A/N: Thank you as always for reading.
Disclaimer: Same 1-5.
The following day, Anna was in her flat ready to go and paced. She had finished getting ready early and didn't want to arrive in the lobby too soon. Last night when she had been talking to John it had been a spontaneous thing to make plans with him. She hadn't expected to do so, but when she had it felt right. She enjoyed his company and was glad to have him as a neighbor. It could have been much much worse. He could have easily been a rather large grump. There had been a handful of rude people come in and out of the building over time, but not John. He was different. She wasn't one hundred percent sure what her feelings were, though her pacing told her differently. Excitement and nervousness were at the forefront. Even though she hadn't known him very long she was looking forward to spending the night out with him. She wondered if he was already in the lobby. She softly bit her lower lip thinking about it.
Looking at her phone, it was now five minutes till. She decided that was close enough to the meeting time, so she gathered her things and left her flat.
She took the stairs at an easy pace. Usually she was flying up and down them, but she wanted to enter the lobby casually. When she reached the lobby she was graced with the vision of John waiting patiently by the lobby doors. He was looking outside at something so she was able to regard him for a few seconds. She smiled at his black jacket. He had indeed listened to her when she mentioned to bring one. He had his hair styled back with a little gel. It was a good look on him.
She was stopped from her staring when he turned his head to see her approaching him. He straightened his back and flashed her a reserved smile.
"Good evening," he greeted as she stopped in front of him.
"Good evening," she echoed.
John looked at her transfixed. He was caught up in her beauty, and how amazing he felt just being near her.
"Ready to go? I'm driving."
"Ready when you are," he replied softly and opened the door.
She touched his arm as a thank you and stepped through. He followed her, and they walked beside each other to the car park.
"Where are we headed?" John asked in an attempt to start conversation.
"I thought we could drive around. That way I can show you where some things are. After that, I was thinking dinner in Ripon. There is a nice area in town."
They reached her car and got in. They each got themselves buckled before he replied, "Sounds great."
"I don't know if that is considered a fun night out, but there it is," she shrugged.
She started the car as John responded, "Any night out with you is bound to be fun."
Anna chuckled, "Listen to you."
She started driving, and he looked to her as he commented, "Don't tell me you think yourself to be dull. That sounds impossible."
John watched an easy smile continue upon her lips. Their night had just started, but he was already enjoying himself immensely.
"I guess you'll be finding that out for yourself."
"And you'll come to find out that I would be the dull one."
They came to a red light, and she looked over to him.
"Let's not keep picking at ourselves tonight. I believe we will have a nice time and neither of us is dull."
He really wanted to reach over and take her hand in his. Her words seemed to draw that sort of reaction from him, but he kept control of himself and smiled warmly at her instead.
"You're right. You'll be too busy being my tour guide."
"Yes! That is exactly what I am."
And so, John paid attention while Anna pointed out different buildings and landmarks and listened as she gave him helpful information about this and that. He truly was appreciative of her showing him around and explaining the area. At some point he knew he would have had to figure it out for himself, but having Anna there with him with her extensive knowledge heightened the experience. She had been very kind and friendly with him from the moment they had met. He wished he could say the same, knowing he had been rather unpleasant in their initial meeting, but to his fortune that hadn't deterred her from speaking to him again. There was something about her. It was a lightness that contained a strong base of determination wrapped up in an effervescent beauty. It was a dizzying concoction which made his head spin that he should even be with her right now.
"Have I filled your head with too much?" Anna asked John when she parked the car.
"Not at all. It may take me a few times to get the hang of it, but I'll get there."
"Of course you will."
Anna grasped her purse and jacket from the floorboard behind her and started to unbuckle. John followed suit.
"Ahead there is a beer garden. They have pretty good food and play some live music on Saturday nights. I hope you don't mind dinner here."
They got out of the car and closed their doors.
John rounded the car to her side. Anna was making an attempt at putting on her jacket when John said, "Please, allow me."
He placed his jacket on the bonnet of the car and took her jacket in hand. She gave him a little smile as he helped her on with her coat.
"Where ever did you get your manners?" She politely asked while he put on his own jacket.
"From my Irish mother," he replied as he adjusted the garment.
"Well, she did a fine job," she praised.
He gave her a shy smile in response. She loved his secret smile.
