Of all the things Barry had imagined when Nora went to talk to Captain Jones, finding himself comforting her while crying in his arms was certainly the last on the list ...

"He told me it couldn't be him and ..." she said crying "... and that I was a fool if I wanted to try to extort money from him like that ..."

"Come on, Nora…" Barry said hugging her

"You don't understand ... he insulted me ... he treated me horribly ... what is worse is that he told me that he cannot be my father ... this is because when he met my mother I was just born ..."

"Nora ... maybe it's better this way ..."

"Not if it's better ... but for sure I'm glad he's not my father ... but what I know for sure is that I wasted my time coming here ..."

"So will you go away?" Barry asked in a voice full of regret

"Not earlier than 2 weeks ... I have already booked the hotel and I cannot cancel the reservation ..."

"Good…"

"I hope yours is not an allusion to something else"

"Of course not! Tomorrow I have a day off, I can show you the city if you want ... "

"I don't want to be a burden to you ... maybe you already have a commitment ..."

"You are not a burden to me, Nora ... on the contrary, I was pleased to spend time with you ..."

"Thank you ..." she said blushing "But how are you going to contact me?"

"Well ... if you want I can give you my number ..." Barry said taking a notebook

"I would like…"

"So call me tomorrow when you're ready and we'll decide where to meet ..."

"I can't wait…"

The morning after

Nora had never been so anxious about something, it wasn't a date, they were just two friends meeting to explore the city, yet she felt nervous and excited just like she was ...

She woke up at dawn only to choose which of the only 2 dresses she had brought would be the most suitable, realizing in the end that she was now late.

"Sorry I'm late ..." Nora said, leaving the Hotel Hall where Barry was waiting for her

"Don't worry ..." he said embarrassed "... You know I just arrived" he added, making her laugh out loud.

"You know Barry, I didn't expect such an answer ... What have you planned for today anyway?"

"One word: Zoo"

"How old are you Barry?"

"The Coast City Zoo is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country! And mornings like this are perfect for visiting! It is not a public holiday so it will not be too crowded and it is not a period of school trips so there will not be thousands of screaming children ... "

"Do you have something against children?" Nora asked

"I love children ... with my wife we had ..." Barry sighed "I love children, but on a relaxing morning at the zoo too many children are a problem"

"Ok ..." Nora said, trying not to think about that interrupted sentence "Lead the way ..."