Time Changes

Part Four

                "You look stunning," Peter eventually rasped with a dry throat.

Lex smiled for a second, and it just completed the picture of absolute perfection...for a second. Then she scowled. “I was just phoning your room...to return the champagne!”

Smiling he walked past her in to the room, “lucky I pre-empted that.”  And before she could complain, he had reached for the bottle.

For whatever reason she didn’t fight him further, in fact she stayed, half propped on the dresser across the room from him, the dress split to reveal those long shapely legs in all their glory.

How he managed to open the bottle, pour glasses and converse, he had no idea. Later he remembered odd word or topics, but the clearest memories were of her smile, that infectious laugh, and her long neck accommodating the champagne as she sipped it elegantly. There was definitely no sign of the little girl he remembered. She was a hundred percent vixen, and he had no idea how to deal with the conflict that fact created.

Eventually after a tortuous time, the closeness to this ice maiden had backfired on Peter, he was leading her into the dining room. And not one pair of eyes didn’t try and discreetly glance at her as she entered the room. No one else came close to her, that was for sure. Within moments of arriving she was swamped by Bob and various other friends of Oliver, and he left her in their hands, talking about International Politics and Olympic medallists.

They were sat at different tables, he with some old college friends, her again with Bob and his cronies, and he was glad, how the hell was he meant to socialise when he could barely think in her presence?

The evening was a laugh for Alexis. Bob was like the favourite and humorous relative at Christmas, full of stories and wit, but he still had an eye peeled to protect her from everything. The food was divine, salmon mousse followed by roast duck, and her favourite cheesecake for dessert. It was very un-Swedish, but she was uncaring, and the wine was exceptional too. And for every moment that she thought about the food, or inane topics of conversations, she wasn’t thinking about Peter. And that was a definite plus.

When the dancing started, Bob insisted on dragging Lex onto the dance floor. She laughed at his antics, he took ‘Dad dancing’ to a whole new level. After a few dances with her other dinner mates, she found a stool at the bar where she could peruse the room without being thrust into the middle of everything. The wallflower’s view of a dance. Her usual place.

Ordering a glass of wine she sat there happily. Lots were dancing, and there were more than a few drunk people, so there was plenty to watch. It was one of her favourite things, people watching, and drunk people watching was even better!

                "Is this seat taken?" a by now more than familiar voice asked.

She shrugged, not in the mood to argue, she was full from the delicious food, and relaxed from the wine and champagne, "be my guest!"

Peter sat on the adjacent stool, "Another drink?"

She smiled, "that’d be nice! Thanks!"

She tried not to study him as he ordered a beer and another glass of wine of her, paying the barman with a generous tip before sliding the glass in front of he and sitting down.

                "Did you enjoy the meal?" When she glanced up Peter was studying her intently.

She nodded, "I love food, and good food even more! It’s a quality place here! Though I’m surprised it wasn’t more Swedish. Henrietta didn’t half enjoy winding me up about pickled fish and gherkins!"