"I thought we had decided to use the juniors in the other roles." Elle stated while looking at the blonde from inside Ms Frizzles office.

"We had but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that for this to work we will need an actor with a bit of weight. The juniors are good don't get me wrong but having to play your lending man and love interest will require someone who can hold their own on stage," Ms Frizzle explained from her brick red seat in the far corner.

Elle knew she was right. For her to be able to give her best performance possible, she would need someone she could play off. "Is he new, I haven't seen him around here before?"

"Yes, he has been travelling. I saw him performing in a themed restaurant and thought he was fantastic. Turns out he went to acting classes in England until a few years ago."

"Have you decided on his understudy in case one is required?" Elle asked still studying the tall form of the man outside the door.

"I was thinking that you could do that while you're casting the other roles," Ms Frizzle walked to behind Elle and gave her a gentle shove. "Why don't you go and show him around? Get to know him."

Elle blushed a little at how she obviously fancied him but moved in his direction none the less.

XXX

"Where are you from?" Elle asked as they stopped at the door of a small café. She turned around to face him, her back to the door.

"I'm from London, well England," he replied, reaching a long tan arm over Elle to push the door open, "After you." Elle nodded her thanks, trying to keep the smile off her face.

"So you came here to America to try and get into non-commercial theatre," Elle laughed as she took her seat by the window.

"George sat down also and rewarded her with a brilliant smile. The appearance of his face seemed to change when he smiled but in a pleasant way. His blonde hair fell into his baby blue eyes, complimenting his slightly tanned skin. Elle would have described him as pretty, a male model pretty, but not handsome like a certain Mr Darcy. She did not let this observation take up her thoughts for long, after all George had a more pleasant demeanour.

"Well I guess that's true. But in all honesty I wasn't here to look for work, it kind of just happened and I am very glad it did," George stated casting her a suggestive glance from underneath his wayward strands of hair. Elle blushed and tried to disguise it by taking a sip of her coffee.

XXX

"Why don't we go for a walk after I pay the bill?" George asked while getting up from his seat.

"You don't have to paid, I can get it," Elle replied grabbing her bag. His hand covering hers stopped her from getting her bag open.

"Elle this was my treat. Why don't you finish your coffee and I'll go pay the bill."

Elle nodded and watched him walk towards the counter. From their table she had a clear view of where he was standing and enjoyed the sight as she finished her coffee. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure a few inches up on George, with dark curly hair and brooding eyes. She watched as Will noticed the blonde and attempted to speak to him. From where she was she could not hear what they were saying but if the look on Georges face was anything to go by he was not pleased to see him. They talked, well mostly Will talked and George just looked at him for a few minutes before Will looked at his watch and left.

George returned to the table looking slightly flustered but smiled on seeing Elle. "You ready?" Elle nodded and they headed across the street to the small local park.

They continued to talk but Elle was too busy thinking about what had just transpired between the two men to give any answers consisting of more than two words.

"Elle are you okay, you seem a little distracted?"

This question broke her train of thought and so she looked up at him, "Yes I'm fine."

"Are you sure because I just asked you if you have ever been to England and you replied 'I'm okay'" George laughed slightly when he saw the guilty look on her face.

"I'm sorry it's just I was wondering about something which is really none of my business. Forget I said anything," Elle replied looking at her feet.

"Go on ask. It couldn't be that bad," George smiled taking a seat on a nearby bench. Elle also sat down. She manoeuvred to the end of the bench so she could face him.

"How do you know William Darcy?"

Something flashed across his eyes but was gone before Elle had a chance to study it. "Me and Will grew up together, we were best friends and extremely close. We stayed like that until the death of Mr Darcy."

"This time was hard on everyone, I loved Mr Darcy and really felt the huge gap his presence had once filled. Will had to take on the late Mr Darcy's law firm and with it he grew cold and greedy."

"Mr Darcy had always had always had both of us well provided for but Will changed that. The spot I had been offered at the firm was snatched from me because of Will's jealousy and greed. That is why I'm here, I needed to get away and start again but it appears he is mow here… How do you know Will?"

Elle was shocked and surprised that Will would do such a thing. She knew he was arrogant but never thought of him as cruel. "I don't really know him. I meet him at a friend's party… I had no idea he was like that, I mean I was never his biggest fan but I didn't think he was capable of this…I'm sorry."

George smiled sadly. "Don't be, it wasn't your fault," Elle couldn't help but notice that his leg was shaking underneath his baggy jeans. "I don't want what I've told you to influence your judgement of him," George replied with a strange look in his eye.

Elle was too concerned with making George understand that her opinion of Will was never very positive, that she misses his look at that moment, "Don't worry my opinion of him was never very high… are you okay?" she asked indicating to his shaking leg.

"…Yeah, just cold… look Elle I'm going to have to run. I have somewhere I need to be," he replied and lent down and kissed her softly on the cheek, "See you at rehearsals."

Elle was busy thinking about the kiss that she didn't realise that the sun was shining and she was wearing a t-shirt.

XXX

Will walked into the small café, he had a meeting and really needed some coffee. as he walked towards the counter he spotted a man with blonde hair flirting with a worker. The blonde didn't notice Will until he was just over a foot away.

"Oh my God George, how are you? Where have you been? I've been looking for you." Will was about to give George a hug but the frosty reception changed his mind.

"Hello Will. Thought this place would have been below you, what with all your money," George laughed sarcastically.

"George why don't you come home. See Anna, she misses you. Once your better you can help me run the company," Will replied.

"Baby Annabelle misses me?" George's eyes and tone softened.

"Yeah we both do," Will answered looking at his watch, "George I am going to have to run, I have a meeting." George's eyes hardened again on hearing this.

"Just go then Will. Put the company before me again, like always," the bitterness was evident in his voice.

"George that is not what I'm doing. Look I really have to go but come around, we can talk," Will stated softly while moving towards the door.

"

Thanks to all who read and reviewed, I love you all. Hope you like this chapter. It's longer to make up for the last one being so short. Hit that button and tell me what you think. Until next time.