"I will not be home this weekend." Robert said while putting his fork down.

Rosamund had invited him and their parents for dinner. And they just finished the main course.

"So, we come to London for you to be away?" Violet said with an annoyed tone.

"I cannot help that Rosamund suddenly plans a family dinner. I already have plans this weekend, and I will not be home. You can use my apartment, while I am away."

"Where are you going son?" Patrick asked, while also putting down his knife and fork.

Just having some downtime out of the city centre."

"You wanted to move to the city, we never forced you too." Violet said.

"I know Mama, and I like it. But sometimes I just want a little break, like a holiday."

"Are you seeing a girl?" Marmaduke joked.

Robert wished he were. It was already a couple of weeks ago that he met Cora and he forgot to ask her number. He had not been in his house in Richmond since then and had not the change to bump into her. "No, I am not seeing a girl. If you must know I am seeing John."

The evening never seemed to end, but finally Robert walked back to his apartment. He had not told his parents that he started to play the piano. It turned out that he was quite good at it, but he was ashamed to tell them. He was also scared for his mother's reaction. She never reacted well on things that did not go according to her plan. And being a musician was not something on her list of doing well. His father would probably not mind, but he was not taking the risk that his mother would find out.

He had searched for a small house just outside of the city centre and he ended up in Richmond. He found a house with a small garden. His piano fitted perfectly in the living room, and he did not need more. It was weird that a small home like that gave him such a comfort feeling. The bedroom was small, his double bed barely fitted and the other bedroom, was not even big enough for a double bed. The bathroom had needed an upgrade, and he hired a contractor to place a modern one. Yes, it was small, but he had a nice shower and that was all he needed. For him it was the best place to create music. He had started playing music from composer's like Einaudi, but he now was also composing his own. It was a challenge, but he really liked that, he needed something more than telling people how to run their estate's. He knew that one day he was expected to run Downton, but for now that day was still far away. His father was in his mid-sixties, so if everything went according to plan, he would have at least ten more years outside of Downton. If he worked hard enough, he would have made name in the music industry. John was the only one who knew about his aspiration's, and he gave him an alibi quite regularly.

With his bag on his shoulder, he walked towards the subway. He was looking forward to a weekend with just himself and his music. He was secretly hoping to see Cora, she lived in the same area. The fact that he had bumped into her in the supermarket was for him prove enough she lived in Richmond. It was tempting to just walk around, hoping to bump into her. But that would be foolish. He needed to work on his piece. In less than two months he had an appointment with a producer, who was willing to look into his work. But by that time, he needed to have some of his own work ready. He did not want to the kind of piano player that only copied work from others. He wanted to produce his own records, how wonderful it would be to walk past shops and see his own name on the sleeves of records. He knew it was a silly dream, but he hold on to that dream, especially because it made him happy.

After a short ride he walked into the street where his second home away from home was. He noticed that he was constantly scanning his surroundings, hoping to see her. And at the same time, it would be better if she did not see him with his bag. She should not know he had a second house here. What if she found out he played the piano, she would laugh and run from him, surely. He reached his house, without seeing anybody he knew. He needed to start having doubles of everything, so he only needed a small backpack when he moved between houses.

He dumbed his bag upstairs; he would look at it later. He needed to get a song out of his head. He had been thinking of Cora constantly the last couple of days and she inspired him. He opened the piano lid and brushed with his fingers over the keys. He felt so much love for his instrument, the bond they had was special. The fact he felt this for his piano, made him even more ashamed to tell people about it. It did not feel as if it was normal to have those feelings. He heard about musicians, who talked lovingly about their instruments, but they all had been big artist.

He sat down and his fingers started running over the key's. Warm tones filled the room, he had opened the window, since it was a nice summer day. The endless heat had finally left, and only nice warmth was left. The tunes felt like a river running down, through green hills. Sometimes it was a slow stream, but then it transformed into a small waterfall. The water tinkling down, finding its way to lower ground. Where it gathered into a small pond. Where small forest animals came to lessen their thirst. Small birds chirping around. He went fully into the music, he lost himself and the notes followed each other quickly. Once he got to the end of the song, he realised that he forgot to turn on his recorder and he did not write down a single note. Could he recall what he had played? He could only hope.

He thought about Cora's face, her soft expressions. Her melodic voice, her blue eyes that sparkled when she looked at him and laughed about a joke. Her long fingers, holding up her glass. That glass that went to her perfectly formed red lips. Lips that were very kissable he thought. He had only seen her twice, and he could recall every detail of her face. It did help to bring the music back that he had just produced. And while playing, he now wrote down what he had played. With help of his recorder, he had written down a new piece a couple of hours later.

That was no surprise at all! He had not eaten since he had left home. He could have food delivered, but he decided to walk to the supermarket. Who knows who he had run into! It would be a coincidence if Cora were in the supermarket again, but he could always hope. Could he not?

Feeling a little bit disappointed Robert walked home. He stocked enough food to fill his fridge, he decided to stay a little bit longer than this weekend. His felt inspired to the bone and he needed to get it all out before it was lost.

"Carson, can you make sure my appointments for Monday and Tuesday are all rescheduled."

...

"No, I am not sick. I cannot come into the office, but no I am not sick. Please just reschedule those appointments. I will be back on Wednesday and will make up for the lost two days."

...

"I do not need permission from Lady Grantham for this. Please do not bother her with unnecessary information. Her schedule is busy enough."

Robert walked home, while he called Carson. He realised that it was officially his free day on Saturday, but he did not want to have to call in on Monday morning. And the day Carson had started working for him, he had said that he could call day and night. Robert realised, that he was acting like a spoiled prince. He felt guilty instantly. But it was too late now. Carson was arranging his free days for him at this moment.

In the distance somebody was running towards him. Dressed in black leggings and a pink top. Her white shoes were hitting the pavement in a nice rhythm. Her hair was tied up, but some curls had escaped and danced around her face. When she came closer, he saw that it was Cora. Suddenly he did not know what to do, and he had to fight the urge to hide behind a tree. It was already too late to even try to hide because Cora had spotted him. A smile played around her mouth.

"Are you stalking me?" She asked, while she slowed down.

Robert felt his face turn red, even though he had thought about searching for her. At this moment he was genuinely just on the streets because he needed to bring his groceries back home.

"I am not trying to." He stuttered.

Cora was running on her spot, but now stopped. "I was only joking. You have every right to walk on these streets as I have. I am only surprised to see you here again. John did live in Twickenham. Did he not?"

"He indeed does, I was just getting some groceries." Robert could slap himself, why did he say that. Now Cora must wonder why he was getting groceries in an area that he did not even live.

"We all need those. Well, it was nice seeing you again." She smiled again and started walking again. She quickly picked up the same rhythm as before. Robert stared at her; it was fascinating how her body moved. Her small waist perfectly formed bottom. Her hair that was dancing again. She was mesmerising.

When she turned a corner, he was woken up out his trance and realised, that he once again had let her go without asking her number. Although, that would have been weird, because he had just said, that he was not stalking her. He sighed. Why were things so complicated.