Chapter 5 – Dessert

The manager recoiled at Al's sharp tone. "Sir and madam," he said to them slowly.

"Miss," Morwenna corrected him. "We're not married."

"Erh, yes, miss, right, I wanted to thank you," he extended his hand and shook both of theirs. "For stepping up when our customer was in discomfort."

Al added, "Mate, he was bloody choking,"

"He'd have died while your staff was goggling at him," Morwenna added.

"Well, we do, ahem, actually we have someone scheduled to review our staff on safety procedures next month."

Morwenna grinned. "It wouldn't have done him a bit of good, now would it?" Not only was she upset with the man's tone, but she was peeved for she thought Al had been going to say something interesting, before this lump butted in.

"Maybe you'd better schedule that safety meeting a bit sooner?" Al took a drink of water. "Just sayin'."

"Yes… yes… yes, of course," the host stammered. "Thank you again – for your actions." He whirled on his heel and left them.

Morwenna shook her head at Al who looked annoyed. "Let it go, Al." Then she beamed at him. "There's still afters."

Al started to relax. "Yeah, you're right." He'd gotten so angry with the manager. He sighed. Never mind.

"But you were starting to say something before he," she pointed at the host who was standing stiffly at his station by the door, "interrupted."

Al toyed with his water glass. "Sure."

Morwenna leaned forward. "Go on."

He looked scared for a minute. "I…"

Suddenly their waitress deposited a large chafing dish that was baked and bubbling. They could see berries peeking through gaps in the golden-brown crust, while luscious smelling juice slowly oozed from it. The woman set two spoons down. "Cheers." She beamed, then leaned down to whisper into Al's ear. "Dinner's on the house. The manager fixed it – you doin' lifesaving and all."

"What?" Al gasped in disbelief.

"Free my lovers," the waitress answered him softly. "Coffee? Or tea?" she asked them more loudly.

Morwenna shook her head no. "Wots this about our dinner?"

"All paid for," the waitress said smiling. "If you two worked it right you could be a double act and get your dinners free, if chance favored you," she chuckled.

That made Morwenna laugh out loud. "Not much good for the diners in distress, would it?"

Al shook his head. "Bloody miracle." Then he smiled. "Looks like we're coming out ahead, Nefertari."

Morwenna answered, "Right you are, Colin – right you are." She picked up a spoon. "Crumble then?" She pushed her spoon through the baked crust, scooping up a good helping of blueberries and raspberries, then she blew steam off it before she popped the spoonful of sweet into her mouth. She tasted mingled juices, oat-filled crust, and warm berries then she swallowed. "Uhm, that's good. Come on Colin. Tuck in!"

Al plied his spoon and soon enough they were both vying for the last portion. Al playfully started a jousting match with his spoon, and found Morwenna to be rather competitive, but then he laid his spoon on the table. "Finish it," he told her. "Go ahead."

Morwenna ate the last bit and then smacked her lips. "That was…"

"Marvelous," Al sighed, and found he was staring at her berry stained lips. They looked rather nice. Kissable, soft, and tasty. "Uhm," he held up his linen.

"Right." Morwenna slowly licked her lips, suddenly aware of how that must look to Al, so she covered her mouth with her napkin, trying to dab and not wipe her lip gloss away. She lowered her napkin and smiled at him. "Better?"

Al tried not to joke but it was no use. "Yeah, not so… uhm, juicy. I mean berry juice, I mean…" He knew that sounded fresh. "Still nice."

She felt her face and neck flush, and then flow down her chest. She sat up straight and that made her chest push tightly against her dress and she felt her nipples stand up. She saw Al's eyes widen so he must have noticed them. Oh God. "Thank you." She put her napkin on the table then nervously picked up her handbag. "Ready? To go?" She sprang to her feet before he could answer.

Al felt his heart jump when he saw what was going on under her dress and inside her bra… and then his imagination went places it ought not. So he jumped up to go with her, his mouth dry. He dumbly nodded, trying to suppress the image of other girls – there had really only had been one – Pauline Lamb – and how they'd been together.

Morwenna started to walk away before Al could follow her and she half-heard him crack his knee on the table leg as he got up. She glanced back. "You okay?"

Al could only nod, his heart in his throat. His knee was throbbing like mad while his mind whirled. Be nice Al! He thought. Knock it off! She's not Pauline! Got it? She's her own girl. You tried real hard not to think of her that way when you lived in her house. So not now! Too soon you idiot! Just be cool, but he was more aware then he ought to that she was all girl – and a very pretty one.

Morwenna felt his eyes on the back of her dress and imagined he was looking at her bum. Yes, Al, that is my bum back there, feeling like somehow things had gone wrong. She sighed. Too soon girl. Cool it! She stopped and caught Al looking down; pulling on his lip. He was cute – and nervous. Just as nervous as she was. "Hey."

"Yeah?" he grunted, looking up timidly.

She held out her hand and he took it. "Walk a girl to your car?"

So gently holding her fingers, he walked her to his beat-up Toyota.