"I miss you," John whined.

"I miss you too," Anna whined back, "So what should we do about that, Mr. Bates?"

It was halfway through their separation for the holidays and John couldn't believe how much he was longing to see Anna. They had spoken to or texted each other every day but it wasn't the same. Hearing her voice was great, but not as great as touching her. Or kissing her.

John thought for a moment, "What's halfway between Littlebeck and Stirling?" he asked.

"I've no idea. Why?"

"Never mind," he back pedaled, "I'm being ridiculous."

"You're cute when you're ridiculous. Tell me."

"Well," John hesitated, feeling rather foolish, "I thought, since I miss you and you miss me, and since we're only half way through our holidays... that maybe…"

Anna laughed, "You're hesitating so long I'm wondering what in the world you're about to suggest. Robbing a bank? Skinny dipping in the Irish Sea?"

"Good god no!"

"Well then?"

"Do you have access to a car?"

"I suppose I could borrow my dad's, why?"

"I thought maybe we could meet halfway and spend a day together. But it's a stupid idea. Your parents won't want you taking a day away from your family to spend time with me."

"I don't care what my parents want, I'm desperate to see you. Besides, I'm 28 years old and can do what I wish. "

"Not if you need to borrow your father's car."

"I'll convince him. I'm his little girl, I always get what I want. But even so, you flew to Stirling. You don't have a car."

"I'll rent one."

"That's a lot of trouble and expense."

"I'm desperate to see you too," he whispered with the rasp in his voice that struck Anna straight to her core.

"Hang on a second," she beamed, "Let me get my laptop."

Anna was gone for a moment then returned. She put her phone on speaker and began typing.

"What are you doing?" he asked, hearing but not recognizing the sound of the keys on Anna's computer.

"I'm looking up what town is halfway between Littlebeck and Stirling."

"So we're actually doing this?"

"Oh, we're doing this. What I want to know is why aren't you on your computer booking the car?"

John laughed, "Alright, just a second."

He stretched himself over the bed and grabbed his laptop.

Before he could even boot it up Anna groaned, "Oh god."

"Anna? What's wrong?"

"N-nothing… it's just…I've found the halfway point."

"What is it?" John asked excitedly, forgetting that Anna didn't sound excited at all. So what if it was someplace boring. At least they could be together for a few hours.

"I don't think I want to tell you."

"It can't be that bad. You sound as though it's a nuclear waste site or something."

"Well, it's explosive…"

John's brows furrowed, "What are you talking about?"

"You're not even going to believe me when I tell you. I swear it's not some secret plot on my part. You can look it up for yourself if you want."

"Come on, Anna," he urged, "Just tell me."

"Gretna Green."

"Oh," John was flummoxed, "The Gretna Green?"

"How many Gretna Greens do you think there are?"

John chuckled, "Well...that's a bit... awkward. Suppose the universe is trying to tell me something?"

Anna was relieved that although John sounded surprised, he didn't seem upset. "As long as you think it's the universe and not me who's sending you the message."

"Of course not. Now if it was that Sandra woman I met at Rob's party, I'd definitely be worried."

Anna laughed, "I'll look for someplace else."

"Nonsense. I'm sure there must be something to do there besides get married."

"Are you sure? What if someone sees us?"

"Who's going to see us in Gretna Green? It's not like we're a famous couple being followed by the paparazzi."

"True, but I don't want you to feel…"

John cut her off before she could even finish, "Anna, I don't feel anything. Except that I want to spend a day with you. I promise. Listen."

He typed random keys on his keypad so that she could hear, "I'm googling directions right now."

Anna sighed with relief, "No wonder I want to meet you, completely platonically of course, in Gretna Green. You're an extraordinary man, John Bates."

"And you're an incredibly patient woman, Anna Smith. But," he added, "I hope it won't be completely platonic."

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Anna smiled as she pulled into the empty parking lot and saw John had already arrived. She parked quickly and wasted no time in running the short distance to his rented car. He barely had time to stand before she threw herself into his arms.

They kissed each other furiously for a few minutes until Anna finally said, "Oh, I've missed you so much."

John smiled down at her, the crinkles at his eyes making her knees go weak, "Probably not 1/10 as much as I've missed you." He turned and reached into the back seat of the car, pulling out a hoodie and handing it to Anna.

"What's this?" she asked.

"I brought an extra. I knew it would be cold this far north and I didn't want you nicking mine."

