In the cold, sober light of the following morning, Sybil spent ten minutes investigating email retrieval methods, before concluding that she didn't have sufficient technical know-how to establish whether or not it was even possible. She consoled herself with the thought that Tom was unlikely to be interested in hearing from someone he had known so fleetingly in his youth and would probably ignore her message, or at best offer a brief, concluding reply.

Nevertheless, she found herself checking her inbox more frequently than usual, chastising herself on each occasion for such emphatic interest and disguising the time spent on her laptop by researching dresses to wear at Gwen's forthcoming wedding.

After several hours of self-procrastination about going for a run and burning off some of the wine induced calories she had consumed the previous evening, she finally donned her sports attire and began a gentle jog around Roath Park. The area had been recommended to her by a colleague when she first arrived in Cardiff and she initially rented a studio flat in a nearby side-street. However, once she felt confident that she had made the right decision by relocating, she put her South London apartment on the market and began to look for a new home in Roath. Family members tried to persuade her to relocate to fashionable Cardiff Bay, where stylish new homes offered impressive harbour views and a nearby wide selection of bars and restaurants. Although she enjoyed a proximity to water, she didn't warm to the sleek, modern appearance of the development, preferring simply to visit the area on an occasional evening out or afternoon stroll. She was fond of her local suburb, where traditional, independent shops still thrived beside the high street chains and she made good use of its main selling point - the large expanse of parkland which provided her with a taste of the countryside, alongside its playground, boating lake and sports fields.

Of course she was extremely fortunate, as she reminded herself on a frequent basis. Even taking into consideration the lower standard of living in comparison to London, she knew that she could never have afforded to buy a home in the area without her parents' initial contribution. They had provided each of their daughters with the means to independent living and Sybil had subsequently swapped a compact one-bedroomed flat in South Wimbledon for the luxury of two bedrooms, generous floor space and her own small garden.

With her forty minutes of self-inflicted torture complete, she showered and changed, then invalidated most of her hard work by consuming a Kit-Kat with her cup of tea as she settled down with Samson in front of the TV and her highly anticipated boxset. Frustrated by the number of sales related emails she had received all day, she switched off the sound function on her laptop and exercised enough self-restraint to avoid looking at her inbox again until late-evening.

When she finally allowed herself another glance, it seemed utterly unremarkable to see his name on her screen, nestled between receipts from Tesco and Amazon, as if time had simply frozen for nineteen years. Of course, she had never previously received so much as a note from him, never mind any form of electronic communication, but regardless, the appearance of his reply did not feel in any way out of place.

Hi Sybil – what a great surprise! Of course I remember you, the year 9 disco remains indelibly etched in my mind for some reason….! I had a great two years in Ripon and have many happy memories from the school and my classmates there. And now we are nearly neighbours, it's a small world! I've only been in Wales since September, but I'm enjoying life here. Somehow I'm not surprised to learn that you went into nursing, it seems to fit with the compassionate girl that I remember.

I go into Cardiff now and again, so if you ever fancy meeting up for a coffee some time and exchanging a few teenage memories, just give me a shout. It would be great to see you.

Hope you and your family are all well. Take care – Tom

Sybil's face broke into an involuntary smile and she felt surprised by her instinctive enthusiasm towards his suggestion. Her initial reluctance at contacting him now seemed meaningless and there was no way she was going to deny a chance to see him now that the opportunity had arisen. Tom had provided no clues about his domestic arrangements, but she had also refrained from sharing any personal information and although a small part of her was curious, her overriding wish was simply to banish her teenage ghosts and enjoy an opportunity to reminisce.

Briefly she considered waiting until the following day to reply, but then immediately disregarded the idea. This wasn't a form of courtship in which games should be played and responses analysed - it was purely two childhood friends meeting up for an exchange of information and an opportunity to satisfy their respective curiosity.

Swiftly, she typed her reply.

Hi Tom, I'd love to catch up with you at some point. I work shifts so no particular time is best, but give me some notice when you're coming over this way and I'll see if I can meet you. I'll look forward to it. – Sybil

She took the opportunity to answer another outstanding email to a friend before preparing for bed, but as she set the alarm function on her phone, couldn't resist taking a final glance at her inbox.

Sybil, I'm actually going to the Wales game at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday, if you are about? I'm meeting friends in a pub at midday, but if you're free, I could get an earlier train and meet you in a café beforehand? If you're not around that day, or don't fancy the city centre madness on match day, don't worry and we'll sort something else out another time. Tom

With a grin, she sent her response.

