A Picture says it All (Benedict Cumberbatch FanFiction)

Chapter 7

Benedict got back to his flat, Amanda’s words still playing in his mind. She was right, he was mad to fall for Lisa, but there was just something about her. Maybe it was the beautiful red hair, those eyes maybe the way she was so cute when she was clumsy. Benedict then went to his bathroom, taking a shower, slipping on a pair of sweats, going to his bedroom. When he got into his bed, he wanted to keep texting Lisa all through the night; he had a long day tomorrow working on a couple of radio dramas. He stared at the stack of scripts, waiting for him to be read. He placed his phone on the night stand when a text came through.

*Benedict this is your mother, you haven’t phoned in a while. Lunch Saturday, no excuses*

He couldn’t help smiling at his mother’s text; she was always this way with him. People who didn’t know how their relationship worked would’ve thought her very rude. He just smiled and sends her a quick reply. He was about to add that he met someone when he remembered how she reacted the last time. “Hold on Benedict, don’t rush it.” He chuckled to himself, “Now you’re talking to yourself, you have lost it.” He switched of his light and fell asleep almost immediately, dreaming of a certain red head.

***

The next day Lisa felt like she was walking on a cloud, she had to keep reminding herself to focus on her work. At lunch time she met up with Burt and a couple of other photographers. They decided that since she is new to London they would show her the ropes and short cuts through London. When she got to the tiny restaurant, she was greeted warmly by Burt; he had already ordered a cup of coffee for her. “So young lady, who has givin you that sparkle in your eye?” He winked at her. Lisa could feel how red she was blushing. “Wouldn’t you like to know, but it’s my secret, we all know paps can’t keep a secret.” Burt chuckled at her joke, he felt so protective over this young lady. “So I have some rumours flying around about some famous people and their whereabouts for the day.” He said before draining his cup of tea and checking his watch. “First up is Prince Harry, who has a lunch date,” he pointed to Lisa to finish her coffee while getting up. “Then a rumour has it Martin Freeman is back in town, I know his usual spots, we will be going there.” Lisa felt her stomach drop, she couldn’t go stalking Martin, he was Ben’s friend. She finished her coffee and followed Burt, she made a mental note not to take pictures of him.

When they arrived at an up market bistro on Regent Street, she could see a small group of photographers has received the same tip as Burt. She smiled at how desperately some were pushing at others to get the best view. “Hold on to your camera tightly Lisa, we don’t want it to fall again.” Burt called over his shoulder as he headed to the group, taking his place and setting up his camera. They found out from the others that the date has already arrived and they are just waiting for the Prince. Lisa got her camera ready; she could feel the excitement building with the anticipation of the royals’ arrival. This made her think back on how much she wished she could’ve been in London when the royal baby was born, but she was still a student back then, just finishing her course, and she still had to convince her parents to let her come to London.

When they black car stopped at the curb, Lisa and Burt both took as many pictures of the prince as he made his way to the door of the bistro, she couldn’t believe how casual he was. Waving at some of the people he recognised in their little group. When he went inside, Burt pulled her aside, pointing to her camera. “Let’s see what you got?” she smiled at him while quickly pulling up the pictures she just took. She felt confident as she looked through them with Burt. She was puzzled why he didn’t check his. “Why aren’t you checking?” she said pointing to his camera, he smiled at her, tapping his nose, “Instinct, I know there will be crappy ones and good ones. When you look at them on the screen you will be tempted to delete the perfect ones.” He looked at his watch again. “We are behind schedule, let’s go.” He ran to the curb, hailing a taxi for them.

***

Benedict was stepping out of the BBC studios where he finished the first of two radio dramas that were recorded today. He walked to the smoker’s area; he just needed one drag to get him through the rest of the day. As he was pulling a cigarette out of the package his phone started ringing, he smiled when he saw it was Martin. “Hey Martin, how’s your first day back going?” He heard Martin chuckle at the other end of the line, “It’s good, Amanda and the kids wants you to join us for lunch, where are you?” Benedict checked his watch to see how long he still has before the next session starts “I’m at the BBC broadcast house, where will I get you?” Martin was distracted by one of the kids chatting to him, when he remembered he was on the phone. “We are at a small restaurant on Paddington Street, get over here. I’ll text you the address.” Benedict quickly placed the cigarette back into its package, making a phone call to his agent, asking her to phone and say he might be late, to which she replied “No shit Sherlock, you’re always late, but I will phone.” He hung up; deciding to make his way on foot, since it wasn’t to far, and it was such a lovely day out.

***

The taxi pulled up on Paddington street, as they were getting out of the taxi Lisa looked at Burt who took out a cigarette from its package, “Do you take taxi’s everywhere you go?” she tried to cover her nose and mouth without attracting too much attention, she hated the smell of smoke and was in fact allergic to it, added to that she had Asthma as well, she usually avoided smokers all together. She tried to feel if she remembered to pack her inhaler. The usual spot where she kept it in her bag was empty; it must have fallen out this morning. Burt saw the anxiety in Lisa’s face, “Not usually no, thought it will be a treat for you, we will take the tube next time, promise.” He saw her eyeing his cigarette, “Want one?” he offered the package to her. She shook her head so fast he was feeling drunk for her, “No thanks, I’m actually allergic.” Bert quickly stuffed the cigarette back into the package, snapping it in half. “Sorry love, I didn’t think. The restaurant is this way, Martin and his family always come here, it should be quiet, it’s a school day and that means the kids aren’t with them. Thank God.” Lisa looked puzzled; he then explained further “Both of them hates pictures of the kids popping up. It’s understandable, I have a strict no kids’ policy with all of the photo’s I take, you don’t want to open that can of worms. Remember that Lisa, no photo is ever worth it.”

Burt walked to a small bench outside a quaint little restaurant. The bench was facing the other way from the restaurant but Burt positioned himself on it, using the back rest to hold his camera steady. He started taking photos Lucy looked around she couldn’t even see anyone standing nearby. “Can you see them?” she asked Burt while searching the crowds. Burt nodded his head towards the door of the restaurant, and Lisa saw in the window booth was Martin and Amanda chatting away. She took her camera out and took a couple of pictures to give to her editor. At least it will earn her a little more than normal. She looked at the surrounding area, it was so lovely. She decided to take a couple of pictures to send back home to her parents. While snapping a couple she could see through her view finder, a now familiar face approaching through the crowds. She could see he was looking for a specific place and decided not to bother him, she continued taking pictures of the buildings.

From behind her she could here Burt whistling, and mumbling “Jackpot” under his breath. She knew he probably spotted Benedict striding past. When she turned around she could see what was getting Burt so excited. In the window of the restaurant, Benedict was hugging Martin and Amanda, “Love, you better get some; this will make your editor so happy you will be able to stay away from work for months and she will still pay you with a bonus!” Burt was taking pictures like it was his last day. Lisa started to take a couple and decided to like Burt not check any of them. “Time to act like the professionals Lisa” she kept thinking to herself. Lisa and Burt took photos for a couple of minutes more, before deciding to call it a day, as they both had to get to other assignments. They both headed to the tube station where Burt showed her how to get to her next stop. As they parted ways Lisa’s text alert went off.

*Saw you outside, would’ve loved spending the afternoon with you. What are you doing tonight? B*

Lisa practically started glowing, she typed a message back but saw she had no signal, and decided to send it later.