Chapter Text
Sanditon was a small town- anyone new generally attracted attention, so he couldn’t help but notice when there was a new patron at his regular coffee shop each morning. She was made all the more memorable by her radiant smile, and that she gave it freely to all she encountered.
They hadn’t spoken, but as with most of the regular morning crowd, they’d nod and smile at each other as they came or went - acknowledging the start of another day.
Her smile though, it was different. It wasn’t the quick, polite smile exchanged between strangers- her smile was genuine, as if each day could bring nothing but good. It didn’t escape his notice either that her brilliant blue eyes lit up, brightening the day of whoever was fortunate enough to receive one of her smiles. No one could scowl when faced with such guileless happiness.
He’d always been a bit of a morning person- growing up on a farm instilled certain habits after all- but he found himself a bit more motivated than usual to start his day the last couple of weeks. And while he had always considered himself a sensible man, certainly not one to give much credence to the notion of ‘love at first sight’, there was something about her that stuck in his head.
Such were his musings when William knocked on the door to his office. He startled at the sound, dropping the pen he was holding. He snatched up the pen- though the action failed to cover his distraction if the smirk on Will’s face was anything to go by.
“I was going to ask if you’d had time to look over those reports, but I’m guessing…not?” Will chuckled. “So, did you actually talk to her today? Learn her name, perhaps?”
Declan rolled his eyes, but said nothing.
“Good God, man- what is to be done with you?” Will shook his head and took a step inside the office. “It’s really not so difficult. You say hello, then you say your name, and usually… they say their name back.” He spread his hands wide as if finishing a magic trick.
“We weren’t all gifted with the ability to make small talk seem engaging,” Declan replied drily. Nor the easy smile and charming manners that made women seem to gravitate towards his young friend, but he kept that thought to himself. While William succeeded in easily making these female acquaintances, he rarely kept them for long. His attention was as easily lost as it was gained.
Declan was looking for a different sort of relationship, if he were to have one at all.
William shook his head again, but Declan cut him off before he could offer more advice, “I’ll have the report back to you before lunch.”
/
Declan finished looking over the report as planned and grabbed his sandwich to eat as he walked. He needed to go to the post office to mail a package to his nephew for his birthday.
As he waited for Ms. Hankins to finish at the counter, he began to scroll through emails on his phone. But it wasn’t long before his attention was pulled away by the opening of the door behind him - and more so by the fact that she walked through it. Reflexively he stepped forward to give her more space to come inside the small lobby. She smiled, her eyes sparkling while nodding her thanks.
He stood awkwardly for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to speak when the lady at the counter made the decision for him, “Sir?”
William’s advice would have to go unheeded yet again it seemed, he thought wryly. Declan stepped up to the window and placed his parcel on the counter. The postal worker went through the standard series of questions - delivery preference, anything fragile, anything liquid or flammable?
“Goodness I hope not, though that would be quite the surprise for my nephew - if his Legos suddenly burst into flame… he might enjoy that actually,” he mused, “but his sister… not so much,” he amended.
The postal worker looked unamused, but he heard a chuckle from behind him. He couldn’t help the small feeling of triumph in making her laugh with his poor attempt at a joke. He felt the corner of his mouth tug up in a half smile.
He concluded his transaction, and was assured it would arrive early the following week. He did not anticipate how close the woman behind him stood and bumped into her shoulder as he turned to leave.
“I beg your pardon, miss. I didn’t see you.” He felt his face bloom red at such a statement. Of course he didn’t see her, she was behind him. He sighed inwardly.
“No pardon necessary. I am unharmed,” she laughed.
“That is good news,” he attempted a chuckle, but it was weak as he was still a bit flustered. He tried quickly to think of something else to say; but before he could, a throat cleared behind her, prompting her to smile her farewell and move up to the counter.
As he pushed through the door, he overheard her asking to buy stamps. He cast a last glance over his shoulder, and hoped the rest of the day would pass quickly.
Maybe tomorrow morning he’d finally ask her for her name.
/
Alison hid a small smile while waiting for the change from her purchase, her coffee guy had finally spoken.