Sailing Close to the Wind || Cora x Robert | Alternate Universe
This was supposed to be part of CobertWeek 2017, but things got lost in translation and it took me almost 3 years to even type this up and post it. Anyhoo, enjoy! Let me know what you think!
Cora Levinson feels her heart knock inside her chest as she walks the long hallway leading to the office of her boss. Sheâs not entirely sure how this meeting is about to pan out, not really sure how itâs going to go. Gwen, her bossâ assistant, had called her from the office line and had politely told her that her boss had asked to see her.Â
Sheâd bit down on her lip in anxiety, but she knew. She knew what it was for.
It is, after all, a very clear cut whatâs about to happen, or at least, it's a very clear cut to her what needs to be done, or not be done anyway.Â
Itâs a waiting game at this point.
Honestly, itâs all a very stupid mistake, after all. Sheâd not been paying attention, absorbed as she had been with the new project. As an architect, she had wanted to be hands-on. She hadnât wanted her design to be butchered by the hands of an engineer who did not consult her or didnât bother to consult her.
She takes pride in her work, on being hands on and available for her clients. If anything, sheâs reliable and competent, knows the in and out of her own design. She likes to see it first hand as it is built, having a say on how it is built. Sheâs also known for being on time, on driving hard to get to finish projects on her given deadline.
And that is exactly whatâs gotten her in this mess in the first place.Â
It appears she is able to keep with her deadlines on all of her projects, but not in other things in her life - the ones that make it possible for her to even have projects.
Sighing, she halts her steps once she reaches the office. The door is closed, a heavy, dark brown surface - cherry wood, beautiful, sheâs always thought so. She isnât exactly excited about this particular conversation sheâs about to have, and is in fact dreading it. She raises her fist and knocks on the door lightly.
âCome in,â she hears a muffled voice from the other side. Slowly, she opens the door and peers into the room, finding herself face to face with her boss. Rosamund Painswick is the Chief Operations Officer, an Architect by profession, with an MBA from Oxford. She ran the business with other members of her family - a brother, if Cora remembered correctly.
Cora noticed another strange face that is almost familiar, but she couldnât quite place it in her head. They were sitting on the couch on the other end of the room.Â
âHello, Miss Levinson,â Rosamund greeted with a terse smile.Â
Cora tried to read the room. Tense, thatâs all she can think about. She swallows and urges herself to come in, telling her feet to their part and move. Her legs are shaking but she tries really hard to notice, or let it give in.Â
"Uh, hello," Cora greets although it sounds more like a question than a greeting, and she fights a grimace as she pushes herself forward.Â
She watches her boss, and notes that the way her red hair glows in the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window makes her beautiful, but decidedly scarier.
Relax, Cora, she tells herself. You are not here to be executed.
"Have a seat," Rosamund invites politely, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk. Rosamund's blue eyes are trained on her form, and they are icy as they are warm, and Cora has had first hand experience of the ruthlessness of the woman, as well as her generosity. Rosamund is known for her designs as well as her stance in the boardrooms.
Rosamund is only a couple of years older than Cora, but has already accomplished so much more than Cora could ever imagine. Rosamund Painswick is formidable and more than capable, of course, but she is also a member of one of the wealthiest and well-known families around.
Their family - Crawley - owns the biggest firm in town. They've built many skyscrapers around Grantham, which parts of had been - from what Cora has heard - owned by their ancestors in the early days. A good number of infrastructure in London had been designed and built by them as well, spanning decades and generations of Crawleys.Â
When Cora had moved to London to study Architecture - much to her mother's consternation and her father's concern - she had planned to move back to New York and work her way up in some other architectural firm there. She had been hopeful, given how well she'd been performing her school and the series of internships she'd managed to get - it all looked very well in her portfolio. But then, she'd fallen in love with Grantham, one of the busiest, most beautiful places just outside London, when she'd managed to get an internship with Downton Designs.Â
They had offered her a position just before she finished her internship and before she graduated from her degree. The visa process had also been quick and easy, sponsored by Downton Designs themselves, and she'd worked for them right out of University - almost two years ago now. Going back home to New York with such a wonderful prospect in one hand had become such a far away dream, and it fell down on the list of her priorities. Â
After all, Grantham is just like New York, almost, with the added bonus of being thousands of miles away from her mother.
It's been a win-win situation for her.
Cora reminds herself that it's not going to be as bad as she fears. She already has a couple of contingency plans in place.
She hears Rosamund clear her throat, effectively waking Cora up from her reverie. Cora looks up with wide, apologetic eyes.
"I'm sorry," she says, sitting up and straightening in her chair. She swallows the lump in her throat.
Rosamund nods and folds her hands on top of the desk daintily. "We seem to have a problem," she murmurs, and boy, oh boy, don't they. "What happened?"
Cora is certain her boss already knows exactly what happened, but launches into an explanation of her current predicament anyway.
It's a stupid thing really. A colossal mistake. An oversight on Cora's part. She had been so absorbed with her new project - the first really big one after almost two years in the company. She had, of course, worked on many projects before - big ones where she's the junior, or smaller ones where she's lead or working solo - but this is the first one she had worked on a really big one where she's the lead. She had wanted it to go so well and so smoothly, to produce great results. She'd been tied in meetings left and right, that she had forgotten the deadline for her visa application. Her best friend and roommate, Phyllis, had reminded her of course, but she still had forgotten. She had missed the extension as well, and had only realized with such a sense of dread, when she'd received the letter telling her that her failure to submit required documents and complete her application had now subjected her for reapplication, which means she has to go back home to New York.Â
It's a right mess.
Cora breathes deeply as she finishes her story and looks up at her boss. The other woman's face is unreadable, and Cora feels her heart sink further into her stomach. She licks her lips and turns her gaze to the other man in the room. His lips are pulled down in a frown, and his brows are furrowed. He looks just about as readable as Rosamund Painswick is.
She turns her attention to her boss and watches her nod. "Alright we'll get back to you, Miss Levinson."
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R: The thing is, I'm pretty sure she won't last till morning and I don't want her to be frightened.Â
C: Then lay her here between us. And she'll know she has someone who loves her very much next to her.
R: Two people who love her and each other very much on either side. I only hope I can say the same when my time comes.
Hello, everyone! I didn't think I'd be back this soon but special thanks to @moonlessmondays (@breakingunbreaking on Tumblr) for convincing me to take part in this #CobertWeek, I love you, big sister!
The prompt, I chose was AU pretend girlfriend/boyfriend, but I went on and changed it the tiniest bit to pretend husband and wife.Â
I'm glad I took part and even though I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it on time, I did and I'm absolutely thrilled. I honestly wrote it last night without any proper planning so I apologise if it sounds a bit off and has mistakes. I didn't have time to proofread, I'm sorry. I hope you all enjoy and I can't wait to read your feedback!
P.S: I know the name sounds strange and you must be like ??? but you'll understand it when you read it, so yeah...
Happy Reading!
Robert unlocked his phone once again to check the time. He was really late. It was his own fault anyway, he couldn't blame anyone. But it's not like he had planned to go back to London two days earlier. Initially he was meant to return on Sunday, but who can argue with Mama? Apparently dinner at Mrs. Shackleton's house was of 'utmost importance' all of a sudden and his presence was an absolute necessity. Now it was his fault that he couldn't find a flight back home. All planes were fully booked and Mama couldn't even wait until the next day for him to return. Thus he was catching a train from Glasgow to London, which was almost 4 and a half hours of travel.
He had been working hard, really hard for his company; Grantham Properties & Construction. He had attended four meetings back to back in two days and chaired two conferences in Scotland. He hadn't slept properly or had time to catch his breath. He was really hoping to take a day off afterwards and visit his favorite places in Scotland but now he was running to platform number 4, hoping he hadn't missed this train as well. This would be a long ride and probably not a very peaceful one. It was almost time for the holidays and even the trains were booked and he had found the only seat available the last moment, and that too in business class, which meant loads of people and noise thus no chance of sleep. Sighing he reached the platform and located his train.
Carrying his light suitcase up the train he searched for his seat.
"43B, 43B..", he murmured to himself. Finally successful in locating it he put his bag near the rest of the cases placed and slumped down on his seat. He was glad that he made it in time, he knew Mama would be furious if he had missed it. He unlocked his phone to text his sister, Rosamund that he had made it on time when he heard a voice.
"Um, excuse me?" a feminine voice called him.
A beautiful, tall and a dark haired woman who was struggling with a gigantic box of something stood next to his seat.
"I think you're on my seat.." she took out her train ticket and showed it to him.
Robert was completely dumbfounded, being highly distracted with her bright blue eyes.
"It's 43C" she further clarified, looking at him oddly.
Robert shook his head slightly "Yes sorry.." he took out his ticket again and looked at the seat number at the tiny screen above their compartment. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I just saw 43 and I just sat down, I really apologize, Miss"
Robert got up and gave her space so that she could replace seats with him. She dragged her box with her and tried managing her handbag simultaneously, which was dangling off her arm.
"Here, let me help you" Robert offered his help as he took the large rectangular box from her.
"Thank you so much" she said as she sat down "I wouldn't have bothered you but I really wanted to have the window seat" she added with a tiniest giggle, as Robert smiled at her excitement.
Robert gave her box back and sat next to her on the aisle seat. "That's alright, I'm sorry I'm just being very forgetful lately"
The stunning woman, Cora smiled a beautiful smile at him and for a minute Robert forgot all about his tiredness and annoyance. Robert then accidently hit his foot on the box placed against Cora's knees.
"Oh, sorry" Robert said. He thought about how dumb and clumsy he must be looking in front of her.
Cora shook her head, "I know I shouldn't have placed it here but there was no space on the trolley and I really didn't want anyone to put their luggage on it"
"Oh, I..uh, is it something made of glass?" Robert asked, suddenly tensed that he might have damaged something in it.
"No, it's a painting actually and it took me a long time to finish it so I'm just being extra protective" she replied shyly.
Robert raised his eyebrows suddenly more interested in the beautiful woman next to him "Oh, you're a painter?"
Cora blushed lightly, making Robert's heart melt "No, I just enjoy painting a lot. It's one of my favourite hobbies"
"Are you any good?" Robert asked rubbing his hands together. He himself was a big fan of pretty paintings. Although he didn't have much knowledge about art and its history but he always appreciated beautiful things, just as he was suddenly very intrigued by the beautiful creature sitting next to him.
"I don't know, you tell me" she said as she carefully opened the top of the box to slide her painting out. As soon as Robert saw it, his eyes went completely round. He could immediately recognize the place, it was one of his favorite places in the world and he had planned to visit it, before he was ordered to mark his presence at home. But what captured his interest more were the beautiful colors and the careful, very refined strokes. He could easily see himself buying it and hanging him in his office, or even the drawing room. The colors were bright; strokes of greens, blues and browns filled the canvas and he could easily imagine himself standing there that moment.
"This is stunning!" he finally replied.
Cora smiled, "I don't know about stunning.."
"No, I am serious" Robert cut her off "This is absolutely marvelous. You're very good" he exclaimed.
Cora lowered her eyes now and Robert admired her long black lashes, "This is.."
"Loch Lomond." Robert completed the sentence for her.
She smiled a bright smile "Yes, it is!"
"It's one of my most favorite places" he grinned back.
"Really?" her tone was so innocently surprising that he couldn't help but giggle a little.
"I actually came all the way to Glasgow to paint this. I saw a picture and I thought I really had to visit this place" she added
"It's my favorite when it comes to having some time to myself. I was hoping to visit it again this time but couldn't. How long did it take you to paint this?"
"About 12 days" she smiled.
"It's fantastic work" he appreciated once again.
"Thank you. You don't live in Glasgow then?" she raised her eyebrows in question.
"No, I'm actually from London. Technically Yorkshire but I was raised in London" he shrugged.
"Oh, I've never been there" she put a stray of her hair behind her ear.
"Oh, you should. It's beautiful and very peaceful" he smiled at her. "You clearly aren't from Scotland" he smirked.
