Status: Work In Progress

Believe in This

A Visit from The Doctor

For me, the sound of my doorbell ringing is one of the most obnoxious noises in the world. It’s even worse when it relentlessly echoes throughout my flat before I’m ever considering facing the day. Coming to the conclusion that the eye-twitching inducing sound was not going to stop I stumbled downstairs with my favorite blanket wrapped around my body and through have closed eyes managed to unlock the door. Matthew, I use Matthew when I’m particularly annoyed with him, was standing on the other side, tapping his foot impatiently with a sickening smile on his face.

Grumbling my way to my sofa I left the door open so he could come in, “What on earth is there to smile about? It’s nine in the morning.”

“I got restless and just knew you would be happy to see me. You missed me didn’t you?”

Peeking out from my cocoon, I sent Matthew a glare that could rival any Academy Award winner before burrowing back down into my blanket.

“That’s right, you haven’t missed me because you’ve been too busy spending all of your time with Benedict.”

After a few seconds passed, seconds it took my brain to comprehend Matt’s words, my head popped right back out of my cocoon wondering how on Earth Matt knew I had been with Benedict.

Without even needing a question Matt answered, “It’s all over the papers love. The whole of Britain is dying to know who Cumberbatch’s new love interest is.”

“You just wait until I’m awake to question your more thoroughly about this Smith. Right now, however, my only concern is getting a few more hours of sleep.”

“How did I know that would come up? Cuddles?”

Lifting my blanket it took me and Matt a bit of maneuvering before we were cuddled up underneath the enormous Doctor Who blanket he had gifted me just a few months ago. When I first met Matt he had told me he was known to be a craver of snuggles and it was definitely true. Snuggling was one of our favorite past times. As I had told Benedict though, people tended to constantly question our relationship. While we were quite touchy with one another our feelings never went past those of a brother and sister, just a brother and sister who were in their twenties and loved to take naps together.

By the time it was two in the afternoon, Matt and I were seated in Bluebird Chelsea, a spot we perhaps frequented a little too much as everyone knew our names. It wasn’t until our food had been delivered that I remembered Matt’s words from earlier in the morning.

“So how did you know I was with Benedict last night?”

“As I said, it’s in all of the papers. I think it even made the cover of Hello! and it was the headline on the Mail’s page. I think one of them read “Actual Love or Another Fling?” At first, I just passed you off as another random woman he was spotted with but I’d notice that fishtail and watch from a mile away. There’s photos of you two leaving the studio, driving through the city, and at the pub. If I hadn’t thrown it out I would have brought my copy of the Mail over for you to read.”

I resisted the urge to run my hands over my face as they would come back covered in makeup but it didn’t stop me from worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. I knew that being hounded and stalked by the paparazzi came with an acting life but except for a few photos of Matt and I had had remained out of the limelight for the majority of my career.

“Charlotte, you’re looking a little pale.”

Taking in a gulp of air I averted my gaze from my feet and looked back up at Matt with a smile on my face.

“I’ll be fine, it’s just a little bit of a shock to realize that so many people are concerned with your personal life.”

“Well, just look at it as preparation because it’s only bound to get worse when it’s announced you’ve been casted on Sherlock.”

“I’ll just take it as it comes. I’m sure eventually I’ll learn to deal with it though no one should ever have to.”

Matt, sensing how uncomfortable I was, quickly changed the subject to where we would be getting dessert after the show. As we shared a slice of chocolate cake I noticed the vibration of my mobile from its place on the corner of the table. I couldn’t stand it when people ignored those they were with in favor of their mobiles so I did a quick check to make sure it wasn’t important, leading me to unlocking the screen to get the full message.

‘I just saw the papers. I can’t even begin to apologize. I hadn’t the slightest notion that we were being followed or I would have done everything in my power to keep you out of the papers. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.’

“I’m just going to take a wild guess and say that that’s Benedict.”

I nodded at Matt, “He’s apologizing for the papers. I think he expects I want nothing else to do with him now.”

“Judging from the smile on your face I’m going to guess that it’s the complete opposite. I do believe you, Charlotte, are smitten with you on-screen love interest.”

“I am not smitten with him Matthew. He just so happens to be very nice and gentlemanly. Our relationship is and will remained strictly work related.”

“Tell me that again when I find him sneaking out of your flat at six in the morning.”

Like a child, I stuck my tongue out at my friend before typing up a reply to Benedict.

‘There’s nothing for you to feel bad or sorry about. There was nothing either of us could have done to avoid those photographs being taken and published. And just in case those two sentences didn’t cover it, there is no need for forgiveness because I could never be mad at you for something out of your control.’

Placing my phone back in my purse, I glanced back at our shared dessert to see that it had all disappeared save for a few crumbs.

“You ate all of it? I only had two bites!”

“Well you could have had more if you weren’t busy messaging lover boy.”

“I was being courteous and replying to his message. You didn’t have to eat all of the cake.” I pouted, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms, my signature pouting look.

“Don’t give me that look! It makes me feel like giving in to anything you want.”

Knowing I had him cornered, I stuck out my bottom lip and watched as guilt crossed over Matt’s features.

“Fine, okay, alright, I’ll take you to Galupo before and after the show just stop doing that!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, I perked up and dropped a few notes on the table before standing up.

“Let’s go, you’re buying me three scoops too.”

Two trips to my favorite gelato place and one showing of The Book of Mormon later, Matt and I bid each other goodnight and headed to our respective sides of the city. After a quick shower, I settled into bed with my Kindle and plugged my phone in to charge. The screen lit up causing me to notice I had one unread message and when I saw it was from Benedict I felt bad after noticing he had sent it hours earlier while I was still with Matt.

‘You’re a darling for being so understanding but I’m still promising to make it up to you somehow.’

Smiling at the kindness he could show through a simple text I placed my phone back down and caught up on my reading.
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Thank you to everyone who keeps commenting and subscribing! It really inspires me to write. I'm trying to keep up with Charlotte's outfits when I post, so look out for the links in the story. Also if any of you were wondering this is what her apartment looks like.