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Pat preferred taking the Jaguar to avoid the dust and noise of the traffic on Chelsea Bridge Road and by luck found a parking spot off Sloane Square behind Peter Jones.
The evening was pleasantly warm giving Lili the chance to take-in the latest London fashions, stopping at almost every shop window. It was not something that Pat was used to, but he had never seen her so excited, she was like a teenager bubbling over at everything she saw, passers-bye, cars, restaurants, cinemas, pubs and coffee shops. It was almost nine when she decided it was time to eat. Pat anticipating the moment had already booked a table at the Cheney Walk Brasserie, a trendy French style bistro, where he was a well known client. The restaurant was situated in an apple green nineteenth century corner house decorated with coach lamps. Their table, on the first floor, overlooked Chelsea Bank Gardens with the Thames beyond between the trees.
Lili was thrilled, it was so different from Hong Kong and even more so than Guangzhou. She took Pat’s hand pleased that he been able to anticipate what she preferred best.
“I hope you like French food?”
“Of course, it’s delightful here.”
“It was once a Victorian pub,” he told her remembering the owner’s story.
Pat helped her with the menu, displaying his knowledge of French. They ordered scallops followed by grilled sea bass and chocolate fondant, then with a flourish he ordered a Chablis 1er cru from the wine list. Once the formalities were over they concentrated their talk on each other and the week ahead.
It was almost midnight when they returned to the apartment. Lili told him she was not in the least bit tired, but as soon as they dropped onto the sofa she closed her eyes and was asleep.
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