"Oh you…" Anna giggled. She loved her family but she had to admit she hadn't been this happy in days.

"Was it a problem for you to use your dad's car?"

"No," Anna said as she shrugged into John's sweatshirt, inhaling deeply, "I told you I'm spoiled."

"Speaking of spoiled," John smiled and kissed Anna's nose, "What should we do today? Your wish is my command."

"I did look up a few things around here. There are a couple of museums and gardens we could visit. Although I don't suppose those will be so wonderful at this time of year."

"I don't know," John took her hand and led her to the other side of the car, "the idea of walking hand in hand with you through a deserted garden seems pretty wonderful to me." He felt gratified when her response was to squeeze his hand more tightly and snuggle herself into his body. "Should we walk into town or take the car?"

"How's your knee?"

John rolled his eyes, "It's fine Anna."

"Don't roll your eyes at me John Bates, how am I to know how you're feeling when I haven't been able to keep my eye on you for five whole days?"

He tucked her arm under his and began to walk toward town, "So you keep an eye on me do you?"

Anna blushed a bit, but she supposed John wouldn't notice what with the way the wind was biting cold, "You know I do."

"I do," he whispered with a bit of gravel in his voice, "I don't know how I got so lucky to grab your attention at all, much less keep it. Were your parents disappointed to lose you for the day?"

"More curious I'd say. They're anxious to meet the man who's special enough to get me to drive so far in the middle of my holiday."

"Don't build me up too much. I don't want to disappoint them...or you."

Although John's words were typically broody, Anna couldn't help but notice that he didn't balk at the idea that he would someday meet her family. She took it as a good sign. A very good sign.

"How about you?" she asked cheerfully, "Any problems getting away?"

"Me? God no. Mum was practically pushing me out the door when she found out I was meeting you. In fact, she baked us mince pies for a picnic today and sent you a gift. I think she may fancy you more than I do."

"I hope not," Anna sighed.

"No, you're right. No one could fancy you more than I do. Not even Moseley. But I'll bet she fancies you more than she fancies me.

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Anna and John spent the late morning visiting the museums and gardens as planned. They had a wonderful time talking and laughing, popping in and out of the little shops where John bought Anna a souvenir and Anna bought a gift for John's mum. Anna teased John about visiting a distillery and he jokingly accused her of trying to get him drunk before they visited the Old Blacksmith's Shop.

"I didn't even list that as one of the places we should visit today," Anna argued.

"I'm only teasing. But of course we should visit. I don't think you can come to Gretna Green and not see the anvil. I think it's a law."

Anna looked up into John's face, looking for any signs of discomfort.

"It's fine, honestly," he reassured her, again reading her thoughts, "Besides, I'm perfectly safe today. I'm still married to someone else, remember?"

"As if I could forget," Anna huffed, moving on, "but let's not dwell on that today. Let's just concentrate on spending this lovely, semi-platonic day all to ourselves."

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Back in London, Thomas was in the shops returning various gifts he had gotten and didn't want. He was running his hand over a cashmere scarf when someone bumped into him from behind.

"Excuse me," the woman was dark, with raven hair and intense eyes. "Oh, aren't you Thomas Barrow? I think you work with my husband," she purred.

A knowing smirk spread over Thomas' face, "Vera Bates. What are you doing in London?"

"I've come to see my solicitor and sign some papers. Thought I might as well visit the shops and see what sales are on while I'm here."

"Spending Bates' money already?" Thomas joked. He didn't have as low an opinion of Bates' wife as the rest of the staff did. She could be useful at times. And she was the only person he knew who hated John more than he did.

"The more the better," she cooed.

"I knew you couldn't be here to see Bates himself…" Thomas let the comment hang, hoping to prick Vera's curiosity. He wasn't disappointed.

"Oh, why's that?" her tone was light, but Thomas saw the suspicion in Vera's eyes.

"Didn't you know? He and Anna Smith have gone north for the holidays." No one could accuse him of lying. They both had gone north. Just not together. If Vera misunderstood, well that wasn't his fault was it? "You remember Anna, don't you? The really pretty blonde who's always been so fond of your husband."

"Oh, I remember her alright," Vera was losing her cool and Thomas loved every minute of it. Vera looked at her watch and gave Thomas a tight smile, "I've really got to see my solicitor."

"It's been a pleasure Mrs. Bates," Thomas smiled as Vera turned and walked away.