Cora raised her eyebrows and acted clueless, "Hm, I wonder what gave me away" she replied speaking in her true American accent.
Robert laughed and she laughed with him as their eyes met. Cora felt a real tug, as if her heart just did a backflip. She coughed lightly and could actually see the handsome man's ears turning red.
"I am from Newport"
"Oh"
"Have you been there?"
Robert thought about it for a second, "I've been to New York but not Newport"
"You should, it's beautifulâŚand peaceful" she mimicked him and they shared another laugh. She really was full of life.
"So what brought you to UK? Loch Lomond?" he asked, laughing at his own dumb joke.
She giggled "Not quite. I study at Oxford. We had our semester break so I jumped at the chance of doing some exploring"
"Oh wow, I graduated from Oxford two years ago. I assume you study art?"
Cora sighed "I wish. But my father really wanted me to study business administration so I could join his business as a proper partner later on, thus I chose that"
Robert closed his eyes for a split second, being able to highly relate to her "I know how that feels." He sighed with her "I always wanted to study psychology but I am the only son which means I have to handle the family business"
"Oh, you're a businessman?" This time her eyes opened wide.
"Yeah. Don't I look exactly the stereotype" He referred to his coat, his always buzzing cellphone and a pen placed on his coat pocket.
Cora smiled "I don't know, you just gave me a vibe that you must be a doctor"
Robert raised his eyebrows again "A doctor? Haha, don't let my mother hear you"
Cora smiled back at him "Parents!" she rolled her eyes.
"Yes, they are the same everywhere, aren't they?" he added "So you're clearly a student"
"Yes" she said as she relaxed back in her seat. "Don't I look like one?" she grinned.
"You look like a teacher too, like a teacher just beginning her career at teaching"
"You know what?" she jumped back up "I always thought I would be a teacher until a few years ago. Probably a sad Monday-Friday 8th grade English teacher" she chuckled.
"Or art" he added.
"Yeah, haha!"
Neither of them had realized that the train hadn't started yet. Robert suddenly realized that when he looked outside the window. He looked at the time, they were 15 minutes over. He then suddenly heard a pure, thick Scottish accent as they both turned around.
A really bulky, blonde, middle aged woman walked towards them as she talked on her phone.
"I know Billy but we had planned this a month back..I know you can't but stillâŚ" she sighed "My sister will be really sad⌠No, no Michael is coming, he said he'd be there by Tuesday!" her pitch rose. "Yeahh.." she sat down opposite Cora as she continued to talk.
"You know I hate travelling alone and it's almost the holidaysâŚ.. That's not whatâŚI can't bear them when they act like lovebirds, what am I going to do Billy? We are supposed to be together"
Cora and Robert both just stared at her as she spoke. For some reason her conversation was very interesting, although both of them knew it was bad manners.
The woman looked up at them and Cora and Robert both diverted their gaze. "See, all couples here Billy, all of em. Not one single here. Besides me! I'm even sitting next to one" There was a long pause as Billy ranted on about something on the phone. Finally the train moved and Robert relaxed.
"I'll tell you when I'm there. Give Mr. Simpson a kiss, don't forget to clean the den. Yes..love you, too, you devil" she snorted at the end, that almost made Cora jump.
She put her phone down and sighed again "Sorry about that, eh" the blonde woman apologized.
Before either of them could respond, she spoke once again "Husbands, eh! They're all the same" she rolled her eyes.
Robert raised his eyebrows, suddenly flabbergasted at the stereotype she associated with the role while Cora just stared at the woman with confusion. The woman ran a hand through her neck long, really blonde hair and repositioned her glasses.
"They can be so annoying, I mean they make plans, they promise they'll make it and then they cancel last minute, aren't I right?" she asked as both Cora and Robert continued staring at her.
Cora coughed and sat more properly, trying to reply "Well, um, I wouldn't know..Ma'am I.."
The woman didn't hear her as she cut her off again "They know how to talk..my Billy is an expert, I tell ya"
Robert could see Cora getting super confused so he tried to take the lead so that he could explain to the woman that they aren't marriedâŚor even dating. He would date her though, he thought, if he had the chance, though he wouldn't but..Robert shook his head; that was an absolutely foolish thought.
"Actually, Ma'am.." Robert began to speak.
"Do you do that, too, young man?" the blonde questioned Robert and he was taken by surprise that he couldn't think of a reply.
"I..uh.."
"Course you do, you tell me, darling, does he do that?" she asked Cora, who immediately bit her lip. This was such an awkward situation. The woman kept asking them questions but didn't give them a chance to reply.
"Is it just my Billy?" she further clarified.
Cora took a breath "Listen, Ma'am, I think there's a misunderstanding.."
"What? No, there's no misunderstanding, Billy does that all the time" she emphasized with her hands.
Robert rolled his eyes, this was absolutely useless. Was this woman crazy?
"Yes" Robert heard his beautiful seat mate utter this and all hair on his body stood up. What?
"Yes, he does that too" Cora replied to the woman.
The woman bobbed her head in agreement as Robert just stared at both of them. The woman then looked out the window when Cora looked at Robert and squeezed her shoulders, silently gesturing that she wouldn't have shut up otherwise. Robert agreed and relaxed back into the seat, hoping this was the last he heard from the blonde woman.
The woman's phone beeped as her screen popped up a big image of her kissing a man's cheek, which Robert assumed was the famous Billy. Billy compared to the woman was tiny, bald and extremely thin. The woman smiled as she typed back to her text.
"But you gotta love them, don't you?" the woman now looked at Cora with a grin.
Cora who had momentarily relaxed went back into a state of surprise. "Um, what?"
"Marriage is a beautiful thing, though isn't it? I mean yeah they're silly spouses but you gotta love them" she said as she looked back at her screen. She really flipped her button in seconds. "Marriage is great!" she further emphasized.
"Yeah, I'm sure" Cora replied casually, literally having no clue where this conversation was going.
As soon as Cora replied, the woman put her phone down on the table between them and lowered her glasses as she stared at Robert "What do you mean I'm sure? You're not certain? Doesn't he keep you happy?" she asked "Don't you keep her happy, young man?" The conversation escalated quicker than the pace of the train. What had just happened? Honestly what was even going on?
Both Cora and Robert looked at her with blank faces, as if they just got a scolding from a governess for being naughty. Robert felt the sweat under his collar as he saw the woman glaring at him.
Robert put his hands on the seams of his coat and gulped "I uh.." there really was no other option, he just had to play along "Don't I keep you happy.." he then realized that he didn't even know her name and the way he said the sentence, he had to finish it with something, "âŚsweetheart" he completed the sentence and felt the blush on his face that he could feel spreading on the face of the lovely woman sitting next to him.
Cora gulped and felt a smile creeping on her face. The way he said sweetheart was so awkward and out of force but it was equally sweet and absolutely adorable. She looked at Robert and could feel the smirk on his face. They both were ready to burst with laughter at the whole situation, but Robert very subtly raised his eyebrows as he chewed on his lower lip, signaling that they have no way out. She didn't know him of course, she wouldn't even identify herself as someone who was particularly good at reading facial expressions, but something about thisâŚhandsome man's (oh boy! She didn't even know his name!) face was so comfortable and easy to read that she felt she had known him for years.
"Of course you do" she finally replied and then turned back to the woman "Of course he does, he's a good man"
Robert smiled a very satisfied smile and Cora wanted to laugh at how cute it was. The smile was similar to the smile of a boy in class who was awarded with biggest star on his homework. As if the appreciation he received for being a very good husband was genuine and he felt so very proud of his achievements.
Robert tapped his fingers on the table and settled in comfortably. Seeing him relax, Cora relaxed too. This was going to be a long ride. A long and a very interesting ride, since they've given in to the lie, they'll just have to go with it.
Robert looked at his pretend wife and smiled to himself, being happy that she got the hint and isn't offended that he gave in the act and called her sweetheart. She truly was a sweetheart, such a gorgeous person. Though he didn't know her well, although he would've if the blonde woman hadn't interrupted but he wasn't about to complain. They made a really funny team pretending to be husband and wife. And that too without any practice. In his mind, that had to be the best improv ever.
The scenery outside was breathtaking. He had travelled between Glasgow and London several times but mostly by air. It was the first time he actually travelled via train between these two cities and he felt genuinely happy. Although his plans got cancelled and he was highly annoyed with Mama and on top of it all he was tired and lacking on sleep. But still something about the views in front of him calmed him down. Of course the lush green background of his view was absolutely beautiful and so was the foreground, of the beautiful woman who stared out the window with so much fascination. He could see the reflection of her bright blue eyes in the glass, they had to be the most gorgeous shade of blue. After staring at it for a while, it hit him that she could probably see him staring at her through the glass too. He blushed and settled back down.
"So gorgeous!" Cora exclaimed as she continued staring outside, thankfully unaware of all the staring from her partner.
"It's beautiful, ain't it?" The woman spoke up again.
"It is..Ma'am" Cora replied, keeping her attention outside the window.
"It's Estelle, lassie. Estelle Lascombe" she mentioned her name.
Oh so this very interesting woman had a name too, Robert thought to himself.
"But you can call me Mrs. Lascombe, both of ya"
Cora and Robert nodded as Cora continued to look outside the window and Robert popped out his mobile to reply to his emails.
After a few minutes in silence, Mrs. Lascombe spoke again "Ay you see this area, there? Just there.." she pointed out the window as both Cora and Robert followed her finger. "A few miles to the north is where my Billy is from. I met him there about 47 years ago" she smiled at the memory.
Robert smiled at her and then smiled at Cora. Only the smile was really short-lived as another loaded question came bursting out. "How long have you two been married?"
Oh dear! The answers had to be quick.
"3 years" said Cora
"4 years" said Robert
They just happened to say it exactly at the same time. They both looked at each other and felt a panic attack. Cora but her lip again and Robert's eyes went twice their size.
"3 or 4?" Mrs. Lascombe asked scrunching up her nose
"Uh, 3 and a half" said Cora as she giggled in nervousness. She rubbed her hand against her upper thigh and continued "It'll be 4 in mid July" she smiled at Robert then and he took it as a sign to continue.
Already being flushed at the blunder they made, he gulped a few times "Yes, uh..time passes by so quickly, I just lose track" what a dumb reply, he thought to himself.
Cora put a hand on his forearm, a gesture he thought was for him to calm down and even though he was wearing like 5 layers, he could feel the current it triggered "He's being very forgetful lately" she added and then looked at him with a smirk.
Robert lowered his face and felt a smile, but for two reasons. First, her hand on his forearm! He had had many girlfriends before but never, ever had he felt the current he felt just then. And he was wearing 5 layers! And second, he smiled because of how attentive she had been when they talked earlier and he mentioned him being forgetful lately. It was a small detail but it really made him happy.
Cora removed her hand and could feel the blood rushing through it with fast pace. She put her hand on his arm to calm him down because he turned the color of an apple when they made that mistake. And as soon as she had done it, she felt like a fifteen year old with a crush. Gosh, she was being ridiculous. But she covered it up pretty quickly, a trait she learned from her diva of a mother.
"Oh, I see, I see. Still pretty new, eh? Any kids?" she further asked.
Of course, this question was coming. What else do women of her age (which was the age of their mothers) think about!
Cora almost rolled her eyes but then she looked at Robert who had another confused expression on his face. This time he was looking at Cora to reply. Mrs. Lascombe didn't sense the awkwardness as she continued "I have three sons, eh. All married. Big family, I have!"
"Oh" Cora smiled "We don't" she tried to reply very politely and was hoping that Mrs. Lascombe would change her topic. Or better still, stop talking entirely.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't have them too soon, yeah? Don't get overexcited" she said as she winked at Robert and that was it. Robert turned almost crimson at the comment. Honestly, this woman gave him shock after shock.
Cora too, was deep pink at the comment and dug her nails in the leather of the seat at the embarrassment. She couldn't bear to look at the man sitting next to her. Whatever his name was!
