Part 2: The Mystery of Mr Emerson Jones

In all honesty, I had been so nervous upon seeing him looking so unexpected and dashing that I had almost forgotten how to speak. Words had formed in bubbles above my head but they were they popping faster than I could enunciate and my reply had come off garbled.

I should have been more eloquent and polite, as would have been fitting for my upbringing in proper etiquette. Grandfather might laughed it off but grandmother would definitely have shaken her head. Bearing the shame of disgracing your family honour had never felt more apparent.

"I, too was at a loss for words when I saw you. So please don't feel bad" he smiled.

"You look like an Oxford girl in North Sydney. It's a rare sight to behold".

Finally catching my tongue. I replied in a barely audible tone. "You look like a young Gary Cooper or George Peppard. You're a rare sight to behold yourself".

Picking up the paper bag from my side, I passed it onto him. "It's something for you and your family from mine. For meeting with me today".

Opening the bag, he took a peek inside. "My my, a cake. That's lovely. I have an excuse to invite you over for tea then. Consider yourself invited" he beamed. Seeing my anxious expression he retreated. "But only if you want to. I am a spontaneous man, so says grandfather but I can also be premeditated if you prefer it. If you have a date in mind to meet again, I would do anything to grant it".

He was so eager, so keen that I felt excited to see more of him, his world and all that was in relation to our grandfathers.

So I bit back my overly planned mind and agreed to see him for tea that afternoon even if I had a looming college deadline flying up ahead and a first date with a guy who had confessed to me just last week for high tea this afternoon.

If it's only for an hour or two, what would that do? Or so I thought…