He missed her in New York. He tried so hard. Five days it took before he finally gave up. He couldn't do it no matter how much he tried. He could not suppress his increasingly desperate feelings for her.

He missed her smile, her smell, her wit, her everything. He had never realised how he felt so much... overwhelming contentment when he was around her.

His earlier resolve had failed. Utterly. Running away from her was never the solution. He remembered her face when he left her abruptly that London night. She was thoroughly confused.

He felt, no, he knew she wanted to kiss him. God, why didn't he? He could feel the electricity sizzling between them anytime he was close to her. He remembered how touchy-feely they were - until he left.

They'd probably be both in bed now instead of these trans-Atlantic texts they were exchanging. His jet lag and the time zones just made him grumpy.

He didn't care anymore. If they kissed and it led to somewhere, he'd allow her to use his body for whatever wants and desires she had. He'll offer himself up as her own personal gigolo. No strings attached if that was what she wanted.

Heck he didn't care anymore if she screamed George - he cringed - after he made her orgasm for the hundredth time.

Yes, he was horny but he was only horny for Lizzy. He couldn't ignore the itch that was gnawing at him. He sensed that she could feel the same for him, but he didn't know whether she felt for him as much as he felt for her.

He just wanted to be close to her.

He'll leave tomorrow. Back to London. Give her a surprise. Flowers maybe. Then another trip to the Opera.

At least he knew the Don won't make her cry. Hamlet indeed, he chuckled. She'd probably go on stage and kick the Don in the first scene.

He'll reschedule his diary and ensure they go out for dinner, West End, day trips, whatever. The sky was the limit. Maybe even a quick trip to Paris. As long as he was by her side, he'd do anything.

He looked up the earliest flights back to Heathrow.

XXX

"Lizzy, this is all a bit sudden. Are you sure you want to return tomorrow?" Her aunt asked.

She had arrived from the opera rather early last night and looked a bit upset. This morning, it seemed her mood had worsened and darkened.

"Yes, I miss James and I miss the sun! I can't believe how awful the weather has been", she explained.

The weather was always a safe excuse.

"Well, you must return when it is no longer winter", offered her uncle.

Lizzy smiled. She had acquired a cold over the last few days too and she wanted the Australian sun and a big dose of Vitamin D.

"You are more than welcome to return with me. I can't imagine how you can manage these London winters," she sniffed.

"Thanks for the offer Lizzy but we will have to take a rain check for now," Madeleine said. Then asked pointedly, "You did enjoy your time here?"

"Of course tante . It was good that work allowed me an extended holiday here. It's been so good to see you all again. I will miss you and our heart to hearts. Thank you so much for your kindness. I hope I'll soon be able to provide you with the same hospitality." She said sincerely.

"Soon darling, soon," said her uncle.

Her aunt and uncle were far too discreet to ask about what happened to Will but they knew how to give her enough space.

She left them to pack up her bags.

XXX

Darcy's plane arrived, just as Lizzy's was departing.

After being waived through Customs, Darcy went to the nearest florist and picked up a big bunch of flowers. With a spring in his step, he headed directly to Clapham.

He rang the doorbell.

Madeleine opened the door with surprise.

"Oh, good morning Will! What brings you here?"

He spoke expectantly, "I was wondering if Lizzy is feeling better and available to see me today? I've had to leave her abruptly last week and so wanted to make it up to her by surprising her today."

He showed her the bouquet of flowers he had brought.

Madeleine gave him a look of sympathy.

He looked so sweet and very much the suitor.

She hated being the bearer of bad news.

Maddy said softly, "Will, those are gorgeous flowers but I'm afraid Lizzy left for Sydney this morning. You've literally just missed her flight."

At this, Darcy's heart stopped. And his face fell.

He was lost for words. He had sent her a text just before his plane left JFK and he had asked how she was feeling. She replied she had a bit of a cold but nothing about leaving London.

And now, she was gone. He was too late. He spent the past week getting away from her and now that he was ready, she was no longer available.

He knew the flight was 24 hours long and so he wouldn't hear from her for at least a day.

He pursed his lips and said, "I wouldn't wish this to go to waste," he pointed to the flowers, "please accept them."

Madeleine sighed, "Of course. Did you want to come in?"

"No, no, no." He declined. "I'll see you another time. Please give my regards to Edward."

He left Madeleine as quickly as he arrived. Madeleine thought he was a man deeply in love with Lizzy.

Then she thought Lizzy was behaving the same - like a pair of headless chooks.

Oh well, she thought, true love's path never ran smooth.

XXX

Darcy was a bit flummoxed about what to do next.

His adrenaline to see her had now been dampened by the creeping jet lag he now felt.

He sighed. He needed to get some sleep and maybe he'll have a clearer mind. He couldn't help feel that something had gone momentously wrong and he didn't know how he would be able to fix it.

XXX

Once Lizzy's plane touched the tarmac in Sydney, she saw there was a text already from Darcy.

"Sorry to have missed you!" With a sad emoji.

She sadly smiled too - oh, what could have been.

"We'll catch up another time," she sent back.

He never responded.

Texts are poor substitutes when they were separated by 10,000 miles. She understood he was a busy man and, well, she was so very glad and relieved to get away from the falsehoods and artifice of his milieu.

They lived in two different worlds and she now knew she could never live in his world. It was nasty, petty, and gossipy - people used as gristle.

Distance was a good thing she thought with some relief.

She smiled ruefully and thought to ask him about whatever happened to the twins at Hamish's party one day. Preferably, when they were in the same time zone again. One day.

There was no hurry or urgency on her part to see Darcy. She definitely will not be using his box ever again.

XXX

As Lizzy walked out into the arrivals hall, she saw James, John and Fanny waiting for her.

"Oh, I have missed you all" giving her son James first a tight squeeze. She tried to lift him but he objected.

He had grown while she had been away.

Fanny observed, "Lizzy you're so pale. This is what London does to people - and a cold too. Nasty city!"

With nasty people, Lizzy added to herself quietly.

XXX

This was the necessary pause that both needed.

Darcy's commitments tied him to the UK, Europe and North America.

At the same time, Lizzy needed to prepare James for school and her return to work.

She could now enjoy the last few weeks of her leave in glorious sunshine. Lizzy had the Australian summer to wash away the viciousness of the London winter until it was all but a distant memory.