Hey Guys, this one's a little short I know, this and chapter 4 were originally one long chapter but i decided to split it - hope you enjoy anyway!

Matching their steps was hard, but Anna was patient and was enjoying talking to John too much to not keep in rhythm with his out of time steps.

"I'm sorry, it's not very glamorous is it … I really did make a reservation."

"I'm sure you did – don't worry about it, I came for the company, not the food. And I love chips … so it's fine!" she laughed, hoping to cheer him up, he had been gutted when the restaurant said they had no record of his reservation. She could see the burning embarrassment – but it didn't matter, not to her. She enjoyed his company, he made her laugh, and the more time she spent with him, the less her stomach seemed to knot up – which was nice. She began to feel much more comfortable, which she didn't always feel around men. The doubts and worries that normally invaded her mind when she was in close proximity to men seemed to dissipate with each passing minute, every bad joke, and dry witticism.

It was getting darker and colder, so the pair sought refuge in a near by pub, the cold weather made the place packed and steamy. Over the din Anna ordered a gin and tonic, which he brought back, along with a packet of prawn cocktail flavour crisps and a glass of coke.

"Sorry – are you not drinking – I feel bad for starting now." She called into his ear over the noise.

"No no, it's fine I don't drink …" Anna gave him a look; she tried not to look uncomfortable. She had met men before who had done the whole 12 steps thing – they rarely stayed on the wagon and she new that when they did fall off, they generally reverted to their previous self. But despite her reservations she looked in his eyes and couldn't see him as the raging alcoholic, messy things – lives. "Since I give my lungs hell by smoking – I thought I should give my liver a break!" it was his turn to look at her, he had seen the look in her eyes, who was he kidding, she was a nurse – she would see people in this position all the time, she knew the truth – she knew how it worked. "I like the drink – but it doesn't like me so much see. Is that a problem Anna?"

Annother day, with another man she would have said yes – or at least considered her answer first, but with him - as though her brain had no control over her own words she said: "No of course it doesn't – really it doesn't!" She lay a hand on his thigh as he sat next to her. "As long as I don't mess up the program or anything!"

"Mess up the …? Oh Jesus no, I'm not in AA or anything. It's self imposed limitations, I didn't want to end up a washed up old soak, so I kicked it – not easy for an Irishman I tell you now! But hey now look, this is boring – lets do quick fire questions. Best way to get to know someone in my opinion! You start."

"Oh … ummmm, OK – best ever holiday?"

"Prague, 10 years ago, beautiful clock! Earliest memory?"

"Watching my baby brother sleep through the bars of his cot. Favourite food?"

"Pie and mash – steak and kidney. Tell me a secret."

"When I was 8, I was jealous of Mandy Lyon's new doll, it was a Barbie … I stole it, but felt so guilty I buried it in the park – where it remains to this day! Any bad habits?"

"I leave tea-bags on the side of the counter - it even annoys me a little! Crisp? OK then favourite flavour of crisp?"

"Cheese and onion – no doubt about it!"

"Why would a gorgeous young woman like you, be interested in an old crock like me?"

"… It's my go … and your not an old crock at all, you're funny and charming … and quite nice looking I thought. Have a little more faith John, I like you, I really do." She pushed her hand across the table; reaching for his hand she slid her fingers up his cuff, running her fingers along his wrist. Meeting his unblinking eyes she began to lean in, wrapping her free hand around his head, lacing her fingers through his dark hair she kissed him, gently, finding pace. After a moment where he sat wooden, surprised, he waned, his hands finding her waist. He drew her closer.

"Do you want to come back to mine?" she said quickly, as if saying it quickly would make it sound less seedy in her ears. He gently pushed her back into her seat, smiling at her.

"Tempting, but no. Not tonight, it's been a lovely evening, I wouldn't want to make it … uncomfortable. But I'll gladly give you a lift home!" Anna, bruised, stood up to leave.

"Thanks, no – I'll see myself ..."

"Anna!" he grabbed her wrist, standing up he bent to eye level. "I want to say yes, so very much, but I can't not tonight … give me a second chance though. Annother night with you, another chance to make this right."

"Why? Why can't you?"

"Sometimes, what you want and what is right don't correlate."

"You're married – is that it?"

"Once yes – I was, but that's not it."