Mrs. Lascombe started to laugh, the same snort like laugh she did before and people around them started looking towards them "I'm kidding, eh. It's a joke" she replied "Nevermind, what are your names, I didn't ask?"
Well, they wouldn't tell her in the first place and second they can't, even if they wanted to as they didn't know each other's. Cora looked at Robert and Robert at Cora and through eye contact they agreed that they won't give out their real names. Robert moved his head ever so slightly from left to right and Cora nodded with the same carefulness. They couldn't risk it. What if she found them on social media and started harassing them with friend requests and messages?
"Sorry, what?" Robert asked Mrs. Lascombe.
"Names, dearies"
"Oh, I'm..Jack. Jack Andrews" he smiled with his best poker face.
Mrs. Lascombe now looked at Cora who looked at Robert. Name name name, she thought to herself. When she heard the man's most probably fake name, there was only one name that came to her mind.
"Oh, Jill. I'm Jill" she smiled.
Robert looked at Cora and Cora could see the look of absolute shock on his face. Could it be more fake? Of all the names she had to use the name that was part of the famous nursery rhyme.
"Jack & Jill, eh?" Mrs. Lascombe laughed.
Cora gulped and Robert knew he had to take over "Yes, haha" he laughed and carefully moved towards her and put her arm around Cora "we're meant to be together"
As soon as he did, Cora got a whiff of his cologne and was positively awaken and when he put his arm around her, she looked at him, her face was centimeters apart from his cheek. When Robert said those words, Cora felt her body tingle. She blushed so hard that she had to lower her head. Robert saw this and carefully let her go, equally flushed as she was. They made eye contact again and just smiled through their eyes.
"Sweet. What do you do to make a living?"
"Oh, um I'm a doctor" he said grinning, as he drummed on the table. Well if they were lying already, why shouldn't they go on and exaggerate the whole thing.
Cora just chuckled and subtly covered her mouth. Just because she had mentioned earlier that he gave her a doctor kind of a vibe, he'll of course go ahead and use it.
"Really, yeah My Billy is a doctor too! He's a vet!" Mrs. Lascombe almost jumped off her seat "I tell yeah, he treats animals in a snap. Horses, dogs, chickens, any kind, he's the best, my Billy" she bragged about her husband as Cora just shook her head at the ridiculousness of the whole thing.
"What kind of a doctor, are ya?"
"I'mâŚa.." well they hadn't thought this through "I'm a neurologist"
"Ah, I see, I see. You do anything, Jill?"
Cora who was busy trying to digest her laugher, sat right up at the question and sucked on her cheeks for a second to regain her control, "Oh, yes yes, I'm a teacher" she said looking at Robert, who in response smirked as a kid on Christmas.
"I'm an art teacher, I teach the 8th grade"
"I like the 8th grade, yeah. Better than the 9th grade and a lot more serious than the 7th" Mrs. Lascombe replied and Cora found no sense in her logics.
"You two make a cozy couple. Doctor and a teacher. Jack and Jill. Wonderful, I say" Mrs. Lascombe slapped the table in front of her for emphasis.
"Yeah..it's..great" Robert replied, trying hard to control his laughter.
"How did you two meet then?"
Oh of course! How did this question slip their minds? They couldn't mess up this story. Cora put a stray of hair behind her ear and coughed "Darling, why don't you tell this story?"
Robert nodded and gulped. Story story story, yes. "We..met at a conference" he said drumming his fingers on his thighs.
He didn't have time to think so he just crossed his fingers and started saying whatever came to his mind "We went to her school to give a lecture to the students onâŚon mental health, yes. Afterwards we had a conference with the teachers, telling them the importance of mental health and that's where I met her"
Underneath the table, Cora gave him a thumbs up, at an angle only where Robert would be able to see it and he sat back comfortably at her approval.
"Good on ya, good on ya. Was it love at first sight? My Billy fell for me at first look, that foolish man. He said he knew he'd marry me at the first glance" Mrs. Lascombe blushed at the memory and Cora and Robert looked at each other, only this time without any sense of panic and tension. They looked at each other, this whole thing is their first ever meeting and both of them could feel something. So what was this? And what will be their pretend story? Will it be on the same track as the real one? Or will it just be a funny story on a train with a stranger they once met? They wondered.
After a few moments in silence, Robert looked at Mrs. Lascombe and smiled at her "Well, Mrs. Lascombe, I exactly know how your husband felt because it was love at first sight for me as well" he kept his gaze at Mrs. Lascombe as Cora felt her heart soar with joy. What was going on? She hadn't known the man 3 hours and she was already feeling so attached to him. And boy oh boy, as soon as he replied to Mrs. Lascombe she felt out of breath. She had never felt this before and maybe it was because this whole situation was extremely unusual but whatever the reason, it felt good, it felt exciting, it felt like a beautiful journey.
Mrs. Lascombe put both her palms on her fat chubby cheeks "That make me so happy" she showed off her toothy smile and Cora chuckled and smiled back at her.
She looked at Cora for a response, who was already in a puddle with all this. She gulped and tried to regain her control "Yes, he was the most gorgeous man. He was very nice, very well mannered. And then.." she looked at Robert to help her create the rest of the story "then we went on a few dates, for a few months and then he proposed" they both kept looking at each other and then Robert nodded.
"Yes, I just knew then and there. Just like your Billy, Mrs. Lascombe" said Robert.
"Yeah" she snorted "just like my Billy"
Robert looked at Cora from the corner of his eye and could see her blushing and that made his heart melt. Just to cut the awkwardness, Robert changed the topic "Coffee?"
"None for me thanks, dearie" said Mrs Lascombe, although Robert didn't ask her.
"Um, yeah" Cora nodded.
Robert stood up and then suddenly realized that he didn't know how she liked her coffee and he couldn't just straight off ask her because he was apparently her husband and he would of course know these things.
Suddenly Mrs. Lascombe's phone rang with the most obnoxious ringtone and Robert bet on his life that it would be her husband, Billy. And of course it was.
"Hey, Billy!" Mrs Lascombe spoke as if she hadn't spoken to him in years and both Cora and Robert laughed.
Robert tried to ask Cora in signals as he stood, but Cora was too engrossed in the conversation Mrs. Lascombe was having with Billy. Robert coughed, two times but she didn't listen. He tried to gain her attention and failed but of course some other person caught him.
"What is it, Jack?" asked Mrs. Lascombe putting her phone on hold "Why are you standing here, get your wife her coffee"
Only then Cora saw Robert still standing there.
"Oh, I , uh, I am. I'm justâŚstretching" he then did some weird actions which were supposedly him stretching and Cora couldn't help but giggle out loud.
Mrs. Lascombe gave him an odd look and then put her phone on again "Hold your horses, Billy!"
Cora raised her eyebrows at him and he tried to murmur the words. Cora couldn't get it.
"What?" Cora murmured back.
Robert then just rolled his eyes and bent towards her that his face was nearer hers. Mrs. Lascombe was busy talking about some jar of jam she left behind.
"How do you like your coffee? Robert whispered to her.
"Oh, sorry" Cora covered her mouth "Cappuccino, one sugar" Cora whispered back.
Mrs. Lascombe gave them a strange look again and they both looked at her as if being caught.
"I, uh.." Robert said.
Cora squeezed his arm that he had put on the seat for support for his leaning body "Oh, he's just being silly" she fake rolled her eyes "Go, on now baby, stop being cute with me" she said and when Mrs. Lascombe still wouldn't drop her look, Cora gave him a flying kiss by joining their cheeks together "Go on"
Robert who was completely mesmerized, wasn't sure if his head was actually twirling with joy or was it just the bouncy train. He gulped and nodded and went off.
After a good five minutes of her talk with Billy about the randomest of things, Mrs. Lascombe turned her attention back to Cora. Robert still hadn't returned yet.
"You've got yourself a gem, Jill" Mrs. Lascombe commented.
"Sorry, what?"
"Jack. He's a good lookin man"
Cora smiled and actually felt happy at the compliment, as if she was talking about her real husband, "Yes, he..he's a very good man"
"That is so rare, I tell you, Jill. To find a man who's good looking and is good to ya. Someone who wants more than just your body"
Cora sighed, thinking back to her old relationships. She had had a couple of serious relationships. She never went through any traumatizing experiences, thank the lord, but she could understand why Mrs, Lascombe said what she did. Her ex boyfriends only got attracted to her because of her good looks and genuinely didn't care about anything besides that.
"I know, I am very lucky" Cora said that and for that moment she wanted to believe it.
Mrs. Lascombe scooted forward, "I see the way he looks at you. He is in it forever, trust me. My Billy looks at me like that" she added
This time Cora really smiled at the reference "Well if Billy looks at you the same way, then that's a good sign"
"Wonderful sign! Jack's a handsome man"
Cora blushed and dug her nails in her palm "Yes, he's a gorgeous man!"
"Ay, and those handsâŚ"
Cora felt a new wave of embarrassment. Mrs. Lascombe had been looking at his hands and thinking all sorts of things. How dare she? But..why was she getting all angry? He isn't your husband Jill..I mean Cora, Cora thought to herself. Gosh, this whole situation was a mess.
Robert returned with two cups of coffee "What are you two talking about?" he asked as he sat back down.
Robert handed her, her coffee and smiled "I know, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen" and this time he didn't even say this for the sake of the act.
Cora who was already pink, turned a deeper shade and tried to hide her face behind the cup.
"Oh, I want to hear the rest of the story" said Mrs. Lascombe
"Which one?" Robert asked as he sipped his coffee.
"Of how you proposed of course"
"Oh.." he said.
Cora took a long sip and sat back up properly "He proposed at Loch Lomond"
Robert almost choked on his latte. Of course she would say that, what else. He tried to hide his smile by the froth of the coffee on his lips. He then looked at her and gestured her to continue. Cora smirked at him and giggled.
"So he called me one day and said Jill, I have to show you something and I asked what? He said it's a surprise. So we go on a long drive. We were here in Glasgow already, he had aâŚ" she looked at him to help her fill the gap. "What was it, darling?"
Robert sucked on his cheek "Oh, that German delegation for theâŚSouthern General Hospital" he said the first thing that came to his mind. He only remembered this place because one time when he was here with Rosamund, she managed to twist her ankle and he took her there.
"Right" Cora said snapping her finger "so we went on a drive and we went to Loch Lomond. We went up on the hill, you know the one that gives the full view of the lake?" she said remembering the angles as she had spent days there.
"Yeah, yeah, on the west side, I know that" Mrs, Lascombe answered.
"So he took me up on the hill and I was so engrossed in the view that I didn't see him going down on one knee and take out the ring"
"You must be so nervous.." Mrs. Lascombe asked Robert.
"Oh, I wasâŚI was feeling goosebumps. I was sweating, even though it was really chilly that day." He said and looked at Cora who was so invested in the story, it made him smile "but I just looked at her, and I never felt so right about anything"
Cora blushed and bit her lower lip at the comment.
The announcement interrupted the wonderful moment "Virgin Train will make a stop at Crewe and then proceed to our final destination; London Euston"
Only then Robert realized how much time had actually passed. They had completed more than three-fourth of the journey and it didn't feel like that at all. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that this day would turn out like this. He would meet the most enchanting woman ever and would pretend to be her husband for hours on.
The train stopped and a bunch of teenage girls jumped on the train, in their party dresses chatting loudly to each other. For the next 20 minutes, everyone else on the train was quiet besides the large group of girls chatting about things. One of them talked about her best friend's cousin engagement ring which was apparently the most beautiful ring ever.
Until this point Mrs. Lascombe was absolutely silent and then another question popped up in her head.
"Ay, Jill, where is your wedding ring?"
Oh shit! Yes, Jill, where the hell is your wedding ring? Cora thought to herself.
"Oh, my ring, yes.." she smiled, taking time to think about it "It is gone for resizing and polishing" she said as she twisted her ring finger.
Mrs. Lascombe made a strange face "I'm so used to mine, I never take it off. Never. Now I can't.." she snorted again "My fingers are so fat now, it's stuck" she showed her bear looking hands and truly her fingers have gotten quite large and her wedding ring seemed to be stuck on it.