Tom, I start work at 2.30pm that day so it's ideal. Meet you in The Plan café in Morgan Arcade at 11? I've seen a current photo of you, so I hold the advantage! Sybil

ooOoo

Sybil felt unexpectedly nervous as she hurried through the city centre to meet him. The occasional red shirt worn by passers-by gave an indication of the afternoon's match but the vast majority of spectators had not yet descended into the area and she was surrounded mostly by the usual harried looking Saturday shoppers.

She was aware that she had given unusually long consideration towards what to wear for a brief visit to a café, but didn't feel that it was out of place to want to present herself in the best possible light for an old friend. Staring intently into the mirror earlier that morning, she had pulled at the skin around her eyes, scrutinising the lines which were beginning to emerge and wondered whether or not she bore much of a resemblance to her teenage self. She was almost a stone heavier than in her teens and her hair was cut into a sleeker style nowadays, but fundamentally she believed that she looked similar to the girl in the many photographs which littered her parents' home.

In an attempt to see herself from Tom's viewpoint, she reflected on whether she had achieved as much as she might earlier have hoped. Her childhood ambitions to run an animal sanctuary and save the world had been thwarted by naivety and the realisation that she had no desire to be supported indefinitely by her parents. For a short while she had considered the prospect of training to be a doctor, but had been put off by the many years of training involved, as well as her inherent desire to be a practical part of the day-to-day care on a ward. Two years ago she had secured another promotion and remained one of the youngest employees in her band within the hospital. However she was curious whether Tom might believe that she had taken the easiest option and settled for saving only individuals (including one cat), rather than the greater good. She often wondered if she was really making a difference, although the frequent praise delivered from grateful patients and their families indicated that she was part of a team who certainly tried.

Sybil didn't believe that personal fulfilment could only be gained through relationships and children and she enjoyed her life, filled with a satisfying job, a wide circle of friends and a close and loving family. Yet a small part of her wished that she was in a position to tell him that she had somebody special in her life, that there was a man who yearned for her above all others and could give the impression that her life had been successful in every respect. She was certain that he would be settled, his open and friendly demeanour to all would mean that he had probably left someone behind that morning with a lingering kiss and a cheery wave – "Just going to catch up with an old schoolmate this morning, darling. Should be a laugh, if we get on then you should come next time too!"

There was no sign of Tom on the café's ground floor and her stomach lurched suddenly with anticipation while she was climbing the curved, wooden staircase to the first. Familiar blue eyes twinkled at her as she emerged at the summit and he rose to his feet immediately, a wide beam stretching across his face.

"I'd have recognised you anywhere, Sybil!" he said, stepping forward to meet her and offering a cheerful kiss to her cheek. "You look really well!"

"So do you" she replied with a smile, meaning every word as she took off her coat and laid it over the back of her chair. He was everything that his photograph had suggested – broad, handsome and relaxed, a mature version of the boy she had once known. All of a sudden she became aware of familiar yet unwelcome sensations of desire as he looked at her and inwardly chastised herself.

'Get a grip, Sybil. You're transporting yourself back twenty years into a silly schoolgirl. Be a grown up!'

A waitress appeared to take their drinks orders and after her departure, Tom leant his arms forward on to the table and grinned.

"So, tell me what everyone's up to then. Who else have you contacted?"

"Um…what do you mean?" she asked in confusion.

"You said in your email that you'd been looking up various people from school, so I just wondered if I'd remember them?"

Sybil felt herself begin to flush with embarrassment. Of course that had been a fabrication of the truth, he was the only person she had tracked down and the reason was solely due to Gwen's sly persuasion.

"Um…well I'm still good friends with Anna Smith" she said hurriedly.

"You two were always as thick as thieves."

"She's Product Manager at a big tour operator in Cheshire. I usually manage to see her at least a couple of times a year. And then there's Thomas Barrow."

"Hmmm, I was never quite sure what to make of him" Tom replied, his eyes narrowing in recollection. "He could be really pleasant and friendly, but sometimes I found him a bit sly, as if he was trying to catch you out."

"Well he struggled socially at school, really. He came out shortly afterwards, which I think released him from his demons a bit. I think he was torn between wanting to be mates with all the boys but also fancying some of them, but of course he didn't want them to know. He's much more relaxed and fun nowadays. He's General Manager for an upmarket hotel in Leeds and is happily settled with his partner. We're probably better friends now than when we were younger."

"Well I'm pleased for him. Anyone else?"

"Um…er…" Her mind worked quickly in an attempt to cover her tracks, trying to remember who had attended the last Christmas get-together in a Ripon pub more than three years ago. She was aware of the glowing tint which was spreading across her face as she shielded the truth and was certain that Tom's look of amusement meant that he was not fooled.

