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The next morning, I was up and ready waiting for Alex. He'd texted to say he was on his way over and I was looking forward to whatever the day was about to bring. I'd made sure to wrap up in jeans and a thick jumper, but had done my makeup a little extra and styled my hair just in case we were going somewhere a little dressier.
When Alex texted to say he was parked outside, I said goodbye to Keira and headed out of the apartment, down the building in the lift and outside where Alex waved at me from the driver's seat.
'Good morning,' I said, as I climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.
'Wow, you look very pretty today, Ava,' Alex replied, reaching over to squeeze my hand before he smiled and pulled away, signalling to the coffee cup in the holder. 'Coffee for you.'
'Oh, thank you,' I said, grinning as I saw that it was coffee bought from "our place".
Alex pulled away from the kerb and we drove down the street, heading towards the central part of the city.
'So, where are we going?' I asked him. 'I don't know how you can drive in this part of London, it's so scary.'
'I'm used to it,' he chuckled. 'I never was one for getting the tube. I'd rather spend a fortune on parking and risk getting rammed off the road by a taxi than be crushed up against some smelly, homeless guy.'
'Oh, I see,' I replied, laughing softly, although I didn't find his remarks about homeless people particularly funny and was equally as surprised to find out that he was a tube snob. I'd never minded taking the tube before I'd been able to afford my car.
'Anyway, we're here,' he told me. 'I just need to park up.'
I nodded but I was curious as to where exactly "here" was. We were just in the general city centre and not actually too far from VC. There were no restaurants on the street we had parked. I glanced up at Fenwick, the huge department store in front of me and realised that there was probably a restaurant in there.
I stayed in the car while Alex paid at the meter and when he returned, he opened the door for me and I stepped out, as he took my hand in his and closed the door behind me.
'Let's go,' he said, leading me across the street towards Fenwick.
'So, what's in here?' I asked him. I'd been to Fenwick many times to buy perfume or makeup but pretty much every concession stand in the place was designer and I could never afford the likes of the clothing or jewellery, even though I had been splashing out on such things lately.
'What do you mean?' he laughed. 'It's a department store; there is plenty in here.'
'I know that,' I chuckled, as we headed through the entrance doors. 'I've been to Fenwick before but never for food.'
We were greeted by jolly Christmas music and beautiful golden garlands hanging from the ceilings. There was a Christmas tree at every concession stand and shoppers were frantically rushing about with arms full of shopping bags. It was very festive and made me feel excited for Christmas for the first time this year. It seemed that this year I was finally going to have someone to share it with.
