that evening. There were several things. First, he texted her. Plain language confirmed that he was coming over at half seven. She had complained. His texts were impossible to read. He'd finally gotten the message. The text came in plenty of time. Instead of his usual call or message that he was on his way. Another: he was well-dressed. He smelled of the aftershave she'd picked out for him on their trip to Berlin. And - he brought flowers. A small but tastefully selected bunch. Modest. Suitable for their budget. He was on time of course. Darragh was always on time. No matter about his five-o-clock shadow. No matter if he didn't have time to put on a jacket or change into the trousers without the ketchup stain. He loved those trousers. No, being on time was Darragh's way of being dependable. Of course he was the one. Fairy tale ending. Perfect and she loved every detail about it. That didn't mean that sometimes in her mind he was better dressed and smelled of nice aftershave. Or maybe in her thoughts he sometimes brought her flowers. Maybe he had finally learnt how to tie his tie straight. The Darragh that came through the door and kissed her, maybe there was one thing, one tiny detail different than her mind's picture. But you know what? It's cute how his knot is always crooked. She wouldn't even try to straighten it. Her man was so sweet. "Well, hello there, handsome man of mine," she said between kisses. "Hello yourself, gorgeous," Darragh said, in those same pauses. There was even a fifth surprise. When he opened his beer and sat down on the sofa, he held the cap in his hand for a few moments. Looking for somewhere to put it. Instead of flinging it onto her glass table he stuck it in his pocket. Fallon wondered why she'd bought such an expensive table. She was terrified of scratching it. After months she'd found semi-transparent straw mats they could set their drinks and snacks on. Reliable Darragh. Before they were a couple he hadn't been. Very precise. Careful about certain aspects of his life. Like taking care of what he ate and his body. Work. But it had taken him a while to realise that Fallon was as important as those things. And he had moved her from wherever he had her compartmentalised. Into the important drawer, where things were serious. Better cared for. Drawbacks? Hardly. He always followed through. For good or bad. Berlin had been great. They had been to the zoos and the museums and the bridges and the buildings. Taken the photos that go with them. Laughing. Smiling. Hugging a policeman and getting licked in the face by a giraffe. Spent a day in their hotel room and made love. Walked along the Spree eating Berliners. Looked into each other's eyes over candlelit tables with red wine fuelling the love in their bellies. All according to Darragh's schedule. Every destination on the hour. Every lazy loving day in his planner or in his mind. That's why his sixth surprise was so welcome. With all her Irish hospitality she welcomed it. In a word: impulsiveness. But that won't do. We'll need more! Here: He took her hand as she was about to head back into the kitchen. Manoeuvred her easily into his lap. "And where are you going?" he asked. Kissed her. "Oh!" Fallon said. Or laughed. There was something about the kiss. And those that followed. Passion. Warmth. Like he was exploring her anew. Both gentle and with passion. Hard and restrained. It turned her on. His arm around her waist. His lips soft, moistened by touching hers. Kissing her neck, her shoulders, without breaking contact with the skin. Pushed her sweater down her shoulder to move further. To find more skin to touch. Light then passionate. Greed then tenderness. His hand on her hip. Moving with that same gentleness. Then grabbing handfuls of her thigh. Releasing it slowly. Let it slide out of his hand. Every movement one of desire. No. Of lust. And her skin underneath her jeans, her bared shoulders, longed for that touch. In between the buttons