"I'll tell you who I heard from…" he said with a grin, releasing her from the weight of recollection. "…about three years ago, through Facebook. John Bates – remember him?"

"Of course I do! He just seemed to disappear, I don't think I've seen him since we left school."

"He's a History teacher in an international school in Dubai. He's lived an ex-pat life since university and apparently loves it!"

"That explains why nobody's ever seen him back in Yorkshire, I guess."

"Well his mother's still there. His Dad died a few years back, unfortunately. He reminded me of that incident when you tried to fight off that arsehole Green who was picking on him, do you remember that?"

"Well I don't remember any fighting, just you coming to my rescue and pushing him out of the way."

Tom's face darkened momentarily. "Well he was trying to grope you, if I recall. I snapped."

Sybil smiled. "Well it seemed very gallant at the time. Although I don't think John was impressed by either of our efforts."

"He still remembers it, so I'd say he was. He also confessed to fancying your friend Anna for most of his time there."

Sybil's mouth dropped open. "Well why didn't he tell her, she was crazy about him!"

"Really?" Tom laughed. "Ah, teenage inhibition, eh? What might have been!"

"Oh I'll have to tell her, she'll be delighted! Although probably a bit annoyed that she never let him know and wasted her opportunity."

"Is she still single by any chance?"

"Yes as of a couple of months ago, she is again - why?"

"So's he. He mentioned that he was briefly married to an Irish girl, some time ago. He didn't share the details, just said that it didn't last long. Perhaps I should let you know when he next goes home for Christmas? He and Anna could hook up!"

Sybil couldn't help but giggle. "We've been here less than ten minutes and we're already matchmaking?"

Tom shrugged. "Why not? Who knows what might happen? All those unfulfilled desires from their youth, perhaps fate just needs a helping hand?"

"You sound quite the romantic, Tom!" she teased and he raised his eyebrows.

"Well I had plenty of unfulfilled teenage desire for a girl who took my address and never wrote to me" he said, meeting her eye with a challenging stare, then swiftly smiling to show that he was only speaking in jest.

"I lost it!" Sybil explained regretfully and he began to shake his head.

"I think that goes down with 'the dog ate my homework' as one of the classic get-out clauses."

"It's true!" she laughed before relating her sorry tale.

"OK, I believe you. I guess we'll just have to chalk it up as 'one of those things'. I did mournfully check the arrival of the post each morning all that summer though, I'll have you know! It was my first experience of being disappointed by a woman."

"Oh dear, has that been a recurrent theme?" she asked jokingly.

"On and off. Don't worry, you didn't scar me for life."

"Well that's a relief. And are you happily married now?" It seemed a good opportunity to throw that question out and she couldn't help but feel pleased when he shook his head.

"No, neither happily nor unhappily. And you?"

"The same." Holding one another's gaze, Sybil felt the atmosphere between them shift a fraction and cleared her throat awkwardly as she glanced away.

"How's your family?" he asked. "I have to confess to being familiar with your father's voting record in the Lords as part of my political studies over the years. His name has always jumped out at me for obvious reasons."

"Are you going to hold it against me?" she asked, feeling instinctively defensive. "I'm guessing that you probably don't hold the same beliefs?"

"Definitely not, no. But I don't hold the sins of the father against his children!" Tom flashed her a grin and she inwardly relaxed. "But anyway, you have two older sisters, don't you? How are they doing?"

She nodded. "Edith's been a freelance journalist for various magazines, but she's on maternity leave at the moment. She lives in London and is married with a little girl, Esmé* who's five months. Then Mary is an Events Organiser, based in Manchester but she's working on next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games Committee at the moment, so she's up there during the week."

"So she commutes?"

"Yes, weekly. Her husband and son are in Manchester, which is where she moved to when she worked on the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002. She's done really well, she's part of the top team this time, but they made the decision not to relocate and her husband, Matthew went part-time so that they didn't have to put George in full time nursery. He's not quite two."

"I see." Tom paused momentarily. "So do you mind telling me, because I've always been curious - what will happen eventually with your father's title?" He raised his hands in the air and gave a grimace. "Sorry, I realise I'm asking you about his eventual death, which seems a terrible thing to query, but I was just wondering, because women still can't legally inherit the title, can they?"

Sybil shook her head. "No. Mary will inherit the estate overall, but my parents have turned it into a business, so any additional profits will be divided between the three of us, although it's so expensive to run that I doubt there will be much to go around. The title goes to the nearest male relative."

"Who is…?"

"Matthew!" Sybil laughed. "Mary married him! He's our third cousin."