Robert raised his eyebrows just thinking how uncomfortable it must be for her when he became Mrs. Lascombe's next target "What about you, Jack, where is yours?" she narrowed her eyes at him.
Robert gulped again, he had no idea what to reply to this. He just stared back at her dumbly when Mrs. Lascombe said "Not good, son. My Billy never takes it off. You should wear it" she added, suddenly displeased with the whole situation.
"Oh, I.." Robert started but couldn't find the right words.
Cora looked at him and chewed on her lip, clearly seeing that her intervention was needed.
"Oh, don't worry" said Cora, taking Robert's hand on the table in front of him "You left it on the bedside table, Jack. We were in a rush this morning, you forgot. Don't worry, I packed it in the case. You haven't lost it"
She covered up quite nicely and Robert felt blood circulating in his body again "Oh, thank god!" he said, wiping his brow "Jill, you're an angel, thanks" and she really was.
She smiled at him and then added "I told you, so forgetful" she said to Mrs. Lascombe and made a funny face.
Mrs. Lascombe snorted and both Cora and she laughed at him.
After a few minutes, Mrs. Lascombe excused herself and went to the restroom and for the first time on the whole trip, Cora and Robert sat back down comfortably.
"God what a day!" said Cora slapping her forehead.
"I still can't believe this is actually happening" said Robert slapping on the table.
They both started laughing at the whole thing and Cora put her head down on the table. When Robert recovered, he started talking.
"Hey, listen. Do you want to make a run for it?"
Cora looked back up "What?"
"I think, the kind of a person that she is, she will not leave us at the station if we don't give her our address and phone numbers. I bet she has planned on sending us Christmas cards every year"
Cora laughed at this "By this point, it could be anything"
"Yes" Robert leaned in closer to whisper "She'll be back soon and we're 5 minutes away from the station. I say as soon as the train stops, we storm out. Not giving her any time for goodbyes"
Cora bit her lip and then put a hand on his forearm "Can we do that?"
"Yeah, I mean why not" he shrugged his shoulders "Otherwise we'll be forced to attend her family functions and imagine more of her"
"No, please" Cora jumped up, suddenly realizing that it might actually be true. She shook her head "No, we're going with your plan. We're running off!" she ended with a laugh.
Robert laughed back and then looked behind her "Here, I'll take your painting. You take your purse. Do you have another bag?"
"Um, yeah" Cora pointed behind them at the trolley "The brown one on the top"
Robert looked at it and nodded "Good, I'm glad it's not a roll on"
"Yeah, I was well aware that this was going to happen to me one day and I'll have to run off. I always come prepared" she joked and they both laughed.
"Alright, can you manage that, is it too heavy to run in?" he asked
He was being so sweet "Um, no it's not heavy, I can manage"
"Okay, I only have this small bag so I can manage your painting and this. Right then"
"Aye aye captain" she said and smiled at him
Mrs. Lascombe came back from the restroom as she saw majority of the people standing up and grabbing their luggage. They were almost at the station.
"Oh, we're almost there then" she commented and went to the trolley and grabbed her cheetah printed bags that gave Robert a headache.
Cora and Robert along with a few other passengers stood near the exit door and Mrs. Lascombe joined them with her horrible bags.
"You were right, Jack. Time passes by so quickly" she sighed
Both Cora and Robert were now just yearning for the sight of the platform so they could just run off as soon as the train stops. He signaled Cora with his eye that be ready and she nodded.
"You'll be glad to meet my sister, Jill. She's full of life, she talks so much though, and it gives you a headache" she snorted.
Robert wanted to laugh. If she thinks that she doesn't give other people a headache, she was absolutely clueless. And boy, if someone gives her a headache, he wondered what kind of a creature that must be.
Cora just smiled and tapped her fingers on the bag in anxiety. Robert saw this and lightly put his hand on top of hers to calm her down. She looked at him and he squeezed it to reassure her. He was truly, genuinely the kindest man she had ever met.
He then raised his eyebrows as they entered the station and the announcements went off as they had arrived at their destination. Cora too looked at the platform and smiled. She had never been happier to see a platform before.
"..you don't know what the younger generation are on about. My grandson talks of such strange things, he has me worried. Hey, Jack, you're a neurologist, can you check if his brain's alright?"
"I'm sure it's fine, Mrs. Lascombe" Robert replied half listening to what she was saying.
"No, he keeps me up at night, he doesn't play, what kind of a kid is he? I'll tell Johnny to bring him to your clinic.." she continued talking as the train came to a halt.
The doors opened and Robert nodded to Cora who nodded back.
"I'll get my sister to make an appointment, are you open on Thursday, Jack?" she said as she moved behind to grab her bags.
The passengers in front of Cora and Robert exited the train and both of them stood on their toes to make a run.
"Hey, Jack, can you take my makeup bag?" Mrs. Lascombe shouted bending down to assemble all her things.
That was it, it was their turn next and as soon as she said that Robert jumped off and gave Cora a hand to get off.
"Hey, Jill listen my sister would love youâŚ" Mrs. Lascombe said as she turned around and saw Jack and Jill exiting the train.
"Hey Jack, wait for me.." she said as Cora and Robert stormed off. They started running as fast as they could, bumping into people.
"Jill.." they heard Mrs. Lascombe's voice from behind and Robert took Cora's hand and they both started running at the same pace. It was also easier in case they both lost each other. This was nothing sort of the panic the McCallister family felt in Home Alone.
They ran and ran and ran until they reached the exit and by that time they were completely out of breath. Robert put his hands on his knees to catch his breath as Cora held the railing behind her to do the same.
They looked behind and saw no trace of Mrs. Lascombe and then looked at each other and burst into laughter. They started laughing so loudly that people around them gave them strange looks. Robert felt tears in his eyes and Cora felt that her legs were about to give away from all the laughing.
"Oh, my god" she said.
"OH MY GOD" said Robert.
"I can't believe we did that" said Cora wiping away her tears from her face.
"I can't believe this actually happened"
"We did it!" she said grinning and put out her hand for a high five which was well received. He high fived back and grinned.
"Oh, yes we did it" he replied.
Cora adjusted her bag again and looked at the people exiting the platform "What if she finds us here?"
Robert looked behind them and nodded "Yeah, let's not stand here" and they continued to walk.
"Never have I ever ran as fast as I did today" said Cora still mesmerized by the whole thing.
Robert laughed and nodded "I bet neither of us have even lied as much as we did today"
"And with that smoothness! I mean we should be applauded"
"I know" said Robert and Cora laughed at it.
Cora looked back and smiled "I do feel kind of bad though"
Robert scratched his head "Me, too"
Cora laughed again "What if she goes searching for a Jack Andrews in hospitals"
Robert's eyes popped out "Oh, dear god" Cora laughed again. "I just hope there isn't one" Robert thought back on the whole thing "By the way, Jill? Seriously?"
Cora covered her face in embarrassment and Robert thought she looked adorable "I'm sorry, I panicked. That's the first name that came to my mind"
Robert grinned back as they reached the final exit to the station and felt the chilly London air on their faces. It hit him that the beautiful day really came to an end and he wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet.
"So, JillâŚ" he started
Cora giggled "Yes..Jack"
"May I..uh, know your real name?" he asked shyly.
Cora smiled "I was hoping you'd ask" and that gave Robert encouragement "Cora. My name is Cora Levinson"
Cora, he thought. What a unique name. Cora. It perfectly fit her.
"Cora..I'm Robert, Robert Crawley"
Cora blushed and looked down "Well, lovely to meet you..and Jack, Robert"
Robert laughed "Yes, likewise"
They just stared at the concrete ground, wondering what to say next. It was strange, that even after all the drama they felt shy with each other.
Robert took a deep breath and gathered his courage "So, I got to know Jill very well. Is there any chance I can get to know Cora, too?" he asked, holding his breath.
Cora smiled a stunning smile and Robert knew that he just wouldn't let her go "I'd love that"
Robert didn't want to let her go, ever. He didn't want to say goodbye just yet but he knew he had to be home and mark his presence in front of Mama and only then he'd have a peaceful night out.
"Are you, uh, free tonight?"
Cora thought about it for a second "Yeah, I'm free. I'm free. How about we meet here at 7?"
"Great, I live in Belgrave Square and its pretty close. But uh, but I can pick you upâŚif you're okay with that?" Robert added immediately, in case she got offended.
"Yeah um, but I live all the way in Chiswick in my friend's apartment and that'll be a lot of trouble for you"
Robert smiled genuinely "That's alright. No problem" he said as they continued walking "And besides, I better be husband of the year" he smirked and Cora laughed out loud. Her cheeks pink and her red lips puffed out balls of smoke.
"Oh yes, definitely"
They came across the main road and exchanged items. Robert took out his phone and gave it to Cora "Here you go" and Cora did the same. They exchanged numbers and then prepared to say goodbye, if only for a few hours.
"Alright then.." Cora said "I'll see you in a bit"
Robert nodded and then moved towards her with all the strength that he had. He moved closer and planted a soft, quick but a sweet kiss on her cheek which made Cora close her eyes.
"Bye, Cora" Cora looked into his eyes and felt dizzy. The feeling that she felt was so beautiful.
"Bye, Robert. I'll text you my address" she said, gulping.
He called out a taxi for her and made sure that she got in safe and waved her goodbye. And so did she, through the back window.
Robert spotted his chauffer and sat back down with a smile. He had just met the most wonderful woman ever. Christmas truly came early for him this year. There was something about her that was so captivating, pure and beautiful that he wished he could just wrap her in a blanket and protect her from all harm.
He opened his phone again and laughed at what he say. Cora had saved her name by Cora Levinson and in the bracket she wrote 'Jill' and had put a ring emoji next to it. She was truly the cutest girl ever.
The radio played 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' and for the first time ever, Robert could actually relate to the song.
So there we go! And can I say, BASED ON A TRUE STORY! I'm not kidding. I actually travelled from Glasgow to London this August and I actually met a woman exactly like Estelle Lascombe. She kept asking me and my sister questions the whole journey and also had the funniest laugh ever. She was a woman full of life but a little too much, haha. And in the end, we switched trains from Crewe to save time, and she followed us, lol and we actually made a run. Although not as obvious as this one, of course this is an exaggerated account but we did, lol. Don't worry by the way, this is not her real name and there was definitely no Billy in her story, that is all made up for the sake of this story.
Well, anyways, I hope you like it. Please, let me know what you think, I'll be thrilled to hear your feedback! I'll be posting the picture of Loch Lomond that I took when I visited it on the same trip and that is the picture, I imagined Cora painted. I'll post it on my Tumblr/Instagram (@mcgonneville) so if you're interested, you can check it out.
Written for the Cobert Week 2017. My prompt was âAU pretend boyfriend/girlfriendâ
What happens to Cora and Robert, who have been best friends for years, when she asks him to help her getting rid of an insistent admirer. Modern AU.
When her friend Rosamund had revealed her the plans and all the details for the glamorous winter party she wanted to throw at her huge town house, Cora had been thrilled.
But now, as soon as she arrived there, she was already ready to leave. No matter how much she had been waiting for this night, no matter how much of her salary she had invested to buy the Ermanno Scervino black lace dress she was wearing, she had to leave.
She couldnât meet him. Not even in a crowded room.
Since their date, which had been a complete disaster, he had been obsessed with her. He hadnât stopped calling her, texting her and had even followed her trying so hard to persuade her to give him another chance.
The mere thought of his hand on her thigh, as they were sitting on his car on their way back to her house, made her shiver. There was something about him -she couldnât say what it was exactly-, but whatever it was, it was frightening.
She had immediately spotted him standing on the farthest corner of the lavishly ornate dining room. He was engrossed in an animated conversation with Rosamund and a couple of other friends. She was pretty sure he hadnât seen her and she thanked her lucky stars that she would have left the party without raising any suspicions, without leaving any trace. Â
She felt so bad leaving the party, but what else was she supposed to do?