"I'll tell her you said so."
Anna gave him a look of surprised confusion.
"What? I thought you said it was only yourself?"
John took his cane back in hand and looked to her.
"It is. No one else is with me here. My mother still lives in London."
"She didn't want to come with you?"
John chuckled. "No, she is set in her ways. She swatted me when I had suggested it."
Anna giggled at the mental image she had conjured.
"Any other family in London?"
"No, just mother."
"May I ask her name?"
"Margaret," he replied with a fond smile.
"Well, she sounds like a very lovely person," she complimented.
"Shall we?" He prompted.
"Yes, we shall," she answered.
They walked close to one another down the pavement past some shops. She had been right about the air feeling a little brisk and hoped she hadn't made the wrong decision about them eating outside, but summer was around the corner. It wouldn't be long before the brisk evenings would fade away for the most part.
When they reached the end of the row of shops, Anna slipped her hand into the crook of John's left arm as she turned them to go left. She felt John bend his left arm enough to hold her hand there as they turned the corner. It was then she could see the outdoor seating ahead.
Keeping her hand on his arm, she nodded ahead.
"There it is."
The beer garden was open and spacious even though there were several places to sit. It had an unique charm with different styles of seating mixed together and fairy lights strung in the air. They could hear the music start up again as they got closer.
"This looks like a nice place," he commented as they got a better look.
"I just love the atmosphere of it, and the local bands are usually great."
Anna stopped and gasped a little. John looked down and over to her with a trace of uncertainty on his features.
"Is something wrong?" He asked quietly.
"I didn't even ask if you liked live music. Do you? If not we will find another place. It won't be a problem."
"Woah," he chuckled, slowing her down. "It just so happens I do."
Her relief was visible making John's eyes crinkle. She giggled a little at his kind gaze.
"Thank goodness. I didn't want you sitting here trying to enjoy your dinner if you hated that sort of thing."
"That is very thoughtful but no need to worry. I am sure it will be great."
They were seated at a two top wrought iron table with a bright red umbrella above them. John pulled out Anna's chair before he took his own.
"A girl could get used to being treated so properly," Anna teased as they got comfortable.
The music played in the background but wasn't too loud for them not to be able to talk to each other.
"I don't see how anyone could not treat you in such a way," he stated plainly.
She looked to see if he might be teasing her, but she saw no indication. It made her stomach flutter a little, so she adjusted in her seat and took up her menu.
As he picked up his as well, a waiter stopped by their table to take their drink order.
"What'll it be, Miss?"
"Might I have a glass of cider?" Anna answered kindly.
"And for you, Sir?"
"I'll have a club soda with lime, please."
"Very good."
The waiter promptly left, and Anna looked over to him.
"Do you not fancy a drink?"
"I've fancied too many a drink in my lifetime. I don't anymore."
He shrugged a little with a small downcast look that she would have missed if she hadn't read him right at that moment.
It didn't go over her head what he meant.
"Will it bother you if I-"
John raised his hand a little and gently interrupted her.
"No, no. It's more than fine I assure you."
"Alright. Do you mind me asking how long it's been?" She asked him with no judgement.
"Just a little over two years."
"I am very proud of you, John."
Anna could see John's eyes react to what she had said. She guessed he hadn't expected her to say what she said, but it was true. Life was not an easy road for anyone on Earth, and when someone overcame an obstacle placed in front of them she admired them for it. To see his surprised eyes shift slowly to happiness made her own smile form.
"Now, let's see what they have tonight," Anna said, getting them off the current subject.
John looked to his menu for a moment then back over his menu at her. She amazed him and surprised him. Over the past couple of years he had been on a couple of outings with women. Neither time had he been really interested, but it had been something to do. Each time he knew when he ordered something other than alcohol he would be asked indirectly why he hadn't. So, he knew this time would be no different expect that it was. She had listened and not judged him. It made him like her more than he did already.
"Oooo, they have a shrimp pasta that sounds delicious," he heard her say as she continued to look.
He looked back at his menu knowing he needed to make a selection himself.
"What looks good to you?" She asked him.
His eyes scanned down the page and then he replied, "Hmmm. They have an apple chutney pork chop."
"Yes, I saw that as well. Sounds amazing. Are you giving that a go?"
