Sydney woke up the next morning momentarily disorientated. A dull grey light filled the room and Sydney could hear the faint patter of rain on the window and the whistling of wind through the chimney.
"I thought the weather was better down south." She wondered round assessing her new home. She didn't know how long she'd have to stay here. Looking at her watch it was 9.30 she decided on a quick shower then down to that little café for a bacon butty.* One thing she had come to love about England. There Saturday morning traditions were brilliant. She knew Vaughn was arriving at half past ten so she read the morning papers; something she never had time to do when she was in SD6 but something she had grown to love. She wandered around her apartment taking in the huge sash windows and the light airy rooms. She found herself staring out of the window thinking about Will. He had always wanted to travel Europe. Her reverie was interrupted by a loud crash from outside. She heard a loud curse through the door. She ran to the door and flung it open. Vaughn was sat on the floor surrounded by papers clutching his finger.
"Are you ok?" Sydney tried to suppress a smile.
"I slipped and banged my finger but I'm fine. Hi, I'm Michael Bristow, your new neighbour." Proffering his hand.
"I'm Sydney Vaughn." Both their hearts jumped a beat and Sydney had a flash of her signing her name Mrs. Sydney Vaughn one day. " I live next door. Do you want some help moving in."
"If your sure?"
Of course" She bent down and began to pick up the papers. He scrambled next to her. He opened his door and asked her in. Once they were inside Vaughn moved off into the kitchen to put down the box.
"I haven't got that much just clothes and some personal stuff. Bits of thing like lamps and pictures. It shouldn't take long. The company furnished my place."
"They've done a good job next door."
On impulse Sydney rushed into the kitchen and grabbed Vaughn. She looked deep into his beautiful green eyes. Leaning in she kissed him. Passionate and deep she closed her eyes and sighed. She cupped his cheek and then broke off the kiss. Vaughn looked shocked.
"That was unexpected."
"Unpleasant?"
"No" he searched for the right word "delightful but unexpected."
"We better get the rest of you're stuff in. What are you doing this afternoon?"
"Nothing planned. Why?"
"Do you want to come to mine for dinner?" She smiled
"Yeah that would be nice."
"Lets get your stuff in. Come round about 7"
Sydney and Vaughn as always worked brilliantly together. It was done in a couple of hours. Sydney left almost straight away to go shopping.
*******
As Sydney walked round the large English supermarket, she realised she didn't know what Vaughn liked. The more she thought about it, she decided something simple would be in order. She picked up half a gallon of ice cream, a pizza and a bottle of Moet & Chadon. She walked back down Bond Street she saw the most beautiful black dress in the window. She knew that it was perfect and bought it with out trying it on.
********
Vaughn stood in front of a mirror in his apartment, trying to decide what to wear.
"I thought this was a woman's affliction" he mused. He didn't want to be over or under dressed. His heart was beating fast and his palms were clammy. "Its just dinner" he told himself this was the first time he could go to her house without following a complicated procedure. He decided on dress pants with a jacket but an open neck shirt. He opened his door and knocked on hers. It seemed an eternity before she opened it. His jaw hit the floor when she did open it. Her hair was loose around her shoulders her dress looked as if it was made for and her long legs looked endless in her heels.
"Hi," she said shyly "come in." she moved out of his line of sight to let him through. He stepped into her apartment.
"You look absolutely amazing." Her black dressed finished just below the knees and had a cowl front and a low back. It fitted her like glove.
"Go through, I'll just bring the dinner."
Vaughn walked into the living area of Sydney's apartment. In the centre were a table with crystal champagne glasses, a bottle of Moet and a single red rose with a white candle. Vaughn looked through Sydney's huge sash windows to the lights twinkling outside. He turned when Sydney. She was carrying two plates with paper on top obscuring what was inside.
"For your first dinner in England. I thought we'd have a traditional English dish." She said walking towards him. "Fish and Chips" She placed the plate in front of him. "But if you don't like it I've got a pizza."
"This is perfect." He watched as Sydney tucked into hers. Her watched her elegant fingers on the stem of the champagne glass and cutlery.
"Don't you like it?" Sydney asked worriedly
"I like it very much." Vaughn answered his eyes steady on Sydney as he watched her blush.
"I meant the food."
"Lovely." He said his eyes still on Sydney he finished off the last of his meal. "What other English traditions do I need to know about?"
"Well there's pie and mash but that'll have to wait for another day." Sydney laughed "Fish and Chips taste better by the sea. I had the most gorgeous fish and chips in a town up north called Scarborough. I got Ben and Jerry's for desert and I got a video for after but you can pick I got a choice. I'll clear the plates go sit down." She stood up and began to clear the plates. She felt his eyes on her bare back as walked into the kitchen. She stood for a moment and breathed deeply. She'd never been so nervous before. She got out the ice cream and another bottle of champagne. She walked carefully to the lounge and sat down next to Vaughn handing him a bowl. She curled up in the corner of the settee while Vaughn put on the video. He looked around at where she was sat and was suddenly nervous. He wondered where he should put himself. Sydney noticed his hesitation and said, "I'm just going to put some socks on. My feet are freezing." She stood up and wandered to her bedroom. Grabbing some stripy socks she walked back into the room to find Vaughn sat on the couch. He looked round as he heard her come back. He burst out laughing.
"What?" Sydney asked defensively.
"You look so cute, you've got that gorgeous grown up dress on then some little girl socks." He smiled
"My feet were cold!"
"I would have kept them warm." Sydney and Vaughn both blushed.
"Sorry that was crass"
"Its ok."
They sat at opposite ends of the sofa. The atmosphere was awkward. After all they'd seen together they still knew so little about each other.
"Syd"
"Vaughn" They both laughed
"Ladies first" he said.
"What should I call you now because technically you're not Vaughn. You're Bristow."
"Whatever Bristow if you want or Mike. I was wondering the best way to get to work on Monday."
"What date is it?"
"Erm the 29th April. Why?"
"I need to make a phone call."
"Syd? What are you doing?"
"Stay there."
A cliffhanger!
* A bacon butty is bacon on a oven bottom muffin, which is a flat bread roll. They only tend to have them in the north of England especially around Manchester.
