LONDON CALLING

"Oh, yeah. Supper. I forgot," he said. "Sorry. Yeah, we should get it before it gets cold."

He took her hand and led the way back up to their garden. There were beautiful candle lanterns hanging from the canopy over the chaise, which was now made up with pristine white egyptian cotton sheets and a white duvet cover and fluffy pillows, and rose petals were scattered over the duvet cover. A tea cart sat near the bed with a pot of tea and some beautifully etched Turkish tea glasses for a touch of elegance. It looked to Angus like there was a covered fruit basket and a tin of what he presumed were French cookies. There was a pathway of rose petals and twinkling fairy lights leading from the chaise to the table and chairs, and now there was a white tuille canopy over the table and chairs, and the canopy was lit with tiny little fairy lights.

The table was set for a candlelit supper for two, and he could see that the salad appetizer was set out and covered with cloches. The other courses were set on the serving cart in order so that they could serve themselves as they were ready.

"He's outdone himself," Angus said. "If we ever get married, we ought to just hire him to handle the wedding and the honeymoon both. Well, let's see if I chose our supper well. I think we should eat."

Ruby was taken aback by how everything looked as she moved to take in how Francios had set everything up " this he so beautiful, I agree, heck why not just come here for the whole thing." she said and watched as he removed the cloches and marveled at the food under it "smells devine" she said she glanced at the bed and smiled "Rose petals" she said picking one up feeling its velvety softness under her fingers as the subtle scent of it wafted into the air. " fresh rose petals" she told him " he realy has out done himself, there realy expencive to get at this time of year."

She moved to the table and took off the cloches before siting down to face him. She saw all the food and smiled everything looked good and she wanted to try it. " well I for one give you a thumbs up for the choice." she joked with him then accioed two bottles of beer and took off their tops. " now thats topped it off" she said with a chuckle showing him he didn't have to be fancy with her, simple foods and simple drink would still to her make a romantic night all becuse she was in his company.

"Well, I'm glad you like it. There's just a small salad with their house dressing as an appetizer," he said. "The main course is a Navarin--or a French version of a slow cooked lamb shank stew with potatoes and carrots and some lovely sweet onions. Looks like this one also has parsnips and haricot verts. I can smell it from here, and I haven't even taken the cloaches off yet. So, for the side dish, I couldn't come up with anything better than some crusty bread, some crostinis and some baked brie. And for dessert, a warm slice of tarte tatin. I ordered you an Indian spice tea to finish, and I ordered myself a cognac."

Supper was delicious. The presentation was flawless, and the quality was every bit as good. He was not disappointed. The lamb was beautifully lean and buttery tender, and the broth was amazingly flavorful. He had a couple of the crostinis with brie but he preferred the crusty bread with the stew. It was just his personal preference.

He took his time with the tarte tatin because he was feeling very full by then. He didn't quite finish his dessert but he was feeling stuffed. He sat back and sipped on his cognac, and looked back up at the stars.

"There," he pointed to her, almost feeling silly in pointing it out. He figured she had seen it probably millions of times. It wasn't his first time seeing it, but he still loved it. It still filled him with amazement. It was the milky way--the beautiful whitish purple milky colored streak of light lighting up the sky. It was the opposite direction from the beach. Angus had to look back towards Edward's bungalow and the hotel to see it. Angus had always loved the streak of light, the milky cloudiness, and the wide variation of colors that it had on a clear night. "I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at that, and every time I see it, I see different colors in it. I honestly didn't think we would see it tonight because I thought there were too many lights in Cassis to see it.

Ruby enjoyed her meal more becuse he'd chosen it he pointed out the traditional stew and smiled " it all smells devine" she said as she took some for herself and ate. bu the time desert she was rather full so only ate about a third of it. But the tea was perfect accumpliment to the meal. When he pointed up she smiled seeing the milky way clear in teh sky. " maybe its becuse you wished it." she said smiling at him feeling it topped off the night perfectly for them.

Placing the finished dishes on the trolly it had arrived on she moved to Angus "So shall we relax outside and enjoy natures light show." she said smiling at him She had seen that his gaze was over the hotel and where Edward and simone were staying and smiled. She looked up at the milky way and saw the swirl of colours in it. " Its beautiful" she said softy to him.