She inhaled deeply, as she turned towards the door, her overcoat still hanging on her arm. Rosamund would have certainly understood why she had left so quickly, without even saying hello.
As her hand reached for the cold metal of doorknob she felt someone tapping insistently her right shoulder. She turned her head slowly and when her eyes met his, she couldnât help but freeze on the spot.
âHello Cora.â He said in his velvety voice she once found alluring while now was anything but attracting.
âSimon? I didnât know you were hereâ she tried to sound calm and even surprised. She wasnât that bad at acting.
He rewarded her with one of his brightest smiles, his white teeth so in contrast with his almost orange skin âI wanted to surprise you, because youâve made yourself scarce recently. You could have texted me back.â
Oh, this was definitely a hit below the belt. She cleared her throat and tried with the first thing that came to her mind.
âIâm sorry about that, but you know I have been very busy latelyâŚso very busyâ she waved her arm in front of her trying to emphasise her last words and hoping he would step a bit backward from her.
But unluckily Coraâs reply and gesture only helped him to push further âOh really? Or are you hiding from me?â he asked bending his head a bit on the right, a mischievous grin already forming on his lips.
She was absolutely starting to fidget. She was glad he couldnât see her hands because by now they were surely shaking âWhy? Oh noâŚabsolutely notâ she said, her cheeks starting to redden while she shook her head.
An exaggerated sigh escaped his lips before he went on âWell, thatâs a relief! Because Iâve missed you so much, my dear...â
She couldnât move, her heart was hammering in her chest and she couldnât seem to form a coherent thought. Her hand gripping her overcoat harder as he brought his hand to her cheek, his index finger caressing her âWould you like to join me?â
As his cold skin brushed against her flushed and warm complexion she found some strength and muttered âUh no, thank youâŚI was justâŚâ
âYes?â he enquired trying to catch her off guard.
âI was⌠waiting for someoneâ the words were out of her mouth before she knew it.
âAnd is this someone a âheâ or a âsheâ â? he seemed genuinely surprised because he let his finger fall from her cheek. This gave her some seconds to compose herself, her back straight and her gaze convinced.
âItâs a âheââŚdefinitely a âheâ â she stated confidently.
She watched his face fall for a split of second, but then he went on. His devious smile always on his lips âYou surprise me, Cora. Are you and this guy dating?â his brows arching as to urge her to speak again.
âUhmâŚyes, we are.â She nodded as if to subtly ask him to believe her âIs it so very hard to believe?â Now it was her time to arch her brows, the cornflower blue of her eyes icing him on the spot.
âNot at all, my dear. So whereâs this boyfriend of yours?â he tried to dissimulate his disbelief with a rapid gesture of his hand.
âOh you knowâŚmen. They are always late.â She replied trying to sound as disenchanted as possible. Then sensing the same amount of uneasiness she felt before beginning to rise in her chest again, she added âIsnât that Rosamund? I should go and say hello, itâs her party after allâ.
As she watched Cora crossing the room, she knew something was amiss, but she tried feign ignorance before her friend could cause a scene in the middle of the room.
âOh Cora, please help yourself and take a glass. Itâs an excellent champagneâ she said happily pointing at the table on her left. Then she bent towards her friend to whisper âI ordered it from this famous Parisian producer, youâll find it absolutely...â
But Cora stopped her before she could finish, their faces inches apart. âHow could you Rosamund? I mean, with all the people you could invite...why him?â she tried to keep her voice low.
âWhat are you talking about?â Rosamund asked, taking a champagne glass for her and one for Cora.
âSimon! You know I donât like when heâs around. He is still texting me and asking me out...He is obsessed with me!â Cora whispered a bit more loudly than she should, her delicate fingers tightening their grip on the cold stem of the champagne glass, her brows arched and her eyes wide open in disbelief.
Rosamund, sensing Coraâs discomfort and trying to block her from yelling while the centre of the room was already crowded with guests, grasped gently her arm guiding her to the corner, still empty enough to allow a private conversation.
âOh please Cora donât be so melodramatic. What was I supposed to do? If you must know, I didnât invite him...oh well, not really. He kind of invited himself here and I didnât want to seem rude. Besides, what you and Simon had, was just a date...a bad date, that I have to admit. But all this panic is nonsensical. Believe me. Donât worry everything will be alrightâ
Cora looked at her friend with wide eyes, fear written across her face âNo, it wonât! And you must help me!â
âWhy are you so agitated?â Rosamund asked, because she knew Cora was not a simpleton. If she was asking for help, it meant she was in trouble. Since her question was still lying in the air unanswered, she tried again âCora what have you done?â
She shook her head and looked at the golden liquid inside her glass, tracing the round curved shape of its upper end.
âNothing illegalâ
Rosamund sighed heavily, extending her hand to touch Coraâs arm âThank God! Go on thenâ
Her movement had the desired effect on Cora who lifted her gaze to meet her friendâs waiting eyes.
The first thing Rosamund noticed was that the other womanâs eyes were full of embarrassment and she suddenly seemed to her the terrified girl who came knocking on her door in the middle of the night after her first date with Bricker. At this point she thought she knew why Cora was so frightened. âI was so shocked Roz. He cornered me some minutes ago and asked me a lot of questions. He told me that he was missing me and wanted to know if I wished to join him and long story shortâŚwell, I might have told him I was here with my boyfriendâ
âYou might or you did?â Rosamund felt she had to ask her despite she knew deep down in her heart the answer.
Cora couldnât see her friend anymore, her eyes were so full of tears, threatening to spill at any moment, that she cast her eyes to the floor and her answer came out as a barely audible whisper
âI didâ
Even if she had guessed it, since Cora in particularly extreme circumstances could act naĂŻvely, her friendâs answer came to Rosamund as a cold shower. âGood Lord, Cora!â
She saw her sudden reaction cast a shadow on the other woman who looked now ashamed and shaken up. It hurt to see her usually bright, lively Cora scattered and at a loss. She opened her arms to her and welcomed her in her warm, comforting embrace. She let her take her time and when she felt she had recovered, she moved some inches away to inspect her face. Cora with pleading eyes, grabbed Rosamundâs upper arm âOh please you have to help me becauseâŚâ
But she couldnât finish her sentence because Rosamund cut her off, her eyes sparkling with mischief âWhy donât you find yourself a boyfriend, then? Iâm sure he will give up, if he sees you have eyes only for someone elseâ. She had to admit that her decision to embrace Cora to comfort her had been a pivotal one, because it had given her the exact amount of time to think of the possible solution.
âRosamund, you of all people should know I donât have a boyfriend. Itâs not that I can extract him from my purse..Iâm not Mary Poppins, you know!â she stated dryly.
âOh come on Cora. Canât you think of someone?â Rosamund asked dramatically, turning lightly on her right pointing her champagne flute towards her brother, who was amiably chatting with a group of men.
âWhat? Oh no, no, no Rosamund I canât ask Robert. Itâs not possibleâ
Cora was completely flabbergasted. How could Rosamund even hint at something like this was beyond her.
âAnd why not? Isnât he your best friend?â she stated since she knew it was the truth and Cora couldnât deny it.
âYes but...â
âOh well, if you prefer to have Simon wrapped around your leg for the whole eveningâŚâ Rosamund added as to emphasise this was the only idea she would consider, then she turned away from her.
 As Robert was left alone, he caught her shape from the corner of his eyes and he felt his jaw drop to the floor. She was stunning and tonight her tiny figure was wrapped in a mid length black dress embellished with embroidered lace that created wide almost transparent inserts on the front and on the back. She was a vision and despite knowing that he shouldnât notice all those details about her dress or how her eyes were glistening or  how her smile was captivating, he couldnât help but notice. Yet, Cora was his best friend, nothing less and nothing more.
He saw she was coming quickly in his direction, her cheeks a bit flushed, he couldnât tell the cause, whether it was from the wine or from the rush.
âHey Robert! How are you?â She pecked his cheek with a quick kiss as it was her habit and as he felt her lips gracing his skin, her perfume invaded his nostrils.
âIâm fine, thank you. And you?â He replied trying to control his smile.
âGood! Thank you...I...well...â she lied biting her lower lip not being able to find the courage to ask him. How could she? When he looked so tremendously dashing in his black suit.
âJust say itâ he interrupted her with a half smile, arching his eyebrows for a couple of seconds so that she could lose herself in those mesmerizing light blue eyes.
âWhat?â she feigned ignorance, shaking her head.
âWhat you were about to sayâ he quickly replied. He was sure she was hiding something and he was dying to know what it was.
âOh well itâs nothing...reallyâ she began to blush, she knew that if he wanted he could make her tell him what it was.
âCora...what do you always say? That I know you...â
She suddenly lifted her gaze to meet his ââŚthat you know me better than I doâ
âYes! So please tell me whatâs troubling you?â she kept smiling, but she could see his eyes were full of concern. In that moment she knew she was ready to tell him. After all he was her best friend and he, of course, had full knowledge of all her secrets...all of them except one. The one that she couldnât tell because it would mean losing him.
âAlright. But not here. Letâs go to the other roomâ she whispered before taking his hand and pulling him into Rosamundâs sitting room.
 âDo you remember when you said you would do anything for a friend?âshe asked nervously letting go of his hand.
âYes, of course I do.â He nodded even more curious of what was going on in her head.
âAnd I am your best friend. Am I not?âagain she couldnât look at him. She knew very well the answer to her question, but she couldnâtâ help but ask. She had to be sure. She had made a mistake and to rectify it, she had to demand him the biggest favour she could ever ask.
âYes, Cora you are. What do you need exactly?â he was so caught up in trying to figure out what to expect from her that he had almost forgotten his drink. He decided then to take a sip form the glass.
She could not lie to him, he would have surely understood. Wouldnât he?
âWould you mind terribly if I asked you to play the part of my boyfriend, tonight?â she replied speaking so quickly she hoped she wouldnât have to repeat it.
âI...me...you....What?â He asked coughing, almost chocking his champagne.
She knew his first reaction would not have been a positive one, but Robert was her only hope âI need a pretend boyfriend, just for tonight....please. And if it works at the end of the night youâll be free. I promiseâ
Robert on the other hand was completely flabbergasted. The woman who understood him better than anyone else in the world was asking something she probably knew it was too much for him. âYou canât be serious. Why on earth would I do something like that?â
She finally looked at him again, his mouth was still agape and he was still bright red for the previous embarrassment âBecause Iâm asking you.â Then she added after a brief moment of silence âRobert, please you have to help me, otherwise Simon wonât leave me alone.â She choked back the lump that was beginning to form in her throat and he could see she had angry tears in her eyes.
âIs he here? Now?â
She looked away, he was sure she didnât  want to embarrass him by crying in from of him. Even if it was because she was overwhelmed by anger. She knew he was still a bit uncomfortable around her Americanness, as he always said, trying to cheer her up when her feelings had the better of her âYes and less than fifteen minutes ago he has tried to importune meâ
âWhat a cad! Are you alright?â his hand touched lightly her upper arm. She leaned a bit against it and he sensed her closing the distance between the two of them.
âYes, I am. ButâŚoh my God, Robert I made a mess! I was so shocked when I saw him that I told him I was here with my boyfriend. Youâre the only one who can save me from Simon!â At the mention of the words âyouâre the only oneâ Robert could have probably touched the sky and when he looked at her and saw how much she was fighting against her feelings, he felt he had to help her. She was everything and he hated to see her unhappy or frightened.
âOh, ok ok if you put it that way I think I will help youâ
She let a giggle escape her mouth and he was glad to have brought a  smile on her face again âThank you Robert! My knight in shining armour!â She felt that with Robert at her side she could face anything.
âWhat do you want me to do?â
âItâs rather simple. You only have to pretend to be my boyfriend. Thatâs all! Rosamund suggested that if Simon sees me with someone else heâll leave me in peaceâ
âWhat? Does my sister know?â
âWell...honestly she was the one who suggested you as candidateâ
âShe is incorrigibleâ he muttered all by himself, forgetting Cora was still standing so close to him.
