????? ??? ????? -?. ??????????

"hey , you came. I thought you wouldn't" he quickly flashed the biggest smile in the world.

"Why wouldn't I, afterall, I am not allowed to eat ice cream for a while" I said and joined him in walking.

"Why is that so?" He strolled along with me and wore his sunglasses.

"They say , we have parties , we have this , we have that , we can't just let you get sick" I said in a sarcastic tone.

"I see. Then you tell me, why would I let you eat then?" He raised an eyebrow playfully.

"Hey, you promised. I swear I will cut all the friendship with you"

"Alright I am sorry. I promised, yeah" he chuckled.

I wrapped my arms around me as the thin layer of cold air hit me and breathed in.

"So you are liking London?" He asked as we took a turn to the other pavement.

"Yeah , I mean , it isn't bad , I love vintage type. This part , it's all vintage. " I stretched my lip to the other side and raised my eyebrows.

"Vintage. You like history?"

"Yeah. A lot"

"You haven't had a tour of London yet, Am I right?" He asked.

"Hundred Percent"

"Then maybe , I can take you there. If you want to only. " He avowed and gestured with his hand to show we are going to the left road .

"Yeah , that'll be fun. But only after grandpa recovers"

"Okay. Here's a mini pub called the The Bull And Last. I love this. Wanna have breakfast?"

"Sure" I replied and we both walked in.

The pub was all for vintage. All decorated in Victorian style. With large windows and with some round tables and some square tables. It had a large countertop , with dark brownish touch , made of wood. There was a middle sized vintage chandelier in the middle . History.

Woah this is sick bro" I mumbled as I was looking it up with awe. I was lost in my thoughts

"Yeah it is" my side and whispered which caused me to jump.

"I am sorry if I scared you" he chuckled.

"Issokay"

"So what do you wanna have for breakfast? He queried as we sat across each other on a corner.

"Anything nice"

"Okay spice or non spice?" He asked as he opened the menu and was looking at it as he was memorizing the whole book.

"Oh no no . No spicy. I hate spice. It burns . No "I started to articulate how I hate spice while panicking. But there was no reason to be panicking.

"It's okay. It's okay. No spice then. You have a sweet tooth?"

"I do" I smiled proudly.

"I don't think eating cakes and all is good for breakfast. Let's have something salty. Nothing related to spice. I promise"

"Okay. Thanks"

A waiter came and stood beside our table .

"Um One poached egg with chargrilled asparagus and hollandaise sauce on toasted sour dough. And a handmade chicken Kiev ,creamy mash and cavolo Nero"

"Alright sir. It'll take 15 minutes" Tom nod with a smile and he left.

" So is your mind fresh now?" Tom looked at me and asked.

"Trust me I am feeling a whole lot better. It's all because of you. Thanks" I smiled .

"Ah no don't give me credits , I am just helping a friend" he blushed.

"But it did help right?" I chuckled.

"Yuh it did" he joined me. And then there was a moment of silence with an eye contact . A peaceful silence. I then looked away and changed the topic.

"Don't mind me asking but how old are you?" Tom questioned. Man I was so hungry. I wished the waiters brought our one faster.

"23 , what about you?"

"40" he chuckled nervously.

"What? Oh my goodness you don't look like one. I swear I thought you were somewhat not even near 35" I started to laugh.

"Man trust me I am trying not to age" he chuckled.

"But it doesn't seem like you were that mini Belle in aunt Diana's arms" he scoffed but I started to zone out when I heard mum's name. And eventually I was reminded why I befriended Tom.

"Yeah , mum would have loved the big me" I chuckled as I started my inquiry.

"Yeah , she always used to tell me when Isabella will grow I will do this, I will that" he giggled.

"What did she wanna do with me?" I tilted my head and furrowed my eyebrows.

"Well she said tha-" Tom was cut by the fishy type waiter I was eyeing for a long time. I felt like to murder him. Like my hunger died and now you brought food. Nice.

"There you go" he said as he placed my plate in front of me.

"Thanks" I smiled even though I had all veins to kill that innocent waiter.

I didn't want to ask again or it would look obvious that I am trying to get something instead of friendship.

It was quarter to 8 when we got out of the pub and it was our turn for ice cream.

"Here's is a shop called Ruby Violets. Their ice cream is the best . And also there's an auntie, auntie Jamie who admires me. She would love to see you" he gestured with his hand all the time.

I laughed lightly at the part when he said Auntie.

"What?" He asked, puzzled.

"You make everyone your aunt and friend right?"

"Auntie,yeah everyone is my auntie but I have a very few Number of friends." He asservated.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to loose the others over a new one.

"Then why did you befriended me?"

" You're not a new friend. You and I were Friends when I was in college. It's destiny that sperated us. The shop is on your left" with that I noticed a mini shop, not that vintage but purplish . Actually lilacish. It was decorated with flowers.

We both stepped inside and noticed a lady with Bob haircut and grey hair.

"Thomas dear. It has been so long" she exclaimed.

" Hi auntie. I missed you". He couldn't hug her as she was on the other side of the countertop of ice creams.

"You've bought a girl?" All this time I was smiling but that question made my eyes go wide.

"No no no no she's a friend. Yo-you'll recognize her " he elbowed me to open the hoodie.

"Oh god you're the princess right?"