As they all leant forward, Ben’s consistent eating still continued while Mark’s face conveyed deep shock. This wasn’t supposed to happen yet – not now.

"What?" Paul asked as he tore away from the window and gowns on display. "Oh, you want one of those dresses? Well Mark I hardly think we can pay that let alone…"

"No stupid!" Mark exasperated. "Look in there, past that white dress thing there. What do you see?"

"A load of old stuck up toffs buying things that are far to expensive for us." Ben told, as he still insisted on chewing the contents in his mouth.

"No!" Mark snapped. "Look! In there – at the counter!"

"Is that Louise?" Christian questioned, stepping away from the window to face Mark.

"Yes! At last – someone has a brain!" Mark triumphed, pushing his back against the window to face the others.

"C’mon Mark, I think she’s a bit old for ya. I mean, I can see the grey coming through from all the way over here through a thick window." Paul said, peering in even more.

"No you idiot! Not her! Her – Louise? No!" Mark told. "The one next to her, behind her slightly."

"What with the brown hair?" Ben queried.

"Yes! Brown hair, quite tall…" Mark began saying.

"With a sad expression on her face…" Christian added.

"What? Louise doesn’t look sad, does she?" Mark asked, looking back through the window.

"Well if you ask me, she does look a little unhappy. Like she doesn’t like where she is…" Christian said, looking closer through the glass.

"Hmm… maybe you were right Mark. Maybe she is unhappy… and maybe, just maybe, you have a chance!" Paul laughed.

"Shut up Paul!" Mark cried, slapping him playfully. "I didn’t say I had a chance in the first place…"

"Oh, so what happened to "she was flirting a bit" and "just being friendly"? And when that comes out of your mouth that means your being modest but think she fancies the pants off you!" Paul chuckled.

"I did not say it like that! I didn’t mean it like that either!" Mark tried making clear.

"Yeah, whatever Mark. Maybe she needs you to whisk her off her feet and fly her to infinity and beyond!" He laughed. "Come on Mark, follow your hero… I’ll make you some wings…" Paul continued.

"Paul! Shut up! I don’t need this now." Mark instructed, looking annoyed.

"Yes Paul, I would shut up if I were you. In fact, you should too Mark since Louise and that oldish woman are coming out now…" Ben added.

"What?!" Mark panicked. "Now?! Like now, now?"

"Yes, right now…" Christian said calmly.

"Damn! What do we do? How do we act? What shall we say? I say? Act normal! Act normal!" Mark babbled, standing upright against the window while the others looked on.

"Mark, that isn’t normal…" Ben said pointedly.

"Yeah, normal is like walking casually along…" Paul enlightened as he wandered ahead slightly until an unexpected opening door brought that idea to a close.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" The young lady apologised.

"Louise, what is going on out here?" Abigail asked a little crossly. "What is all this commotion? Common folk I guess…"

Standing up and rubbing his head, the others crowded him slightly, while Louise looked on, guilty yet a little happy.

"Oh, I erm… coming out of the shop and I… well the door… it hit… well erm… this gentleman and…"

"Is that you Mr Read?" Abigail suddenly intervened, somewhat bewildered at the sight produced in front of her.

"Yeah, it’s me." Mark smiled weakly, stepping forward.

Grinning even more as he locked his eyes with her, Louise felt a sprinkling of excitement rush through her as seeing him again brought back that smile she had experienced earlier. Now there was no doubt whether it was real because not only did Louise look happy, but she felt it too, deep down inside.

"Well I hardly recognised you…" Abigail said, looking down her nose. "Louise, I shall be in the shop a few paces up here. I will expect to see you there when you have finished here apologising." She ordered, heading off, leaving Louise alone with Mark and the others.

"Look, I’m really sorry about hitting you with the door. I didn’t mean too." Louise apologised, relaxed, as she placed a soft hand on Paul’s arm.

"Ah, it’s ok. Partly my fault too." He grinned. "I’m Paul by the way and I hear you’re Louise."

Holding out his hand, Louise shook it warmly, smiling while Mark watched on, watched Louise.

"Nice to meet you." Louise smiled. "So are you mates or…"

"Oh, erm… mates and band mates if you get what I mean." Mark grinned, looking intently at Louise. "Erm, Paul you’ve just met and hit with the door," he chuckled, "and behind me are Ben and Chris."

