Chapter Text
Camille bids goodbye to her date and glares at her Mother across the room as she does so.
In less than a minute Catherine is by her side. 'Really, Cherie? It's not even 10 o'clock!'
Camille shrugs her shoulders, 'C'est la vie, Maman!' She pecks her mother quickly on the cheek, bids her goodnight and strides off in the direction of home before the subject of grandchildren is brought up again.
As she walks home she thinks about the evening and how all she really wants to do now is go home and think about Richard Poole. Specifically the lingering look he gave her as he left with Fidel. She hopes it means what she thinks it might. It takes her a few moments to realise that she is smiling widely at the memory and she laughs softly, whilst reminding herself that she is no longer a school girl so doesn't need to act like one.
She isn't far from Fidel's when she sees Richard walking down the street and she stops in her tracks.
'Hi,' she says, a little breathless at the shock of seeing him again so soon.
'Hello, er, good date?' he asks, shuffling his feet awkwardly.
'So so,' she says, with a shrug and a small smile.
'Ah,' he replies, not really knowing the right thing to say to that. 'He didn't offer to walk you home?'
He sounds offended on her behalf and she graces him with a warm smile at his implied chivalry. 'I told him I was able to look after myself.'
'Of course!' he exclaims, 'Shot twice and 3 commendations for bravery.'
'I can also still take you in a fist fight,' she jokes.
'I have no doubt,' he says, softly, gazing at her before looking away again. A slightly awkward silence descends between them suddenly and Camille is trying to think of what to say without scaring him off when he surprises her.
'Earlier...' he starts, then trails off.
'Yes?' she asks, encouragingly. Camille smiles at him hopefully and it works because almost immediately he is stuttering out his question.
'Did you..um, well, I think, perhaps...you thought I might have been your blind date? '
Camille nods at him and answers immediately 'Yes, I did.'
'Right. Yes. Thought so,' he says, nodding to himself.
'I was disappointed,' his head whips up instantly and she can see the hurt flash across his face, so she reaches a hand out to rest against his forearm and silently urges him not to run away, 'I meant I was disappointed when I realised you weren't actually my date.'
'Oh,' he sighs in relief, 'Really?'
'Yes, I would have liked that.'
"Why?!'
'Why? Richard, Mon Dieu! I would have liked it because you are interesting! she tells him, vehemently, 'You're funny, kind, intelligent and handsome, yes you are annoying and pedantic at times but you challenge me and I like that. I like you!'
Camille is a little bit shocked by her own outburst and, if his face is anything to go by, Richard is too. Although it does seem to be helping him find his confidence as he shuffles a step closer and quirks a smile at her.
'Ok, um, so, if I asked you out. On a, well, you know, on a date, you would say yes?
'Yes,' she murmurs, 'Are you asking?'
'Yes. Would you like to have dinner? With me, obviously.'
'I would love to, Richard.'
'Tomorrow night?' he clarifies.
'Tomorrow night,' she agrees, before giving him a shy look and asking, 'Walk me home?'
'I'd be honoured to.'
TBC...