A/N: They were late for reasons, but at least they managed to appear at the restaurant.

Enjoy...


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...the evening

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"You're late!" Daze hissed when she pulled her son's face down to hers to give him a peck on his cheek. Tommy and Barbara had arrived at the restaurant just in time.

"Yeah, I know that." he hissed in reply but when his face turned into a broad cheeky grin his mother instantly could imagine the reason. And Barbara's light blush also spoke volumes. "Sorry, we're late." he answered louder.

"Oh, please spare me the details." she whispered to Tommy before she turned and raised her voice. "Barbara, hello." Another set of pecks on the cheeks was exchanged. "Nice to see you. You've arrived on the spot. We're about to be seen to our table."

In the back at the bar two couples and a single man turned towards them while their drinks were taken onto a tray. Much to Barbara's relief they were introduced properly; here and without the awkwardness of going around a table, when everyone already was seated.

There was Sam Waterston from Liverpool with his wife Melissa. Both appeared quite normal and not at all exaggerated. Sam's accent was like Tommy had told Barbara earlier and the Waterstons' way of talking was pleasantly easy. There also were Jemma and Spencer Hillman - she a medical doctor and he the CEO of a horse trading company. They were a bit different to the Liverpudlians and more like what Barbara would call Tommy's lot. Jemma's hair was perfectly pinned up and even had some small pearls woven in it. Although Barbara found that a bit excessive, she felt unkempt next to Jemma nonetheless. After the piano play she only had had time to put her hair into a ponytail, twirl it and fix it with two silver hair clips. Apart from her hair though, in her clever evening dress and at his Lordship's side the Hillmans could not help but treat her appropriately.

The single man at the bar, who almost stayed in the background, was of Dorothy's age and Tommy eyed him with suspicion. For a second Barbara squeezed his lower arm until his expression softened. Martin Thackerton was the man's name and he was actually a vet from Truro. He had perfect manners but when Barbara looked really closely she could see a few of the same insecurities she herself was still having in the world of the Asherton family. A slightly insecure smile here and an almost unnoticeable wipe of his hands on his trousers there told her that he partly felt a bit like she did. She also recognised his shoes. They were shining but rather rough and Barbara instantly envied him. Her own shoes already annoyed her.

By the way Daze and Martin exchanged a quick glance during the introduction of Tommy's partner Barbara could tell that there probably was a very fresh love blooming between them.


Of course, and as Tommy had predicted, titles and ranks were not important that evening. That was one thing that made it distinctively easy for Barbara to adjust with everything. They all sat at a round table and so not even the seating was giving away importance or status towards the host who tonight was Daze. The funny thing with all the different cutlery was non-existent because for each of the three courses an armada of waiters brought the new plates with the correct silverware in fine cloth wrappings.

Tommy caught Barbara's eyes, when she realised it and he winked at her relieved smile.

Conversation also was easy with the topics mainly concerning weather conditions and horses, although Barbara, when asked by Sam if she also rides, only was able to tell about her experiences on donkeys at the beach during summer holidays. "I'm afraid that was no real riding. But then again, it was not too bad for a city dweller of that age, I guess."

Tommy squeezed her hand but looked at Daze. "I guess we'll have to acquire a donkey for our stables, mother."

This was not just a joke but a clear statement about where this partnership was heading. Everyone certainly understood but naturally no one commented on it. Jemma may have looked a bit conceited, but even her husband had to laugh. To her relief, Barbara recognised that they all laughed with her about the story and Tommy's comment. They did not laugh about her.

"Yes, and the next thing you'll want to have are chicken and pigs and cute little goats?" his mother laughed and rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "And there it goes, the good reputation of the Asherton horse business."

"Well, I'd appreciate that." Martin chimed in with his bass voice and a fond look towards Dorothy. "More animals for me to vet. As long as you let only that quack doctor care for your high breed gee-gees."

"As long as there's the old Lady you have to drop by almost daily anyway, Martin." Daze quipped. "I wouldn't let that quack doctor care for her."

