am over there.

She looked at the grey and gloomy London morning outside her window. No wonder why people would get SAD (seasonally adjusted depression) here.

She started to text him back "All good, I'm miss-" and stopped you. Yes she missed him but she was still unsure about what had happened. Did he leave abruptly because of her?

She started again "All good, the weather is making me miserable."

Almost immediately he sent a LOL emoji and wrote "Go use my box and see Don Giovanni tonight. Let me know if this version is worth seeing. Watched a great version of Die Zauberflote. Set in high school. Sarastro and Monostatos as creepy pedo teachers. They redeemed the Queen of the Night. I've always thought she was misunderstood. Protective of Pamina."

Lizzy laughed. Yes, the Queen was a single mum like her. Protective of her little Tamino.

Oh, how she missed him. Yes, she'll see the Don tonight. She might text him throughout the performance if she can keep her screen dark enough and remain secluded from the ushers. She can share the opera with him. Advantages of being in a box.

She texted: "Thanks. Will do. Now go to sleep!"

He sent a smiley and sleepy emoji. He liked the idea of her in his box.