Louisa sat back in the cold metal chair and took a deep breath of salty sea air. Although the gulls flew irritatingly overhead, the view of the ocean at this point of the day and the thoughts of what was to come after so very long could not be spoilt, not by man bird or beast.
She took a deep breath in and relished this being the first time she had been truly alone in almost two years, alone in the physical sense but also mentally.
The wind whipped around her face sending her long blonde hair blowing all around her face, she gently pushed it away from her eyes and let out a contented sigh.
There was just something about being here that gave her a deep peace, a clear head, that made her feel happy, truly happy.
She took a long sip of coffee and checked her watch, ten minutes to go if Mrs Derby was a punctual woman (which she sincerely hoped she was) There was nothing at all she hated more than tardiness.
'Louisa?' A well spoken voice came from directly behind her, to which she slowly swivelled in her seat and looked up. So here she was, in the flesh, the infamous Mrs Darby. And she was a full ten minutes early, brownie points before they'd even begun.
Louisa stood to greet her, taking hold of her gently by her tiny bronzed shoulder and brushed her lips against one cheek, then the other... she smelt like roses and talc, she smelt... sweet, ladylike.