The sun was shining brighter than it seemed to have done for a while in an unobscured blue sky and a slight, pleasant breeze was playing delicately at her back. Anna smiled to herself as she passed along the shop fronts on the quiet street, glancing upwards to take in the view underneath the shade. It was shaping up to be a perfect spring day, which made for a very lovely Sunday morning. It was so nice she hadn't even had to wear a jacket this morning, and her wedge sandals had been able to make an early appearance. She was surprised that she could hear a chorus of birds chirping away unseen amongst the cityscape and lingered for a little while to let the melody fill her head, until she pressed forth. It was interrupted softly by the tinkle of the bell above as she pushed the door open lightly. No sooner had it sounded and she took a silent step inside did the booming, jolly voice burst into the air. Anna greeted Angelo, the café owner, opening the window blinds slightly to let some of the warm morning light spill through the interior before she shrugged off her cardigan and passed through to the cool storeroom at the back, getting herself prepared.

She had been working at the café for a few weeks now and things were going well. Despite the many points that Gwen had complained about, Anna found it a good place to work. Being taken on as casual staff, her shifts could be erratic and she was often left with the dregs that nobody else wanted to fill – such as early on a Sunday morning – but really, she couldn't make a fuss about it. She was glad to be occupied for a few hours at a time and there were much worse situations she could find herself in. Very occasionally, she'd find herself on a shift that overlapped with one of Gwen's and they were able to work side by side for fifteen minutes or so, passing each other on the floor as they took orders, Gwen whispering offhand comments as they weaved about which made her have to painfully stifle her giggles. It was a little strange to be working with Gwen, but it was nice and her presence there seemed to have a good effect on Gwen, who certainly seemed to moan much less now about how awful and soul-destroying it all was there. Anna laughed to herself; she always thought Gwen had missed her calling in life by not going to that amateur dramatics society in university. The only problem she had encountered so far was a couple of smarmy customers who had tried hard to buy her a cup of coffee while sliding their numbers across the counter towards her, but they had been easy enough to deal with using a gritted smile and a few carefully chosen words.

Carrying the tray of newly made sandwiches out into the front, she glanced around before she started to load them into the cooling rack. Angelo took care of business alone for the first hour on a Sunday before she or any other member of staff came in, but there had been no sign of any customers entering. She was the sole person there. She gave a small shrug of her shoulders as she arranged the sandwiches, sizing up the collection a little consciously. Things would surely pick up in no time at all, and then she'd be wishing for a bit of peace and quiet. The thought that had been circling her mind incessantly came to the forefront again, and made her hope it might stay the way it was, so she may be able to finish earlier than intended.

Over the last few weeks, she'd also seen John as often as their respective commitments would allow. Since they'd exchanged numbers, they'd arranged a number of casual meetings in a few different places. Most of the time they would sit together for a couple of hours over a coffee, or another guilty pleasure of a milkshake at the diner he'd first recommended, and let the time flow effortlessly by them. He'd taken her to a new exhibition at the National Gallery and last week they went to see a film, which had been a nice change, but Anna much preferred when they were able to simply chat, she enjoyed his company so much. There had even been a couple of mornings when he had taken her by surprise as she stood behind the counter, smiling as he stopped in on his way to work to grab something to eat. Now whenever she was on an early shift she found herself craning to look out of the window, her heart thudding a million miles a minute in case the bell tinkled and he suddenly appeared.

It was crazy, really, and she still wasn't sure why she was thinking in such a way, like a teenager possessed by a silly infatuation. She was quite certain that she wasn't ready to enter into anything resembling a relationship, and as well, she didn't really know how John felt about her. He'd made some flattering remarks in passing, which she had to admit had thrilled her from head to toe, but she told herself it was only because he was a good man, and was trying his best to make her feel better about herself in the aftermath of so much bad. Even more stupidly, she felt that if anything were to happen – which it wouldn't, she assured herself – it would be as if she was being unfaithful to Jeremy, and so the mere idea made her retreat. That really was ridiculous, considering that he was the one who had cheated on her, so spectacularly, and had since made no effort to call her or apologise. He clearly couldn't have cared less, so why should she? Yet there still remained something, niggling away. But she resolved that whatever it was, she wouldn't let it drag her down, not when she was feeling so happy and content with herself, dare say more so than she had done in years. She wasn't going to classify whatever was happening with John; all she knew was that it was contributing to getting her life back on track, putting the pieces back together.

