It was three weeks ago we bumped into each other for the first time. It was a complete accident, so she said, but I know there was a greater destiny behind our meeting. We are just so perfect together that we had to meet. It was not for another two and a half weeks, 3 days ago, that we met again. She apologised for bumping into me, I apologised for bumping into her. We both fell silent for a moment and then simultaneously we suggested dinner, and dinner we were going to have, 3 days later at Chez Leonore.

I could see her staring at me through the wine glass she held in front of her face. She placed it down and spoke to me in a musical voice, "so why are we here?"

I laughed and I saw Beth relax. Beth, it was a name I had always liked. I looked at her with a grin on my face and told her, "why is any one here?"

I could see that I had done something wrong, the wrinkle above her eyes, her eyebrows meeting, I knew the signs. People had told me that it was a habit I had, to frown at people when I get annoyed. She turned he gaze to look out of the window, her light brown hair falling delicately across her face. She turned back to look at me directly, her eyes connected directly with mine. It was as if I knew what she was about to say, eventually it came :

"No, what I meant was why are we here?"

"Oh," I replied.

It was now that she lost me. Before, I just thought that she had been musing now however I had no idea what to reply. I tried to think up something that she would like.

"I think were here to gaze into the beauty of each other. A beauty that will last an eternity in our memories."

Her mood change from reproving to thinking that I was completely stupid. She chastised me for my stupidity, "do you want me to be sick before we even touch the meal?"

"I'm sorry," I hastily apologised.

Most women I have ever gone out with have told me that they love all those soppy sayings. Beth was different, she liked what I liked, thought like I thought, we were a good match. I glanced down at my watch, 7:15, it was still light outside but I was not caring to look at the view outside instead I wanted to concentrate on the beauty inside. Her brown eyes matched the colour of her silken hair. Her voice while delicate and feminine had an air of authority, a military feel. She was beautiful and she was mine - if only I could keep her.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The situation was not uncomfortable it was just that the chair was sore. I had to do something. "I have to go to the toilet, I'll be back before the meal's served."

I began to rise from my seat when, "JACK!" I froze, what had I done wrong.

Beth looked at her watch, "7:15 and 35 seconds exactly."

Still poised half out of my seat I asked Beth what was the matter she replied, "nothing...ehm...take a look at this," and then pointed out of the window above some building across the road. Concerned by her hasty reply but not overly worried I looked in the direction that she pointed.

"Now, what is it?"

"Do you see that?"

She pointed at an area above the building more exactly.

"What?" I asked unable to make out anything.

"That. There?"

I screwed my eyes up to look into the distance but to no avail; I was unable to see anything. In desperation I asked her, "What. Where?"

"You missed it?" she sighed in exasperation.

"Missed what?" I asked. The tone of exasperation that had been in Beth's voice had passed to myself.

"It was only an interesting looking plane."

I sat down again having been half standing up for some time.

Beth looked at me quizzically, her head moved back and sat at a slight angle and her eyebrows creased together. "Weren't you going to the toilet."

"I can't be bothered now," I sighed heavily.

I looked at Beth again there was so much I did not already know. "So, you like planes?" I asked casually.

"A passing interest."

"Really," I was unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.

Beth glowered across the table at me, "Why wouldn't I like planes?"

I wondered if I should insert my foot into my mouth around now. "No reason. It's just so rare to meet someone who shares your passions."

"Oh." By the look on her face I had quickly and efficiently diffused what could have been a very difficult situation.

The waiter all trimmed with a white shirt and black bow tie arrived at the table with two plates in hand. I saw they both contained chicken and the waiter placed them down not caring who received what plate. Beth picked up her fork and knife and scraped them together a few times. I had not realised that she did that. The people at the next table glanced over at Beth disgusted, fortunately Beth had not realised what they were looking at, she had returned to gazing steadily at me.

"Look," Beth leaned over the table and spoke in hushed tones, "I don't mention this to every one on a first date but I still live with my mum."

All I could do was sit there with a grin on my face.

"I knew I shouldn't have said it. It was stupid of me to even bring it up."

I laughed aloud then leaned across the table. I began to speak in a low conspiratorial whisper "I moved back in on my parents just last month."

"You did," Beth threw back her head and laughed a loud hearty laugh. "Then I had nothing to worry about."

"How's your chicken?"

"What?" I suddenly realised that I hadn't touched my meal. I caught her eye and said to her on the spur of the moment, "what are you doing tonight?"

Beth looked straight into my eye, any tension at the situation was suddenly removed. Her reply came straight enough but it was filled with promise, "depends what your doing." Beth paused for a moment then looked down at my plate, "are you not going to eat up?"

"Sorry, I was busy thinking." I lifted my fork and knife and then cut off a small piece of chicken. Placing it in my mouth I began to chew. Something was different, it tasted funny, it tasted disgusting, I don't think that it had been cooked properly. I had to get rid of the chicken somehow.

"Something wrong?" asked Beth, her face betrayed her concern.

"This chicken is only half cooked," I lifted my napkin to my mouth and discreetly spat the chicken out.

"That doesn't matter now," Beth told me matter of factly.

"Pardon?" I questioned the woman who was so perfect for me. The woman who I felt I had known for years.

Suddenly my attention was off Beth for I heard a shatter of glass.

The bullet penetrated Jack's skull and he slumped back dead.

The decoy stood up from the table and slipped away in the confusion.