She laid down her menu.
"I believe I will," he answered.
"Here we are." The waiter placed their drinks on the table.
They placed their order and listened to the music for a little bit. It was a nice night to relax and just enjoy each other's company.
John was admiring Anna's profile as she looked to the band. He hoped she was genuinely having as good a time as he was.
He was broken from his thoughts as their food arrived.
"That was fast," he commented as they began to eat.
"Maybe you just got caught up in the music."
"Maybe I did."
"That pasta looks incredible. Great choice," he complimented.
They ate and talked some about their day before they met up. When they had finished with their meal, they turned their chairs more in the direction of the band to enjoy more of the music.
John began tapping his fingertips on top of the table as the band played a cover he knew. He even hummed and then quietly sang along as he got wrapped up in the music.
"There's such a fooled heart beatin' so fast in search of new dreams a love that will last within your heart I'll place the moon within your heart."
Anna looked over to him, and he smiled feeling a little embarrassed he was singing aloud although barely above a whisper.
"You know this one?"
"I do. Don't you?" He asked, leaning in closer to her to keep their voices down. Most were now just listening to the music.
"I believe I've heard it. I just don't know the words," she admitted lowly.
John laid his right arm over the back of her chair and quietly sang along to where the band was in the song.
"As the pain sweeps through makes no sense for you every thrill is gone wasn't too much fun at all But I'll be there for you-ou-ou as the world falls down."
He stopped his singing and let the band do their, much better, job of singing it. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see Anna listening intently to the words. It was a beautiful sight to see her wrapped up in the music. He didn't want the night to ever end even though the end was quickly approaching.
They all clapped when the song ended. The band immediately began to play another song. Anna turned her head to look at John. He looked back at her.
"That song is lovely."
"David Bowie was a genius."
"Yes, I agree. I am very glad you like the music," she smiled at him.
John flexed his hand that was laying beside her shoulder instead of allowing himself to touch her.
He replied warmly, "I do very much."
After a few more songs they decided to call it a night. Making it back home, Anna opened the lobby door. John held it open, and they walked in. They took the stairs together with their steps in the same cadence until they reached their floor. John motioned for them to step to Anna's door, so they took a few steps to the right until they were there.
"I had a lovely time tonight, John," Anna began as she looked up at him.
"As did I. Thank you again for the tour. I shouldn't get lost as much now."
She lightly giggled. "Well, if you do, you can always ring me and I'll help you find your way."
"I don't doubt that," he rasped, staring into her eyes.
"Maybe... Maybe we can do this again another time," Anna offered, hoping he would like to again. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off of him. Her feet carried her a half step closer to him.
"It would be my pleasure."
John dropped his gaze momentarily from her eyes to her lips. His eyes met hers again, and they slowly began leaning to each other. Anna lifted onto her tip toes, and John bent down to her. John felt as though he was going to burst with the sight of Anna starting to close her eyes in expectation of his lips meeting hers.
A loud clatter behind them made them jump, and they looked to see what had happened.
"Mr. Chirk, are you alright? Mrs. Chirk?" Anna asked and walked over to help the elderly couple.
"We are. Clumsy here dropped my tin of buttons, but thankfully they didn't spill," replied Mrs. Chirk.
"Clumsy? You drop stuff all the time," interjected Mr. Chirk.
Anna picked up the tin of buttons and handed it to Mrs. Chirk.
"This isn't the time or place. Thank you, Anna," Mrs. Chirk smiled at Anna then looked behind her and over at John.
"Who is this?"
Anna stepped to the side and said, "This is John Bates our new neighbor."
John walked over to the Chirks and offered his hand to them both.
"How do you do," he greeted.
"Very well, thank you."
"Pleasure to meet you. Welcome to the second floor," said Mr. Chirk.
"Thank you," John nodded politely.
"Well, we'll be getting inside. Goodnight," Mrs. Chirk announced before they made their way down the hall.
"Goodnight," John and Anna said in unison before walking back to where they had been.
"Have a good rest of your weekend and sleep well," Anna said to John as she took out her keys.
"You as well. Goodnight, Anna."
Anna unlocked her door and replied with a smile. "Goodnight, John."
He turned and walked to his flat as Anna closed her door.
N/A2: Song by David Bowie- As the world falls down