Time to Try

She walked confidently into the restaurant, Lyndon followed. As always he blended into his

surroundings and no one noticed him. Rebecca was greeted with the usual ‘Hello Madam and

welcome to Claridges.” The overly polite waiter showed her to a table and received a thank you.

Lyndon watched carefully before following a young waiter about his own height and weight, he

caught the young mans attention. “Excuse me?”

The young man turned and smiled “Yes sir, can I be of help to you?”

“You certainly can, I’m looking for somewhere a gentleman can smoke, if he didn’t want to do it just

outside the building.”

“Surely sir, I’ll just find someone to help-“

“Can’t you spare a moment to show me? I’m sure it will only take a second of your time.”

The young man looked around and then nodded “Surely sir, please follow me.”

Lyndon smiled and thanked him following the young man’s lead, he was guided around the side of

the hotel. Lyndon moved fast checking for anyone who could count as a witness, no one. He then

put a hand around the young mans mouth and dragged him down an alley, quickly he knocked the

boy out taking his blazer. He had no reasons to cover his face, even if boy remembered what he

looked like when he awoke, there would be no way he would tell. No, he would be far too

embarrassed. Lyndon put on the young man’s blazer sighing “Sorry kid, but these things happen.”

He walked back to the building wearing the blazer which fitted loosely, he walked back to the hotel

receiving a lecture about the quality of his uniform, and he tidied it up quickly and walked, as

instructed to Rebecca’s table. “Hello Madam, is there anything which I can get for you?”

“Yes, I shall have the...” she looked up and smiled “I’m sorry do I know you?”

“I don’t think so Madam.”

“No, I do. You were in Harrods just this morning were you not?”

“Why yes, but-“

“You walked into me and followed me, and now you’re waiting on my table in a fancy hotel and

expect me to think this a coincidence?”

“I assure you Madam that it is.”

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“I don’t know what to say.” He looked lost, pretending that the reason was embarrassment, but

instead it was worry, worry that she had seen him and been able to correctly identify that it was he

who had walked into her.

“It’s okay, I know the reason. You like me. I accept that, now sit down.”

“I can’t Madam, I have a job to do.”

“Nonsense, you can sit if I tell you to.” she caught the attention of one of the senior waiters; he

came over quickly, a smile on his face.

“Madam is there something wrong?”

“Yes, your waiter here is refusing to sit and have lunch with me, he seems to think that it will not be

allowed.”

“If it is your request Madam, then he can sit and dine with you. The waiter pulled out the chair for

him and once Lyndon was seated, he pushed the chair in and smiled. “What can I get you?”. The

placed their orders quickly and once the waiter had gone, they began to talk.

“Explain, why you were following me?”

“I like you.”

“Dear, you do not know me, how do you know you like me? You mean you were attracted to me?

Well I am not surprised. What is my stalkers name?”

He answered slowly, nervously and pretended to stutter.

“Lyndon Kaller.”

“A peculiar yet, very nice name. I’m Miss Rebecca Sommers.”

“Very nice.” He looked around awkwardly and played the innocent act. “I was wondering, why did

you wanted me to sit and eat with you?”

“Is it not my right to know my stalker?”

“I assure you, I am not stalking you.”

“I’m sure, but-“ She paused and smiled as the waiter brought their food and placed it in front of

them in a perfect fashion before telling them to enjoy their food and leaving. She tasted the food,

clearly enjoying it. “As I was saying, none of the staff here seem to know you. I eat here often and

it has never been the case that a waiter has been allowed to eat with a customer when working.”

He shrugged as if to say he could not help her with that matter. She did not say anything else. She

simply smiled an angel smile and continued eating her food. She was polite enough to wait for him

to finish before requesting the bill from the waiter. She looked at it and smiled placing it face down

on the table. From her handbag she took a piece of note paper writing her mobile phone number

onto it. “Well Mr Kaller, it was nice speaking with you. If you’re going to be in London for any length

of time, it would be nice if you called me.” She handed him the piece of note paper and stood,

sliding the bill in his direction. “It’s tradition that he buys on the first date, so I’ll trust you to get

this. I’m sure you get a quite reasonable staff discount.” Again she smiled, this time she kissed his

cheek before walking to the exit thanking the restaurant staff.

He watched as she left, her outfit perfect, her strut never faltering and that darling smile never

leaving her face. He took off the blazer folding it quickly before taking his credit card from his

trouser pocket, the paid the bill and when no one was paying any attention, he left stopping by the

alley to return the now creased white blazer to the young man who was just beginning to wake. He

thanked the boy for his cooperation then walked off. This place had truly fantastic service for their

customers.