Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. He sat alone. His table was on the patio where he could see the cars as they pulled into the restaurant parking lot. He waited for her and wondered what to expect. As arranged he was wearing a pink carnation, it was so contrived, he could almost expect her to say something about swallows flying back to Capistrano. But that was how the 'Sweethearts Club' arranged for them to know each other. It wasn't that he was really lonely, but he'd been out of the circuit for several years following the death of his wife, he mused for a while about her. They'd met at school, her name was Rachael, she didn't really like him at first, she'd admitted it to him on their third date, by the sixth they knew they were made for each other. When they graduated from high school and went to college they managed to get a mixed room together, and, although they studied different subjects, helped each other with their work. Rachael was everything to him, they married in the summer of '88, right after they got their degrees, children soon followed, a son - Michael, and a daughter - Cathy, the next year, their parents were happy to watch over the children while Rachael and he worked away, now their skills complemented their work, and partnerships bent over backwards to try to get their expertise. He'd studied business law, Rachael had studied Criminal law, they were the fast rising newcomers to the profession, Michael and Cathy were their stabilising base they could relax with their children and looked forward to watching them grow. Then in '96 it happened - Rachael was shopping with Michael when a drunk-driver hit their car, the paramedics said that they wouldn't have known anything about it. He was left to explain to Cathy why her mother and brother wouldn't be coming back home again. The next few years had him wrapping himself up in his work, Cathy was used to staying with her grandparents for days on end, and she learnt to look after herself. It wasn't until he arrived home late one day to find his ten year old daughter had cooked him a meal that he realised what he was doing, he broke down in front of her and apologised for neglecting her when she needed him. She was very adult about it, holding his head in her arms and telling him that she was alright, she knew that she would have her dad back as he used to be. And so she did, He cut down on the number of cases that he worked on, He found that his bank balance was healthy and so he took a month off work, taking his daughter to Disneyland for a week, then they explored Florida and then a two week cruise on the Caribbean. It was the happiest time of his life, as well as Cathy's, he returned to work refreshed and more relaxed than he'd been in years, The following year he went camping with Cathy, and the two grew closer. But lately he'd noticed that Cathy was starting to be secretive, it was so unusual for her, but he put it down to the fact that she was growing up. Then a week ago she brought up the subject that he'd been dreading; "Dad? Why is it that you don't date anyone, I'm sure mum wouldn't mind." He tried to say that he was too busy, that he wouldn't be good company, but it was no use, she wouldn't listen. She even came into work with him one day to size up the women in his office, but she declared them unsuitable. It was Cathy who signed him up to the agency - Sweethearts Club - and placed his details onto their database. After two days they replied with a prospective match, and suggested this restaurant for the meeting, although he'd receive her photograph (Sandra her name is - he reminded himself) they suggested the flower to give positive identification, 'it was right out of a film' he thought. And so here he was, waiting for Sandra to arrive, it was strange he was slightly apprehensive, would she approve of him? Would he be able to talk to her without making a fool of himself? It was almost as bad as when he was in High school and trying to date then. It was with relief when he saw a car drive up and recognised the woman getting out of it, it was Sandra, she was wearing her carnation as well, she looked around for a moment and then spotted him, she waved, he couldn't help but think that he's seen her somewhere before. But then he was like that, meet some one at work and then five minutes later forget about them, but he never forgot a client, he'd learnt how to pigeonhole their names and faces. But there was something about Sandra that was familiar. She arrived at his table, he got up and pulled out her chair, making sure that she was comfortable before pushing it into place, and then he sat down in front of her. "That's nice," She said, "It's a bit old-fashioned but I liked it." She commented. He smiled, "I'm sorry, it was a habit I got into and could never get out of." He explained; she shook her head. "No. it's alright, it's just that chivalry's gone out of the window nowadays," she said, "It's nice to meet someone who isn't tied down to that political correctness nonsense that seems to be around." She smiled - she had a pretty smile he noticed. The waiter came round and asked if they wanted to order, Sandra looked at the menu and then said, "I don't know what to order," She looked at him and said, "Why don't you order for us both?" He nodded, and then, as if daring himself, suggested escargot just to see how she'd react, she smiled at his words and nodded, 'it looks as if this might have backfired' he thought, he'd never really tried them himself, but then again why not? He ordered two eight ounce steaks with all the trimming, they ordered a bottle of red wine to accompany the meal, and the waiter left to give the order to the chef. While they waited for the food they started to talk, it seemed she was also working in the law profession, she was attached to a different partnership on the other side of town, she had been married, but was now divorced from her husband, it was a mutual separation, no expensive arguments, she was left with a son, who was twelve, he was visiting his father at the moment, he was getting to be a bit concerned about her and had suggested she'd tried dating. He smiled, "yes my daughter's the same", he said, and then he talked about himself. Sandra was sad about the loss of his wife and son, but happy that Cathy had adjusted, he smiled about that and then went on to explain how he'd almost alienated Cathy with his inability to cope. "I'm surprised she's still with me, she's stayed with her grandparents for so long! But I've tried to make up for that." He explained about the holidays they've spent, Sandra sighed. "I wish I could get away to do something like that! Chris has been so good and understanding about our divorce, John (my ex-partner) couldn't see what was so interesting about Law, and why I had to be away at such daft hours or for so long, that's the main reason we parted." She said with a wistful smile on her face. Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of the snails. He smiled at Sandra, "After you." He said, "Oh no, you ordered them, you should have the first go." She replied smiling, and so gritting his teeth (well not actually doing so) he took the first shell in the tongs and speared the meat inside with the fork and pulled it out, placing it in his mouth and quickly chewing it. It wasn't as bad as he had imagined it to be and he drained the remaining liquid out of the shell to follow the meat. "That's nice." He said, offering the tongs to Sandra, "Now it's your turn." She took the challenge in good heart and quickly speared and ate the next shellful. She smiled at the taste. "I'd never thought I'd do that." She confided to him, "But you're right, they do taste nice." Between them they demolished the remaining snails, and both were looking through the shells for any remaining. He laughed out loud, something he'd not done in years. "Should we order more?" he asked her. Sandra shook her head, "Better not, we won't have room for the main meal." They both took a drink of wine and carried on talking, he found himself liking Sandra as the time wound on, they compared notes on their lives at the moment, finding strange similarities in themselves, over the main meal they talked about work, finding out that they'd been sparing partners in a couple of cases, it was strange they remembered the cases but hadn't really noticed each other before, they both apologised (at the same time) for this which caused them both to laugh again. By the time dessert was ready they were both comfortable with each other that it seemed natural for him to invite her back to his house for a night-cap, she graciously accepted, which then brought up another problem, although they hadn't drunk too much of the wine, both didn't think they should drive home, so they asked the waiter if a taxi could be called for and they handed their car keys over to the valets who assured them that they would be kept under strict supervision. Soon they were outside his front door, still laughing over - nothing in particular in fact, but it was very funny they thought! He opened the door and warning Sandra to be quiet, as Cathy was still at home, although when she heard them arrive she quickly ran upstairs to be in bed, pretending to be asleep, He looked into her bedroom, just to make sure, he called out to her, but she didn't reply, he crept out silently closing the door, and returned downstairs to the living room. "She's out like a light." He told Sandra, "Now what do you want? Coffee or something stronger?" She thought for a moment, "Well as the night seems to be going fine so far, why not something else?" she asked raising her eyebrows. He went to his cocktail cabinet and brought out a decanter of brandy, he took two glasses and walked back to where Sandra was sitting on the sofa, her legs folded beneath her, she was looking at a picture on a table, He followed her eyes, "That was my wife, Rachael, the boy with her was my son, Michael, the girl with them is Cathy." He told her, she shook her head. "She was very pretty, and it looks like you were very happy together," Sandra observed. He gave a sigh, "We were," he said, "we were. It's been so long since we lost them." Sandra was puzzled, "We?" and then she remembered, "Oh yes, Cathy and you, sorry." She put her hand on his shoulder; he reached up and held it, "It's strange," he said, "You never really let go of them, sometimes I expect to open the bedroom door and see her there on the bed sleeping, but I know she's gone forever." Sandra pulled him to her, the drinks forgotten, "No! Not forever, she was a part of you, and will never be replaced, remember that!" she said, she knew from experience how deep such pains could be, her father was killed by a robber, she kept the memory of her father alive in her heart. He felt the warmth of her arms as she held him, and his listened to her words, in a small part he was comforted by them, and the wisdom that seemed to lie behind them, against his better judgement he lifted his head and kissed her cheek, she turned slightly and their lips met. The years of celibacy struck him with the force of a volcano, he'd missed the warmth of a partner for so long, and Sandra was feeling the same way, oh yes she had tried the false way of pleasuring herself, but the thought of her son hearing her always stopped her from doing too much, she found herself undoing the buttons on his shirt, his tie was already lost along with his jacket, his hands were busy as well, pulling at the zip on her dress. "We can't do anything down here," Sandra said, he agreed. "No, we can't." then he smiled at her, "But my bedroom is away from Cathy's and she'll never disturb me!" he took her hand and they both got up from the sofa. And he led the way; Sandra grabbed hold of her handbag as they walked. They finally arrived at his bedroom and they entered, Sandra allowing her dress to fall to the ground, leaving her in stocking, panties and bra. He was quickly removing his trousers, leaving his socks and jockey shorts, they wasted no time, she rushed into his arms and started kissing him, wallowing in the feel of his light stubble as their lips interlocked, he was busy undoing the clasp on her bra. Their clothes were thrown off in the frenzy of their passion, which had be locked away from the world, by each other until the fuse was lit. He lifted Sandra up and placed her on the bed, their lips seemingly locked together as if by superglue, he positioned himself when Sandra stopped him. "I can't, not today, it's the wrong time." At the look on her face she then said, "But Chris did give me some condoms just in case" she smiled, "I think he suspected something might happen." She reached into her bag and pulled out several packets, which he undid and quickly wrapped around his throbbing member, she reached up to him and pulled him down and into her. ---------------------------------------- From the doorway Cathy was peeking, she quickly ran back to her room picked up her phone and dialled a number; a sleepy voice answered her call. "Chris?" she asked, when he said yes she carried on, "They're doing it, the plan worked! They fell for it all." She babbled into the phone. Chris at the other end just smiled, "Did she put on the thingys?" he asked, Cathy said yes (she had watched for that), Chris laughed, "I wonder if she'll find the pinholes I put in them." And the two children laughed, their plan to bring their parents together had worked!