Jim and his wife Anne joined them for afternoon tea, and Jim and Lucas talked enthusiastically about the pranks they had gotten up to in their university days. Lucas evaded questions about the past couple of years by saying that he had been overseas and turned the conversation to what Jim had been up to recently. Jo chatted pleasantly to Anne about her children and, having found out they now lived in Somerset, what they'd been doing in London.

After half an hour, Jim announced that they had to be off. Jo smiled at both of them and shook their hand and wished them well for the future. She was a little surprised when Jim leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, having apparently taken a firm liking to her.

Lucas got up to see the couple out and loitered outside the café for a few minutes, talking about old times. Anne left after a minute to go and get a few things from the supermarket across the road before it shut, leaving Lucas and Jim alone.

"She's a looker, your girlfriend," Jim commented slyly.

Lucas nodded, "She is. Actually, we're expecting a baby," he added.

Jim quickly offered his congratulations. It was easy to see how pleased Lucas was with the whole idea.

After Jim had left, Lucas returned to the table inside to find Jo still sitting there, watching him with a strange expression on her face.

"Am I then?" she asked reflectively.

"Are you what?" Lucas asked, confused and a little irritated by her vagueness.

"Your girlfriend."

"I'd say so," Lucas said flashing her a charming smile. "Don't you like the idea?"

Jo ignored his question and concentrated on her own. "But what about Elizabeta? I thought you were together with her?"

"No," said Lucas firmly. "I told you that was over, remember?"

He saw her look of confusion, and quickly identified the reason," ahh, you must not have remembered, you were still a bit out of it at the time I suppose. Hmm I should have thought of that."

Lucas started grinning, "so you thought I was carrying on with you like you were my bit on the side while I was going home to my wife every night. I might be a bit unconventional but I hope I'm not that much of a rascal. That does explain why you had to be persuaded to come out with me today."

He could see Jo's mind ticking over his revelations as she processed his words. He observed a smile beginning to form on her face. He returned it, and added, "so I'm not the shameless rogue you thought I was."

"Oh I don't know about that. I'd say the jury's still out on that one," she replied promptly. "Though I might be prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt," she continued, then giggled.

**

Their drive home was quiet, but they were both content in each other's company.

Lucas opened the door to let Jo out and took her arm as he walked her to the door. "Hmm, does this seem familiar to you - you don't get a sense of deja vu here, do you?" he asked, his voice teasing.

His comment made Jo blush and she looked away to avoid meeting his eyes.

He grinned, but said nothing.

Once they were at her door he stepped forward and kissed her firmly on the mouth. His lips rested on hers a while longer while he stood there holding her close as he savoured the feeling of her breath rising and falling and lost himself in the depths of her long lashed sapphire blue eyes.

"See you tomorrow," he said softly.

Her heart fluttered as he paused and whispered, "sweet dreams darling," in her ear as his hand lingered for a moment around her waist before he turned and strode off into the night.

**

Sigh, oh Lucas, you handsome devil! Poor Jo doesn't stand a chance!