"You never play with me anymore" Christine pouted as she and Meg sat on the swings that her daddy had just bought her- Meg had gone to tea at Christine's house and they were waiting to be called in to eat. "You're always playing with Erik now"

"He's my friend Christine" Meg shrugged. "I don't have to have just one friend"

"But he's creepy" she shuddered. "And he talks funny"

"It's called French" Meg told her friend, importantly. "Mummy says that's how people talk in France"

"Still think he's creepy" Christine announced, as if her opinion was the only one that mattered

Meg might have argued if not for Mr Daae's sudden appearance on the decking outside the back door.

"Ok girls, tea's ready"

Meg cast a critical eye over her appearance. Not wanting to look like she's put too much thought into her look for the evening she'd applied very light makeup, a light coat of mascara and pink lip gloss; and chosen a knee length dress held up with spaghetti straps over which she donned a pale grey jacket and finished the look off with a pair of low heeled shoes. Just as she was pulling her hair into a high ponytail the doorbell rang.

She yelped, caught by surprise and glanced at the clock on her bedside table- 7:00

Snatching up the little handbag she'd chosen for the evening, Meg hurried out of her bedroom and answered the door.

Despite what he thought of himself Erik Calvier was by no means an ugly man; she'd seen what he hid beneath his mask many times and, to be frank the disfigurement was superficial at best. However as he stood in the doorway looking sharp in a black dress suit combined with a white shirt (the top button of which was undone) that the soft white leather that he wore over the less-than-perfect third of his face added an air of mystery which appealed to Meg's romantic side. Of course the bouquet of lilacs that he offered her didn't hurt.

"Hi" she smiled

"I was afraid you wouldn't be ready" he told her, handing her the flowers

Erik Calvier was nothing if not punctual, and his only real problem with his previous relationship had been that Christine had proven incapable of being anything other than late (even before she got pregnant). Meg ignored the stab of jealousy that he was thinking about Christine, it would probably take him a while to get over her; she distracted herself by lifting the bouquet to her nose.

"They're beautiful Erik" she smiled. "Thank you- why don't you come in for a minute while I put them in some water"

"I'm glad you like them" Erik nodded, a small smile pulled at his lips. "You look lovely"

Thankfully, at least from her viewpoint, she was in the kitchen at that point so he didn't see her blush.

"So where's Maddie this evening?" Meg asked, returning from the kitchen with the flowers he'd given her in a rather colourful glass vase which appeared to have been hand painted and placed them on the window sill.

"Daroga is looking after her"

Nadir 'Daroga' Kahn had been his flatmate during their university days. Nadir had been born in Iran but raised in Wales; the nickname had come about from his desire to be a policeman. Meg had met the man through work when his four year old son Reza had been diagnosed with Leukaemia (thankfully the little boy was responding well to treatment and looked set to make a full recovery)

"How's Reza doing?"

"Very well by the sound of things, Daroga says that he's taken to school like a duck to water"

"That's wonderful" Meg beamed

"Indeed it is" Erik, who had taken a seat on the threadbare sofa, rose and offered her his arm. "Now if you're ready milady, your carriage a waits."

Out of the corner of his eye Erik watched his pretty friend's reaction to their destination as they pulled up to the curb.

"Holy crap Erik" she yelped, staring up at the restaurant they'd stopped outside. "How the hell did you manage to get a booking here?"

Amphitrite's was a sea food establishment that was so popular that reservations had to be made up to a year in advance.

"I have my ways ma Cherie" He smirked. To be honest the proprietor owed him a favour and a private table for two was far less than nervous old Percy Reyer had been expecting him to ask for. Erik slipped from the car and opened the passenger door for Meg.

"Sir" a young man appeared at his elbow. "I'm the valet"

Erik dropped his car keys in the young man's hand and placed a hand on the small of Meg's back, leading her inside.

The décor of the restaurant was nautical without being tacky; the walls were half wooden panels and half sea green paint work, apart from where tanks of marine fish were set in the walls in place of more conventional artwork.

"Table for two, under the name Calvier" Erik told the young woman acting as greeter

"Right this way sir, miss" the greeter nodded and escorted them to a small table. "Your waiter will be with you momentarily"

"Thank you" Erik nodded as the greeter scuttled away.

"Who was this Amphit-whatsit?" Meg asked suddenly as she set down the fork she'd been using to eat her dessert- a succulent chocolate gateau which proved the perfect way to follow the muscles in garlic butter and lobster thermidor she'd ordered. "And why is a fish restaurant named after them?"

"Amphitrite" Erik smiled, draining the last of his wine. "This place is named after the wife of Poseidon, Ancient Greek god of the sea. I don't think she was an actual goddess herself, more like some sort of mermaid, but don't hold me to that I'm a musician not a mythologist"

Meg giggled; conversation had flowed easily between them as it always had. Their long standing friendship meant that they didn't need to bother with typical first date small talk about families, occupation and so forth.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked, wiping his mouth

"If you are" she nodded

Erik nodded and hailed the waiter. "Cheque please"