Missing in Action

Chapter One

Missing in Action

Chapter One

Cassidy's P.O.V

The café was small and old, but it was quiet and it was cozy. As I walked in, the smell of coffee and cakes struck my nose.

I ordered a hot chocolate with cream and sat in my usual spot by the window. The booths here had green cushioned seats and tables with brown, polished surfaces.

From this seat, I could watch the street. He was late, meaning that he probably wasn't going to show up. I didn't mind, he rarely did now as he had not done so for the past four years. He was busy.

It was early spring and the cold winter presence was still thick in the air. The people that walked in the street wore thick coats to keep out the cold. It had been raining that morning and the pavements still shone like they were covered in gems in the weak sunlight that was battling it's way through the clouds.

It was the closest café to the navy base I worked in and you could see it in the distance from the window. The café was on the seafront and about 100 yards from the marina car park. From the window, they could be seen bobbing up and down with the rough seas.

I took a sip of my drink as the bell above the door rang to indicate that someone had entered the café. The person ordered a coffee. A few minutes later the person sat down across the table from me.

"You're late," I stated taking another sip of my hot chocolate.

"You're not aware of the term 'fashionably late'," he said.

"I'm in the navy, if you're late then you might as well be volunteering for barnacle duty," I retorted.

"I don't even want to know what that is!" he exclaimed.

I smiled.

"Hello Louis," I said putting my cup back down on the table and I looked up at him.

"Hello Cassidy," he said smiling.

"You're still late," I said.

"It's good to see you too Cassidy," he said and we laughed.

"It is good to see you Louis," I replied sincerely.

He looked around and then out the window. "So why this place?" Louis asked.

"Well, it's quiet, not many people come here and they serve great hot chocolate," I answered and we laughed again.

"It's always about hot chocolate with you isn't it," he joked.

"And what's wrong with that!?" I exclaimed.

Louis shook his head still smiling.

I had to admit that I'd missed it. Just talking face to face with Louis. I hadn't seen him in person for three years. We talked over the phone quite a lot and of course his pictures were everywhere, which I was still getting used to.

"How have you been over the past three years?" Louis asked.

"I've been... good I suppose," I said with a sigh.

"But...?" he prompted.

"Louis, I work in the navy," I explained. "My life isn't supposed to be easy. Anyway, I got promoted".

"That's great Cassidy!" Louis exclaimed. "What are you doing now?"

"You know I can't tell you most of it," I replied staring at my cup which had suddenly become very interesting.

"Yes, but you can tell me some of it," he retorted taking a sip of his coffee.

I sighed. I didn't like talking about my job much. Louis' coffee smelt strong. I found myself wondering if his life had become what he had wanted. Maybe we had both expected too much of our dreams.