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Chapter 3: The Move

I just wanted to say again. It is very apparent that I do not live in London (unfortunately. welll I wanted to be a journalist for the BCC at London but I won't spare you the stupidity of my actions in my youth that got me sidetracked). Please ignore any London related errors. Hope you enjoy.

p.s. sorry for crappy grammar...

Alec had sent her some messages and she answered briefly, without going into much detail, saying "where, when" and so on. They had made a second appointment to have a final discussion and decided to meet at lunchtime. Their second "date" was with The King's Head; an ironic reference, because Alec felt somewhere that his "head" was at stake. It was a cosy bistro famous for its rustic dishes with large portions and a favourite with shopping and working London as it was close to a business park and a shopping centre.

Alec was there first; his case had ended a bit earlier and so he took the underground and two buses to the restaurant. On the way he could not stop thinking about how his life suddenly turned out. This was not foreseen in the cards and the whole thing came at an extremely unfortunate moment, he was working on his promotion and the last thing he needed was a relationship that was doomed to fail.

He was lost in thoughts again until he saw her come in. It was obvious that she still felt uncomfortable as her face spoke volumes. She nervously walked up to him and greeted him with a timid "Hi".

He nodded to her kindly in response and she sat down, after she had installed herself, he asked her if she should go back to work. She answered that she should not and said she had the rest of the day off.

"Good. Then we will have extra time to discuss some things," he said resolutely, then a waiter came to take the orders. While they were waiting, the couple fell back into an uncomfortable silence. Alec had noticed earlier that she found it difficult to look him straight in the eye and that while talking to him she often looked over his shoulder, at something that seemed to be behind him. He did not like it somehow, it felt rude somewhere and it irritated him, he who was never too moved to tell people what he thought of them. A profession as solicitor could not have been more suited for him, not that he was sly to avoid the loopholes of the law, but because he could defend his arguments in a clear and concise manner.

She nervously took a sip of her coke and Alec wanted this afternoon to be over already, so he regained control of the conversation.

"Well, to get back to our previous meeting... We had decided that you' and he sighed without wanting to 'come and live with me'. Are you going to be able to move quickly? My guest room is fully furnished so you don't have to take much with you. And oh... Good news. There is financial compensation for those who move, maybe this compensation can help you with the rent of your flat".

"I won't have any trouble moving," she said concisely.

"Fine then I suggest that you come and see me the day after tomorrow and register at my address because that is a requirement..." She nodded briefly and he gave her his address, which she entered in her phone.

"A few things about my flat... A cleaning lady comes by a few times a week to clean. I often do not have time to cook because I make long days, so I am often not there for dinner. When I am there I often go for sports or jogging. I am NOT often at home, I want to warn you in advance so then you have the house to yourself'', he concluded.

A flicker of irritation took place in her eyes, an emotion he could not name. She could name it, irritation about his arrogance. As if she was going to wait for him every day like a little puppy, SHE also had a life, friends, family to spend time with.

However, she did not feel like arguing, because this situation was shameful enough and, who knows, they were again being watched. Later... she might say something about his attitude. He seemed relieved that the conversation came to an end and the food arrived which they silently ate. He paid for the food, even though she said she didn't mind paying for her half and he remarked that he could easily pay for it, which inadvertently turned out to be patronising again. She muttered something that she would pay next time and he gave her a smug smile.