"How very practical of her!" he smiled.

"She's not as conniving as that makes her sound. We didn't really know him growing up, but there was a family tragedy in that my father's cousin and his son were killed in a motorboat accident about fifteen years ago. So Matthew's father unexpectedly became the heir, but then unfortunately he died a few years later. He was only really on Christmas card terms with my parents beforehand, but we got to know them once our cousins died and then Matthew and Mary genuinely fell for one another. It all sounds very convenient, but they are in love, I promise!" Tom laughed before Sybil continued. "Although I think Mary rather enjoys living on her own during the week, she's always been fiercely independent."

"And you live with….?" Tom queried and Sybil spontaneously made the decision that she felt relaxed enough in his company to have a little fun.

"Sam" she replied, wondering if she spotted a brief look of disappointment flash across Tom's face.

"And what does he do?" he asked politely.

Sybil gave a deep sigh. "Not a lot really. Sleeps all day, goes out most nights. Our paths cross very briefly. To be honest, he just takes advantage of me."

Tom's expression had turned to one of grave concern, his mouth opened and closed as he appeared to try and find the most appropriate response. "Um..right…and do you think…?"

"…but I forgive him…" she interrupted, offering a smile and enjoying Tom's obvious discomfort. "…because he's a cat!"

There was only a moment's pause before Tom burst out laughing. "I totally fell for it!" he admitted. "But I was staggered that you were the type of woman who would put up with that in a man."

"I'm not" she replied firmly.

"Good."

"And what about your brother? Kieran, isn't it?"

"Yeah. He's doing well thanks. Married with two little girls and living in a suburb of Dublin. He's very big in IT Systems Management but don't ask me exactly what he does, because beyond my limited internet use and putting together lecture notes and diagrams, I don't really have a clue."

"Me neither" she admitted. "I don't even do Facebook or any of those things."

"I know" he replied and she tipped her head with curiosity.

"I looked for you a couple of times" he admitted, appearing sheepish. "Well I looked for lots of people when I first joined, it was the 'in' thing to do. But then I looked once or twice after that to see if you were on there. So you see, you're not the only one who's been digging up the past!"

Once again they exchanged knowing smiles, although Sybil thought it wise to hold back any information about how she had been only reluctantly persuaded to search for him.

"So what brought you to Swansea, then?" she asked, changing the subject. "Was it just work?"

"Yes" Tom nodded. "It's a big step up for me, setting up the MA programme. I worked on something similar in Cork, but this is the first time I've ever had total responsibility. It was too good a prospect to miss…" he paused briefly "…and not too far from home, so it was ideal."

"I never had you mapped out for a life in academia, I must admit." Sybil cautiously added.

"Me neither. To be honest, I kind of fell into it as an excuse not to commit to anything else. I did History and Politics at uni because they were my main interests and then I decided to put off getting a real job and spend a year at Oxford to get my MA because I'd really enjoyed the International Relations module that I'd done as part of my undergraduate studies. Then while I was there, it gradually dawned on me that it was possible to actually make a living by continuing to do what I loved – research, lecturing people on my beliefs…" he flashed a fleeting grin at this admission "…helping others to learn and develop a passion for certain causes or topics. So I've simply deferred from joining the real world and nobody's brought me up on it yet!"

Sybil smiled. "And are you a good teacher, do you think?"

"I hope so. I've only ever had a couple of people fall asleep on me, but they were both known party animals, so I'd like to think it was only as a result of a big night out. I really enjoy putting topics out there and encouraging people to question what I'm telling them, watching them develop. I get a lot of satisfaction out of it. I expect you do from nursing too, do you?"

She nodded. "Most of the time, yes. There are always rough days, of course. When I'm up to my eyes in paperwork, or when you lose somebody unexpectedly. People hear the word cancer and automatically think that it must be permanently depressing, but on the whole it's a rewarding area to be in, because there are new developments all the time and people who might not have pulled through a few years ago now do, or their lives are at least extended a while longer. So are you happy to lecture only to undergraduates, or do you yearn to convert the masses over time?"

Tom laughed. "Well undergraduates are usually full of innocent enthusiasm and it's often quite inspiring to listen to their dreams and values, even though you can feel a bit worldly wise and cynical when you keep hearing the same naïve opinions voiced repeatedly. But I do speak to non-students from time to time. In actual fact, I'm doing a talk on Tuesday evening which is part of my funding commitment from the Welsh Assembly."

"For who?"

"For anyone who wants to attend, although I've managed to persuade several of my students that it'll be useful for them, so I'm at least guaranteed a few faces."

