THE WRONG ALEX Lolly stood in front of the mirror, changing her earrings for a third time. “Well…

NOT THE RIGHT ALEX

Daisy was standing in front of her mirror, changing her earrings for the third time.

So, Button, she said to her little dog, these ones or those?

Button just yawned.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Daisy replied with a smirk.

She checked the clock. Half an hour to go.

This jittery feeling was odd. She was usually totally at easeboys practically fell at her feet. But this time

Nonsense, she told herself, giving the mirror one last once-over. Youre the best there is!

Maybe it was because she hadnt actually seen Alexander yet? Three weeks of chatting on the phone, but not a single proper meeting.

Three weeks, and not once did I manage to outtalk him, she thought suddenly, grinning to herself.

She sighed, grabbed her handbag, and turned to Button.

Time to go.

THREE WEEKS EARLIER

Oh for heavens sake, when will you finally get married and move out? sighed her dad over dinner, barely masking a weary smile.

Hed just come home from hours in theatrebrain surgery, no lessand was hoping for a quiet evening with a bit of John le Carré.

But Daisy had been rabbiting on for half an hour already, dissecting the differences between British and American sci-fi.

Dad, you yourself said that Clarke is the pinnacle

I did. But lets talk about it another time, eh? All I want now is a bit of peace.

Daisy pouted and fell silent. For three whole minutes.

Oh, about marriage by the way, her dad suddenly perked up, do you remember Dr. Spencer, the head at the surgery where I do extra shifts?

Vaguely.

Well, hes got a son. By all accounts, a really decent chap. Spencer asked for your numberthought maybe youd like to meet. I said yes, hope you dont mind.

Daisy pulled a face.

All these set-upsso old-fashioned. Meant for plain Janes or desperate spinsters, not her.

But she didnt argue with Dad.

THE FIRST CALL

The decent chap waited a couple of days before calling.

Hello?

Hi. Its Alexander. Your dad mentioned me?

He did, Daisy replied dryly, but actually a bit intrigued. He had a nice voice.

My dads said nothing but good things about you. Said youre rather remarkable.

Im not sure about that, Daisy laughed. Just a regular med student. Paediatrics at Kings. And you?

Im at UCLtraining to be a surgeon

Ah, so that explained the mildly cocky tone.

They talked for an hour.

Then another two.

After that, it became a daily thing.

Alexander spoke about his cat, Martha, his passion for sci-fi, and his insecuritieswas he too thin, too pale, too knackered?

Sometimes Daisy caught herself thinking: Hang onthats usually my line.

She almost blurted out, Alex, just chill out. Even though shed noticed he absolutely hated being called Alex.

But apart from nitpicking, she actually liked everything about him.

MEETING AT LEICESTER SQUARE

Eventually, they agreed to meet.

At Leicester Square station, right in the thick of things.

Catch a film, then wander down to the ice cream parlour on Shaftesbury Avenue.

What might happen after that who knows.

Daisy hopped off the tube and scanned the crowd.

Busy. Noisy. That distinct underground smell.

Then she spotted himtall, good-looking, holding a bouquet of roses.

He was standing by a pillar, anxiously watching every train that pulled in.

She strode up confidently.

Alexander?

He flinched, looking thrown.

Sorry, are you?

Daisy, she declared, stretching out her handfor him to shake or maybe to kiss, she hadnt decided.

Bowled over by my looks, she grinned internally. And back to using ‘miss’ and ‘sir’classic.

He just stood there.

Daisy? he repeated, uncertain. But I

Come on! She grabbed his sleeve. Got to collect the tickets, hurry up!

But wait, I wanted to say

Well talk later! She pulled him along to the exit.

He glanced back at the platformlike he was searching for someonebut Daisy had already swept him into the crowd.

He still clutched the roses, looking from the bouquet to her in resignation.

All right, he murmured, surrendering. Lets go.

THE CINEMA AND ICE CREAM

They both loved the film.

Daisy also couldnt help but admire his smart coat and the way he’d wrapped his scarfdefinitely homemade, definitely treasured.

There was the faint trace of expensive aftershave.

And that creamy, crunchy vanilla ice cream at Cosmos.

Plus, they agreed on practically everything.

Well, alright, Daisy did most of the talking while he listened, watching her with warm brown eyes, nodding along.

Sometimes hed place his big, warm hand comfortingly over her little one when she got animated.

It felt so strong, so protectivea bit dashing, really!

You know, he said later, as they strolled down a twilit Charing Cross Road, Youre just so He trailed off.