She smiled thinking of the suggestion she had made the last time they had seen each other. Spring had arrived and, though she didn't want to tempt fate with her thinking, the weather had been fine for an uninterrupted run of more than a week. It made sense in her head and he seemed to have been pleased by the idea when she uttered it aloud. She said they should go for a picnic, on a day when they both had plenty of time to spare to enjoy it properly, preferably a weekend. They'd settled on this Sunday, which suited her as her shift would finish at midday.

For some reason, she'd woken this morning feeling as if a whole butterfly sanctuary had been let loose in her stomach and, restless anyway, got up a little earlier to allow herself the time to get together what was needed. She'd carried the wicker basket with the blanket nestled inside with her to work, even though the plan was to go back home and change before the afternoon. She'd left it in the back but her thoughts drifted, and she took her eyes from the shaft of light that had fallen across the tablecloth to gaze towards the storeroom, a fingertip running across her bottom lip in contemplation. Then she found herself staring at the rows of sandwiches again, and then the delicious looking cream cakes sitting beneath. She cursed herself silently; she'd never have the time to dash to the delicatessen inbetween leaving here and heading for home.

"Go on then, you can take a few things." The cheery Italian voice came from her back.

"Are you sure? It won't be much."

"It's no problem. Judging by so far, they'll only be going to waste anyway. You take what you need, bella."

Refilling the empty tray with her selections, placing them down with care into the rapidly filling basket, Anna smiled, proudly pleased with herself. Content that there was more than enough to offer, she threw the chequered cloth over the top with a flourish. This would be quite the picnic.

Anna leaned her head to the side, wisps of her hair gently lifting in the breeze as she tucked her knees underneath her. The rays of the afternoon sun beat down upon her head and she had to squint to look out across the riverbank, the waves of the Thames flowing gently and unhurried by. She really should have brought her sunglasses but after minutes spent scouring the rather minimal amount of her belongings at the house hadn't been able to locate them, and she was already in a panic thinking she was running late without stopping off to buy a new pair. She brought a hand up to shelter her eyes, and focused on an equally enrapturing sight that was directly before her.

John was stretched out on the blanket laying beneath them both, propping himself up by one hand splayed out upon it. Having not come from work, he was more casually dressed than she'd seen him before and dressed for the weather too, in a short-sleeved black polo shirt and dark jeans that Anna couldn't fail to take careful notice of as his legs were lazily draped across, his feet curled some way away from the edge of the blanket. Her gaze was transfixed to his fingers as they perused the still plentiful spread of food that was laid out. They hovered thoughtfully for moments until he carefully plucked an apple, tossing it into the air playfully before it landed firmly in his strong palm and he took a bite. Anna's eyes wandered from his wrist to his forearm, watching the muscles there tighten and flex keenly as he grasped and raised the apple to his mouth periodically. Feeling a little warm, she blinked hard, putting the bottle of lemonade to her lips and taking a hearty swig. The rush of fizz tickled her throat unexpectedly, and she rasped a short cough before she picked up a fat strawberry by its leaf from the punnet.

"You should have champagne to go with those." His voice floated richly upon the air, low and soft.

"Our budget doesn't stretch quite that far," Anna chuckled, savouring the juice from another strawberry and wiping her hands on a serviette. She scrunched up her nose in consideration. "Besides, I've never really liked champagne all that much. It's all bubbles and no substance. I can't really see the point."

"Spoken like a true connoisseur. Ah, who needs it when lemonade does the trick?" John laughed and reached for his own bottle, unscrewing the cap deftly. He reclined a little further back, bringing one of his knees up, and languidly glanced at the scene around them.

"It's a good spot," he began, having taken in a panoramic view. "I've walked down here a few times but never stopped to take notice of it like this. Really makes you appreciate what's on your doorstep."

