Love All

Second Service

"Did you collect the tickets Luke?"  Tom looked up from his laptop as the door opened.  "I'm just about finished, just need to change and then head off..

Luke Windsor wasn't one for panic.  In his job, he had to be the epitome of cool, calm and collected. Today. however, his years of experience deserted him. His palms were sweaty and his voice sounded like a 14 year old on helium. 

"Tom, there's been a bit of a hiccup.  I...errr.. I might have..." 

"Please don't tell me you forgot?  Aww Luuuuke!" Tom's face was the picture of disappointment. "You KNOW this is my one real treat to myself.  I've been looking forward to it since last year!" he snapped the laptop shut with a sigh.  Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a breath. 

First world problem, he reminded himself.  Some people didn't have a home, he had no right moaning about no seat.  "It's ok, really. " he opened his eyes, "I'll watch on tv, and I suppose at least that way I don't have to wear a suit so there's an upside to even your faux pax!" He stood and patted Luke on the shoulder as he walked to the door.

Luke let out a breath, Tom really was the nicest man in England, even in the face of crushing disappointment.  Just as well he'd managed to salvage something.

"Actually, you could still wear the suit - if you wanted." he smiled a little and Tom paused, eyebrow raised in an unspoken and excited question. "I managed to get you a return?  It's not in the debenture seats and you'd be sitting in amongst random fans but you'd be Court three. I've managed to get you two for finals day as compensation. Don't ask me how, I wont' tell you.  Just promise me you'll not be photographed eating goddamn Haribo's this year ok?"

"LUKE YOU LITTLE BEAUTY!" Tom enveloped him in a huge man-hug.  "I have no idea how you do it, but you are a star.  I couldn't care less if I'm sitting on the Umpire's lap, at least I'm there. And Finals day again?  I bet I know who I have to thank for that - other than you but for now?  You my son, are a true hero.  Now, I better go.  I may not need to be suited and booted, but I better at least put on a clean shirt.  Tickets from the usual spot?"

Luke nodded, relief washing over him.  "Yes, usual spot.  And Tom?"  He called him back as his employer and friend floated out the door.

"Yes?" the tousled red-blonde head popped back in with a grin.

"Try and not argue with the line judges this year?" he winked and Tom flushed. 

"It was just once...."   he shrugged and was gone.  Luke laughed and shook his head.  Tom and tennis.  Like the almost endless supply of strawberries and cream they sold outside Centre Court.  Quintessentially English.  All he needed was someone to have his own love match with.  Pity Wimbledon didn't have an endless supply of pretty girls too....

"I'd like to return this ticket, I emailes abour it earlier?" Cara spoke into the little window and the professional smile on the other side nodded.  "My mother is unwell, so can't use it.  Someone else should have the chance."

"Thank you Miss, I'll arrange to have your card refunded as soon as we re-sell it. Should be there later today." The professional smile reassured Cara that there would be no question of that failing to happen.  Tickets were like hen's teeth.  A couple of signatures later and Cara was free to go.  

Turning, she looked around.  It was, despite her initial misgivings, going to be a nice day out.  Smoothing down her vintage 50's style sundress, well, it WAS Wimbledon, she walked into the hallowed compound.  To her left, Henman Hill - or was that Murray Mount these days? To her right the show courts - Centre, No1 and No2 then on to the lesser known but equally busy outside courts. 

Despite her wishing it was otherwise - for her mum's sake - her ballot allocation had only allowed for one of these "lesser" courts.  Still, it was all an experience and maybe she'd get someone next to her that could help her feel like less of a newbie at all this.  

Pausing at the concession stand, she bought a ridiculously expensive punnet of strawberries and cream and a little plastic wine glass of chilled Chardonnay.  With a guilty smile she turned and walked away, bumping into someone obviously in a tearing hurry in the other direction. 

"Ooof!" he pulled up short and put his hands up to prevent the newly purchased strawberries from decorating his clean white shirt. "Sorry, entirely my fault Miss!" he smiled and Cara looked up, her frown dissolving instantly.

"That's ok..." she managed to croak, her breath leaving her body. "I should have been watching out.  All new to me this, juggling food and navigating crowds." she blushed as she looked up into the face of a man she knew so very well but hardly knew at all.

"Don't worry darling, you'll get the hang of it. Pleased to meet you..."

"Cara..." 

"Well Cara, I'm Tom and it's been a pleasure almost wearing your snack. Sadly my ticket calls me and I need to dash before play resumes.  Hopefully I can almost wear your snack another time!" he held out his hand and she extricated one from her belongings.  To her unending joy, he didn't shake it, instead he kissed it gently. "Adieu Cara...." and with that he was gone.

She stood, a full five minutes going past, as she returned to earth.  Tom Hiddleston had kissed her hand.  Life would never be the same again.  On a cloud of euphoria she made her way to her seat in court three.  As she arranged herself and looked around, she could see one or two empty seats including the one her mother should have sat in next to her.

As she sipped her wine and munched her fruit, she relaxed.  If nothing else, she had the wonderful, if brief, meeting with Tom.  Tennis, no matter how exciting would never top that.  The sun shone and she retrieved her sunglasses from her bag, slipping them on along with a little more suncream.

She was just returning the bottle to it's hiding place when something - or someone - blocked out the sun.  Before she had a chance to move, a male voice floated down to her.

"Good afternoon, please excuse me, I believe I'm sitting next to you...." she sat up and turned to look at the newcomer, suddenly glad she was sitting down.  

His jaw dropped and his eyes popped out of his head, a beaming smile spreading over his impossibly handsome face.

"Cara, how wonderful to see you again!" Tom couldn't believe his luck.