Suzy Kent saw magazine proprietor, Alan Cuffe, going for an exercise run past her house and she decided to catch his attention as she had something on her mid she wanted to raise with him.
"Mr Cuffe!" she shouted. Cuffe stopped and turned to face her.
"Suzy....how many times do I have to tell you, call me Alan."
"Oh, sure, Alan. Do you have a moment?"
"For you, Suzy, always"
"I need a way in with the Landgraabs...Malcolm has approached some friends of mine trying to get the dirt on me...I know I'm on to something a lot bigger here; but I need some inside dope, so to speak"
Cuffe thought for a moment before responding. "You're really serious about this expose, aren't you? Well I don't know Malcolm Landgraab at all but I know his parents. Leave this with me"
"Thanks Alan" said Suzy. Alan gave her a double pistol finger sign off and continued on his run.
She could hear a phone ringing in the distance and then realised it was HER phone! She ran quickly back home, not an easy feat in go-go boots, and made it just in time to answer.
"Hello, Suzy Kent here?" she said, gasping for air.
"It's Neil...you sound exhausted, what have you been up to?"
"Well....I was outside and heard the phone ring halfway down the street. How are you? It seems like ages since we hung out"
"It's been too long, Honey. I was wondering if you were free today? I'm heading over to Lykke Centre and could really do with seeing you"
"Try stopping me!" she replied.
She wasted no time getting to the ultra-modern Lykke Centre with it's impressive views of the harbour and modern sculptures set among scenic walkways. Neil was already there and when the two saw each other they ran towards each other and embraced tightly.
"Hmmmm, you feel good!" said Suzy. "Hey, remember there was a time when you'd flinch if I tried to hug you?"
"I was very uptight back then. You've brought me out of my shell, that's for sure. Let's sit down and enjoy the view"
"This is a lovely spot, Neil. You have good taste" she said.
"Thanks. I like to come down here and paint sometimes. So much inspiration" he replied. "Next time, I would like to paint you...with the sailing boats in the background."
"My very own portrait? You romantic, you!" she said before leaning and and giving him a warm, loving kiss.
Neil was left speechless after that. They continued to make out until he grabbed her hand and started showing her all the impressive, large modern sculptures the Lykke Centre was renowned for.
"You've shown me what you like here...let me show you what I like in particular" said Suzy.
"What?" replied Neil.
Suzy laid down on the ground and looked skyward. "The sky. Today is particularly blue with the whitest, puffiest clouds I've seen in a long time. Will you join me?"
"What, on the ground?"
"Have you never just lain down and watched the sky?" she said, tilting her head up towards him.
"Erm...not since I was a child"
"Give it a go, now" she said, patting the ground next to her.
"But what if people see us? Won't it look weird?" he said, looking around.
"Probably....but let's have a little fun anyway" she replied, again patting the ground next to her.
Neil looked sceptical but eventually he joined her on the ground and looked up at the clouds...now he could understand why she wanted to do this: The view was inspiring.
"You know..." he began to say "this is what I like about being with you; you inspire me to try new things, to loosen up, to let my mind race away"
"I have my uses" she joked. "How about we head over to the club over there" she said, pointing at the Discotheque Pan Europa.
"What better way to follow lying on the ground, looking at the sky than to dance and listen to loud music?" he said with a smile.
Suzy was right at home on a dance floor, grooving to the latest hit record. Neil could only look on in awe and thank his lucky stars he was her boyfriend. She was equally adept at striking up conversations with people she barely knew. She wasn't a flirt or social gadfly...she was just at ease in a group and he could see how good she would be in her career as a journalist with her finger on the pulse of pop culture.
After a few hours dancing, drinking and socialising Neil and Suzy walked arm in arm along the embankment and towards the subway station.
"So, what happens next?" asked Suzy.
"You mean, 'your place or mine'?" he replied.
"Just that"
"I wish I had more than a small apartment to wine and dine you in" said Neil.
"Mine it is then....I have a nice bottle of red wine that needs sharing"
"Sounds good to me" said Neil, warmly accepting the offer.
He got a lot more than that when they ended up at Suzy's house. They made a meal together, with Neil concocting a fine tasting salad dressing, enjoyed lively banter and he then offered to do the dishes. In short, he felt totally at home at her place.
As they snuggled on the couch Suzy turned to Neil, gazed into his eyes and said "I wish this day wouldn't end"
Neil nodded. "It's been perfect"
"Even the bit where I made you lie on the ground?" joked Suzy.
"In hindsight, that was the highlight"
Suzy thought for a moment and bit her bottom lip as she toyed around with an idea she had in her head.
"Neil?"
"Yes, darling?"
"Why not make this day last longer? Why not stay here?" she asked.
"What, stay over the night?" he replied.
"I was thinking something longer term....why don't we....you know...."
"Live together?" he said, his jaw almost hitting the floor.
"Too much? I've said too much!" said a worried Suzy.
"No! Not at all! I like it!" he said, touching her arm and smiling from ear to ear.
"Great!....Wow, this is going to be so fab!" she said, enthusiastically.
"I know....but, well, we need to establish whether my bed is more comfortable or yours...so how about we..."
"Test mine out first?" she said, flirtatiously.
"You took the words right out of my mouth" he replied.