She smiled, gazing around at the view she'd studied a thousand times before herself, noticing a myriad of different things now. "I love it here," she said, unable to contain the enthusiasm in her tone. "I could happily sit here for hours, watching the water go by, just amusing myself. We didn't live that far from the River Aire when I was little, and I always used to love going down there in the summer, and even when it wasn't that nice. My mum used to have kittens worrying about me staying out there too long, I think she'd convinced herself I'd fall in and be swept away one day." She laughed a little at the memory. "I'm not sure why, but I've always been attracted to the water. Maybe I was a mermaid in a former life."

He chortled loudly at her musing, and Anna loved the sound that came surging from him. Having had her fill of strawberries, her fingers began toying aimlessly with the fringe of the blanket. It amused her to notice that his were a mirror image opposite hers.

"Do you miss home a lot? Would you ever think about going back?"

Anna pondered his question for a moment, fixing the cardigan on her shoulder.

"I don't really give it a lot of thought, which probably means that I don't. When I was a teenager, Castleford seemed like the most boring place on earth and I couldn't wait for the day when I could get out. But I suppose the same goes for most kids, no matter where they're from."

She began to plait two fraying strands between her fingertips, possessed by a sudden wave of nostalgia for her hometown.

"I came to the bright lights of London for university and just stuck around afterwards because it made the most sense for what I wanted to do. It was like you couldn't start a career in PR if you weren't here. And yeah…it's been home ever since. It'd seem a shame to think about moving now, when I've only just got a proper handle on the Tube network."

They both laughed.

"Of course, I miss my family, but going back for a couple of weeks for holidays is enough for me, as it stands. You never know where life takes you though."

John popped a grape into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "That's very true. I've got to say, you haven't lost the accent."

"Urgh, I know," Anna frowned. "You can take the girl out of Yorkshire, but you can't take Yorkshire out of the girl. The looks some clients have given me when they've heard me speak."

"I like it," he asserted. "It makes you stand out, which is a good thing. Plus, it's very tuneful." He purred the last word with a very distinct melody of his own.

A giggle escaped Anna unbidden. "Why, thank you for saying so, Mr Bates." The natural way that she lengthened her vowels saying his formal name made his lips quirk up into a unique smile.

"So you've no plans to leave the capital anytime soon?"

"I don't see why I would," Anna stated, smoothing down the blanket with her palm before she sighed heavily. "Unless I don't find another job. There just don't seem to be any going at all, which is really strange. You'd think people would be crying out for PR executives, there's always something new going on. But obviously not." She paused for a moment. "And really, why would I ever want to leave working in a place that makes such great sandwiches?"

She rolled her shoulders, looking up to watch the reassuring flow of the river once more but caught sight of his warm eyes instead, which seemed to be far better at comforting her.

"Have you ever thought of setting up your own company?" The smoothness of his words made it sound as if it were so simple. "I mean, you've got the experience, the know-how, the contacts. It sounds as if you've got tons of great ideas too."

She shook her head in uncertainty. "I don't know…I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm hopeless at budgeting, and that kind of thing. I'd make a disastrous loss in the first six months, and most likely end up bankrupting all my clients."

"You can get someone in to handle that, no problem."

Anna smiled graciously at his thoughtfulness. "I don't think I could, not right now anyway. It's a confidence thing, and I'm running low on that." She sighed again, rolling a grape between her fingers. "I'll just spend the next year or so trailing around the agencies hopelessly, taking anything I can. It's funny, I mean I'm not the most ambitious of people, but you spend years toiling away just to inch a little way along and one tiny thing sends you hurtling back down at the speed of light. It's almost like having nothing to show for anything."

John wrinkled his brow. "Don't talk like that, something will come along soon enough. And even if it doesn't, what's to say you can't do something else?" He fixed a look upon her, and she had to suck in a breath. "You can change your life if you want to. Sometimes you have to be hard on yourself, but you can change it completely." His voice faltered just a little as his words trailed away. "I know."

Anna nodded her head subconsciously, letting what he said sink in. It sounded as though he'd had more than a little first-hand experience of giving life an overhaul and as much as she yearned to know what he was speaking of, her head screamed at her not to intrude. Instead, she shook herself mentally, warned herself not to go on feeling sorry, and smiled warmly at him.

"What about you? Would you ever think of leaving life in London?"

"I don't reckon so," he affirmed. "I think this is me set now. I've seen my fair share of the world with work and the like. I was in Italy before I came back here a few years ago. Only just got the position at the company when I had to move again."

