A Metaday Surprise

January 2021

It was a warm day for January. The park had a bank holiday atmosphere as people lazed and played in the sun. Parents and Nannies fought with toddlers to keep their jumpers on, while some young adults and pensioners alike took to sunbathing, their faces to the sun and backs to the chill wind. Aziraphale and Crowley were walking at a quick pace through the park. The Angel looked flustered and paranoid, the former Demon keeping his camouflage of boredom on his face.

"That was the third group that has stopped us, Crowley. What do the mean by "We love the show?"

"No idea, Angel. Here comes the fourth." A group of people who had been playing frisbee trotted up to the pair.

"We love the show!" they said, almost in unison. A girl turned to Crowley and nodded at Aziraphale – "Is he as funny in real life?"

"Funnier." Crowley smiled and nodded, causing Aziraphale to do a double take.

"I have no idea what you are talking about!" Aziraphale's protest was met with laughter by the group.

"Keep it up, guys!" the group laughed and went on their way.

"Oh, we shall." Crowley waved to the group as they resumed their game. He pointed to a bench, partially hidden from the main path. "Over here, Angel."

They sat, giving Aziraphale a moment to catch his breath and stretch his neck, which had strained from trying to look in all directions at once. The angel patted his brow with his handkerchief, smiling as Crowley miracled a cool lemonade. He watched in wonder as the angel practically chugged it; a breach of etiquette exposing his anxiety.

Aziraphale miracled the glass away. "Thank you, dear. What 'show' could they be referring to?"

"I would guess it is a television series, or some such thing that they watch on the internet. Not the first time I've been mistaken for an actor, especially since television."

"Oh dear, are we going to have to be 'In Cognito' whenever we venture out?"

"No, this will go away with the warm weather. Perhaps we should lay low until then. You've talked about popping over to New York to look over a few potential acquisitions; maybe now is the time."

"Perhaps…."

While the pair were discussing their options, they were being observed by a pair of attractive blonde women, pushing prams. One had her hair in a ponytail, the other was wearing a slightly oversized pair of sunglasses.

"Are you sure? They look so 'tidy'" Ponytail asked her friend. "Maybe just some cosplay?"

"Well, yours is definitely in some sort of costume." Glasses answered. "and those hair colors. Platinum? Really? I know they were going on a quick promo junket, but this is a stretch. And they could have done it on ZOOM, which would have been more appropriate."

"There's only one way to find out….." Ponytail locked her prams wheels, shook out her ponytail and smoothed her hair. "If I'm wrong, we may have to run." She strode to the bench where Aziraphale and Crowley were sitting, perched on the angel's lap, wrapped her arms around him and planted an exaggerated passionate kiss on his mouth before he could protest more than "Pardon-!"

Crowley raised both eyebrows and stared in stunned silence. Once he realized Aziraphale had no idea who the woman was, his expression changed from surprise to deranged amusement; an expression last seen when his Angel succumbed to his ox-rib temptation years ago.

The blonde pulled back, looked at the pair again, and said one word- "Interesting…" before hopping out of Aziraphale's lap and returning to her friend. "It's not them, Georgia".

Glasses stared at the pair, who were staring back. Aziraphale looked shocked and embarrassed; Crowley looked amused, but wondered if his friend would discorporate from the shock. She pulled out her phone. "Well, I should take a photo for the boys, they'll never believe it. Blast! My phone is dead! Could you, Anna?"

Anna pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Mine is dead too."

"Curiouser and curiouser…" Georgia muttered as they walked away.

"Angel?!" Crowley patted the angel's hand. Aziraphale blinked rapidly, then turned to Crowley.

"Crowley, I promise, I have no idea who that woman was or why she felt she had the right to "infringe" in the at way. Why I never!" The angel blushed so much that there was a pinkish undertone to his hairline.

Crowley stopped patting Aziraphale's hand and slapped his hand on the angel's knee, causing him to jump slightly at the contact. "I'm sure of that, Angel. Probably a case of mistaken identity – have you ever been mistaken for someone else?"

"Well yes, but Rudy Vallee has been deceased for decades."

Crowley guffawed. "I wouldn't take her as a fan of crooners. So, a human tried to tempt you, Angel. What did you think?"

Aziraphale thought for a moment. "If it had been a wine, I would say that it had not had enough time in the barrel. My palate did not approve; it prefers a far rarer vintage, my dear." He glanced shyly at Crowley.

The former demon had been gazing at the angel, but quickly looked away with a small smirk. "Good to know, Angel. Good to know."