Eliza didn’t expect anything other than the abrasive crappy attitude she seemed to be creating with her mere presence around Mark, this former glorious star. She explained what the potatoes were that she planned on making, explain their French origin, and went on to say, “However they are very rich and unhealthy so you will love them I’m sure”, she winked in his direction, hoping to coat any hostility with a smile or light flirtation in the hope to loosen his composure a little.<br/><br/>When he suggested eating indoors, Eliza smiled and continued with her part of the meal, whilst a notion occurred to her, a genuine smile seemed to fill her cheeks as she placed the food into the oven. She decided to ignore his reply about ‘fruity crap’. Eliza listened to his sarcastic retort and almost giggled, he reminded her a little of her father, she briefly thought of memory of her father, and how she would often giggle when he was grumbling about her behaviour or his lack of enthusiasm for something Eliza was passionate about. She disguised the giggle with a cough, and poured herself a glass of water, taking a few delicate sips whilst she composed herself and let the memory of her dear dad fade a little.<br/><br/>She looked into Marks eyes with a tilt of her head as if she was mentally evaluating him, which was part of her job of course. “I think tomorrow I am going to surprise you and we can start the rest of your life Mark, how about that?”, she didn’t wait for an answer however, “We have an appointment here in the morning, and afterwards I will make our plans”, she informed him. After several more minutes of awkwardness it was time to  check on the pork, she stabbed it gently with a fork and the juices ran clear suggesting it was well cooked, whilst serving up the potatoes and vegetables, she poured herself some non-alcoholic wine and offered Mark a non-alcoholic ginger beer, waiting for a smart remark.<br/><br/>It wasn’t long before they were sat at Mark’s table with their food before them, Eliza raised her glass towards Mark, “May this be the start of a great mutually rewarding friendship”, she titled her glass towards his. Before she took a bite of food, she turned to Mark, “So was there a lady in your life…like ever? Or a man?”, she dropped her gaze and finally began to eat. For a reporter that usually found rapport a little too easy to build, Mark proved a challenge and Eliza almost relished this about him. She slowly chewed her food, and began mentally making notes of their day so far, she wondered what he thought about having a woman in his company after so long, and it made her wonder if perhaps she could make her story a little more interesting, everyone loves a love affair, she thought to herself, of course it wasn’t the first time that day these thoughts had crossed her mind.<br/><br/>Eliza purposely left a little sauce on the corner of her mouth and began talking to Mark, hoping he would take the prompt she’d offered, she purposely crossed her legs in his direction and opened her body language, enough to show her friendliness without suggesting too much. “Mark, what is your fondest memory of football?”, she asked him, hoping to make him start thinking about the positive in life. She cleared their plates once they were finished and walked slowly back to the sink, allowing her hips to sway ever so slightly, just enough to emphasise her curves. “Want to help me dry?”, she throw a tea-towel over to Mark to entice him over. Once she began washing the dishes, she playfully blew a couple of bubbles over to Mark, “Come on, I want to see this famous Windham smile”, she giggled and this time scooped a couple of bubbles and popped them on the end of his nose.