Chapter 7: Meeting of a Stranger

While the people continued to push and shove, Vivien turned to find a young man who stood a foot taller than her. 
“I’m sorry.” Vivien said. 

The young man smiled at Vivien with kind eyes and said “The fault is all mine. I should have been watching where I was going.” The young man smiled at Vivien with kind eye. 

“If I may ask,” the young man said “what is your name?” He had never seen a girl as pretty as she was.

“My name is Vivien Alexander,” Vivien smiled her cute smile as her dark blue eyes glistened back with happiness.

“Isn’t your father Richard Alexander?” the young man asked snapping his fingers as he knew he had heard of that last name. 

“Yes, he’s the general,” Vivien said nodding her head as she was very proud of her father. At the sound of her father’s name sadness filled her heart. She missed him so much. “Why is it that you know my name, but I don’t know yours?” 

The young man laughed, “That is rather odd isn’t it. It’s Laurence Kent. But people call me Larry.” 

“It’s nice to meet you Larry.” Vivien said shaking his hand. 
“As it is nice meeting you as well,” Larry said kissing her hand gently. 

Vivien knew it was impossible, but why was it that she felt this way? Had she met this young man before? Her knees were weak and her hands trembled. What was going on with her? Then she realized it may be crazy, could this be the man she had always dreamed of?

“What made you come here and during an air raid?” Larry asked as he pulled out a cigar. “Do you mind?” 

“Oh, no,” Vivien replied as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “It’s a long story.” Vivien bit her lower lip as she began thinking. What was she doing? She didn’t even know this young man.

“I’m sure we will be here for a little while.” Larry said as he looked around. “That is if you want to. You don’t have to.”

“My home life could be a little better.” Vivien said with a sigh as she began thinking about all of the nasty things that had happened to her at home. Meanwhile Callie sat in Vivien’s arms reaching for a piece of food that was in Larry’s left hand. “Callie, no,”

Larry laughed. “She’s alright,” As he gave her the rest of the food. “That’s too bad about your home life. Your father talks about you often. He says how nice you are but he’s never said how beautiful you are.” 

Vivien could feel her face go red. She figured that her father talked about her a lot. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’m the light of my father’s life. After all my mother died when I was just five months old. When I was a year old my father got remarried to a lady named Catherine.” 

“Is that who Catherine is?”Larry asked giving Vivien a look that told her he didn’t know who she was. 

“Is who?” Vivien asked to see if he could get where she was going. Looking around she saw many people that she knew from Notley. Some of the people would come to the parties that were thrown there.

“Your stepmother,” Larry asked as he put the cigar out and into the nearest ashtray. “Your father’s mentioned her a few times as well.
” 
“Yes, she isn’t the best either. Has he told you how cruel and hateful she is to me?” Vivien questioned as she could feel warm tears coming. “Of course not, he would ever do such a thing.” 
Taking out his handkerchief he handed it to Vivien. Dabbing her eyes she realized what a fool she was being. “Thank you,” Vivien said as she whipped her eyes once more. 

“You’re quite welcome.” Larry said as the voice of a man saying that the air raid was over. “I’m afraid it’s over. You know I’ve never enjoyed an air raid more.” 

Smiling at him they left the underground. “It’s very unlikely that we will see each other again.” Larry said as he flagged down a Taxi. 

“Oh, why do you say that?” Vivien asked turning towards him.

“Well you see I’m on leave and now I have to go back.” Larry said as he opened the taxi door. “To the war I mean.” 

“That is unlikely.” Vivien answered as Larry waved his hand for her to get it. “I’m just heading down the street here, but thank you.”

“May I write to you?” Larry asked. “After all it does get very lonely in the army.” 

“I’m afraid I won’t be going home for quite a while.” Vivien said as she began messing with her hands. 

Taking out a pen and a small piece of paper Larry began writing something down. “This is where I’m stationed at. You may write me whenever you find time.” Larry said handing Vivien the paper. “I would love to hear from you.” 

“I will see what I can do.” Vivien said with a smile as she put the paper in her purse.

“Well it was nice talking to you.” Larry said as he kissed her hand and departed. Watching him leave Vivien could feel her heart in her throat.

Turning in the opposite direction Vivien began making her way down the street. This would be a new place and a new adventure wouldn’t it? But yet while Vivien began walking down the street all she could think of was Larry. Maybe she would run into him again somewhere. However, that was very rare, for he was going back to the war. Then again she might write to him.