Paula Acton

Todays Flash is inspired by photo taken in a pub in Warwick

He knew he needed to impress her and quickly.  Things had started so well two weeks ago when they first met at work, she had waited at his table, a cliché he was well aware but it really had been lust at first sight if not quite love.  That first encounter they had barely exchanged a word yet the messages that flashed between them ensured he left a sizeable tip.

He had returned the next day and after a little persuasion had managed to ensure he was placed at the same table.  This time without his workmates surrounding him he had managed to find out more about her and by the time she delivered the bill to his table he had secured her phone number.

After a few hours spent running up their phone bills they had gone out and that was when she dropped the bombshell.  She was only home for the summer and only had a week remaining before she headed back to University.  She had been honest from the start telling him she was not looking to get involved now he understood why.  The idea of a long distance relationship didn’t thrill him but the idea of letting her walk out of his life was not an option.  They had kept talking, she kept saying she liked him but didn’t want to start anything, him telling her it was too late they already had and that they could make it work.  She had avoided actually meeting up with him in person admitting that she was keeping him at arms length, her honesty only attracted him more.  He had convinced her to give him one evening to show her they could have a future, that they could beat the odds and make it work.

He had racked his brain for the perfect plan, five star restaurants had been thought of and dismissed, pubs and bars the same.  He stood now in his kitchen and surveyed his handy work. Her favourite foods cooked from scratch, wine chilled, and candles lit.

He looked at his watch again she was already ten minutes late.