"I'll set the cart outside our door for Francois to get in the morning, and then I'll be right back," he told her. He didn't want Francois to rush them for any reason. He took the cart out and as he did, he saw Edward and Simone were back from dinner, and they were looking at the milky way too. He wasn't trying to spy on them, but as he looked at them, Edward turned to Simone, spoke to her, and then, very clearly, was putting a ring on her left hand. She looked elated, and so did Edward. Edward kissed her with one of the most elegant looking passionate kisses that Angus had ever seen, slipping the spaghetti straps of her dress off her shoulders. Even muggle movies didn't make it look that sophisticated. No wonder Simone thought Edward was dashing. He closed the door very quietly and locked it for the night. Was Edward rushing? Maybe, maybe not. But if it made Edward happy, then Angus had no objections.

Angus returned out to the garden where he had left Ruby.

"I saw Edward and Simone are back," he told her. "And I am almost positive I saw him give her an engagement ring. He clearly put a ring on her left hand, and I doubt, at their age, they see any purpose to promise rings anymore." He kissed her. "However, the door is locked, so I'm afraid we're all alone for the rest of the night. What do you think? Do you suppose we can find something to do?"

Ruby moved outside as he said he was going to put the cart outside the front door. Hearing him return she smiled at his words "I say good for him if hes happy" she said then held up the necklace he'd given her "This is your promise to me and that for me is enough, until your ready for the next step,I can wait. " she told him smiling as she returned his kiss. she moved to the day bed and chuckled at his words as she lay down " oh I can think of a few." she told him gently patting the bed next to her with a seductive grin.

(fade to black)

Ruby woke to the warm sun on her bare back and a smile on her face. she moved to see Angus. Now she thought about the boat trip and how Angus loved the sea and sailing. "Hey morning love, you ant to use that big ship thats docked, and I don't mean the one you used last night." she said chukaling as her hand slid down his thigh over the sheet.

He woke to see she was already awake. He had evidently kicked the sheet partly off. He had awakened several times during the night, and he remembered of having some nightmares. They hadn't been violent enough to wake Ruby, or at least he didn't think so because she appeared to be sleeping peacefully every time he had been awake. And he didn't believe Ruby was the sort to "play possum," as his grandmother would have called it. It was now that he was able to figure out why he had had such nightmares and had awakened so many times. He hadn't remembered to take his sleeping potion. He had gotten carried away with Ruby, and nothing else had mattered.

She greeted him, and he kissed her, glad to see her and glad to see early morning sunshine. He laughed when she commented about last night's 'ship,' but he wasn't opposed to taking the ship that they had arranged. A day trip would be nice.

"That sounds like a good idea," he told her. "How about I send for Francois and see if he can arrange for us to have our breakfast on board? You do realize that here we will probably only get croissants and coffee and maybe some fruit, right? The noon meal is generally the biggest meal of the day here. Breakfast is always just a breakfast pastry of some sort and coffee, so I wouldn't think they'd have any trouble with that. Why don't you shower, and I'll send for Francois and see what I can arrange?"

He got up, flicked his fingers at their clothes that were cast aside on the ground so that they would toss themselves into the hamper in the bungalow. Then he went inside, rang for Francois, found one of the white terry robes that were hanging in the bathroom and he put one on and tied it shut. When Francois arrived, Angus talked to him about the chartered yacht, and Francois said he would send word to the ship. He did not see any issue with them having breakfast for them. Angus didn't know if they would be back for supper, but Francois promised that they could accommodate them for supper no matter when time they returned. Ever mindful of hours that sometimes service staff needed to keep, he told Francois that if they were not back by 9 pm, then Francois should take the rest of the night. He didn't want Francois to be waiting up all night for them. Francois appeared to be genuinely touched by Angus's kindness.

As Francois was leaving, Edward came out of his bungalow and walked over.

"I was hoping I'd see you," Edward said. "How is it going?"

"Very nice," Angus said. "Blissfully quiet."

"And your nerves?"

"Not quite as bad as Nigel expected," he said, not wanting to tell him the entire truth.

