Quiet Little French Girl. [h.s.]

Beautiful Laughs; Brick Walls.

"So are you excited for tonight?" I ask Odette with a rather wide grin already knowing what her answer will be.

'Yes, but I'm a little nervous', her hands sign to me, the intricate movements creating a pathway of communication for the both of us. It's like our own world away from reality, our little secret.

"Why are you nervous?" I question with somewhat concern - although from previous comments by friends and colleagues of hers - I know why Odette is acting the way she is; her behaviour isn't negative towards me however she is very much on edge, and I have no idea why.

'I'm just not used to all of this.' She admits and I automatically know she's talking about the attention she receives from me.

"Well start getting used to it because I'm not going anywhere." I chuckle lightheartedly, glancing at the content smile that now covers her features. I love it when she does that.

'Good, I don't want you to.' Her smile remains strong as she stares ahead, clearly embarrassed by her words as a red blush creeps to her cheeks.

"I don't want to either." I blush at her flattery as my husky voice speaks without permission from my brain.

The car ride remains silent as I drive to the restaurant. I decided last night that I wanted to take Odette to one of my favourite places in Devon, it's a cute little Victorian building called 'The Cobbled Inn'.

It's one of those place that I always drive past on my way to work, I always see it and think 'I'd love to eat there and see what it's like inside', it's just so inviting to me.

The old walls are made from strong thick stones with the occasional sturdy wooden beam to hold the sheltered front of the building. Windows are strewn beautifully across the front in the most symmetrical of ways, and the man made wooden roof rests effortlessly on top.

It's a beautiful building; I admire not only it's appearance, but how it's aged so wonderfully, and the incredible story it has ventured so far in it's long and trouble-less life.

The car comes to a soft halt as I park smoothly into a free space, conveniently right outside the front door. I glance over to Odette watching as her eyes stare in awe at the idilic building. 'Wow' she spells out for me.

Her jaw drops further as I jump out and walk around the front of the vehicle, opening her door like a true gentleman and holding my hand out for her to take. The smooth skin of her fingers contact my palm and send a warm rush through to my heart, her small thumb squeezing gently in aid.

'This place looks amazing!' Her enthusiasm excites me, I really do hope she enjoys herself tonight, it would mean everything to me if she did. 'How did you find it?'

"I drive past it everyday when I go to work," I inform her. "I've always wanted to come here because it's so beautiful, but I never had a reason to. Although, now I do." A cheeky grin makes it's way onto my face and I hold back my chuckle as she blushes yet again, I love how I have that effect on her.

We walk beside each other into the beautifully picturesque building, our hands brushing flirtatiously as we walk and small giggles or chuckles leaving our lips at the teasing contact. Once we are seated on a small table in the corner of the room, a pleasant waiter dressed in all black comes over to take our orders; his smile widening as he see's the both of us, he's fairly young, late teens I'd say.

Odette points to her choice and I say it out for the waiter to hear, she obviously doesn't like people knowing about her being deaf. Once he leaves with a genuine smile, I look over to Odette. 'Sorry about that' she signs awkwardly, her face blushing at her previous actions.