The evening was soon drawing to a close and after watching a few more bands and artists that had also been on the line up of the club, perform, it was clear for Louise to conclude that it was thoroughly enjoyed. Getting to know Mark more, and leaving her new, highly expected life behind became more enjoyable then she could have ever imagined, making her try and remember the times where she had this much fun before. There weren’t any since she accepted that proposal…

Slipping on her jacket and finishing the rest of her drink, she got up and left as she followed the other guys out of the bar. Content with how the evening had gone, she looked behind her every so often, attaining another look of Mark which she knew once she had gone, she’d miss. So many thoughts had crowded her head this evening, telling her one thing, implying another, that she soon decided to ease her worries and forget about everything. For once she was just going to flow by on life’s everyday river as she realised, not everything was as scheduled like her Manor routine. Love wasn’t scheduled either…

"So you had a good time out with us?" Ben asked as they stepped out to the cold outside and began heading up the street.

"Yeah… yeah it’s been fun." Louise smiled, pulling her jacket sleeves down to protect her hands from nights bitter rampage.

"Well it’s been nice having you around…" Mark grinned, strolling by her side.

"Yeah, well you got a invitation to a ball, so who wouldn’t say that…" Paul said seriously before breaking into a grin. "Jesus it’s cold out here!" He cried after, tugging at his coat, tighter.

"Ahh, not as cold as Norway…" Christian mused, looking up at the stars as he ambled easily along.

"Yeah, but its still cold!" Paul complained.

"You’re from Norway?" Louise asked, very interested.

"Yeah, I used to live there before I came over here. Well, I lived in America too, but before that, if you get me." He smiled.

"That’s pretty cool." Louise retorted.

"I bet it’s not cold in America…" Paul said, huddling as close as he could into his own jacket.

"Oh come on Paul, it’s not that cold…" Ben told.

"Yes it is!" He stated firmly. "I’ll be going blue in a minute! See – look at Louise, she’s cold, aren’t you Lou?" Paul added as he too noticed Louise cowering for warmth in her jacket.

"Erm… a little I suppose…" Louise said quietly.

"Well keep her warm then! She’s you’re guest Mark." Paul ordered as Mark wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "That’s what I like to see…" He winked towards Louise.

Smiling shyly as she cuddled up to Mark a little more, he glanced down and grinned himself before looking above at the stars. It really was a clear night, and as the moody clouds slowly dragged across the moon, Mark too felt the same as Louise would have to go soon.

"Well I’m still cold…" Paul pouted. "There’s no one here to keep me warm!" He added dramatically.

"Aww Paul…" Ben laughed, edging closer. "Want Benji here to help with that?" He teased, wrapping his arm around Paul’s shoulders.

"I thought you’d never ask…" Paul smirked, grabbing hold of Ben’s hand and yanking it round tighter.

"I am so getting worried about you!" Ben exclaimed, snatching his arm away immediately. "If I didn’t know you to better I’d say you were…"

"What Ben?" Paul asked, as the others chuckled. "Gay? Well guess what Benny boy, Pauly here is!" He laughed, moving closer to Ben.

"No you’re not! Get off!" Ben grinned, pushing Paul away as the joke wore off.

Falling off the curb and into the road slightly, Paul laughed madly, leaning down and crouching into his stomach as he stumbled ahead. As a car whizzed around the corner, Christian pulled at his arm furiously until he was safely back onto the pavement, and the car speeding ahead.

"I’m like your bloody mother I am!" Christian exasperated at Paul as he continued to laugh.

"No, not quite…" Paul said, quietening down. "You can’t cook as good!" He shouted.

"I think that drink’s now gone to Paul’s head…" Mark whispered to Louise. "He’s gone mad."

"I heard that Mark!" Paul proclaimed, pointing his hand in the air. "And no, I do not want to go to your bed! I have my own…"

"Good job you do ‘n all considering you’re gonna have to sleep this one off." Ben advised, steadying Paul. "I didn’t even think he was drunk…" He said to the others.

"Well that’s Paul for you. You never know what to expect." Christian smiled. "But at least we’re home now… we can get him to bed."

"I bet you’d like to do that as well!" Paul screeched as Ben led him through the gate. "Byeeeeeee Lou!"

"Bye Paul." Louise called back, giggling slightly as Ben struggled to the door with him.

