Alicia took hold of Lin's arm.
"Thank you for coming with me but you really didn't have to, I would've found my way round albeit more slowly with this old thing."
She lifted a walking stick she remembered she had stashed in a cupboard.
"I'm only 43, less of the 'old thing' "
She thumped him playfully in the side. "You know very well I wasn't talking about you."
He laughed. "Hmm maybe, hey fancy grabbing some lunch? Don't know about you but I'm starving."
"Are you sure you don't have any work to be getting on with? I mean lunch sounds great but you've been with me pretty much the past 3 days."
"Let me worry about my work load. I know a great place just round the corner. You might need to help me up the stairs though. Not sure my aging 43 year old knees will manage."
"Cute Lin. Real cute."
He chuckled as they climbed the steps and took a seat in the restaurant.
They ordered drinks and Lin read through the menu out loud.
Alicia pondered.
"Oh God it all sounds amazing. I can't decide. Call the server over and say what you want. I'll have to make a decision then."
"There's no rush, we can wait."
"We will be here all night, please just order."
Lin placed his order and the server nodded writing it down. When he had finished he turned expectantly to Alicia saying nothing and waited.
Lin quietly spoke. "Lis, what do you want to eat?"
The server turned to Lin and rolled his eyes sarcastically."It's ok, I've got all day. I like being ignored anyway."
Lin glared at him, his voice shaking with anger. "What did you just say?"
"I erm... "
Alicia reached over and felt for his arm. "Lin it's fine."
"It is not fine. That was rude and completely uncalled for..."
"It's Fine. Please." She turned
to the server. "I apologise for not acknowledging you. I'm blind, I didn't know you were waiting on my order. Can I have the carbonara please."
The server went beetroot red. "I am so sorry madam, sir. I didn't realise."
"Well maybe next time you shouldn't assume and try to be smart."
"Lin! Stop. I don't need you to speak for me." She smiled at the server.
"Thank you for your apology. Now please can we have some water for the table."
"Certainly, I am sorry." He turned and walked away.
Lin fiddled with his fork. "Sorry"
Alicia smiled at him. "You don't need to be my bodyguard Lin."
"I know. I just... I just don't like people making fun of you."
"Neither do I, but he clearly didn't realise."
"No, but still rude."
"Then get annoyed for his rudeness not for his lack of awareness.
You didn't realise when we first met."
He shrugged.
"Lin?"
"Sorry, no I didn't you're right."
"Please stop thinking you are more capable than I am. I don't want you here as a human guide dog, I want you here because I love your company. If you carry on I'll feel as though I can't go anywhere with you as an equal."
Lin sighed and took her hands in his. "I absolutely don't think that I'm more capable. But you are not my equal. You are so much better than me in so many ways."
The server returned with the water and food. "Madam, your carbonara."
She smiled and sat back in her chair. "Thank you. Smells delicious."
He put down Lin's plate. "Can I get you anything else."
Lin coughed. "Yeah, could I have a handshake please. I apologise. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I ran my mouth off. It doesn't happen very often thankfully. I'm sorry."
The server shook Lin's hand gratefully and left them to it.
Alicia smiled.
"So tell me your ideas."
Lin put down his fork. "Ok. So...."
15 minutes later he got to the end. "What do you think?"
Alicia shook her head in amazement. "It sounds fantastic. This is just something else. Will you really be able to do this?"
"Sure! Give me a couple weeks. Most things are getting sorted as we speak. The costumes are pretty much sorted. I've booked the Rodger's for a day, we can set everything up on stage. Just need to work out a safe route for people to get on there. Two weeks. Can you start to get invites out? Call people you think will be interested? We'll be ready. It's gonna be great."
He took a breath and looked at her. Only now noticing she had tears on her cheeks.
He reached over and wiped one away with his thumb. His voice full of concern. "You ok? Are you in pain? Do you want to go?"
Alicia laughed and held his hand to her face. "I'm fine. You just don't realise what this means to me. Thank you"
"I don't need thanks. I want to do this. Please stop crying now because you're going to make me start and then that poor server is going to think there's something wrong with the food and he's already having a bit of a day!"
She laughed. "How would you know?"
"Huh?"
"How would you know there's something wrong with the food? You've been talking non stop for the past 20 minutes. I would like to bet you haven't even taken a mouthful."
Lin looked down at his plate.
"Oh."
"Tell me I'm wrong."
He chuckled quietly. "I can't."
His hand was still cupping her face, his thumb stroking her cheek.
She took it off and intertwined her fingers with his.
A torrent of feelings washed over him as he looked at her. His heart racing, his mind full of confusion.
"Lin, your food will be cold. Eat."
He took his hand away and picked up his fork. "I'm kind of used to it"
Alicia smiled at him. "I bet you are"
