3

Fiona found herself back it work running between tables taking out food collecting plates and covering the bar when the it filled up with local punters her time in town with charlotte had flown buy she had only brought a couple of simple new shirts more for lounging around the house than going out, Charlotte on the other hand came out with a new dress a couple of shirts all nice and expensive now she afforded all that on the salary of a care worker was beyond her, rest of the time was spent mostly window shopping and chatting about truly pointless things that had been on the news what had happed in the soaps Charlotte watched, buy the time charlotte dropped Fiona off back at home there was only time to let hewie out in the garden get changed and head back into work at that moment she regretted volunteering for a double and now she was regretting it even more she glanced down at her watch 9:50 just 10 more minutes of serving food then its an hour of clean up and bar work thank god she was helping close up tonight 'I can live with that come on Fiona your on the home straight' she glanced around the tables only one family were left eating and they were on there deserts it was she had started the clean up already but she was working on the table that were as far away from the family as possible she didn't want to badger them well in truth she did tonight it had been crazy at one point they were waiting to sit people truth was she had never seen the place this busy with out some kind of event on she was spending so much time half watching the final family she didn't notice when a man sit down at the table behind her he grabbed a menu off the table and quickly made up his mind Fiona still hadn't noticed him so he got up and walked over

"Excuse me" Fiona jumped out of her skin and dropped the cloth she had been using to wipe the table she bent down to pick it up.

"Sorry I was in my own little world"

"Its ok I just wanted to know if I should order food with you or the bar" she looked at her watch 2 minutes o it as so close 'ok its close to ten just tell him the kitchen is closed' she stood back up and glanced up to meat his eyes and her plan went out the window, ok he was cute and American if Fiona had to guest based on his voice alone she suddenly realised she was just staring at him like a spaz.

"Look I know that the sign side food until 10 and im cutting it close its just that I missed the dinner at my hotel and I real don't feel like fast food if you could please help me out id appreciate it" he smiled and that really knocked Fiona back see realised she was instinctively smiling back and not the fake smile she put on for the other customers

"I will see what I can do is there anything you would like in particular"

"steak would be real good" and with that Fiona walked into the kitchen the cook took a bit of convincing but he came around thanking him she headed back out she noticed that the family had finished and were leaving she walk the long way around to see him again she walked up to the table he had taken and found her self smiling again.

"I convinced the cook the steak will be out shortly" she noticed he was smiling to a warm friendly smile.

"Thank you" his eyes broke contact with her and went down Fiona suddenly felt shocked he was staring straight at her chest she felt like shooting 'hey up here' but fortunately he continued "Sorry I don't see a name tag its just back home waitresses usually have a name tag" o she though that made things better it meant he wasn't completely perverted.

"My name is Fiona" she smiled

"Im Leon nice to meet you"

"your food shouldn't be to long please sit tight" and with that fiona walked over to clear the finally table she smiled again as Leon shouted thanks she was cleaning the final table then she started think it all over 'ok hes cute' and she was pretty sure her reaction had given her feelings away although she was embarrassed she was also happy after all she hadn't been with anyone since belli castle in truth she hadn't even tried despite charlotte constant badgering about 'getting involved' as she delightfully put it this was perhaps the first time in a long time that she felt attracted to someone it's a small step forward, she gathered the last of the plates and turned towards the kitchen taking a quick glance at Leon he seamed to be admiring the pubs collection of old odds and sods just seeing him made her smile.

Around half an hour later Leon had finished the steak which came with a portion of French fries which had been delicious he had since moved into the bar he was leaning against the end of the bar that ran into the wall he was working his was through a glass of what the bar tender had described as the local ale which was surprisingly strong so he was taking his time this military training was still running even though he was on vacation he couldn't shut down completely there were around 10 midel aged and ederly men and women in the bar but him were what he believed to be locals although they were sitting in groups of threes and twos they seamed to know each other and the man Leon believed to be the manager because he was the one giving the orders he seamed to be on a first name basis with all his customers he could feel the customers eyes on him watching the new guy, of Corse when he looked over they would look away.

Throughout his time here he had been keeping one eye on Fiona she seemed nice there was a sweet kind of innocence about her and she was gorgeous there was no dough about that Leon had spied her looking his way a couple of time when she was working but she doing her best to make sure it wasn't that noticeable but she was clearly no agent, between her clearing and cleaning tables she also help where ever she was needed now she was behind the bar a few paces down from him restocking the washed glasses

"So you work behind the bar in-between witnessing" there was a little click as she slipped with a glass had he startled her she looked over to him smiling.

"I just help where im needed" Leon paused for another slip of his ale Fiona stacked the last glass and took a step towards Leon

"So are you here on holiday it's just a funny time to visit England or are you looking to move here" she suddenly looked a little embarrassed

"I was her on business but I still had some time left so I decided to get in a little down time his place is relaxing I'm hear for another week"

"I know I moved here nearly a year ago it's so peaceful hear" Leon nodded in agreement

"I just wish the weather was more stable" Fiona smiled

"That's England we can have all 4 seasons in one day"

"I noticed."

"Fiona" the managers called from across the bar "if you can drag yourself away from that young man and get back to work I would appreciate it " it was clear from the town of his voice this was a friendly joke intended to wind her up but it turned Fiona's face pure red as she walked away it was clear she embarrassed easy that supported that innocence she gave off Leon looked around the bar and noticed that several of the regular were going he glanced over to Fiona and her boss it was clear from there actions that they were preparing to lock up the bar Fiona seamed to be giving the boss the cold shoulder or maybe she was still embarrassed he looked at the glass a quarter of the ale left he tipped it back and swallowed a large mouthful he noted Fiona looking in his direction but she shyly looked away when there eyes met he smiled he couldn't deny there was a physical attraction to her but there was something about her innocence that he found intriguing it was like she was unaware of her own beauty Leon had meet a number of beautiful women before all aware of how they looked there dress and actions drew you to there qualities with something like a low cut top or high cut dress even though Fiona was in a set of work close Leon had noted that her shirt was buttoned up close to the collar and it was a size to big like she didn't want it to show of her curves her skirt was long and conservative she clear didn't want to flaunt it Leon was suddenly surprised to be fighting of a collection of fantasies involving Fiona in more questionable and revelling outfits 'must be the ale' he ensured himself he had better control that that by now he was the last man in the bar this clear indication that it was closing time forced he forced himself to chug down the last bit of ale to dropped the glass onto the bar as Fiona returned to collect the final glass Leon smiled

"I should be going you're closing right" Fiona glanced down at her watch

"Yes" she dropped the glass under the bar out of sight

"I think a will come back tomorrow this place has given me the best meal I have had in a long time and I promise I will come in before 10" Fiona smiled and again found his eyes but this time she held his gaze perhaps the absence of regular customers had given her a boost of courage

"If you do come and say hi I will be here again for my sins" Leon laughed quietly

"I will you can count on it good night Fiona"

"good night Leon" and with that he walked out of the bar back in the direction of his hotel he made good time and was back it his hotel before long and down on the bed but not before he had tuned of the god dam alarm.