âWhat?â Cora in the meantime was wondering if she had heard correctly or if it was only her imagination.
âNothing...never mind.â He took a step back and gestured with his hand as it was just a minor detail with no importance at all. âAnyway, Cora, are you sure it is going to work? Because you know me, Iâm not a good actor. What are we exactly supposed to do?â
âWell...I donât know. I suppose we should do things that young couples doâ she honestly hadnât got any ideas, she hadnât planned anything ahead. Everything was just on the spur of the moment.
âThings like what? Holding hands?â he asked spontaneously and she was glad. At least she had an ally.
âYes, my precious cinnamon roll. Thatâs a good start!â she giggled. Â After this comment, Robert had to admit Cora had this inner ability of taking him always by surprise.
âI beg your pardon?â
With a dramatic flair she flung her arms to the ceiling and exclaimed âRobert Iâm improvising! And please do make an effort and try to make it sound plausible.â
âCan you avoid calling me with silly nicknames?â he wanted to beg her, it was already so difficult for him, but in his heart he couldnât deny her anything. He only had to put it in his mind that it was all a show, it was all fake, no real feelings (apart from friendship), no love, no attachment and the day after it would be over.
âNo Iâm sorry I canât. All couples use silly nicknames to refer to each other. Everyone knows that. Donât you agree, gummy bear?â she asked him exaggerating the pronunciation of the last two words, accompanying it with a swift motion of her fingers which were now gracing the short locks of hair on his temples.
Her hand felt so good that he decided to start to play along with her and placing his hand on her lower back he whispered âAlright. You make the rules, darling. Just as it should beâ
Her face lit up as she heard the word âdarlingâ leave his lips and she looked at him surprised. Yes, her Robert was a man full of hidden resources, it seemed.
âWhat? Why are you looking at me like that?â he asked, catching her wandering eyes roaming his face.
âBecause youâre the best pretend boyfriend I could ever haveâ taking his  hand in hers she pushed the sitting roomâs door open and they joined the already crowded party.
Oh well, at least he could pretend, just for one night, that she was his. And pretending was better than nothing, wasnât it?
  As the minutes turned into the first hour, Robert found that pretending to be Coraâs boyfriend wasnât very different from the way they behaved normally. Having been best friends for the last two years meant that their thoughts and movements were perfectly synchronised and that, as everyone has already noticed, they could easily understand each other. The only thing that was ânewâ between them was that she was constantly holding his hand. This was the worst part for him, knowing that what was giving him so many wonderful feelings was all a lie and Robert had silently vowed himself to make it out of the night with the least amount of scars. The more time he spent holding Cora in his arms, while they were chatting with various acquaintances, the more he wanted to believe it was all true.
 During the course of the night, Bricker had only observed them from far away and he was glad there hadnât been an interaction, yet. Robert had previously been informed by Rosamund and Cora, who was not willing to leave his side, of his opponentâs exact moves so that he could see what he looked like. He neednât look too far away from where they were or to ask himself who Simon exactly was because as the night went on, he acknowledged that Simonâs presence was beginning to make itself more explicit.
They had been behaving impeccably well, apart from a couple of times in which Cora had spotted Bricker and, probably wanting to impress him, had stepped closer to Robert and kissed him on the cheek, murmuring in his ears. Robert, who was not accustomed to this kind of vicinity and intimacy, tried to use all his strength to limit the reddening of his face.
âRobert! Cora! Come quickly! Itâs time to take some picturesâ Robert and Cora excused themselves from the nice conversation they were having with his friend John and Anna to direct their attention to Marmadukeâs voice who was calling them âCome on Anna, Bates...you too!â
Cora turned her head towards Robert who seemed deep in thought, but that shook away the serious look on his face as soon as Coraâs hand made contact with his. As she entwined her fingers with his and started to pull him in the direction of Marmaduke, he called her back âCora? You donât want to do thisâ she surely wouldnât want to take pictures with him. Would she?
âWhy not? Come on, honey, it will be funâ
He tried to protest for the second time, pulling at her hand again âNo, Cora no..pleaseâ he was usually the one who took the pictures. He was too shy to stand smiling or to make funny faces at the camera.
âDonât be such a spoilsport!â apparently Cora couldnât accept a no for an answer tonight and he suspected that Bricker was the cause of all this urge to impress everyone with their love. She kept pulling and almost dragging him until they reached their friends.
Rosamund had set up a corner of the large dining room as a little photo scenery complete with big paper frames, funny wigs, hats and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. They all took turns to shoot the pictures and when it was Robertâs turn he had even had the chance to take a couple of Coraâs close-ups. He would have them framed and then he was planning to give them to her as Christmas present. She was glowing, her face was rosy, her soft white skin and the pink complexion of her face were in clear contrast with the black of her dress. She was perfect, a vision in his eyes, her eyes shining from happiness that he couldnât simply resist, but press the camera button another couple of times. She seemed so carefree, he could even bet that in that moment she had forgotten all about Bricker and the chaos that she had unwillingly created.
After he rejoined the group he absent-mindedly encircled her waist with his arm and pulled her towards him, she turned her head and was still smiling. âCora you look beautiful tonightâ he whispered close to her face. She could feel Robertâs breath on her cheek, the smell of his cologne. He was absolutely intoxicating. She could have even kissed him there and then, but she knew she couldnât. He was just her best friend and the last thing she wanted was to ruin their friendship with a foolish act. She only had the time to blush and lower her eyes because when she looked up she saw Simon staring in their direction, waiving theatrically his hand. Someone was still taking pictures and Cora felt her pulse quicken. As driven by an inexplicable force, she instinctively turned a bit more into Robertâs arm and pulled him towards her by the lapel of his jacket. Coraâs unexpected move took Robert, who was still drowning in her eyes, by surprise. As a result, he lost his balance and bent forward hitting his head against hers, his hands falling dangerously downwards on her lower back. Now it was his time to blush as he stepped back to make sure she was fine and placing his hands on her upper arms, a âmore appropriate placeâ, as his mother would have surely underlined.
âOuch!â she exclaimed, rubbing her forehead her eyes still shut.
âCora? Are you alright?â he asked taking her hand away -which was still massaging her head- and placing that stubborn lock of hair behind her ear.
She was so embarrassed that she couldnât find the courage to look at him, so she kept her eyes fixed on his tie while she whispered a soft âYesâ looking anywhere but at him.
The people surrounding them were still engrossed in their activities that no one was paying them the least amount of attention. Robert having ascertained that, put his index finger under her chin and asked her keeping his voice as low as possible, despite all the confusion around them âCora, what has gotten into you?â
She could have said âNothingâ but thinking about it, it seemed rather absurd. And even if she could have given him that answer, it meant she had to explain him why she had suddenly behaved that way. She was sure it hadnât only been Simonâs presence to force her to pull Robert to her. It had been months now she had been feeling this way around Robert and she had almost admitted it to him once, while she was suffering from a bad cold and he had rung at her door with a take away dinner. He had prepared her a tray and they had sat next to each other on her couch watching the telly under her favourite blanket.
âCora?â his soft voice, immediately followed by a long sigh, woke her up from her reverie. She looked at him with a faint smile and muttered the name he had been hating for the last 2 months âSimonâ.
He should have known. Simon, Simon, Simon he hated that man. He had witnessed the effect he had on her since their disastrous date. His strong, cheerful, witty Cora had transformed from the ray of light that brightened his day and possibly everyone in the room, into a ghost of what she was. She had become hesitant and as she had just demonstrated, unsure. So unsure that, to try so hard to convince him to let her go, she had acted rashly. And this was not the Cora he knew.
 When they finally reached a small group of Rosamundâs friends, other people soon gathered in astonishment around the newly discovered couple. Apparently they were the gossip of the night and neither Cora nor Robert anted to ask the other how they were supposed to justify their separation the very next day.
For tonight they had already had enough distress and it seemed that they had both silently decided to avoid the elephant in the dining room.
Suddenly, Robert sensed Cora had become all nervous and fidgeting. He could hear her breathing faster, her chest rising and falling under the soft layer of the black fabric. As she tightened her grip on his hand, scratching his palm with her thumb, he could see the reason of her quick change of behaviour. Simon was standing right next to her, scrutinising them. It was the first time he had come so close to them.
Finally, one of the women spoke totally unaware of what was going on, saving Robert and Cora from a discomforting situation.
Simon was still near them probably willing to overhear their conversation, without even having the decency to pass unnoticed.
âRobert and Cora what a surprise! So tell me, how long have you been a couple?â
Robert was trying to figure out what to say when Cora, who seemed to have found a renewed strength, spoke first.
âOh well Laura, you know how these things work. Weâve been knowing each other for so long that when he asked me to go out with him on a real date, I couldnât resist. How could I? Right, sweet pea?â
There she was again...Cora and her silly nicknames. Robert had never been more embarrassed in his life, he turned bright red at the mention of the words âsweet peaâ.
âOh well, yes..I suppose soâ he replied politely, then he turned his head to her, his eyes wide open, his brows arched, silently asking her to stop the charade. It had been fun at the beginning, but now it was all very annoying.
âOhh, isnât this the cutest thing ever, Claire? From best friend to boyfriend. Youâre so lucky Coraâ the three women began to giggle.
 âWho is lucky here?â Rosamund came to greet Cora and Robert bringing a couple of champagne glasses with her.
âI am lucky!â Cora exclaimed with a smile, taking the two proffered flutes from Rosamundâs hands and passing one to Robert âThank you, Roz, and this one is for you my cute marshmallow manâ.
Robert, who was still trying to regain his natural colour from the earlier embarrassment, found himself blushing again and cleared his throat. She knew immediately he was reaching the tolerance limit. The sound he had just emitted with his throat and the exasperated rolling of his eyes were a clear signal. She knew it and taking a deep breath she steadied herself and shut her mouth.
He knew exactly why Cora was doing that, because Bricker was still within earshot. The thing was he was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Not wanting to put himself or her to shame more than they had been doing for the entire evening, with a swift motion, he took the glass from her hand and put it with his on the nearby table. Wrapping his arm around her he asked softly âWould you like to dance, my dear?â. She nodded her assent and by the look in his eyes she understood he was giving them both the chance to take a break from the impossible situation they had created.
As they made their way to the space reserved for dancing, Cora couldnât help but replay the sentences she had just heard from those women. Yes, she was lucky to have Robert in her life. She was well aware that no one else would have probably agreed to her crazy plan and she was taking advantage of him. She owed him a great deal, but tonight it seemed to her that even every little, minor detail was playing against her.
When she felt his large hand softly gracing the fabric on her lower back and his left hand brushing her arm and then grasping gently hers, she mouthed a â Thank youâ her eyes never leaving his. As the string quartet began playing a waltz and all the couples were whirling across the small dance floor she felt good in his arms. She had never danced with Robert before, let alone a slow dance, but their movements were incredibly coordinated, as they had been dancing together for years. She was happy...truly happy for the first time in a very long time. She moved her hand from his shoulder and put it on his chest, closing the small distance between them, her cheek found a comfortable spot under Robertâs chin and after a while she felt his tender lips on her hair.
Oh, if she knew how difficult it was for him to hide his feelings for her.
She took a moment to relish in the sensation and then looked at him. She felt his heartbeat quicken its pace under her palm as she found soon after that hers was beating in tune with his.
Oh, if he knew how difficult it was for her to refrain herself from revealing the most hidden secret in her heart.
When the song faded away, they were suddenly brought back to reality as Robert excused himself informing her he would be back with something to drink for the both of them.
She was still watching Robert walking away in the direction of the small table when she felt someone touching her shoulder and she turned around with widened eyes.
âSimon...â she wasnât as much surprised as the first time he approached her that night, but still he seemed to have chosen to speak to her when Robert was not around.
âDid you enjoy the dance?â his voice was low, his eyes looking at her as if deep down he was insinuating something.
