Akiko

I look at the clock again and it's 12:05 now. I look at the busy service station and I'm greeted with the warmest of smiles by someone walking quickly towards me. It's her. It's Akiko and she came.

We hug and kiss on the cheeks before she pulls back.

"I hope you don’t mind I parked on the other side of the motorway, that's why I'm a little late," she said breathlessly as though she had been running. "Oh it's so good to see you at last."

We stood, hugged and kissed gently as a tear fell from my eye in a typical show of emotion. Akiko noticed it and taking a long nailed finger wipes it away saying, "Is that tear of love for me?"

"I guess so," I said suddenly lost for words and looking at her trim figure. At this range I have the opportunity to look closely at her and see she is oriental in looks courtesy of her Japanese mother. Her black hair is short and stylishly bobbed, her eyes are colourful and wide open. Her pupils are almost fully dilated as she looks at me.

"What's the matter?" She asked smiling. "Why do you look at me like that?"

"That's easy. Disbelief that you are finally here," I replied. "Would you like something to drink and oh yes these are for you." I handed her the flowers and I could see that she was not over enamoured to receive them. "What's wrong?"

"Oh lover they're beautiful but you didn’t need to buy them you know," she answered sniffing them.

"There is something else for you but that's for later," I added.

"Now you shouldn’t buy me anything," she looked serious.

Ignoring her criticism I just said, "Come on let's see about some privacy where we can talk in peace and quiet."

She laughed, "Oh you just want to talk do you? Surely not after all this time?"

Taking her cue I chipped in, "Well yes unless you have something else in mind."

"I do have something else in mind and it's certainly not talking," she said grabbing my hand with long thin hands.