London with Love

Chapter 2. Today.

Emily entered the wine bar on the South Bank of the Thames

River. Her friend hadn't arrived yet as Emily swivelled her head to look

for a spare table. She found it by the window and took her Chardonnay

over to the two-seater leather sofa. The drink tasted of lemon and cream,

which she realised wouldn't be on the standard description from a wine

expert. While she waited, she checked her mobile until she found a message

from Jessica announcing that her friend would be late.

The view outside the window resembled a postcard of London: Tower

Bridge lit up in the dark, with lights glittering along the supporting

cables. On the other side of the river, the Tower of London still had, it

seemed to her, an ominous feel to it; centuries of kings and queens had

imprisoned their opponents in dark dungeons there before having their

heads chopped off.

Loud laughter came from the bar as a man in a suit with an opennecked

white shirt joined a group of after-work people at the far corner.

They sneaked glances at Emily as if discussing her. Another message from

Jessica said she would be there in two minutes.

While absorbed in her mobile, a shadow invaded her space; someone

stood in front of her table. It was a guy she hadn't noticed before: tall,

wearing a shirt and tie but no jacket. He held two cocktails, one coloured

pink with a cherry in it and the other one blue with the glass rim edged

with sugar. The accent was London middle class, with a well-rehearsed

chat-up line: 'You choose a cocktail, and I'll have the other one.'

She found it funny. Without realising it, she leaned her body back on

the sofa and crossed her legs. Her attitude spelt dreamy, languid, relaxed.

She didn't need to look down to know her tight skirt had risen too much

up her thigh, caused by the slight forward shift in her hips as she loosened

her body. She knew her legs were attractive, strong from the hours of dance

practice, but she emphasised their quality by twisting her ankle seductively.

No words came from her as she considered what to say, although it was

too late anyway.

Jessica appeared from the side, and in one swift movement leaned

over and kissed Emily on the mouth. Their usual kiss was cheek to cheek.

Emily's surprise developed rapidly into shock as she found herself pinned

down against the cushion. Jessica took her time to gently move her lips

over Emily's.

Jessica collapsed on the sofa and turned to the man, who wore a

surprised expression. 'Forgive my girlfriend for showing too much leg,'

Jessica said. 'I do apologise. And thanks for the drinks.' Jessica brazenly