So what? she asked, a touch more sharply than she meant to.

So alive. So genuine.

She flashed her most dazzling, heart-melting smile in return.

By then, she was properly smitten.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Things moved quickly.

They were seeing each other almost every day, ringing each other all the timewell, as much as possible pre-smartphones.

After three months, Alexander confessed he was crazy about Daisy, couldnt go on without her, and wanted them to get married.

Daisy did the token ten-minute hesitation, then ecstatically said yes.

You should really meet my folks, Alexander said, suddenly looking a bit worried.

Erm, maybe not just yet, Daisy replied, a hint of panic in her voice.

Her family were notoriously fussy about potential partners.

Especially Gran.

No one was ever quite good enough for her precious granddaughter, and Mum and Dad usually fell in line.

Daisy absolutely wasnt letting Alexander go.

And she wanted to hold off on meeting his lot toominimise any chance of crossed wires.

HER DADS BIRTHDAY

The opportunity popped up a couple of weeks later.

Her dad, who usually hated big fusses, decided to actually mark his 55th and invited a house full of guests.

Daisy announced with a secretive smile that shed be bringing someone special along.

By the time almost everyone arrived, Daisy let her fiancé incarrying carnations and a bottle of decent French brandy.

Dad, please meet she began grandly, cheeks pink with nerves.

The phone rang, shrill and urgent.

Hold on, back in a sec, her dad dashed for the receiver.

He returned a couple of minutes later, a little breathless.

That was Spencer, just checking the route from the tube. Im glad hes coming after all, Id worried he was cross about you not showing up for a date with his son!

Daisy froze mid-step.

Not showing up?!

Her dad gave her a funny look.

Yes, he called. His son waited for you at Leicester Square for two hours. With flowers. But you never turned up.

Daisy slowly swiveled to face Alexander.

He stood at the door, pale, clutching the carnations, looking more than a little sheepish.

Well be right back, Daisy told her baffled dad, snatching Alexander by the arm and pulling him into her bedroom.

THE TRUTH

She shut the door, facing him.

Wait she spoke slowly, as if double-checking every word. What does not showing up mean?

Alexander was silent.

Youre not Alexander Spencer, are you?

He shook his head. No. Im Alexander Collins. My mate set me up with a girl, Natalie. I was waiting for her at Leicester Square, and then you turned up and

And I just kidnapped you, Daisy finished.

They stood there, both quiet.

I tried to tell you, he said softly. That first day. On the way to the cinema. But you were well, you never stopped to listen.

I never do, admitted Daisy. Its something of a talent.

Button started whimpering at the door.

Daisy sat on the bed.

So what happens now?

Alexander looked at herlong, seriously, a bit too intensely, really.

Then he got down on one knee.

I couldnt care less how we met, he said, random chance or your dads plan. I love you, and I want you to be my wife. For real. No mix-ups.

Daisy felt relief wash over her and broke into a big smile.

Well then, lets introduce you to the family. Fair warning, though: were not the easiest bunch.

Mine arent exactly the simplest either. And my cats a real handful.

Well manage!

They left the room together.

The sitting room was buzzingDr. Spencer and his son had just arrived.

Tall. Handsome. Holding a bouquet of roses.

Daisy glanced at the real Alexander Spencer.

Then back at her Alexanderwho was still ashen with nerves, holding a mismatched bunch of carnations.

No, she thought. Not him.

And for the first time, she laughedreally, properly.

Dad, she said, Ive got a story for you. Might be a long one.Everyone turned. Daisy took a deep breath.

So, it all started with British sci-fi and a phone call mix-up…

As laughter and disbelief rippled round the room, Alexander squeezed her hand, his nerves fading into a fond grin. Gran peered at him over her glasses while Button pattered in, joining the circle, tail wagging.

Out of the corner of her eye, Daisy caught Alexander Spencer handing his roses to Nataliewho had just come in with Dr. Spencer, bright-eyed and blushing. The bouquets were passed, the stories exchanged, and somewhere between the toast and the cake, even Daisy’s dad conceded, For a muddle, its turned out rather well.

Later that night, after the guests left and the house was finally quiet, Daisy and her Alexander stood by the window, watching the city lights flicker.

I never did get to tell you my favourite sci-fi book, she whispered.

He laughed. Good. You can tell me tomorrow. And every day after that.

She pressed her head to his shoulder, feeling the wild, improbable joy that only true loveor a very lucky accidentcan bring.

And somewhere, Button gave a quiet, contented sigh, as if to say at last: these two really were the right ones for each other.