Tommy choked on a piece of carrot. Caught in a fit of coughs, his face went red and Barbara was not sure if it was from his mishap or from the latent ambiguity in his mother's words. "Sorry!" he croaked after Barbara gently put her hand on his thigh where nobody could see it. She had made sure that he kept cool. This and her brief death glare had instantly brought a grin onto his face. And of course the fact that his mother looked genuinely happy. And of course Barbara's hand staying on his thigh for a few unnecessary moments longer.

After dinner there only was time for a quick cup of coffee before they ordered two cabs which brought them to the theatre. Daze ensured that Barbara was not in the same cab as Jemma by subtly nudging Melissa through the car door after Tommy. She was rewarded by a grateful smile from his son's partner.


The foyer of the theatre was brimming with people. Much to Barbara's surprise there were not only fancily dressed people where you could see a quid in every thread of their clothes but also young folks, some of them even in jeans and jumper. Although these groups of people did not mix at all, it made no real difference and the waiters did not care about what they were wearing. They brought their trays with glasses of champagne to everyone who was there, meaning that they brought it to everyone who had bought a ticket.

All across the foyer strange things were placed here and there as decoration. Later, Barbara learned that they were pieces of the stage decoration, strategically hiding the old and dignified atmosphere of red, gold and marble-white with blazing colours and weird figures. The play was much the same and after about half an hour Barbara whispered to Tommy that next time she'll happily accompany him to a classical piece of Shakespearean boredom.

He had to laugh so hard and fought so hard to suppress it, or at least keep it on a low level, that only his mother's sharp rebuke kept him from further embarrassment for all.

"Tommy!" she hissed. "Compose yourself."

He was so glad that he could hide himself in the depth of their private box.


When the play was over, the evening still was not. The Waterstons and the Hillmans already headed home soon afterwards, but the Lynleys and their partners still stayed for another glass of champagne.

Eventually Dorothy led them towards the pink and yellow rope of a barrier and to Tommy's and Barbara's surprise the security man opened the way for them instantly after hearing her name. They passed another double door and behind it there was another huge room where some theatre goers mingled with some theatre people among the last bits of bustling after a play. They met another friend of Tommy's mother who happened to be the main actress.

She stood there with the actor of the supportive male role and talked with other people in evening dresses. When they saw Dorothy, both actors excused themselves to greet her. For more than another half hour they talked about the play. Ozzy, how Dorothy addressed the actress, especially liked Barbara's honest words about her dislike of that sort of modern plays and she heartily laughed.

"But this one, as strange as it was, was quite enjoyable in the end." Barbara admitted and soon she found herself in a nice conversation with Daze and Ozzy about the play's women's rights theme and the subtly humorous touch of emancipation.

Tommy, Martin and Arnold, the actor, only had the chance to give one or the other minor comment and eventually went for another drink at the bar from where they could watch their partners perfectly.


All in all it had been a brilliant evening. Later in bed Tommy gave Barbara a gentle massage, starting with her aching feet, and they quietly talked about how smooth most of the conversations went.

"Only Jemma... she's a bitch." Barbara mumbled into her pillow.

"Yes, and we don't like her." Tommy agreed with a chuckle. "So, we're happy not to see her so soon again."

"Never again."

"Mmh... I can't promise that, my love." After a kiss onto her naked bum cheek to declare his massage finished, he laid down next to her and pulled up the duvet. Barbara only turned her head towards his face but otherwise kept lying motionless. "Martin's quite nice."

"Yeah, your mother agrees."

"I wonder if they snuggle up in bed at the moment like we do."

"You really wonder?"

"Yes, somehow I think it looked a bit as if they were in love."

"A bit?" Barbara grinned. "Oh, Thomas, they are. Obviously so. Visibly."

"Mh."

"Come to terms with it, sulky boy. Your mother's happy." Barbara closed her eyes and yawned.

"I'm surprised about myself, Barbara, but I really have come to terms with it. He's a nice guy."

"And that's a good closing word for the night." she mumbled. "Now will you please shut up? I'm terribly tired."

Tommy gave her a kiss onto the tip of her nose, turned off the lights and pulled her into his arms.

"Good night." she said.

"Psst!" He chuckled.


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