London, 2025

You hated this, everything about it. But you were trying, for Tom. Birthday surprises, loud shouting neighbours and friends all crammed into your living room, all rushing you the moment you flipped the lights on, no familiar Tom amongst them to greet you and reassure you.

So you played the bit, went along and found out that Tom was behind it all.

Hiding in your and Tom's bedroom was an envelope full of clues, giving you slight reprieve from the situation in your living room, where you could already hear corks popping and balloons meeting the same fate. *You hated balloons. Case A, example 1.

You knew Tom was being kind and generous, that was all he'd ever been to you, but sometimes his kindness missed the mark a little.

Following your clues, you dressed formally, but comfortably, and arrived at the destination marked in your envelope, a fancy restaurant in Soho. Case A, example 2.

Tom knew you weren't adjusted to the finer things life had to offer, you may well never fully adjust and he was perfectly alright with that, but again, his generosity and idea of a good time didn't quite align with yours.

You gave your name at the front door, and we're quickly whisked through the bustling restaurant, doing your best to keep a straight face and not let your anxiety and stress show on your pinched smile.

You were shown to Tom's table and he got up to greet you.

"There you are! I was beginning to think I'd have to celebrate your birthday stag!" he grinned, wrapping you in his arms, though you were desperate to just sit down and hide behind the menu.

Doing so, you sat the menu upright and open, creating a little corner in which to catch your breath, after a while, you heard Tom speak.

"See anything you like the look of love?" he asked, looking at you overtop his crooked glasses.