When hearts are passing in the night, in the lonely night
Then they must hold each other tight, oh, so very tight
And take the chance that in the light, in tomorrow's light
They'll stay together, so much in love
-A Man and A Woman – The Free Design
Anthony didn't know what to make of this part of London. It certainly wasn't the city he was familiar with. No stiff conversation with people dressed in their finest for the evening. Instead he and Edith were led to a corner of the restaurant with a curtain that could be pulled for privacy.
"Where are the chairs?" Anthony asked, looking around and only seeing large plush pillows and a very short table.
"No chairs." She grinned, carefully sitting to keep her knees together. "Part of the experience, Anthony."
"Right." He nodded, taking the cushion next to her.
The restaurant was hot and a bit stuffy, the air heavy with spices. The colors were warm, dark woods and reds and purples. Anthony found himself feeling rather sleepy. He quietly pulled his glasses from his jacket pocket to look over the menu. His look of hesitation was clear.
"I take it you haven't had Moroccan food before?" Edith asked gently.
"I can't say that I have. I suppose I'll have to refer to your expertise." He shrugged, putting the menu aside.
"I don't usually order. A friend is the proprietor, she usually sends out what she wants me to try."
"Lady Eed, with Daisy's compliments." A waiter smiled, placing a number of bowls and dishes on their table.
"You're rather well known in these parts." Anthony commented when they were alone again.
"Meet a lot of people. Big city after all."
"Uh… there's no silverware."
"No, there isn't." She smiled again, reaching for the plate of flatbread. He nodded and followed her lead, trying to get the hang of eating with his hands. "So, how did you find me exactly?"
"Thomas from your literature class told me where to look, then I just asked around."
"And you'll be reporting back to my father that you found me…"
"Quickly and efficiently, I don't think they need to know about your hang outs."
"Thank you… there's very little in my family that's just mine. Coming down here and being left alone, no expectations…" Edith shrugged. "It's nice. It's my own."
"I understand."
"Thank you, Anthony." She smiled. "How do you like the food?"
"Different… good though. I like it." He really did like the food and the company. "Quite a change from my usual meals… alone."
"Lately I've been eating alone more often."
"I find that difficult to believe." He chuckled, glancing around the restaurant and realizing that people were looking in their direction.
"What?"
"That you should find yourself alone all that often."
"I'm not all that social. That's Sybil or Mary."
"Your father mentioned a boyfriend."
"Ex. Should be moving out of my flat as we speak." She shrugged, reaching for another dish across the table.
"If I'm not prying, your father didn't sound all too thrilled about the young man."
"He wasn't all that young. Michael's about 15 years older than I am. He's an editor for one of the local papers but runs around here as a weekend hippie."
"Weekend hippie?"
"People who like to pretend for three days that they have no responsibility and can just sleep around with whomever they please."
"Ah. So Michael?"
"Was a friend to many young ladies as it turned out, in addition to a wife at home." She nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Better I find out now. Though I can just imagine my next visit home. Mary of course found out about Michael last week, saw him out with another woman, couldn't wait to run home and tell everyone. Another mark against Edith."
"I'm sure…" Anthony paused, glancing around the room again. "I'm sure… Edith, why are people looking over here?"
"No idea." She looked around, finally taking note of the glances they were receiving. It wasn't until a timid girl approached the table with a pen and a menu that they had any idea what was going on.
"Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if you might sign my menu." She stammered nervously.
"I'm sorry, but why?" Anthony managed.
"I'm such a big fan. I really loved Alfie and Gambit was just marvelous."
Anthony's utter confusion was interrupted by Edith's sudden laughter.
"Sorry, dear. It's not him." Edith addressed the girl who turned bright red before disappearing back into the fray.
"What was that about?"
"Really? You haven't seen Alfie?"
"No."
"With your glasses you look rather like the star of the film." She grinned, studying him closely. With the dark, thick frames he really did bear a striking resemblance. Though Anthony's features were a bit softer, warmer. "You've really never seen it?"
"Really."
"Perhaps a trip to the cinema is in our future."
"I haven't been to the cinema in ages."
"Well the time is now, sir."
Anthony smiled at that. It was a whirlwind evening for him, but probably the best day he had had in years.
It had started raining while they were in the restaurant, Anthony was surprised to find the streets still crowded rather than abandoned.
"Should we wait it out?" He asked, realizing that she was without a jacket and they were both without umbrellas.
"No need, the cinema is only a few blocks over."
"No umbrella?" He questioned. She took his hand again, pulling him out into downpour.
"It's just water, Anthony." Her smile shone through the darkness of the night.
"Just water."
She nodded and pulled at his arm again. They made it to the theatre just as the film started. They sat in quiet tension, both soaked through from the rain, Edith wearing Anthony's jacket. Anthony didn't know what to expect, he had no idea what the movie was about but found that he wasn't all too fond of it. Glancing over he realized that Edith was crying quietly, occasionally brushing tears away from her eyes. At first he thought it was simply a few drops of rainwater escaping her curls, but when she sniffled he realized the film was having an effect on her. Without a word he offered her his slightly damp handkerchief.
"I do hope it's the physical similarity alone that people see." Anthony commented as they milled about in the lobby after the film finished.
"I'm sure it is."
"Are you all right?" He asked, pushing a few strands of hair away from her face. Throughout the film her hair had dried, the curls he remembered her having as a child returning in full force.
"Fine." Her smile was sad. "The character's attitude reminds me of someone."
"Michael?"
She nodded.
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" She asked before disappearing into the ladies room.
The line was longer than she had realized and by the time she returned to the lobby Anthony was gone. Looking around and not seeing him, she ventured outside, thinking that he might have gone in search of fresh air. A gangly mod with an umbrella was hurrying in the opposite direction, laughing as he tucked a letter into his top pocket. It was then she noticed him gazing up at a lit poster for Alfie.
"It is a remarkable likeness… disturbs me rather." He muttered, vaguely aware that her hand had taken his arm. He looked down at her and beamed. "Edith, hello."
"Anthony, are you feeling all right?" Edith asked cautiously, surveying the individuals around them.
"My head feels a bit… a bit funny…"
"Darling, did someone give you something? A pill maybe?" She questioned.
"No. A young man asked me to lick a stamp for him while he got the letter into an envelope." He shrugged, the simple motion feeling as though it was taking a great feat of strength.
"Oh dear…" Edith froze. "Anthony, I need you to be very calm."
"Okay." His eyes didn't seem to be focusing.
"Some people around here, horrible people, find it father amusing to slip hallucinogenic to those they perceive to be outsiders."
"AH." He nodded, leaning back against the wall of the cinema. "Oh. Oh, so the stamp?"
"Soaked in LSD most likely."
He nodded again, breathing heavily through his nose.
"You need to breathe, Anthony. Don't worry, I'm going to take care of you. Here, take my hand." She took a firm hold of him, easing him away from the building. "We'll go around to my flat, I'll take care of you."
"It's been so long since someone took care of me." He whispered, taking hold of her other hand and pulling her close.
"Anthony, you aren't in your right mind."
"It feels right in my mind." He grinned, pleased with his word play before leaning down to kiss her. As her arms snaked around his neck his hands found her hips and pulled her close. "Such a very long time."
"Come on, let's get you sorted out." She indulged in one more kiss, certain that when morning came round he would be apologetic and embarrassed by his forwardness.
"Yes, let's." It was high time Anthony sorted out the pieces of his life.
Though yesterday still surrounds you with a warm and precious memory,
Maybe for tomorrow we can build a new dream for you and me.