Author's note -

Thank you so much to everyone who has read/followed/reviewed the story so far – what a thrill! I love to hear from you.

Chapter 3 - Catching up

"... and inhale, and bring the arms up into Warrior pose. Hold the pose and breathe in... out... "

Sybil felt herself wobbling as she tried to hold the pose and focus on nothing but her breath. Finally, their teacher released them – "and inhale, and straighten your front leg and bend at the hip, resting your hand on your shin. Now reach your other arm high to the sky... and gently turn your head to gaze at it... Triangle pose. Hold the pose and breathe in... out..."

Sybil and Mary were at their usual Tuesday night yoga class – it was a standing appointment, if neither was working late. Usually, Sybil found the class very relaxing as it helped her to quiet her mind and focus on the present, but somehow this time her mind kept getting distracted as she thought about other things. Or one other thing in particular…

Their teacher closed the class with a cheery "Namaste, everyone – see you next week!"

Mary turned to her as she gathered up her things – "Time for some sushi?" Sybil nodded and they headed out of the studio towards their favourite local Japanese restaurant, just along Upper St.

Settling into their usual table, Mary looked at her sister and picked up her spicy tuna roll – "Now, spill! I haven't spoken to you in a week - what is going on with you and Tom?"

"Where do I start! You know me of recent times – reliable Sybil, with the good career as a surgical registrar, going out with Larry, the steady boyfriend she's been seeing since medical school. Never giving my family a moment's worry, never doing anything surprising or spontaneous. And then this guy comes along out of nowhere and after seeing him only a few times, suddenly I'm thinking about him all day, like a teenager! He makes me feel young, and beautiful, and free to act on instinct, not just on what's 'sensible'," said Sybil, making air quotes on the last word, "the way I used to when I was young, remember? I'm really enjoying feeling that way again."

Mary looked sceptical. "What do you mean about you and Larry? I don't agree - I knew you two as a couple for years and you were really good together... well, until the last few months anyway – you just ran out of steam, that's all."

Sybil responded after a moment's thought. "Larry and I were really best mates who ended up dating, nothing more. I never felt like this when I was with him... " Sybil tailed off and felt herself catch her breath, as a particular moment from her last date with Tom popped into her mind – the way he had kissed the back of her neck, and then continued down her spine...

Mary gave her an irritated nudge – "Earth to Sybil? Look, I know Matthew and I set you and Tom up but we both thought it would just be a bit of fun for you both, not really something serious. I mean, he's only 22!"

Sybil frowned – in her heart, she did worry about that a bit too. Despite their physical connection, which was a revelation to her, and the fact that they got on brilliantly and always had plenty to talk about, she did wonder if one day Tom might start to think his life would be simpler if he were spending time with someone closer to his own age.

Thinking about that, Sybil looked out the window to the darkening street. She thought she spotted someone familiar under a street light just outside – could it be Tom? He saw her and waved, and came inside with Matthew right behind him.

"We wrapped up football early tonight – the other team didn't show up… " Tom said, walking towards their table with a grin.

Mary watched Sybil spark up like a 100 watt light bulb at the sight of him, and felt a tiny bit jealous seeing her like that. While she and Matthew had a great relationship, they had been together for more than two years now, and they were long past the time when just a touch or a smile from the other person could send them into ecstasy, which was clearly where Sybil and Tom were right now.

"Want some of my California roll? I can't finish it," said Sybil to Tom, who had perched on the edge of the table next to her.

He looked into her eyes, gently smoothing a stray curl behind her ear, and found himself thinking – "Jesus, this woman is gorgeous – Tommy, mo buachaill, do not screw this up!" He said, "No thanks, I'm not really a sushi fan – didn't get a lot of it growing up in suburban Dublin! Are you almost finished – I thought I could walk you home?"

Sybil's smile nearly split her face – "Yes, I'm ready once we sort out the bill... Mary?"

She reached for her handbag, but Mary waved her away, saying, "We'll get this, don't worry. Call me tomorrow – Edith is in London with Aunt Rosamund this weekend and she wants to do lunch."

Sybil kissed her sister by way of reply and she and Tom headed out of the restaurant, hand in hand. They stopped just outside on the footpath, and Mary watched as Tom pulled Sybil into a close embrace, which lasted for several minutes before they walked off towards Sybil's flat, still entwined. She had never seen her sister like this before – mentally, she took back what she had said to Sybil earlier.

Matthew looked at Mary and said "What did she say? I have to tell you, Tom is totally smitten with Sybil – he couldn't stop talking about her at football tonight and when I told him I was coming up to meet you both after yoga I couldn't have stopped him from coming along if I tried!"

Mary nodded. "She is exactly the same – at one point during our dinner tonight, I could see she was thinking about him and she was off with the fairies. I think she is really into him too. That glowing skin isn't just from yoga, you know!"

Matthew, using his "diplomatic lawyer" voice that had helped him rise swiftly up the ranks at his firm, spoke thoughtfully. "Far be it from me to interfere in other people's lives, but do you really think this can work? I mean, their lives and backgrounds are so different, not to mention the age difference. I can't deny the attraction between them – even I can see that's there in spades – but I'm a bit worried. I care about both of them, you see – Tom's a good friend."

Mary nodded – "I'm not sure either, Matt, but I know Sybil and I trust her judgment – we have to let them work this out for themselves. You never know, this thing may burn itself out in a few more weeks anyway – something this intense can't last, can it?"

Matthew looked doubtful – "Don't know about that, at least from Tom's perspective. I've never seen him like this before, with anyone. Let's wait and see what comes next, eh? We can deal with it then."

Mary leaned over, touching his cheek with a loving look. "I can always count on you to say the right thing, darling. Where would I be without you!"

A/N -

"mo buachaill" - "my boy" in Irish Gaelic, per Google Translate. Please forgive me for any yoga-related mistakes in this chapter - I am no expert. :)