British Rose

11. Sweet Creature

Charlotte's apartment – Sunday, 15th of September

Sunday morning was spent in bed. Neither of them wanted to get up and interrupt their cozy bubble of cuddles, kisses and the exploration of new grounds while still staying out of their respective safety zone.

At one point, Harry's phone lit up with a few texts from his mom. She had sent pictures from their trip to the petting zoo.

"Oh my god, that is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life," Charlotte exclaimed over a photograph of Aria petting a baby goat. She was dressed in red pants, a white shirt and a yellow jacket, her strawberry blonde hair already so long it was falling over her shoulders. Her green eyes were sparkling with excitement over the small animal being so friendly. Her nose and cheeks were covered in freckles. Although they were already fainting, they reminded Charlotte of Barcelona. The happy memories put a warm feeling in her belly.

Harry had already intended to put his phone away again and resume the cuddling when he looked down at his lady and decided to preserve this moment in digital form. He shot a quick selfie of them both lying in bed, cuddled up with crazy hair and sleeping clothes. Looking at it again, he noticed the relaxed and happy expression on both of their faces. Had he finally found his home? In previous relationships, a certain restlessness had always remained, no matter how hard he tried or how much he had liked the other person. And despite the fact they weren't 'serious' or official yet, he had noticed he was already more emotionally involved with her than he had been with some people whom he had dated seriously for a much longer time than Charlotte. He was more than excited to see what the universe held in store for them in the upcoming weeks and months.

There was a quiet knock on Charlotte's bedroom door at around 12.

When Charlotte answered "Yeah, come in", the brunette curls of her roommate appeared in the doorframe.

"Hey, good morning sleepyheads. I was wondering if you were up for a Sunday Roast? I called The Independent and they have one table left for today, if we're quick."

Harry and Charlotte exchanged looks to check if the other one was up for it. Before either of them could answer Giovanna, Harry's stomach did.

They broke into laughter for a moment before Harry got up to get dressed and pulled the blanket from Charlotte's hands.

"Come on, we have to get our move on. I bet you're hungry too."

With the warm cover removed, Charlotte started to shiver in her t-shirt and underwear. He really could be rude sometimes. In a cool way.

The pub was packed with people. Almost every table was covered in glasses, plates and half-eaten pots with all kinds of typical Roast food. One small table in a back corner was still empty, just big enough to fit the three of them.

Giovanna waved to the owner, who was serving another table with fresh drinks, to let him know that they had arrived.

They ordered their food and drinks and fell into easy conversation over this and that. Giovanna had asked how their evening went at the Beach cinema and Harry had started rambling on end how great it had been.

When their food was brought to the table, the conversation came to a halt, but Harry saw in the insecure expression on Giovanna's face that something was bothering her.

"Hey, you alright?"

Giovanna looked up and met his gaze. "I don't know. I just realized, maybe I shouldn't have brought you to such a packed public place. Aren't you afraid to be recognized?" She felt really sorry that she had put not only Harry, but also Charlotte into this situation when they weren't even an official couple yet. Harry let his eyes roam over the place, then turned his attention back to the question he had been asked.