While Tom had wanted to take Sybil to a nice restaurant for dinner, Sybil had other ideas.

"Let's take advantage of the beautiful evening" Sybil coyly said much to Tom's surprise. "I know the perfect thing."

They walked arm in arm several blocks to a fish and chips shop.

"You've changed Sybil Crawley" Tom teased upon seeing their destination. "Fish and chips?"

"Well after all the times I heard you talk about fish and chips, it was one of the first things I did when I came to London. I'll have you know I'm not only now familiar with fish and chips, and where to get the best, but also pub grub" Sybil said proudly.

Sybil's idea was to get dinner that they could take with them to a bench by the river bank. There they could eat and talk without interruption by nosy waiters.

Although it was late September, the evening was pleasantly warm. Obviously Sybil was quite familiar with the area and knew exactly where to go. It was a gorgeous view of the river and the city from the bench Sybil had selected made even more gorgeous as the sun set and the moon rose. With Tom's arm around Sybil's shoulder and her hand clasping his, they sat talking long after they had devoured their dinner and drank the two bottles of cider they had bought. Their conversation flowed like it had only been eight hours not eight months since their last meeting. More than one of the few pedestrians that glanced at them as they hurried on their way thought they must be a young soldier and his girl meeting again after months on the battlefield. It was just after midnight when Tom and Sybil reluctantly returned to her housing.

The next morning Sybil met Tom at his hotel where they had a very leisurely breakfast before they walked to the British Museum. After listening to Tom talk about the Museum and its treasures, Sybil had wanted to visit it when she came to London for her coming out but that didn't fit into her family's plan of activities. She never forgot about the Museum and when she moved to London it was one of the first places she wanted to visit but decided she would visit it when Tom could come with her. Although at the time she didn't know if she would really ever see him again, it gave her something to look forward to and now that dream became a reality.

The Museum was everything and more that Sybil had thought it would be. She was once again taken aback by the breadth of Tom's knowledge as he explained to her about many of the treasures contained within the Museum. As she listened to him, Sybil thought how unfair life was that someone with Tom's intelligence and love of knowledge had had to spend years as a chauffeur. She knew that her family, and indeed society, would think she was lowering herself by choosing Tom, but in Sybil's mind Tom was the one lowering himself.

They spent the entire day at the Museum and still hadn't covered all of its treasures. Lunch had been quickly consumed in the Museum's tea shop. Leaving the Museum at six, Tom and Sybil decided they would have an early dinner. After walking half way back to Tom's hotel, they found a small restaurant that looked inviting. There they spend a couple of hours eating and talking.

"I guess it's time I take you back" Tom said with obvious regret in his voice.

Sybil quite surprised Tom with her reply "What if I come with you to your room?" Tom couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at her like he didn't believe what he was hearing.

Blushing, Sybil continued somewhat shyly, "I don't mean to … to … to suggest … I mean you're leaving tomorrow and we don't know when we'll see each other again … I just don't want to say goodbye to you yet. But we can't … I can't … I just want …"

She couldn't tell him that last night she had lain awake in her bed reliving over and over again their evening together. After being somewhat afraid that their actual meeting would be awkward after being separated for so long, Sybil knew the moment she had seen Tom in the waiting room that all her fears were for naught. She had savored every moment they had spent together.

When Sybil had arrived at St. Georges she was quite naïve sexually. It was a topic never discussed with her mother. Through her nursing, she was now knowledgeable of the male body. There wasn't a part of the body that she hadn't seen, washed, or touched in her duties.

Although there was no doubt that Sybil was a progressive woman for her time, her progressiveness was in the area of politics, women's rights, and the welfare of the working class. However, when it came to sex, Sybil was a woman of her time. Until Tom, Sybil had only been kissed twice and both times had been during her coming out. Neither kiss had been what would be considered passionate. No, her only passionate kisses had been with Tom. Although she was sure she was in love with him, Sybil wasn't ready to give herself totally to him physically, not yet.

"Sybil, you don't have to explain yourself to me. I want to spend every minute I can with you … in whatever way you want." He took her hand as they exited the restaurant. He too didn't want the evening to end. Any doubts he had that when she finally saw him again she would reconsider her feelings had disappeared that first night when they spent hours talking.