She almost hadn't heard him say the last sentence, and leant herself forward to catch what he said as he went on, shifting slightly and gazing down at the blanket.

"I'd been back two months when I got the call to say my mother wasn't well." He ran a hand that was trembling just slightly through his hair. "So that was me, upping sticks again to Ireland. It was a good job I went when I did, because she only lasted a couple of months longer. I should have gone sooner, really, but hindsight's a wonderful thing."

Anna had the urge to reach out and take his hand, not expecting such a revelation, but instead she left hers twisted in her lap, her head inclining to one side and her eyes wide in sympathy.

"The company gave me compassionate leave, and I ended up staying for gone two years afterwards. I think I just had a longing, like I wanted to be near her, near everything I used to know. I got a little bit lost for a while, and to be honest, it was all a bit of a blur." He cleared his throat, then looked back up towards her. "I eventually came back here about two years ago, got back into the groove again. It took a while, but I haven't looked back since."

She was aware that her eyes were welling a little, her own past hurtling back to meet her painfully.

"I can empathise," she said softly. "My dad died when I was 12. Car accident. I remember it was the school holidays, we got a knock on the door one evening." She pictured her younger self, innocently opening the front door as her mum was busy in the kitchen and being confronted by two policemen. "To be honest, I think it was a big part of me wanting to leave. Nothing ever seemed the same afterwards."

John nodded in recognition. "I was lucky really, having such good ties here. I mean, I've known Rob since we were at university, and then we started working together. It's been like a second home, and I've always had somewhere to go, with him living here." Anna noticed that he looked a little wistful, regret seeming to cover his countenance as he gazed out at the river. "He's been there for me often enough, but I don't think I've done the same in return."

He went quiet, clamming up in deep contemplation. After a little while, Anna salvaged things.

"I'm sure you have. You talk really highly of him, and from what I've heard him say about you, I know he thinks the same." A spark of a smile started on her lips, and grew as she looked in the same direction where his attention was focused. "I suppose that's the main thing. As long as you have good people around you, holding you up, it doesn't matter where in the world you are."

John turned himself back towards her, with a smile embedded on his face too.

"You're incredibly wise, Miss Smith."

She laughed at the way he addressed her, giving a playful little toss of her head in response. He swiped a hand over his face, hiding a shamed expression.

"Oh God, I'm sorry. Here we are having a lovely picnic and I have to sink the conversation lower than the Thames itself." A short, muffled laugh exploded from behind his hands. "I'm sure I have no idea why you want to spend time with me."

"I do," Anna chimed cheerfully, "and I also know exactly what will help brighten things up."

She dug her hands into the depths of the wicker basket and produced a line of little individually boxed cakes, setting them out one by one on the blanket between them.

His eyes sparked to life again instantly, a smirk rising on his lips. "You think of everything."

She smiled, holding a spoon to her mouth, thinking carefully about which one to plump for. After making her mind up, she reached her hand down and felt a jolt charge through her as her fingers landed firmly against his knuckles, already planted on the container. Her heart jumped into her throat, any movements that she was able to make immobilised as their hands stayed placed upon one another for a split second, though it felt like an eternity. He moved his hand away back onto the blanket, and she could begin to breathe again.

"You know, this isn't fair. I need to return the favour," he said, calmer than anything. Anna was a little disappointed that he didn't sound as dizzy and breathless as she felt. "We should get you out of the house for the whole day. How are you fixed next Saturday?"

"Um, I don't think I have plans," she pondered. "I haven't got a shift. My day might just consist of crying about how terrible my life is."

"Excellent. Well, when that's finished, how do you fancy visiting some of my territory?"

Anna quirked up her eyebrows. "That sounds most intriguing, Mr Bates."

"It's settled then." He smiled. "Just as well, because I think it might take a week for us to get through the rest of this."

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Anna watched as Gwen sorted through the washing.

"I got a 2.1 on my assignment," Gwen casually mentioned as she folded up a pair of trousers.

"Oh Gwen, that's brilliant," Anna exclaimed. "I knew you'd do well."

Gwen huffed, obviously not as pleased with the result. "I was hoping for a first. I really thought I'd get one this time around." She balled up a pair of socks and threw them with force into the washing machine. Anna took a step back to avoid any flying debris.

