"You know that I love being in London." Robert looked at his father. "You know about my home in Westminster."

"I love your apartment there and I still think you made the right choice. You being in London helped the company immensely." His father added.

"I need to tell you something about my life in London."

"Son, I know that your mother lets you believe differently, but you are allowed to have your own private life, we do not have to know everything. I trust you to do wise things and not walk into dangerous situations."

Robert looked at his father and he was so incredibly grateful for him. His mother indeed insisted on knowing everything he did. But his father was right, he was allowed to have a private life. But this part about his life he wanted to share. "Papa, I cannot express how grateful I am for this. There is however something I want to share with you. Sometimes I do not live in my Westminster apartment." He saw his father raise his eyebrows. "I bought a second house in Richmond. The city life is sometimes a bit too much and I like to escape to that house."

"You could also have come here?" His father said carefully.

"That is different, Papa. Here is staff and I would never be really alone. In Richmond, I have just myself and the calm city around me."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"One evening some while ago I met somebody in a pub."

"You have fallen in love?"

Robert sighed. "Sometimes, you are as bad as Mama." Robert felt his cheeks colour, he did not mean to be mean to his father. "I think I am indeed in love; her name is Cora, and she lives in Richmond. She moved to London a couple of years back and now she has published her first book."

"You should bring her here some time."

"Well, that is the thing." Robert paused. "Her mother has taken her home. She is now in New York again, her mother insisted on doing book tours in the United States, because she could be more famous there."

"Does she want to be that famous?" Patrick gave Robert a puzzled look.

"Cora is quite shy and she told me that she wrote her book, because she loves writing, she does not care about being famous."

"She should come back to London than. "

"There is a problem, her mother is like my Mama. She wants to control everything, and she definitely does not take no for an answer."

"That does sound like your Mama indeed. Why are you telling me this? Can I do something for her?"

"Yes and no. It is not something you need to do. It is something that I need to do, but I need your support."

"Tell me my boy."

"I want to go to New York and find her. And when I find her, I want to take her back home."

"And what is my role in this?"

"You need to keep Mama of my back. And I need your word that you will be alright with me gone for some time."

Patrick laughed. "I only had a stroke; I am not dead."

"Papa." Robert smirked.

"I will take care of your mother. When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. Thank you, Papa." Robert got up and walked towards his father. They did not hug much in this family. Showing your emotions, was unheard of. But he ignored that for a second and wrapped his arms around him. He could feel him getting stronger.

His legs were shaking, it had been a long time since Robert had been this nervous. What if she did not show up. He had talked with Harold her brother. After Cora's letter, Robert decided that he had to go and see her. He did not care about her mother's idea of plans. He wanted to be with Cora, and nothing was keeping him from that. Cora had left her address in her letter; Robert used it to send Harold a letter back. He had not sent Cora one. He knew it was harsh, but the change that he would ruin the surprise with his letter was huge. So, he had decided to arrange a surprise meeting with Harold's help.

"This way sir." The waitress showed him the way to the back of a small café" Harold had chosen the spot, since it was small, and it was possible to rent the place. A curtain was pulled aside, and she showed him a grand piano. Robert was taken a bake; he had expected a small piano or even a keyboard.

"Thank you. Is there some time for me to practice?"

"The place is yours sir, so be my guest."

Robert sad down and let his fingers wander over the keys without pressing them. He felt his fingers tremble. Not only was him being here a surprise, but he was also going to reveal that he was the pianist that Cora talked about.

After some time, he had finished and was waiting for his sign to start playing again. Finally, he got the sign and played. Trying to ignore the voices he heard, he felt butterflies when he heard Cora's voice. He could only hope she would react positive. What if she had changed her mind, while being here in New York. It could have been that since her last letter she had gotten used to being back. What if she did not miss London or worse him?

He played the song that he wrote specially with Cora in his mind. The curtain was pulled back and in the corner of his eye he saw Cora. He tried to focus on the keys, but it was hard not to jump up and run towards Cora.

Cora was chatting with the waitress, but suddenly she stopped talking and he heard her gasp.

"Robert?" She said, her voice full of surprise. "Is that really you?" She got closer towards the grand piano. "What are you doing here? I did not know you could play."

Robert wrapped up the song and looked up into Cora's eyes. "I happened to be in the neighbourhood." He joked, while getting up and stepping towards Cora. Careful he put his hands on her shoulders. "I hope you are not mad?"

"Oh Robert." Cora's words almost got lost when she pressed her lips on his. Her hands were firmly on his back, pulling him close.

Robert slid his hands over her shoulders and softly rubbed his thumbs up and down. He did not want this kiss to end, but he needed some air. Pushing her back, he lifted her chin. "I cannot express how happy this makes me."

"What are you doing here? How did you get here and how did you know where I was?" Cora had her hands on his lower back.

"I swam." He laughed out loud. "I wrote to your brother and asked where I could find you. And so here I am."

Cora pressed her cheek against his chest. "I do adore you, Robert." She looked up again, suddenly her eyes big. "Are you? No way, no way. Are you the pianist that gave me the inspiration I needed to finish my book?"

"I cannot claim that I am without knowing for sure, but I can tell you that the song you just heard was specially written for you."

"I know this song; I wrote a short poem when I heard this for the first time. Something about a small river, a pond and a dear."

Robert brushed with his thumb over Cora's jaw. "I think that I can claim that I am that pianist. Can I read that poem one day?"

Cora got on her tiptoes and kissed him again. "I will read it to you one day." She suddenly stepped back as if a bee was stinging her. "I forgot Harold is here too."

"That is alright little sister. I did not mind watching you two." Harold chuckled, while stepping closer. He shook Robert's hand. "Good to see that my sister chose such a decent man."