Pleasant Surprises




*Ding-dong*  *Ding-dong* 

"Coming!" Elizabeth shouted, rising from the kitchen table, steaming cup of tea in hand.  It's nearly 9:30, she thought.  It's usually too late for visitors now, especially in London.

She opened the door and gasped.  "Robert?"

"Hello, Elizabeth," Dr. Romano said, rather nervously. 

"Wha... um... what are you doing here?" Elizabeth stammered.

"Um... this really isn't a conversation to have in an open doorway... may I come in?"

"Oh, of course, of course," Elizabeth said, stepping aside.  What in the bloody hell is he doing here?  "Um, yes, please... have a seat over on the.. the couch," she said, gesturing. 

"Elizabeth," Robert said, looking away for a moment and then back at her.  "I'm not really sure what I'm doing here.  After we talked yesterday, I... I just couldn't stop thinking about you.  I-"

Suddenly, Elizabeth knew what he was doing here.  "Get out," she whispered.

"What?  Elizabeth-"

"I want you out, now," she snarled.  "How dare you come all the way here and tell me this when my husband died just days ago!"

"Elizabeth, wait," Dr. Romano said.

"No.  No!  Get out, you unimaginable bastard!" Elizabeth yelled, walking towards the door.

Robert followed.  "All right, fine.  Goodbye, Elizabeth," he said, closing the door behind him.

She watched him go, and burst into tears.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"How could he be so low, Mother?" Elizabeth asked.

"Darling, I'm so sorry he put you through that," Isabelle said.  "Come help me with dinner, it might help get your mind off things for a bit."

The redheaded doctor followed her mother into the kitchen and helped her prepare dinner.  "I just thought I knew him, you know?  I've worked with him for five years, you'd think I'd know what he was like."  Isabelle nodded in agreement. 

"I mean, I know what a sexist, racist, egotistic arse he is.  I should have known he'd try to pull something like this.  But, I mean, I know how he is... I just never, never in a million years thought he'd go so low."

THE NEXT DAY

"Elizabeth, there's someone at the door for you," Isabelle said, walking into the living room, where her daughter lay on the couch.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"A deliveryman," Isabelle said, touching her daughter's shoulder, making Elizabeth rise to her feet.

"Thank you, Mother, I'll handle it," Elizabeth said, walking towards the door. 

A man in blue stood at the door.  "Are you Elizabeth Corday?" the man asked. 

Forcing a smile, she replied, "Yes, can I help you?"

"These are for you," he said, handing her a dozen roses.

Taken aback by the flowers, she put her hand on her chest.  "Oh, goodness.  Uh... thank you."

"Just sign here, please, miss," the man said, handing her a clipboard and pen.

Elizabeth quickly scribbled her signature on the dotted line and handed the board and pen back to the man.  Glancing quickly at the paper, the man said, "Thank you, miss.  Have a nice day."

Elizabeth closed the door behind the man and opened the card that was attached to her flowers.  She read:

Elizabeth,
We need to talk.  I'm at the Forum Hotel.  Room 112.  Please call or stop by.

Robert  

Elizabeth scowled as she threw the flowers in the trash.  "Fuck you."



Part 4
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