A Picture says it All (Benedict Cumberbatch FanFiction)

Chapter 23

A/N: Thank you all once again for reading. Here is a longer one, I hope you enjoy.

The next day Lisa left her parents on their own to explore London, “Are you sure you will be okay?” she asked her mother for the millionth time that morning, her parents got overwhelmed when they just went to Johannesburg which was probably the biggest city in South Africa, and London was at least a couple of times bigger. “Don’t worry sweetheart, you go work before your boss fires you. Go on, we will be okay.” Her mother said pushing her out of the door and closing it behind her. Standing flabbergasted looking at the closed door she knocked on it once waiting for her mother to open the door. It swung open her mother looking guilty holding Lisa’s handbag and camera bag in her hands. “Sorry sweetheart.” She said smiling as she handed the bags to Lisa. Shouldering her bag, she shook her head waving casually at her mother before running down the stairs. Walking out of the front door of the building she almost wanted to cry, it was a beautiful day, the skies were clear, the sun was already warm on her skin. It would be a great spring day and she hoped today’s assignments would be outside.

Walking into the office she put her handbag into a drawer in her desk, quickly slipping her purse into a side zip of her camera bag. She grabbed a notepad, making her way to Peter’s office. Knocking timidly on his door, she could see he wasn’t in a good mood. “Morning Peter, I wanted to find out what today’s assignments would entail?” Peter watched her closely as she nervously stood playing with the cap of her pen. “Lisa how good are you at writing? I know your photos are excellent but we are combining job titles, I can only keep you on if you can write.” Lisa looked at him confusion on her face. “Look it costs more to send a journalist and a photographer to an event than it does if we only send one person.” Lisa nodded slowly, “I understand, I wrote for the school paper, but that was childish essays.” Peter leaned back in his chair watching her intently. “Okay here is a proposal, I send you out with Josh today, you shadow him, take photos as you would normally do, but at the end of the day I want an articles from you.” He ran his hand through his hair; Lisa had noticed this was a habit with him when he didn’t know what else to add to a conversation. “This way if you’re rubbish at it, I still have decent articles from Josh, and if you are good, Josh will have to watch his back.” He turned towards his laptop, waving a hand showing she is dismissed.

Lisa walked out of his office, feeling dazed, could she really do this? She always wanted to write, but never thought she could actually make a career from it. She walked towards Josh’s desk, standing next to it, waiting for him to finish typing. When he looked up his grey eyes lit up, he jumped up giving her a hug, surprising her, she awkwardly hugged him back. “So you will be my shadow for the day? This is going to be amazing, I have a couple of good assignments today.” He said excitedly. “Go grab a notepad and your camera, and let’s head out.” Lisa stood watching him not being able to get a word in she shrugged her shoulders walking back to her desk, she slipped her notepad and pen into the already stuffed bag, slinging it across her shoulder she walked out of the office behind Josh. The two of them were clutching onto a pole on the tube, making their way to central London, where they would have to interview a school girl for rescuing her elderly neighbour from her burning flat. “Have you written much?” Josh asked curiously, his arm resting around her waist, helping her keep her balance from the swaying of the fast moving train. “I was part of the school paper, but that was years ago. I don’t even know if I can still do this.” Josh smiled down at her, “Don’t worry if you are a natural it will all come back to you. I bet you are a brilliant writer.” This comment made Lisa blush as all compliments always did and she started looking around inside the car. It was packed, and people were standing very close against each other. “This is definitely not a city to have claustrophobia or a personal space issue is it?” Josh chuckled shaking his head, he held her elbow, steering her towards the door. “Next stop is ours.” He helped her out, leading her up the stairs, his hand still holding onto her elbow.