I would not have cared if she lie to get off every day, to be with me. "You've not been a bother yet, so I suppose you would continue not to be a bother. How about tomorrow? I am traveling around, for the rest of the week, taking in other sights of the island, but it there are other places you are familiar with, I would love to see them with you." The fact was that I had found it harder to work without her that day, than with her the day before. Her insights and humor had proved invaluable. Besides, her mother turned out to be a wonderful cook.

She walked me out to my car, and we said goodnight. I considered kissing her, thought the moment did not seem right. After all, I would be leaving soon, and she did not seem to be the sort for one night stands, or at least I felt she deserved more than that. Instead, I contented myself with a hug. This one lasted a little to long, until we split a little uncomfortably. "See you tomorrow then."

Soon I was on my way back to the pub, with the evening playing over and over on the video player of my mind. I especially played her little fairy tale over again, wishing that it were true, and believing that it could never be. It was to late to process any of my film, so I went start to bed and had a dream about a little cabin and a faithful woman.

In the morning, I woke up early and had a breakfast of poached eggs and toast. The pub sent the food up to my room and I ate while listening to the local news. The weather was supposed to be mixed, with possible thundershowers. Still, there was nothing like a good thunderstorm on the horizon, to make a shot. I packed my equipment up in waterproof bags and got out my raincoat.

Soon I was on my way back to Alice's apartment, for my last full day with her. It felt sad, and final somehow. She could hardly keep calling out sick all week, and it would be wrong to ask her too, though half of me wanted her to do so.