"And it shows, my dear. Both your skill and your love of the written word."

Assistant was such a bad word for it. Not that the English language had one that was appropriate, he thought as he polished off his pasta. It certainly didn't describe the sort of relationship he hoped to have with her.

He winced suddenly. "The movie starts in ten minutes. Do you mind skipping dessert and getting a snack at the cinema instead?"

Thankfully the cinema was right around the corner and he could leave Bessie where she was.