It was gone eight o'clock by the time the pair reached the local bar. As they reached the entrance, he signalled for her to go in, before following her closely behind. She strode across to the bar, pulling up a stool for him, as she propped herself up on another opposite. Perching on his stool, he leant against the bar, greeting the barman. Several minutes later, a rather large bottle of chilled champagne and two flutes were placed before their eyes. The barman popped open the bottle, filling both glasses close to the brim with sparkling champagne. He handed over a solitary note he had pulled out of his wallet, which was pushed back into his back trouser pocket. 'My treat', he announced, picking up both glasses, elegantly handing one glass to her, before holding out his to toast. She received the drink with pleasure, chinking the rims of their glasses together, as she raised it to her mouth. The rich taste of the champagne savoured her lips, causing her to lick them slightly as the sparkling of the beverage made her lips tingle. Taking a sip of his own, he watched her cautiously, over the rim of his glass, making eye contact with her once again. Just as they locked sight of each other for the next time, their ears were flooded with the soulful singing in the background.

'How can you think I'm standing strong.
Yet feel the air beneath my feet?'

Their eye contact broken for a single minute, he watched her with intrigue, all her attention diverted to the atmosphere and surroundings that were around her.

'How can happiness feel so wrong?
How can misery feel so sweet?'

They sipped more of their champagne simultaneously, knowing they were both becoming a little more intoxicated as they drank more and refilled their glasses more frequently. Also, a little more aware of their feeling that ran through their minds.

'How can you let me watch you sleep,
Then break my dreams the way you do?
How can I have got in so deep?
Why did I fall in love with you?'

'Any other plans tonight?' he asked, without thinking at all. She froze where she was, as his words filled her head. She calmed herself down internally, calming down her excitement, her imagination, the dreams she had been dreaming for quite a long time. 'Not really, you?' She finally replied, taking another gulp of alcohol. 'Same.' Was the reply, sounding a little disappointed.

'This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been,
Feeling twenty two, acting seventeen…'

'I should go…' she said hurriedly, reaching for her belongings, but a hand reached down, ravelling itself softly around her wrist, 'Stay. We can get to know each other better.' followed a voice. Looking up, she met the image of him smiling at her. His warm smile eased her nervous actions, slowly straightening her back, to the perfect posture. She lightly leant her right arm against the bar, resting her head on her hand.

'This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known,
I was never crazy on my own:
And now I know
That there's a link between the two…'

'What would you like to know?' she asked, in a rather flirtatious tone, looking at him in a seductive way. Surprised at her sudden change in behaviour and attitude towards him, he shuffled a bit on his seat, getting himself more comfortable, knowing he was to enjoy this conversation. 'Well, what would you be willing to tell me?' he craftily replied, knowing he was playing with her mind.

'Being close to craziness
And being close to you.'

She pouted cutely at his question. She knew that the pair of them were becoming a little more vulnerable of saying things they would regret, but she didn't seem care. 'I'm 29, single, in a bar with my consultant, getting a little intoxicated. Satisfied?' She grinned, rather pleased that she had overcome her nerves, though the alcohol had obviously helped her with that. A smile played on his lips as her answer was acknowledged.

'How can you make me fall apart
Then break my fall with loving lies?
It's so easy to break a heart;
It's so easy to close your eyes.'

'Very.' The single word that escaped his lips, as she anticipated his answer. They paused for a moment, he watched her as she twirled a short, stray stand of her hair around her finger. She watched him run a hand through his dark hair, closing his eyes for a short moment. She wanted to know more. She had revealed details about herself to him, she wanted a snippet of his life. All this time, they had known very little about one another. Now was the chance they both had, to find out more about one another.

'How can you treat me like a child?
Yet like a child I yearn for you.
How can anyone feel so wild?
How can anyone feel so blue?'

'What about you?' she asked with intrigue, breaking the silent moment, when only the crowds in the bar made the lively atmosphere around them. 'Hmmm…let me see…I'm 34, single, in a bar with my registrar, generally having a good time.' he replied, taking another gulp of the contents in his glass.

'This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been,
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen…'

'Generally?' she enquired, raising an eyebrow as she placed her glass gracefully on the bar, 'Has this not taken interest to you at all?' She sat there, looking smug as he attempted to think of a comeback to her picky remark.

'This is the nearest thing to crazy,
I have never known,
I was never crazy on my own:
And now I know
That there's a link between the two….'

Several seconds quickly passed, he couldn't think of anything. He had been struck by the beauty of her green eyes. His heart skipped beats as her eyelids fluttered in anticipation. He savoured the last drop of champagne in his glass, watched her with intrigue as she finished hers, 'How about I take you home?' he proposed, in an attempt to divert her attention off what he had just said. 'What are you suggesting Mr Beauchamp?' she asked with a hint of sarcasm, jumping off her stool and bending down to pick up her handbag. He caught yet another glimpse of her perfect rear, as he replaced his glass back onto the bar. He stood up, offering her a hand up. She placed her hand gently in his, and he held it softly, as they made their way out of the bar.

'Being close to craziness
And being close to you.
And being close to you.
And being close to you.'

The soothing melody managed to travel through the vibrant and jovial atmosphere and out into the midnight, along the street. They both made their way to the taxi rank, both too intoxicated with alcohol to drive their way home. They clambered into the first one available, before she gave her address to the driver, who then began the journey home.

As they pulled up to a block of flats on the outskirts of the town, Connie looked up at him, their hands had been entwined together since they amalgamated at the end of their stay at the bar. 'Thank you.' She whispered, never wanting the moment to end. 'You're welcome.' He whispered back. She leant up towards him, kissing him once, gently on his cheek, before pulling away sending him a warm smile. He released her hand from his grasp, as she picked up her belongings and opening the door of the taxi. Stepping out of the vehicle, she turned around for one last time. 'Coffee?' she asked, wondering what his answer would be.