Chapter 4

"Henry?" she called, "Henry?" Danielle smiled as she passed her hand in front of her face.

"You there?"

Henry smiled and nodded.

"Can you hear me?"

Henry smiled and nodded again. "Where else would I be?"

Danielle laughed. "You're late."

Henry smile faded. "I know, Nicole. I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you stay?"

Danielle shook her head. "Not tonight, I need to get back to work."

She started down the stairs, Henry following close behind. As soon as Danielle hit the sidewalk, she moved as quickly as she could down the street.

"Wait," he called after her. "I just wanted to be with you a little longer, that's all."

Danielle just kept moving. "Not possible. I don't have time, Henry, I'm late now."

Henry had finally caught up with her. The two were now walking side by side.

"Maybe we just walk together then? Just for a little while? I'm sorry I was late, Nicole. I just wanted to spend some time with you, if that's possible."

Danielle turned to look at him. "Alright, we can walk together, but you're going to have to keep up with me. Can you do that?" Henry smiled. "Just lead the way."

Danielle narrowed her eyes. "You're determined, aren't you?"

Henry nodded. "You're not getting rid of me that easily." He put his hand on her arm.

"Just a few minutes more, Nicole, then I'll let you go. I just wanted to ask you something. I promise I won't take up too much of your time."

"Okay then, ask away. I'm all ears."

"Can't you stop or slow down a bit?"

Danielle smiled and shook her head. "Yeah, I suppose I could. It's actually not too much further. Just at the end of the street there."

Henry frowned and shook his head. But that's the winter quarters of the Royal family. I had no idea that you."

Danielle nodded. "Worked there? Yes, it's true, Henry. I'm one of their new maids. Now if you'll excuse me.."

Henry smiled. "A servant, huh?" He laughed, thinking it was all very funny. "Well, I'm one also in a way. We have a lot more in common than I thought."

Danielle nodded, not really paying attention anymore. "I've got to go now. Tomorrow is another day. Goodnight."

And without another word, she made her way up the street. He watched her disappear around the corner.

"Yeah," Henry nodded, putting his hand back into his pocket. He brought out the little box and turned it over in his hand. "I guess it can wait until then."

He was about to put the box back in his pocket when he noticed something shiny lying on the ground. As he bent to pick it up, he realized that it was a small gold charm.

Henry turned it over and read the inscription on the back.

"To my darling Nicole," it read. "From one of your many admirers."

Henry stared at it, trying to figure out what it all meant. Not now, he told himself, it's late and Nicole was right. Tomorrow is another day indeed.

He pocketed the charm, took one last look around, turned on his heels and just kept walking, smiling to himself.