We’re standing together in the night, excited whispers lingering on the air between us. We’re waiting for you, knowing you'll soon appear.  They are nervous and apprehensive - I am nervous... but determined.

Suddenly the gate clicks open; I tentatively peep around the corner and your chauffeur sees me.  I draw back, leaning against the wall and closing my eyes tightly, praying he wont come and tell us to go. He doesn't, and when I look again, I see your shadow at the gate.

For a moment, I'm not sure its you, you look small ... but then, your profile becomes a silhouette against the lamplight, black and beautiful. Nerves and hesitation leave me, I advance slowly and hear my own voice calling your name, quietly and slightly unsure.

You continue walking to the car, but I only take one step forward.  I find it ironic that you are a man, and I am just a girl; but it is I who feels the need to approach you carefully so as not to turn you away.  It's almost as if you are a young deer, and I have to keep my distance and win your trust, before attempting to come closer. I know I mustn't startle or frighten you, or you'll disappear into the darkness.

I call your name again and you turn around ...we're face to face now, metres apart; I have your undivided attention, these moments are mine alone.  I'm surprised to find I can still speak...

“Can I have my photo taken with you please?”

You appear to assume its only me who wants a photo with you, and my friends seem to fade into the background.  I don't see them anymore, only you...  Now you're taking a step towards me - you coming to me...  You gesture with your right arm,

“Come on,” you say, in a welcoming, patient tone, "Let's get out of the road."
And I say, “Thank you,’’ fleetingly pleased with myself for remembering my manners!
You're only a metre away from me now, and you raise your arm towards me ... then drop it as your chauffeur speaks,
“Who's got the camera?”
“I have.” I wait for the flash light to come on; it's a warm orange glow, like the one inside me. As I hand it to the chauffeur my heart thuds against my ribs as I walk to your side, knowing you're going to touch me ...  The inhibited side of my character has vanished, there's no place for it here.  I slip my arm around your waist, feeling the soft fabric of your jacket in my hand.

Your arm is around my back, your hand on my shoulder, our bodies are close, interlocking.  Something strange happens to my heart, it seems to develop fluttery wings, and it flies to yours, through the fabric of our clothes; like a butterfly to a flower - naturally, necessarily ... it's a feeling I've never felt before.

I can feel your warmth, sense your skin so close to mine.  How I long to put both arms around you, to pull you close and kiss your lips - but it wouldn't be right, it wouldn't be fair.  I'm drowning in your presence, I'm where I was born to be. I vaguely hear your chauffeur's slightly impatient voice telling my friends they'll have to be on the same photo, and they move in towards us. You glance at them as though they're not a part of us - probably my love-inspired imagination being too active.  But still the feeling's there, the mysterious linking of our hearts.

With a sudden flash, the photo is taken. You and I, captured together on film forever; something as immortal as my love for you. Suddenly I realise that you will go now that you have done as I asked. But I don't let you go - in a sudden release of emotion, I slip both my arms around you and kiss your cheek. If ever I smell that cologne again, it will bring with it the memory of this heavenly moment.

As I pull away, I hear your embarrassed but pleased chuckle and I smile into your eyes - eyes which enchant me, envelop me... As you begin to walk away, you smile back at me; half your handsome face is shadowed by the lamplight. This is no photo or poster, this is you, here, now, smiling just for me, and oh! what emotion it brings me.
The words,
“Love you always,” escape from my lips and your eyes lock with mine as you say,
“Thank you.  ‘Bye.”

I don't remember seeing you walk away and getting into the car, but I remember walking across the road to see you off. As you sat in  the front seat, I had a crazy vision of my heart fluttering about inside your half open jacket, and it disappeared along with you when the car slipped away into the night ...