"Hi." Christian smiled, shaking her hand.

"Hey!" Ben exclaimed as he now finished the burger.

Wiping his hands in his jeans, he presented his hand forward which Louise shook, laughing a little.

"So what brings you here?" Louise asked, making small conversation.

"Oh, just passing… y’know…" Mark said.

"Sounds good." Louise smiled.

"You’ve been shopping I see…" Mark grinned, looking at the bag.

"Yeah… had to get a dress for the ball. Of course, it had to be suitable for Abigail, that’s why she came." Louise informed. "It’s nice I bumped into you though…"

"I’m sure Mark feels the same." Paul added cheekily.

"Shut up Paul…" Mark smiled through gritted teeth.

"So, Louise. Mark teaches you piano doesn’t he?" Christian began.

"Yeah, yeah that’s right. Another one tomorrow I think." Louise answered, glancing at Mark.

"Is he a good teacher?" Ben piped up. "I bet he’s not…"

"Nah, he’s really good actually. Well, he’s helped me a lot with it."

"Ahh, looks like you have a fan here Markie…" Paul sniggered. "Hey! Ooo I know what! Do you want to come see this Mr Read in action?"

"What?" Louise laughed. "How d’ya mean?"

"We’re playing at this bar type place tomorrow evening. I’m sure Mark’d love you to come along, wouldn’t you Mark?" Paul winked.

"Well… if you want… I mean… you don’t have to…"

"Oh! Great way in inviting her there Mark! Why not drag her there yourself!" Paul let out. "Don’t listen to him Louise. You come along, me and the others here would love ya to come."

"No, I didn’t mean it like that." Mark argued. "What I meant is, will Abigail let you go?" He asked.

"Abigail?" Christian questioned, confused. "You’ve got other plans?"

"No, nooo," Louise laughed. "Let’s just say, Abigail is very erm… protective. I would sorta need her erm… approval in going." She sighed.

"So you won’t be able to come?" Mark asked sadly.

Looking at his unhappy expression while the others, who seemed like great fun, looked somewhat the same, Louise’s inner self kicked in, telling her to do what she wanted, not what was ‘right.’

"Oh no. I’ll still come. I wanna see you play!" Louise said brightly. "I’ll find a way of getting out… god it sounds like some sort of zoo doesn’t it?" She giggled.

"Will that be alright?" Mark asked, a little worried.

"Mark, if Louise says it is, I’m sure it is, right Louise?" Paul smiled.

"Yeah, it’ll be fine. So erm… where is it?"

"Er…" Mark stuttered, looking blank.

"Why don’t we meet you somewhere cos you’ll need a pass or something to probably get in anyway…" Christian said wisely.

"Good thinking Chris! So where?" Paul questioned, looking towards Mark.

"How about the fountain just down there in the main town?" Mark suggested.

"Yeah, that’s fine." Louise smiled. "Are you sure its gonna be ok for me to come though?"

"It’ll be fine. We’d love you to come Lou." Mark told. "So the fountain at 7pm?"

"Yep, 7pm it is." Louise agreed as a box of excitement built up inside, wanting to explode.

Would this box open though?

"Well I suppose I best get moving. Abigail will be wondering where I am and god knows what questioning I’m gonna get." Louise grimaced. "Sorry again Paul…"

"Ahh, no worries." He beamed. "See ya later."

"Yeah, bye."

"Bye…" Mark called, slightly hazy as he watched her stroll down the street.

"Wow. She’s nice!" Ben complimented after she had gone.

"Yeah I know. Very nice indeed…" Mark smiled.

"Hello? She hit me with a door." Paul pointed out, jokingly.

"Yeah, but look at the loved up expression on Mark’s face…" Christian smirked.

"Loved up expression? What loved up expression?" Mark defended, becoming tall and vigilant.

"This one." Paul laughed as him and Ben leaned in together: eyes looking cloudy, a sweet smile painted across their faces and a deep gasp of air suddenly being taken in.

"Oh very funny guys…"

"Stop moaning mate! You should love us, me! Who’s gone and got you and Louise a date tonight?" Paul hinted.

"It’s not a date…" Mark smirked, at the thought of what it could be.

"Alright then, not a date but at least she’s coming out with us." Paul added.

"Yeah… that’s if she can…" Mark said pessimistically.

Would she be able to go, or would the ties of her society class hold her back?