"Well it’s been really nice meeting you." Christian smiled, standing outside the gate. "You’ll have to come out again with us sometime." He invited.

"Yeah, I’d like that." Louise said. "It’s been nice meeting you too… all of you actually…" She grinned as Paul and Ben stumbled through the door.

"Are you gonna be alright getting home? Wou…"

"Nah, its ok Chris. I’ll walk her, if that’s alright with you Lou." Mark intervened.

"Yeah, that’s fine. But only if you’re sure." Louise agreed.

"Positive." Mark beamed, hoping to spend the last few minutes of their night alone.

"Ok, well I s’pose I best let you two get on. See you soon hopefully, Louise." Christian smiled, closing the gate behind him. "You got a key Mark?"

"Erm…" Mark pondered before tapping his jacket pockets. "Yeah, yeah I have."

"Take care then." Christian wished to Louise. "And I’ll see you when you get back Mark."

"Bye." The both chorused together, before slowly walking ahead.

"Thanks for walking me, Mark." Louise said, filled with gratitude. "It’s really sweet of you."

"Well I couldn’t let you walk home alone now, could I?" He grinned. "Plus you might get cold."

As his arm grew a little tighter around Louise, she blushed and looked towards the floor yet moved even more closely in. Having him so close made that fire crackle inside for her, and as those warm feelings continued to be produced, the longer she wished she could stay. Facing life back at the Manor house seemed so daunting, as did the prospect of having to sneak back in, yet this was how she spent her life, whether she liked it or not. One night off had opened her eyes, but they couldn’t stay like that forever, could they?

"So, have you done many gigs before that one?" Louise asked, making conversation.

"Yeah, quite a few before that one actually."

"How many do you reckon? Ten?"

"Ooo a few more then that." Mark grinned. "Probably about twenty, twenty five."

"You’ve done quite a lot then!" Louise said, amazed. "Don’t you ever get scared? I mean with all those people watching, I would be."

"Not really. I get a little nervous as I’m about to go on, but with the other guys around it soon turns into excitement." Mark revealed. "But if you really are born to perform, then I believe that getting on stage is fun and exhilarating…"

"That’s what it’s like for you, isn’t it?" She questioned, smiling at his enthusiasm and obvious passion.

"Yeah… it is." He admitted, looking a little embarrassed.

"I think that’s really cute!" Louise gushed. "If your enthusiasm is like that in all the others then you’ll be out there in no time!"

"Thanks Lou." Mark grinned. "Its nice to know you have confidence in us, me."

"Well when you return the favour for me next week, then it’ll be nice." She smiled cheekily. "You will come won’t you?"

"Of course, if you want me to be there then I will." He answered. "Plus I want to see your big debut!"

Louise laughed. "The only thing that’ll be big is the huge mistakes I make and impressions on everyone there…"

"You’re under quite a bit of pressure for this aren’t you?" Mark contemplated.

"Well not that much. Just everyone in the whole entire county who Anton knows. But no not much at all…" Louise added sarcastically.

"Well then…" Mark chuckled. "I suppose all the advice I can give to you is good luck! But seriously, you’ll do fine. If you go up there not worrying, then it’ll be done quick and easy that you’ll want to do it again."

"Heh, we’ll see about that." Louise snorted. "Anyway, this is erm… my stop…"

"Oh right, yeah, of course." Mark said, letting his arm leave Louise’s waist. "Well I’m glad you came tonight. It was really fun to hang with you and see what you’re really like…" He chuckled.

"And it was nice to see what you were really like too." Louise winked. "Thanks for walking me too. That was real gentleman like of you."

"Well only the best for my Lou…" Mark mocked in a gentleman’s tone, as he bowed.

"Yeah, yeah Mark." Louise laughed.

"Ok, well I suppose I best let you sneak back in…" He grinned. "Will you be alright?"

"Yeah, I’ll be fine… don’t worry."

"Ok, well erm… bye." He smiled.

"Yeah… bye…"

Watching her wander off slowly up the gravel path, he too gradually turned and began walking away.

"Oh erm, Mark!"

"Yeah." He called quickly as he swivelled back round.

"I’ll erm… see you tomorrow yeah?" Louise smiled.

"Yeah… tomorrow…" Mark said doubtfully. "Oh yeah, tomorrow, piano lessons… tomorrow!" He laughed.

"Yeah, tomorrow…" Louise laughed. "Bye…"

"Bye Lou…"