For Kaila

Lunch with Kaila

You slip into the passenger seat as he closes the door for you. Your heart is racing. He starts the Merc up, revving the engine for your pleasure. You giggle with pure delight at the sound, vibration, and the pure physical closeness of his body. He smells good, he looks good, and hes trying hard to impress you and you know it.

You scoot along the city streets heading for the freedom of the M1, where he can really open her up. He enjoys playing with the car. With every move he looks for your reaction. Mr Clarkson, it seems, is thoroughly enjoying himself and it makes you happy just to see it.

"Savutes...ever been to eat there?" He asks. You shake your head no. "Best Italian food outside of Italy! Shall we?"
"Yes please!" You reply as he throttles the car with new purpose.

You like the way he seems to do everything...with purpose....gear changes are sharp, decisions are made and acted upon. Then you realize..you were a decision today too. Your cheeks flush a bit and nervousness returns.

He soon slips the Merc into a car park "Stay right there." he instructs you as he exits the car. He walks around to open your door and offers you a hand out. Your small hand slips into his large warm hand. You secretly thrill at the touch of him as you stand up. Disappointed that he lets go as you walk towards the restaurant.

When offered, Clarkson chooses to be seated outdoors. The staff seat you at a small table for two away from the other patrons. The weather is beautiful and you realize you can easily be seen from the street. Obviously he's not worried about paparazzi. The truth of the matter was he enjoyed watching the wind play in your hair.

He orders a bottle from the wine list and you make you selections from the menu. Talk turns to cars and filming. Jeremy enjoys regaling you with the antics of the boys.

"You know we start filming again next week." he said looking intently at you. "Why don't you come out, we can have some fun."

You like the way he looks at you, eye to eye, intently like he's absolutely interested in every word you have to say. His eyes are so intense and blue, they sparkle and dance when he gets excited about something. Jeremy Clarkson is a man of many passions it seems.

"I would love to!" You try not to gush, but really can't help it. "Any chance I could bring my roommate? She would never forgive me if I went without her."

"Oh of course! No problem. " He starts telling you about this new Lexus LFA that he's going to have on the program that day.

You come to realize, through the course of lunch, that you're amazingly comfortable around him. Everything just seems to mesh, and you talk like you've known him forever. As nervous as you were for this lunch date, things have been easy and relaxed.

Reluctantly he seems to pay the bill and you head towards the car park again. "Where is your car parked love?" He asked "Near Claytons, I would assume?"

"No, actually I walked to work this morning." you replied, quickly adding "but you can drop me there if you want and I can walk home."

Shocked "You walked to work in those shoes?!?" He laughed from his gut and so did you. "How about I just drive you home then?"

You gratefully accept his offer, giving him directions towards your neighborhood. You can't believe that Jeremy Clarkson now knows where you live! He opens the door and hands you out from the car again.

"Would you like to come in?" You really don't want the afternoon to end "cup of tea perhaps?" To your surprise he agrees and waves and arm so that he can follow you up to the house. You lead him up the back fire escape stairs to the third floor flat.

The door cracks open and you can see the Top Gear opening images paused on the Tv screen. "Hey.." you yell into the emptiness.

"Omg! That was a loooong lunch" Colleen squealed popping out from the kitchen. Her jaw dropped to see Clarkson enter behind you. You made the introductions and Jeremy reached out to shake her hand.

"I'm sorry" Colleen said gesturing towards her choice of clothes "had I known you'd be here I would have put on something nicer after work." Rather embarrassingly Colleen went to turn the TV off.

"You don't have to do that on my account" Jeremy piped up. "I'm rather fond of that show."

Having tea and store bought biscuits in the kitchen with Jeremy Clarkson.... What a way to spend an evening?! Joking and laughing...this was great.

Colleen grabbed her phone and went to snap a candid picture...Kaila jumped in and goofily photo bombed Jeremy.

Suddenly Jeremy turned serious. "Now, can I ask....*sigh... Please don't share that with the press...."

Immediately Colleen apologized. "Oh my god no! I never even thought of doing that! I was just going to put it in my journal entry tonight! I am so sorry, I should've asked your permission first. Would you like me to delete it?"

"Nooo!" Clarkson bellowed "Here, take a better one then." His arm slid around Kaila's waist drawing her in to stand next to him at the kitchen counter.

This was the first time Kaila realized how much the press does bother Jeremy. It was sad to see that behind the big bravado, Jeremy was hurt by the things they said. "Listen, Jeremy" Kaila began "You're safe here. In this house. Ok? We just enjoy your company" She put her hand over his lightly giving it a squeeze.

"Thank you." he squeezed her hand back. "Listen, I really do have to be going now. But thank you for the tea." He nodded to Colleen. "Kaila would you mind walking me out?"

They walked back down the fire escape to his waiting car. "You know you promised me a picture of you in that suit tomorrow." she chided him.

"So I did..... but I don't have your number" he responded handing her his phone.

She keyed in her information and clicked Save. "I expect you to make good on that promise Mr."

"I will" he smiled genuinely. The kind of smile that reached his eyes and make them dance. "Thank you for today. I just... I really... I haven't felt myself lately, and I really needed this. Thank you." She squeezed his hand tight and watched on the porch until the sleek black Merc was out of sight before she went back into the house.