All characters in this story and the story itself are mine.

Chapter 1.

"Lucy, do you intend to come out of that room and come shopping with me?" Called Gemma. "Yes, mother, I will be down after I have completed this section." Replied Lucy rather miffed about being disturbed. As her ministry exam was tomorrow. After all a little retail therapy never hurt anyone.

After she had completed that section of revision, she brushed her long, silky brown hair, while staring at a photo that stood along side her mirror. The photo contained a loving couple and a young girl. The man was clearly the father of the young girl. A tear rolled down Lucy's face as she said to the photo "Why did you have to go on that mission?" For Lucy's father Rupert Bashir, who was killed in action seven years before our story began.

Lucy and her mother Gemma walked into the town, to look for some ball gowns for the ministry ball, which was in a month's time. This is where they announce who has passed the entrance exam. Also it is a time where retired and present ministry agents get together and pass on any news.

They walked into a shop where they specially make ball gowns and tuxedoes. A male voice enquired "Gemma Bashir?" Gemma turned to face the speaker. "John Wagstaff, I do believe," exclaimed Gemma, hurrying over to speak to him. Lucy turned and began looking at the materials behind her, while listening to her mother and her mother's friend talk behind her. "Why did you retire Gemma?" asked John, "You, perfectly know why" replied Gemma, rather sharper than intended. "And I don't want to talk about it either". Lucy wandered over at this point to show her mother the material she had chosen. Which is a deep wine coloured velvet, which is ideal for Lucy's colouring. Gemma turned startled when Lucy tapped her on the shoulder as if she had forgotten Lucy was there. "Lucy this is Sir John Wagstaff, he was my partner in the ministry. John, this is my daughter Lucy Emma, who is taking the ministry exam tomorrow" after the introductions were said, John turned to Gemma and said "I thought you did not want anything to do with the ministry again and here's your daughter going into it, what's going on Gemma?" Gemma replied rather stiffly "meet me at ten o'clock tomorrow morning at the Buttercross in the centre of town, to discuss this. Now I have to sort out Lucy's dress and mine, so I will see you tomorrow". Gemma joined Lucy into looking for a design for Lucy's dress.

Lucy having decided on a design for her dress, went up to the lady at the till. To see if it was possible to have the dress made, when a man walked into the shop.

I'm suffering from a case of writers block at the moment so please forgive me.

Kate