"But?" Edward wasn't stupid either.

"I've missed a couple doses of nerve tonic, and I accidently forgot the sleeping potion last night. And it made a difference," he told him very quietly.

"Of course it did," Edward said with a slight frown. "You're not ready for that. Nigel gave it to you for a reason. You were nearly killed by a werewolf, then nearly killed by falling to your death in a pit, and then within days you saw your both your parents killed, and not in the most peaceful manner. That sort of trauma adds up. Angus, you're a fine man, but you're not superhuman, for heaven's sake. Take the bloody potions."

"It really was just an accident."

"I believe you, but don't do it again. Are you straightening things out in your head?"

"Maybe," he said. "I'm thinking I might step back temporarily from mission work."

"Now, that," Edward said, "is a very wise choice. You don't need to step back forever, but just until you heal a bit."

"Even if Robert fires me?" Angus asked. Edward snorted.

"Fire you? Who's he gonna get to replace you? Don't be daft, Lad. He isn't going to fire you. Robert's going to praise you for taking good care of yourself. Mark my words."

"I hardly think he'll do that."

"10 galleons says he praises you."

"And my 10 says he doesn't. You're on."

"Lovely, but you're just wasting ten galleons, Boy."

"How are you and Simone?"

"I haven't been this happy since before your grandmother got sick, and that's been decades ago. I'm not going to tell the rest of the family, but I asked her to marry me last night. We're engaged. We're not in any hurry to marry, I don't think, but I don't want to lose her. Now, so you know, she's agreeble to not dong a big shift to the will. Maurice left her very well off financially, so she doesn't need the money. We will get a prenuptial agreement done before we actually marry..."

"I'm not worried about your money. Your money is yours. Are you sure, though? Is this what you want?"

"Yes. While she and I both have the time and the health to enjoy what life we both have left--yes."

"Then, I'm happy for you both. Congratulations," he said. They shook hands.

"We might stay another night or so. We'll decide tomorrow if we want to stay tomorrow night."

"Ru and I were debating the same thing."

"Just let me know," Edward said. Angus saw Edward's concierge bringing breakfast.

"There's your breakfast," Angus nodded in that direction.

"Do try to do better with your potions, and keep me posted about your plans," Edward said, going back to his bungalow. It was then that Angus remembered he was only wearing a bathrobe. He needed to shower and dress. He went back inside.

"Sorry, Ru," he said. "Took a moment to talk with Edward. And Francois is ordering breakfast for us onboard."

Ruby smiled as he agreed to her idea of the boat. " alright " she said as she slipped from the bed and just headed for the pool. Diving in she swum two lengths then climbed out and picked up the robe wrapping it around her she moved to the door as Angus returned.

"its fine and how are they, did he ask her?" she asked smiling as she dried herself and dressed in a thin sun dress and sandels. Brushing her hair she smiled at him tying it up instead of leaving it down. " I hope she said yes." she said walking over to him as she placed her robe into the basket to be washed. " well Im ready when you are." she said to him.

"He did, and apparently she said yes. They have no immediate wedding plans, but he seems ridiculously happy, so I'm glad for him. You might be ready, but I'm not going til I shower and shave." He was never comfortable until he had showered for the day and shaved. Then he felt refreshed and ready.

He went in and showered and shaved and dressed in white denim shorts, a baby blue linen henley, and a pair of slip on canvas boat shoes. Knowing that the weather could turn at any time, he shrank a pair of jeans and a jacket for himself and a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, a jacket and boat shoes for Ruby, and he shoved it all into a muggle plastic sandwich bag and then put it in his shorts pocket.

"I think I'm ready," he told her. "I think we should go. I need my morning coffee fix."

Ruby chuckled and nodded " all right, shower and shave " she said sitting on the bed as she placed the potions into a water proof bag and shrank it placing it in his pocket with everything else. " just incase you want to spend the night" she said smiling as she then waited for him to finish what he was doing.

Walking over she took his hand in her own and smiled " you and me both, well mine is tea not coffee." she said as they moved out the bungalow to the peir where the boat was moored looking magestic in the clear blue water around it.