"Don't be hard on yourself, it's still a great mark. I don't know how you find the time to fit everything in, work and college. And here I am, dossing."

Gwen furrowed her brow and then smirked, holding up a top to assess whether she could get away with not washing it. "You could spend some of your free time writing for me," she laughed. "Oh well, there's always next time."

She banged the washing machine door shut and it soon set to whirring at a low volume, accompanying their conversation.

"Enough about me, anyway," Gwen chirped. "What I want to know about is you and John." Her eyebrows raised towards Anna, as well as her voice going up in a sing-song note as she said the last few words.

Anna shook her head gently, bracing her hand against the worktop.

"Gwen, there is no 'me and John'."

"Yeah, right." Gwen tutted, walking to the cupboard.

"I'm serious," Anna insisted. "It's not like that. It's…"

She searched for the right words to describe the situation, and the longer she took the more she could feel Gwen's eyes burning a hole in her.

"We're having a nice time in each other's company, that's all. Not everything has to turn into something." She gazed down at her hands, picking off a crumbling bit of varnish from one of her nails. "It's just good to have someone else to be with, to talk to."

"Oh, thanks a lot," Gwen flounced her head, pretending to be annoyed.

Anna smirked at the reaction. "You know what I mean. Someone who doesn't know all the ins and outs of everything with Jez and all that. I feel different when I'm with him." She didn't realise how wide she was smiling. "Freer, less wound up. It's just…nice."

Gwen leant against the drawers, her arms folded and wearing a knowing grin.

"Nice," she repeated, lifting her eyes upwards. "If you say so."

Anna made to march her way over to her friend, intending to make her look less smug, when she jumped a little at her phone buzzing against the counter. Looking down, her lips curled when she saw the name flash up on the screen.

"I wonder who that could be."

Anna stuck her tongue out swiftly at Gwen before she picked up the handset and answered.

"Hey," she said, her voice smiling.

"Hey." He sounded just the same even over a distorted phoneline, his tone rich and smooth. A tiny shiver shot up her spine. "I hope you're well?"

"I am. How are you?"

"Good, good, can't complain." There was a little pause, and she could hear him taking in a breath, considering. "I was just wondering, whether you'd like to go out tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yes, you know, the tonight that comes immediately after today." He chortled into her ear.

"John, just hang on a second."

"Sure."

Anna covered her hand over the phone, taking it away from her ear momentarily. "He wants to go out tonight," she mouthed to Gwen, who enthusiastically mouthed the word 'Go' back to her. She nearly broke into giggles at how wide Gwen's eyes had become and how furiously she was nodding her head.

"I'm back."

"Hello again. Yeah, well, Rob's wife has got a gig tonight in a place downtown, a few of us are going along. And I thought it'd be nice if you were there too. I mean, if you don't have an early morning or anything…"

"No. I mean, no, I don't have an early morning, not no, I don't want to come. Yes. Yes, I'd love to. If there's room for a little one."

Anna cursed herself for sounding so stupid, slamming her other palm against her forehead.

John laughed lightly. "Great. I'll see you around eight?"

"Eight'd be great." Oh, bloody hell, Anna.

"See you then. Have a good day, Anna."

"You too. Bye."

No sooner had she ended the call did she hear Gwen cooing.

"Oooooh, tonight. Big date."

Anna rolled her eyes at her friend. "Gwen, it's not a date. There are going to be other people there. His friends."

"And that isn't important?" Gwen emphasised the gravity in her words. "I'd say that's tantamount to meeting the in-laws." She chuckled as a barely audible gasp came from Anna. "Plus, it's the first time you've been out with him of a night time. Big steps, indeed."

As Gwen padded away into the next room, Anna glanced up, looking at the fine droplets of drizzle that had started to fall upon the windowpane. With one hand still braced against the counter, her other flipped her phone about nervously. Though she knew Gwen had been joking, there was a significance in what she said that couldn't be denied. Would it be too much, too soon? What if she did or said something that could be misconstrued? Holding her phone in her palm, she wondered whether she should call him back, make some kind of excuse. The thought of doing so made her stomach burn. Decisively, she put the handset down onto the counter and pushed herself away gently. You think too much. That had always been her problem. She'd just get on with her day, and worry about it later, when the time came around. And perhaps not even worry, but enjoy herself.

