Pre-Milliways OOM

Meg Ford is on her front porch, saying good night to Derek Laundon, and has been for the last three minutes. It's their fourth date, and the good nights have somehow involved fewer words each time.

"I should go in," she says, finally if reluctantly, pulling back from him just slightly.

"No, stay," he says, hands sliding up from her waist to her back, pulling her towards him again, picking up where he left off.

Meg turns her head, laughing. "You're going to miss your curfew, Derek."

He sighs and shakes his head, but he's smiling. "This is what I get for dating a girl who cares about rules, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

"All right," he says. "I'm going." He leans in and kisses her one more time. "Call me?"

She nods. "Tomorrow. Now, go. Before you get grounded."

She stands under the porch light, watching as he heads off up their street, and waving when he turns back to look at her.

And then lets out the breath she's holding, and eyes mostly closed, lets herself into the house.