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Lydia had decided to read Fred’s Blog over breakfast. Now she was wondering if she had chosen well. Fred’s night on the town 0 COMMENTS NOVEMBER 25 Dear readers, and one in particular, I am going to be honest from now on. So it was not “Anton Fehrnzeit” who was out on the town exploring the nightlife of Vilnius last night, it was me, Fred Blogs. My real name is Alfred, but my surname is not Blogs since I still wish to retain a certain amount of anonymity when I am blogging on the internet. And what a night it was! The superb architecture and impressive buildings of the old town seem to be matched by a hospitality that is truly exceptional and which I cannot help thinking is far more modern and perhaps forward looking than the buildings are. My friend and I were in sore need of refreshment when we entered the establishment which proved our entertainment last night. The choice was fine, and we were even able to enjoy the same beer as we enjoy when we are at home. The company was very different though, and I am highly impressed by the warmest of welcomes we were shown. Despite all this there is one woman and one only whose company I most hope for today. If I am any judge of her character she may find it in her heart to forgive me, even if she cannot forget. If she does I assure all of you publicly that my hidden identity will be the last time I should intentionally deceive her. I shall post here according to the outcome. Of course I deserve no second chance and there is no earthly reason for her to believe me now, yet still I shall live in hope. It was not so much the post itself, although she did find that upsetting. More upsetting was what she read beneath;

Comments You certainly deserve no second chance. I am glad you might have seen the error of your ways, but such dishonesty as you have shown has consequences. I think you have shown that you are a fraud. That is not something the honest Lithuanian people will easily forgive, we are a proud and honest nation. You have seen now how hospitable we can be to visitors for yourself. So I suggest to you that you should not abuse this hospitality and however contrite and repentant you may feel the best apology you can offer is to move on with your life and go home a reformed man. OLGA ON NOVEMBER 27, 2008, AT 03:55 AM

Still fresh in her mind was the promise she had extracted from her friend last night. It seemed to Lydia that her friend had already broken the promise, even before they had met one another to travel to the Paradise café.

She looked up at the clock by the bedside, there was no more time for this, she needed to choose what she would wear today and get herself ready before Olga arrived. With her friend in mind, and the comments she had just read, Lydia was wondering if she could wear the dress she had planned. It was very flattering to her figure, but Olga would notice and disapprove. In the end Lydia selected a slightly less flattering dress which she thought would meet Olga half way.

By the time Olga arrived at the apartment Lydia had been ready for an hour or more. She had laid out the tea things and was busy making a pot for them to drink and chat over before they set off. She wanted to put her friend at ease before deciding if she would bring up the matter of her comment.

“So you sorted out something for J OK then, I guess?”

“Yes, it worked out well for J, a friend of his from school was around and his mum agreed that J could come over for the morning for them to play together. J was so happy because he has a playstation and they’ll be able to play on that.” Lydia was glad to hear that she had not put Olga out, and even better that she had not upset J by this arrangement.

“That’s nice. Now let’s have a cup of tea. I know we are going to the café, but I always think their coffee is better but their tea is not so nice as the tea I can make at home. I have to say they have better cakes though” admitted Lydia.

Pouring out the freshly brewed tea Lydia decided it would be better to clear the air here and now.

“You know I read your comment on his blog.” She said

“Oh, that” Olga had obviously not expected this. “well I was just speaking my mind. You can see my point of view, can’t you?”

“Yes, of course I can Olga. It is not just your point of view either, it is probably the opinion of most people if they knew the story, but that is not the point Olga. Did you forget the telephone call and your promise so quickly?”

“Oh, I see. I am not sure I thought of it that way. I thought when I made the comment more about him than I did about you. I suppose you have a point. Can I say sorry now, if it bothered you at all?”

“Apology accepted, and just try to keep your promise for the rest of the day and you will make me a happy woman, OK?” Lydia was surprised and pleased that Olga had been so quick to see things from her point of view. They sipped their tea in companionable silence for a few moments, with a much friendlier atmosphere nor that the question of Olga’s judgement had been put to one side for the day.

“Are you nervous?” Asked Olga, because she had seen no sign of this from Lydia so far.

“Well, perhaps a little bit, but more that he would recognise me, and now that you are coming with me that seems highly unlikely. So it does not feel at all as if I were going to the café for any sort of assignation. However, it does feel like I am being a private eye or something, snooping on him. And to be frank that is exciting but it does not make me nervous, no.” Lydia explained.

“In that case I am really happy that me coming along is not an imposition and that it is helping you out. That’s what friends are for. Plus I’ll admit that with the rush of sorting J out I had no breakfast, so the cake will be much appreciated too!” Olga smiled at the thought.

“In that case, let’s not worry about being extra early” Lydia said with a glance towards the kitchen clock, “we’ll leave in five minutes or so and be there about half ten. If we feel like it we can even have something more than cake with half an hour before he is due to turn up.”

They finished their tea, Lydia put the tea things in the sink, and they set off to the Paradise Café.