Before going up to the room, they stopped in the pub next door and bought two bottles of cider.

Sybil paused as she entered the room. Tom watched her wondering what she was thinking. The room was pleasant but fairly small with only a single bed, a small chest, and two armchairs on either side of an end table but surprisingly there was a small bathroom. The room was clean and well cared for by the family that owned it and obviously took pride in that ownership.

"I know it's not like what you're used to. But I …"

"Do you know, I've never actually been in a hotel room before" Sybil interrupted Tom before he could finish. "We've always stayed at our town house here in London and our holidays have always been at the homes of friends." Sybil explained.

"Well another first to put on our list." Tom laughed. "There is still so much to learn about each other" in deed there was Tom thought. He was surprised that Sybil had never stayed in a hotel before. It was another reminder that their worlds were very different.

Tom silently took thanks that there were two chairs in the room so that they didn't have to awkwardly decide who would have to sit on the bed. He was suddenly so acutely aware of this being his bedroom and even more aware that he was alone with her. To mask his sudden discomfort, Tom offered one of the bottles of cider to Sybil, took the other bottle and sat in one of the chairs.

Once both were seated, conversation again flowed so fully and naturally between them. While some of it was gruesome, some of it sad, some of it heartwarming, Tom was truly interested in hearing Sybil talk about her work. She absolutely glowed when speaking and Tom again marveled that a woman of her class would find such fulfillment in working.

"You've actually given me some ideas for articles that I'd like to write" Tom stated.

"Oh speaking of your articles, I have a present for you." Sybil got up and retrieved a package from her bag that she had dropped onto the bed.

Offering the gaily wrapped package to Tom she said "I saw this one day while I was window shopping and immediately thought of you."

Tom opened the package to find a very fine leather bound notebook and a beautiful gold pen. He was so astonished of such a fine gift that he was momentarily speechless.

"As soon as I saw the notebook, I thought it was something that every good journalist needs" Sybil said. "And of course a pen is the perfect thing …"

Sybil couldn't finish her sentence before Tom blurted out "Sybil, I've never had a finer gift in all my life."

"Look at the inside cover" Tom complied with Sybil's instruction and found her handwritten inscription. "I am so happy and proud of you. I hope this is only the beginning of your dreams coming true. With the greatest of Love, Sybil"

"Oh, Sybil" Tom spoke so gently, gathering her up in his arms and swinging her around before setting her back down and kissing her passionately.

Sybil responded to his kisses with a fervor of her own. It was a full five minutes later when the two finally parted with their chests heaving. Standing inches apart the two remained staring at each other with such desire evident in their eyes.

Tom slowly unbuttoned Sybil's blouse while never taking his eyes off of hers. He lowered his lips to her neck as he removed her blouse. As his arms felt her back for her corset, Tom found only a soft silk like material.

Momentarily pausing to look at her, Sybil laughingly said "I am a modern woman. No more corsets for me"

With his hands grazing up and down her back, Tom grinned at her. "I like a modern woman."

"Oh and do you know many such women?" Sybil mockingly inquired.

"Well I am a handsome man with a very good job. According to my mother, I am what is known as a very good catch" Tom replied causing Sybil to double over in laughter.

The mood in the room subtly changed from one of reckless desire to a more measured one.

Sybil was the first to speak, softly calling his name, "Tom." She paused before continuing, "we can't … I can't … I can't"

He knew what she was trying to say. "I've wanted you for so long Sybil. I am just so happy to be here with you. I want you in any way you're comfortable with."

"It is getting very late. Maybe we should try and get some rest." Sybil replied.

"I'll sleep in the chair, you take the bed"

"No Tom, I'd like to lay beside you… but that is all"

There was no awkwardness between them as they laid together in the small bed with Sybil on her side, facing away from him but nestled up against Tom's chest with his left arm draped around her. Surprisingly, sleep came easily to both of them secure in the warmth of each other's body shielded from each other by Sybil's silk slip and Tom's coarse pajamas.