Pickering silently applauded as Eliza lent forward and pressed her lips to Higgins’. The man was in shock, but Eliza must’ve taken it for disgust, for she stood and murmured something, before walking away.

Don’t you dare let her go Higgins- its time to stop playing the bachelor. Let a woman into your life.

He almost cheered when Henry jumped to his feet, and went tearing after her. When the two started kissing again, the Colonel thought it time he came out and took the two home.

He started walking towards them, a smile plastered on his face.

Henry pulled back after a while, breathless, before pulling her to him.

“Don’t you dare Eliza Dolittle. Don’t you dare fool around with me. You don’t kiss a man like that and then walk away.” He growled out against her cheek.

Eliza nodded, and pulled back to look at Henry. Some movement behind him caught her eye.

“Colonel?” she choked out

“Blast Pickering.” Henry said, thinking the man would probably not approve.

“No- its Colonel Pickering!” Eliza exclaimed, and Henry turned around, an arm securing its place on her waist. They waited in silence for a moment when Pickering stopped before them

“I told you a day trip was a bad idea.” Henry said and the Colonel smiled.

“So you did Higgins. But come, let’s go back to the hotel, and you can explain to me why short cuts are a mixed blessing at best.”

Henry chuckled, and they started back along the beach.

Eliza walked slightly ahead as Henry and the Colonel talked.

Pickering was watching Eliza write her name in the sand with a piece of driftwood when Henry spoke.

“You’re still not sure of me, are you Pick?” he asked, following the Colonel’s gaze.

The older man laughed.

“I am never sure of you Higgins. You are far too spontaneous. Take this morning for example.”

Henry had no answer as they rounded the corner, Brighton ahead of them.

Henry looked at Eliza and smirked.

“What did I tell you? Just around the corner.”

Eliza shook her head but smiled, and followed the two men towards their hotel, past a young boy selling umbrellas.

Eliza had gone to bed, and Henry and Pickering were sitting in front of the fire, Pickering reading the paper, and Henry fiddling with the dog-eared page of a book.

“Are you angry at me?” Higgins said suddenly, looking over at the Colonel.

“Although I am unsure about all this…No, I am not angry.” Pickering said after a while.

“Good, because I would’ve done it anyway. Keeping your friendship is just a bonus Pick.” Henry said offhandedly.

“I thought as much,” the colonel agreed, before asking quietly

“Do you know what won me over?”

“The dramatic ‘I…Um… Hello Eliza.’” Henry said sarcastically.

“No.”

“What then?”

Pickering chuckled.

“You blushed.”