âYes, very muchâ she replied quickly looking at him square in the eyes. It was true, she was not lying. Her dance with Robert had been wonderful. She had never felt more safe and comfortable in her life. It was easy being like that with him, because despite the more âpublic side of Robertâ who could be so skilled in hiding his feelings, she had been one of the few who could witness his more âprivate oneâ. He had this disarming ability to hide his feelings from everyone, but who could surprise her disclosing little pieces of his heart when no one was around.
âI could see that. I see the way he looks at you.â He replied after a while, nodding in the direction of the crowd. âWill you save one for me before the evening is over?â
âSimon, I wouldnât feel comfortable and Robert wouldnât feel comfortable, either.â This was way too much and she shrugged at the thought. She only hoped Robert would be back shortly because it seemed to her that Simon was not willing to leave.
âSpeaking  of which... you still havenât introduced me to your boyfriend.â he made sure to underline the last word adding a light tone of disgust.
âHeâs standing over there. Black suit, broad shoulders, dark blonde curly hair.â she tried to sound unharmed by his request and pointed her index in Robertâs direction.
âIâd like to meet himâ he retorted and started to move the first step which would have probably led him to Robert.
But she was faster and grabbing his upper arm she stepped before him blocking his track.
âOh sure! Iâll be right backâ
This was the perfect chance and if she played her cards wisely and Robert helped her one more time, she could finally get rid of him.
It was now or never! She hurried her pace towards Robert who was carrying two champagne flutes.
âCora?â he asked as if not understanding why she was rushing towards him, but he could barely say her name because her lips crashed against his. Robert tried to balance himself, careful not to spill the content of the glasses on his pretend girlfriend and when she pulled away he looked at her with wide eyes. He was totally and undeniably surprised.
âCora! What are you doing? You didnât tell anything about kissingâ he muttered inches apart from her mouth.
Still flushed against his body, she took the proffered glass with one hand and let her free arm slip around his waist and then whispered âRobert, heâs watching us and if you want him to believe we are here together as a couple you have to kiss me! Now! And I suggest you use your tongue this timeâ
âWhaâŚâ But he couldnât object because her lips were on his again. He felt her tighten her grip on his waist and simultaneously she opened her mouth to him. He thanked God the room was partially in the dark because he felt his face redden up to the top of his ears. Coraâs lips were soft and she tasted of champagne and of a peculiar taste he was sure it was hers only. He wanted this moment to last forever. Apparently Cora was so engrossed in their kiss that neither she had sensed that in the meantime a little crowd had gathered around them. They kept kissing until Rosamund took things in hand and clearing her throat declared âMy goodness, brother dearâŚâ. At her exclamation a wave of giggle interrupted their happy little bubble.
When they broke the kiss Robert was thinking his heart would explode and cast his eyes down, suddenly finding the tip of his shoes more interesting then the people chuckling at them.
 When  the crowd began to dissolve, Cora noticed Simon was still there as if waiting for them. She took Robert by his hand and entwined her fingers with his. At this point Robert couldnât care less about Bricker or about anyone. He was at a loss and Coraâs behaviour was not helping.
âDarling, may I introduce you to Simon? Simon, this is my boyfriend Robert Crawleyâ she said with a bright smile.
âNice to meet youâ Robert tried to hide his disgust behind a circumstance smile.
But soon Simon interrupted him with a evil grimace plastered on his lips âWell, well, well so this is the man who has stolen you from meâ
âMr. Bricker, I suggest...âRobert wanted so much to be calm but he couldnât. How dared this man say such thing in front of Cora? Cora didnât belong to anyone but herself, she was an independent strong willed woman. Not some kind of object at the mercy of the first man she wanted to date.
âHold your tongue, man, I was asking Cora.â Simonâs reply caught him  completely off guard. Usually he was not used to be hushed and that gave Bricker enough time to go on  âNow tell me, are you sure this is the man you are dating?â
âFrom what youâve just witnessed, I thought it was pretty clearâ she had to reply with the first thing who came to her mind because to think about it she was as taken aback as Robert.
âHonestly, Iâve been watching you for the entire evening. Now you have to tell me how in the world did you manage to get someone like him when you could have someone like me? Heâs all manners with everyone, but so clumsy when heâs around you. You need someone who cherish you and that boast you about like a trophy. Not a man that blushes for a kiss. You deserve a better man than that!â
Cora was furious and didnât mind if she was probably causing a scene. She tried to keep her voice even, but firm and spoke with a raspy throaty voice that Robert had never heard her use.
âNow you take back every word youâve just said!â
âAnd why should I? When you have decided to be with such an insignificant man?â Simonâs straightforward reply, soon followed by a mischievous laugh was all she needed to go berserk.
âRobert is not insignificant! He is the most wonderful, sweet man Iâve ever met. Yes, he can seem clumsy and awkward sometimes, but he has also-despite what he believes- a great heart and he is capable of exceptional feelings. He understands me, he believes in me and he knows every little crevice of my heart. And I donât want a man who parades me around like Iâm some sort of prize he has won. I want a man who loves me for who I am. I want a man who knows whatâs going on in my head and in my heart before I do....and that man can only be Robertâ.
At those words Robert was barely breathing and left the room in search of fresh air with his heart broken in one million pieces. He had to admit, Cora had been quite convincing in playing the part of the devoted girlfriend and it pained him so much to know it was all a lie for her. He found a seat on his sisterâs bench on  the porch and stared at the moon, hoping the cold December air would do him good. He could not go back inside like that, when he had allowed Cora to conquer his heart little piece after little piece during these two years only to see it shattered to the floor in one night. And why on earth had he agreed to this crazy plan of hers? He should have known it would have ended badly, but the more he knew Cora, the more he was unable to deny her something.
Yet he couldnât help but smile thinking about her. âEverything will look better in the morningâ that was what she always said when he told her about a difficult day at work or when he had to confront his mother on something. The party was about to end and that meant that  no matter how much they had played the couple tonight, no matter how good it had felt to dance with her, holding her so close to his chest, no matter how her hands seemed to fit perfectly into his lager palms, no matter how those kisses had made his knees go weak and his heart run wild in his chest, their happy little moment was about to end, as well. Robert let out a defeated sigh as he felt his sister sitting right next to him on the bench.
âRobert, tell herâ she said, just like that. This was Rosamundâs style after all. Always so direct, so frank.
âTell her what?â he asked after a while, never turning his head to her. He kept staring in front of him, in the distance.
He sensed his sisterâs hand grab his arm and she turned to him âThat you are in love with herâ
âNoâ, his eyes always fixed, looking at a distant point of the horizon. He bent his back forward so that his arms and elbows were touching his thighs.
âWhy not?â
Rosamundâs stubbornness was unnerving and he had to put his head on his hands. He let out a soft sigh before answering his sister, âBecause I canât. It canât work between us. She is beautiful, intelligent, witty and when Iâm with her Iâm a different person. But what can I be for her? Iâm a just a man...an ordinary boring awkward man.â
âRosamund rolled her eyes and was about to reply, giving him a piece of her mind, but he was speaking again and she thought that maybe he needed this, and she let him go on.
âWeâve already spoken about it. Itâs for her sakeâ
âIs it?â she squealed âOr is it because you are afraid that once youâve told her what you feel, you wouldnât be able to live without her anymore?â
Rosamund was right, but the reason he couldnât tell Cora was also another one âMmm...I donât want to ruin our friendship if thatâs the only way I have to be with her. I canât risk to make a false step and lose herâ
Her brotherâs train of thoughts was going completely out of control. He could be so blind at times. She tried to open his eyes âFalse step? Robert did you hear what she said to Bricker?â
Rosamundâs statement served only to unnerve him even more. His eyes darted in her direction from the first time they started this conversation and she could clearly see her brother carried a sadness mixed with disappointment in them âDonât play with me Rosamund. Werenât you the one who suggested her earlier tonight to ask me to be her pretend boyfriend?â his eyes were glistening with tears. In that moment he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. A jumble of different feelings from anger to failure shadowing his features. This had been the worst idea Rosamund had ever had since the day they were still kids and she had persuaded him to steal their motherâs perfume because she wanted to try it.
Her job was over. She couldnât help him. He had to do it all by himself, or Cora could have been the answer. But for now she couldnât intervene. âSometimes brother dear, you can be unreasonably stubbornâ.
She stood up from the bench and retreated inside to join her guests once again.
Replaying the events of that night and noticing how both Cora and Robert had behaved during their masquerade, she knew she would have probably laughed in another occasion. The idea of feigning a relationship between the two of them had been hers, after all, and now she felt bad for them. She had suggested the whole thing to Cora because she really thought they were meant to be together, that they just needed a bit of encouragement. Itâs not that she considered herself particularly romantic, but the thing was that the two people she loved the most on this earth had decided to be best friends because they feared to hurt each other, and she couldnât let this happen. Now she was struggling to mend his brotherâs broken heart and wondering if she should speak to Cora.
Maybe tomorrow, she thought. For tonight she had already caused enough damage.
âThere you are! Iâve been looking for you for half an hour, now. What are you doing here?â
Her presence, which had always been source of comfort and happiness for Robert, now felt almost unwelcome. Robert stood up from the bench turning his back to her without speaking.
She closed the distance between them in a swift motion and grabbed his shoulder to make him turn to her.
âRobert? Are you alright?â she asked, her hand still on his shoulder.
He couldnât look at her. Another day, maybe but not now. He was too wounded. He couldnât lie to himself anymore. He didnât turn to her, not even with his eyes and replied âThereâs no need to pretend, anymore. Iâm fine. You had what you wantedâ
He could hear the pain and sadness in his voice, and Cora had probably already sensed something was amiss. She let her hand fall and with a quick step she was standing in front of him âWhat? Donât be silly! You know all too well Iâm not pretending.â
âWell, if you say soâ his head was still looking in a distant point over her shoulder.
âRobert, please...â for a split of second their eyes met. Her gaze so worried and concerned about him sent a shiver through his spine and he turned away from her again, descending the few wooden steps that lead to Rosamundâs garden and leaving her behind.
âCora please leave me aloneâ
He couldnât even bear her presence, not because he hated her. He could never do that. Most of all he hated himself for the discomforting situation he found himself in.
Cora on the other hand was really disconcerted. They had had a great time at the party - except for the few encounters with Simon- but those didnât matter. Did they? Â When they had laughed and talked and danced together.
Robertâs behaviour was totally unlike him. He was reserved, that was true, but he had never denied her a chat. Not even when they had just met. That was the reason she found all this silence very odd and very uncomfortable.
She descended the three steps that divided her from Robert and walked a bit further to talk to him again. If he had decided he wanted to be alone for some unknown reasons he was apparently unwilling to reveal, fine, she was perfectly fine with it, but she had to say just one more thing. Because tonightâs success had been also his doing. She wanted so much to try to touch him again, to have some sort of connection with him. She raised her arm again while speaking âI just wanted to thank you... youâve been so wonderful that Simon has been completely persuaded by our little performanceâ she chuckled as to ease the tension between them and had almost reached his back, when he turned to her abruptly.
âSo thatâs all it was for you? A charade?â Robertâs eyes were burning with fire. His face was so very close to hers she could feel his hot breath, his index finger dangerously pointed at her nose.
Cora let her arm fall and shook her head in disbelief and after some seconds of stagnant silence muttered âI... we had a plan... Robert I donât understand what this is all aboutâ
âOh really? So youâve been playing with my heart for the entire evening and for the most part of these two years and you donât understand?!â Robertâs tone was still harsh and she had even recognised a touch of humour in his voice.
His eyes transitioning from her face, to the dark blue sky.
âRobert look at meâ the situation was so unbelievable to her that she had to look at his eyes. That was the only way for her to understand what was going on in his stubborn head.
âI canâtâ his denial came to her like a whisper and it felt like a pang in her heart.
âWhy not?â she asked looking at him, who was still looking at the sky.
âBecause if I do, I wonât be able to control myself and I will surely lose youâ in the meantime he had  crossed his arms behind his back as his whole body was striving not to touch her. Cora could see he was doing everything he could to build some sort of wall between the two of them, to create a gap. Robert, after all was not very good at expressing himself with words. His emotions couldnât be found on his surface. He usually preferred to communicate with gestures or with his eyes; she had already come to terms with this and this was what made Robert so special in her eyes. The space he was creating between them was painful to bear.