The falling night air was chillier now than it had been a few hours previously, and Anna wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders, trying not to shiver quite so much.

"Cora's a wonderful singer," she exclaimed as they passed under the softly glowing streetlamp, taking their time to keep in step with each other. "I thought I was going to cry a few times. She just blew me away."

John smiled softly at Anna's astonishment, nodding his head a couple of times to agree.

"She can hold a tune. One of her many talents, including putting up with Rob."

They both laughed, their breath making visible patterns upon the air. John shifted his feet beneath him, tilting his head to the side.

"I hope it wasn't overwhelming for you. I didn't think there were going to be that many people there."

"Oh, it was fine," Anna's hands danced against her shawl. "Everybody was really nice, at least the ones I got the chance to talk to. And I'm sure everyone else is too." She moved forward a couple of inches, tapping a hand lightly against his arm, and his eyes flickered towards her. "You've got a few talents too. You certainly know how to pick friends."

A wide grin flooded his face, and Anna couldn't help but reciprocate.

"I had a really nice time tonight, John."

He leaned back on his heels, his head tipping and his expression turning apparently displeased. "Oh, did you?" he whined. "Sorry. That's against the rules, isn't it?"

Anna giggled melodiously, wagging a finger in the air. "Yes, it is, so just bear that in mind in future, would you? I'm getting over a major break-up, I can't be seen to be smiling too much in public."

"It's a good job it's dark then, isn't it?"

His breath was warmer against her face now as he was just centimetres away from her. She fluttered her eyelashes upwards to see the side of his cheek before her, as he bent to her left side. She managed to exhale the breath she was holding when his lips grazed her cheek, softer than the fall of a feather, leaving her skin tingling. He lingered in front of her for a few seconds, eyes roaming over her features, before some force intervened to pull him back.

"Good night, Anna. Take care," he uttered, his voice just above a whisper. "Have a think about what I said. About changing things. You can do it, you're stronger than you know."

She smiled and nodded, her hands clasping above her elbows as he started to walk backwards, keeping his gaze upon her in the shadows.

"Wear something warm on Saturday." He shouted a little to reach her as he got further away. "Boots or trainers. No heels."

"Oh god," she rasped, "you're not going to take me on some assault course or something, are you?"

"Do I look like I'm into assault courses?" He chuckled, the sound as vibrant in her ear as if he were standing right by her side. "See you then."

The next morning, Anna met Gwen on the landing as she tumbled out of her room, rubbing her fists over her eyes.

"Morning," she trilled, surprising herself at how cheery she sounded.

"Good morning," Gwen replied back, a certain look painted all over her face. "And what time did you call that last night, young lady?"

Anna sighed, adjusting the tie on her robe while stifling a yawn. "Don't act like my mother, Gwen. One fussy, overbearing woman is enough for me to deal with."

Gwen sniggered. "Well, she'd want to know I was looking out for you. I was well in bed when you stumbled in. What other things has John got lined up for you?"

She was doing it again, saying his name in a funny little way, the way she imagined her teenage cousins to speak when they were talking about their latest crushes.

"Come off it, Gwen. He's a friend. Okay? A friend. I'm not remotely interested in him romantically."

"You're not."

This was getting tiring now. "No."

Gwen leaned against the doorframe, her arms folded tight against her in defiance.

"So how come you haven't asked me since last night whether anyone had called while you were gone? That's the first time you've haven't done that since you've been staying here."

The thought hadn't even crossed Anna's mind. She hadn't remembered doing that, or not doing that, at all. All she could remember was her laughter as she leant against John in the bar, the music filtering behind them. His hand brushing hers momentarily. His aftershave clinging to her, that she could still smell.

His lips touching her cheek so barely, that she'd believe they had only been there in a dream if she hadn't felt the trace of them pressed upon her still.

She never really liked to admit that she might be wrong, but now, it was becoming increasingly clear that she may have to concede defeat on this matter.

A/N: I had to have them go picnicking. It's not racy at all, but there's a frisson...any suggestions as to what John has planned for their day out?

Thanks for reading!