"What are you going to be talking about?"

Tom raised his hand to his mouth, giving a firm cough and his eyes flashed with amusement. "How Wales can benefit from the Balkans – Looking ahead to the next EU seven."

"Do you specialise in the Balkans then?" Sybil asked, curious at his choice of in-depth topic.

"No, I specialise in what Ireland and now Wales gets out of the EU and what they might achieve from their membership over time and this is only one element of my overall study. But that area is likely to form the next stage of EU expansion, so I'm slowly getting up to scratch with it all."

"It sounds interesting" she said. "How such a fractured region might have to work together within the larger Union. Do you think it'll create more harmony in the area if they find themselves arguing for the same causes or am I being too simplistic?"

"You know, I'm sure there'll be plenty of free seats on Tuesday if you're interested, because that just happens to be one of the angles I'll be discussing!"

"I'm doing an early shift on Tuesday, perhaps I'll come and watch you?"

Tom laughed, before realising that her suggestion was genuine, at which point he looked embarrassed.

"Oh honestly, you don't need to be polite. I'm sure you've got much better things to do with your evening."

"Well I haven't got any plans for that night. I'd actually really like to come, unless you don't want me to?"

"Believe me, I'd be delighted, but are you sure? Don't feel obliged, Sybil, you don't owe me anything."

"I don't feel in the slightest bit obliged. It's in my interest to know how Wales might benefit over the years if I'm going to stay here. I do have curiosity beyond the world of health, you know!"

Tom's face relaxed into a wide smile. "Well I very much doubt that we'll be beating them off with a stick, but I'll reserve a ticket for you, just in case." He gave her details of the location and time. "Just give your name to whoever's at the door."

"Does that mean I'll be on the exclusive guest list?" she joked and he grinned.

"Absolutely! It's a very elite group, by which I mean that it'll be you and a woman from the Welsh Assembly! Look, I'll even buy you a drink afterwards if you like? As an appreciation of your dedication!"

"Well then, I think you've sealed the deal!"

The two exchanged a mutual grin and Tom drew out his hand for her to shake in jest, before he leant back in his chair and casually glanced at his left wrist.

"I'm afraid that I've…"

"…got to go and meet your friends." Sybil interrupted with a reassuring nod. "Yes, don't worry. You said you had to meet them at twelve. Will you be supporting Wales?"

"Against France? Of course! But I've got tickets for their game in Dublin next weekend, so I'm afraid I'll be supporting the opposition on that occasion." He tipped his head to one side in a manner that felt so familiar to her from her youth that she instinctively felt transported in time, reverting to an age-old sensation of unsophisticated infatuation before she brought herself in line and cleared her throat.

"I don't feel as if I've asked you half the things I intended" he said, his face suddenly quizzical.

"Likewise. Never mind, we can carry on catching up a bit more on Tuesday."

"I'm glad." Tom opened his mouth to speak again before appearing to think better of it and instead stood up, lifting his jacket from the back of the chair.

"What were you going to say?" Sybil asked, her inherent curiosity building although uncertain whether or not it would be something she might want to hear. He paused for a moment, looking hesitant.

"I was only going to say that the time whizzed by and I wasn't sure if it was going to."

In a self-deprecating manner, typical of her instinctive humour, she grinned. "Did you think I might be particularly boring, then?"

"No, not at all" he said quickly, before appreciating her jest and offering a smile. "But just because you get on with someone as a child, doesn't mean that you're going to have much in common as an adult. It was possible that we might have struggled to have much to say after a few minutes, I was prepared for that scenario, that's all."

"Well then I'm glad to have surpassed your expectations!"

"In every way" he replied, leaning forward to give her a fleeting kiss on the cheek before he descended the stairs with a wave of his hand. Sybil wasn't so naïve as to believe his words meant anything beyond natural courtesy, but they filled her with a warm glow nonetheless and she was conscious of her face radiating a permanent smile as she made her way back home.

Before leaving for work shortly afterwards, she sat down at her laptop and typed a quick email to Anna.

"You'll never guess who I had coffee with this morning…! And who had information that might be of particular interest to you…"

A/N – I'm posting this chapter shortly before leaving to go Christmas shopping in Cardiff for the day. It is my intention to break for lunch in The Plan Café, so I'll raise a cup of tea to our favourite couple!

The rugby matches which Tom attends are part of the annual Six Nations Championships, which takes place each February and March and consists of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Wales play their home games at the Millennium Stadium in central Cardiff.

*I reserve the right to subsequently alter the name and sex of Edith's child after the Christmas Special!

Finally - Happy Thanksgiving to all American readers!