âRobert, what are you trying to say?â she murmured, stepping closer to try to break at least the physical barrier.
As his eyes finally left the sky to  look at her, Cora had expected anything from Robert, but not the frustrated raise in his voice which could not be restrained anymore.
âThat I love you, Cora! I do love you, truly and with all my heart. And Iâm sorry but I canât be your pretend boyfriend because it hurts, you know? It hurts having to hold your hand and feeling your thumb scratching my palm, knowing that at the end of the night everything will be over. It hurts looking at you from the corner of my eyes, when you are talking with someone who is not me and to notice the way your eyes sparkle, the way your nose wrinkle when you giggle, the way that stubborn curl always falls on your cheek no matter how many times you try to place it behind your ear. It hurts to hear your voice calling my name, in that unmistakable accent of yours, or giving me those silly nicknames not because you find them cute, but only because you are pretending to be my girlfriend and Iâve foolishly agreed to help you with your crazy plan. It hurts to hear you describing me as your perfect boyfriend in front of everyone when obviously I am not. It hurts to hold you in my arms knowing that you will never be mine. It hurts to kiss you when for me it means everything, but at the same time I know, for you, itâs all a lie. So yes, we had a plan, but it apparently blew up in my face.â
His face was flushed, his hands trembling and he immediately felt embarrassed by his outburst. He was sure he had lost her  âIâm sorry, Iâve just made a fool of myselfâ he added looking at the soft grass under his feet.
âRobert?â she asked softly, looking in his eyes. Robertâs revelation had come so unexpected to her, but she was so glad. Her eyes were sparkling with utter happiness and Robertâs look had finally softened to one of pure love and adoration she could feel her heart fill with the same sentiment.
âYes?â he asked timidly. He had been ridiculous and he was aware of it. She was going to laugh at him or worse she  was going to be so disappointed in him that she would have asked him to leave and never see her again. But that look in her eyes...what could that be?
âKiss meâ she said softly wrapping her arms around his waist.
It was not a question, but it wasnât imperative either.
He raised his eyes from hers, it pained him because she was so beautiful he couldnât even find the adequate words to describe her.
He looked in the distance behind her, but there was no one, then on their left, on their right and at last he looked behind himself, his hands coming to rest on her hips.
She knew what he was thinking, because of course he was still totally clueless âNo, donât move away from me. Simon is not hereâ her smile was so bright he thought it could have illuminated the garden and her eyes were glistening with tears.
âThen why?â he asked shyly, caressing her check with his thumb.
âBecause...I love you...â she couldnât hide her tears anymore. Robert placed his other hand on her other cheek as well, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the tears away.
âCora...â he let his right hand slip behind her neck, while the left one found its way on the small of her back pulling her to him in his warm embrace. He peppered her lips with light loving kisses. His Cora, his best  friend, the love of his life was in love with him.
He was completely speechless, but he had to find a way to show her how much she already meant to him. He pulled her even closer, their bodies flushed against one another and he started to kiss her passionately.
When they broke the kiss they smiled at each other and she felt she had to reassure Robert because she knew he was still thinking it was some kind of dream.
âYes, donât be surprised. Iâve always loved youâ she giggled in his arms and kissed his nose.
âHave you? Really?â he tilted his head on the right, but she saw he couldnât contain his happiness.
âYes.â She nodded âfrom that time you spilled your drink on my dress at my art exhibitionâ
âOh, wellâ he chucked feigning disbelief âand here I thought it was when you had fallen in that big muddy puddle and I helped youâ
 âRoz, have you seen Robert? I wanted to have a cigar with him, but heâs nowhere to be found â Marmaduke asked his wife while he caught her staring outside the window.
She turned her red hair to her husband and smiling broadly extended her arm to him, which he gladly took.
âAs you can see heâs rather busy at the moment. Iâm afraid your cigar has to waitâ she giggled, while Marmadukeâs arms encircled her from behind and they witnessed Rosamundâs brother covering Coraâs shoulders with his dinner jacket and kissing her.
âOh, well..I gather we will soon welcome another member to the Crawley familyâ
Rosamund and Marmaduke disappeared from the window, getting back to their winter party, leaving Robert and Cora kissing in the chilly December air.
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Hereâs my story for the Cobert Week, guys. I apologize in advance for this because Iâm not able to give you a full story, for now.Â
Anyway, I thought of dividing it and make multichapter tale for all of you; yes, I said tale, because I chose the Magical AU and, of course, you might know from the title what gave me inspiration. Itâs more like a teaser and itâs also unbetaed, so beware! Enjoy!
He was staring at her from the distance, wisely hidden behind a tree with his empty glass in hand. His body was fully covered by the trunk while his head timidly peeked from behind.
She looked shy and gracious, actually she was holding her own arms, her shoulders slightly hunched over. Her raven hair looked so soft even tight up in that intricate chignon and some curls, escaped from the bun, were swirling in the wind; when she turned, he noticed her blue eyes, deep as much as they seemed lost, always searching for something he didn't know â and maybe she herself didn't know.
She was in a circle of loud friends laughing and talking, but she didn't speak, like she wasn't meant to be there.. like she didn't want to be there.
It was funny how that timid girl before him was the same girl that every man and woman in the county despised and feared. She didnât look like the hawk everyone insisted on calling her. Ladyhawke. It was all a mystery for him.
Robert sighed, continuing to study her, that small creature with thin shoulders that everyone believed being some sort of enchantress before him. Even though she was just standing there, doing nothing, he could see something glowing around her, like an aura that only he could see. It always had been a habit of him, to want something so far away, maybe just to please his ego or maybe because the object of his desire was something so unconventional that he had to have it to bother his mother or unleash his friends' envy. Yet that was unexpected. She was unexpected.
âWhat are you looking at, eh?â
Robert jerked slightly, quickly turning toward the source of that voice.
âNothing.â He replied, clearing his throat and attempting to take a sip from his glass. Of course he forgot it was empty.
âBeware of her charm.â The other one teased drinking from his own full glass of liquor. âShe's a dangerous one, Ladyhawke. She never stops, next one could be you.â
Robert sighed, rolling his eyes. They all talked about her like a ravenous predator on the constant research of victims, and of course thus victims were wealthy lords that she had to kill â metaphorically â and to rip off.
âShe doesn't look like a raptor.â Robert stated.
âBut that's the point. She doesn't look like one, but she is. It's her secret weapon.â The other one whispered with a playful tone.
Robert had never despised those games of little gossips and nonsense, yet for some weird reason, that topic was getting on his nerves: why such an innocent and beautiful lady had to be mocked like that just because she came from oversea? And to be frank, it looked like his boyfriend had charmed her and not the other way around.
Robert recalled him showing her girlfriend from America like a big trophy, while she always stayed silent and blue at his side. Robert didn't even know her name, expect for that nickname of Ladyhawke.
âDon't be ridiculous, Anthony.â He scoffed. âShe's like anyone else.â
âDon't say I didn't warn you.â The other boy chuckled, raising his drink as he was toasting at his friend's foolishness âBut I'd stay away from them, if I were you.â
Robert stared as his friend walked away, slightly staggering toward another group of people. Maybe he was drunk. How could that be? Sometimes his friends could be ruthless.
Of course there was something odd going on with those two, but he couldn't quite put his fingers on it.
He mumbled some nonsense under his breath, like he usually did and with one last glance over the group where Ladyhawke stayed, he realized she was gone. Perhaps she was indeed some kind of bird, disappearing like that in a blink of an eye, without him noticing and, apparently, without the people surrounding her noticing either. Not even her boyfriend, that sketchy boyfriend of hers, who was laughing and showing off his belongings â among which, Robert was sure, there was Ladyhawke too.
Robert sighed heavily, detaching from the tree and starting to pace toward the gardens, usually the quietest place to be when there was a party going on, for there would be only guided tours lead by the ladies who, at the moment, were enjoying their tea at the shade of the summerhouse.
It didnât take long for him to get there, to breath in the fresh scent of flowers and roses, taking in the familiar place, letting it doing its magic on him, until a peaceful sensation entered his body.
When he opened his eyes, it was at a timid barking coming from his feet.
âIsis?â He asked puzzled. âWhat are you doing here?â he frowned, utterly concerned with finding his puppy outside when she was supposed to be locked somewhere in the servants quarters. âIf mama sees you here, she'll-â
Robert bent down to reach the puppy, but unexpectedly, she ran away. She'd never done that before: even if small, she was very well trained.
He tried to follow the dog, paying close attention to some unwanted eyes, until he noticed Isis' small tail wiggling behind a corner of the small bushes' labyrinth.
âIsis! Bad dog, come here!â He whispered with a firm tone, but she wouldn't listen.
Robert sighed, walking faster toward the puppy and, with his big surprise, she was tugging something with her little mouth, whining like she used to do when it was playtime. He was about to scold her, when he realized what she was pulling: a very fine cloth, part of a skirt actually, one Robert was sure he'd seen before, recently too.
âLadyhawke!â He gasped. His tongue too fast for his brain to prevent him the mistake.
Two big, blue eyes darted in his direction. She wasn't mad at him, which was a relief, yet she look sad, and that, for some reason, broke his heart.
âIt's fine.â She said, no emotion escaping from her lips. âI know how you all call me.â She had all the reason to be upset and yell at him but she didn't. She was the picture of grace and composure.
âI'm terribly sorry, milady.â He hinted a bow. âI'm ashamed but- I don't know your name.â
âLike it makes a difference.â She whispered and directed her attentions to the puppy, which now was sitting properly between them, her big brown eyes following their movements. âIs he yours?â
âYes. She.â Robert cleared his throat âAnd it does, to me. I'd like to know.â
âIt won't matter anymore. I'll take another name soon anyway.â She shrugged.
âPlease?â Robert walked closer. He wanted to see her eyes so much, even for one last time. He couldn't think of anything else, and to give a name â a real name â to that beautiful face.
âCora.â She almost sang, a little defiant.
âCora.â He repeated, unable to stop his lips to smile. âI've never known anyone named Cora.â
âYou don't like it?â She finally looked up at him, even if not fully, and her long lashes, black as the darkest night, shaded her iris.
âI do.â He nodded slowly âVery much.â He paused âI'm-â
âRobert Crawley. I know.â Cora nodded and, for the first time, she smiled. It was a melancholic smile tough, a timid smirk he failed to comprehend.
âYou know?â He frowned.
âYes.â She confessed.
âHow?â
âDoesn't matter.â She smiled again, a little mysterious.
Robert nodded, hoping she was saving that story for some another time. Because there would be another time, he would make that happen, one way or another. He had to.
He was about to ask her when they could see each other again, when that horrid boyfriend of hers decided to get married â just to see how many more weeks of months he needed to hate that guy before making him his mortal enemy â and so many other things he wanted to know, when another noise interrupted that peace: someone was calling for her and he sounded irritated and despotic.
Cora tensed immediately when she heard that voice.
âHaxby. The hunt, you'll be there?â He asked frantically, fearing she would've fled without another word or, worse, without a word on their next possible encounter.
âI might.â She nodded agitatedly, her eyes darting everywhere like a prey sensing the predator coming near. More than ever she didn't look like a hawk. What a mean and inappropriate nickname for her. âI must go.â
âSee you at Haxby.â He yelled at her back. She didn't answer.
Robert felt incredibly abashed when he realized he may have yelled too loud: when Cora's boyfriend came, to collect her by her arm, Robert got the deadliest look he'd ever seen. But he wasn't afraid. For some reason, he could take all the courage he needed from her eyes.Â
It is officially Cobert Week 2017: Day 1! Unfortunately, today's content creators are currently working on other personal and unforeseen circumstances and will be posting later in the week :( However, we are sure that you wonderful Cobert Sailors have amazing contents we cannot wait to reblog! Just tag CobertWeek2017 so we can see it â¤
