The weeks went by. Mark and Flora were very much in love and suffered from not being allowed to be an open couple. They didn't even show themselves as a couple at school so that there wouldn't be any rumours that would reach their parents. It was a Tuesday, about 3 weeks after Mark jumped out the window, Flora was walking along the sidewalk, on her way to the bus stop when suddenly a car honked next to her. She looked around in shock but had to smile when she saw Mark through the open window. His right arm was hanging out the window. He was wearing sunglasses and smiling at her.

"Need a ride, mi lady?" He grinned. Flora shook her head, giggling, and crossed the street to get to the car. Mark moved a few things around before the passenger door opened and David got out.

"Hello David." She said, taken aback. The younger one looked quite angry. Mark smiled at her as she got in and sat next to him. David flopped into the back seat and crossed his arms. "What's wrong?" Flora asked, looking between the two brothers as Mark put on his indicator and drove off. David snorted and looked out the window again. Mark giggled.

"He's upset because I told him to sit in the back so you could sit in the passenger seat." Flora felt her cheeks heat up.

"That wasn't necessary. I could have sat in the back."

"You're my girlfriend, love. David will survive." Flora giggled. Mark turned the radio up and they drove down the road in beautiful sunshine while Elvis Presley sang Jailhouse Rock. Mark's fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he sang along. Flora smiled at him. God. She loved him so much. She put her hand on his thigh and gently stroked the fabric of his school uniform. Damn school uniforms. They still had to wear them at their school even though they were already at collage.

"Where are we going?" Flora asked, astonished. Her heart began to beat faster as they turned onto Newton Street. Damn. She already knew the answer.

"To my house, love." Mark said. He drove into the driveway and turned off the engine. David opened the door, took his school bag and went to the house. Mark took off his sunglasses and looked at Flora lovingly.

"Why are we here, Mark?" Flora asked tensely and looked at the little blue house that she had seen so many times from the outside but never from the inside.

"I'm going to introduce you to my parents." Mark said firmly and got out of the car.

"What do you mean?" She asked worriedly. "We... you know we can't do that."

"Why not?" He shrugged. "I'm sure my parents will love you."

"But what if my parents find out about this?" She whimpered quietly. Mark gently took her hand.

"Just because my parents know doesn't mean yours do." He kissed the back of her hand. "Relax. It'll be fine." He took his and Flora's briefcases before helping her out of the car and locking it. Mark held the two bags in his right hand while he held Flora's in his left. They walked towards the house and the girl felt her heartbeat quicken. They entered the house and both took off their shoes. When they got to the kitchen, David was already sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch. A young woman was sitting next to him. An older woman was standing at the stove. She was wearing a light green dress and an orange apron over it. She had bright blue eyes. Just like Mark. And slightly wavy, dark blonde hair. All three saw Mark standing in the doorway. Flora tightened her grip on Mark's big hand and stood uncomfortably next to him.

"Hello Mom." Mark said and walked towards her. He kissed her cheek. He let go of Flora's hand, went to a kitchen cupboard and pulled out two glasses. "What would you like to drink, love?" The room was silent. Mark rummaged around in a rush. "We have water, lemonade, beer..."

"Water please." She said quietly. Mark smiled and poured water into a glass.

"Mark? What does that mean?" Asked Mrs. Knopfler, looking questioningly at her eldest son. Mark pulled out a chair and let Flora sit on it. Then he handed her the glass.

"This is Flora. My girlfriend." Said Mark, gently stroking Flora's red hair.

"You have a girlfriend!?" The girl next to David shouted indignantly. Mark began to roll his eyes.

"Yes. I have a girlfriend. And?"

"Did you know about it, David?" Asked Mrs. Knopfler, looking at her youngest child. David nodded and then continued eating as if it were nothing special. "And you didn't think about telling me and your father?" She asked, crossing her arms, looking at Mark again. Mark was still stroking Flora's shoulder as he stood behind her.

"I just did that, Mom." She rolled her eyes and giggled a little before wrapping Mark in her arms.

"You're just like your father." She giggled and stroked his head before kissing his cheek. "I'm happy for you, honey. You could have told me sooner." Flora felt a weight lift from her heart. Damn. She had thought that everything would escalate. "I'm Mark's mother, but just call me Louise." Mrs. Knopfler smiled and offered Flora her hand.

"I'm Flora." She said.

"I'm Ruth." The young woman next to David said and offered her hand as well. "Mark's older sister." Flora smiled. And so it happened that she was immediately accepted into the family as if she had always been part of it.

*

The weeks went by and Flora decided to take her parents to a Dire Straits concert. The band was already playing when the Craig family entered the pub. Flora smiled when she heard the song. It was Communiqué. She really loved this song. Mark had written it with her. Flora's father Harold went to the bar and got his family a few drinks while Flora and her mother Sarah sat down at a table. Dancing was not allowed in this bar as long as a live band was playing. Mark strummed his fingers over the fret-board and shortly afterwards the song ended. Thunderous applause filled the room. Flora also clapped enthusiastically. Harold sat down next to his daughter and handed her a drink.

"Thank you!" Mark called out, beaming, and bent down to pick up a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"The guy looks very lanky." Harold laughed and pointed at the singer. "If a little wind comes, he'll be blown away!" Flora bit her lower lip and tried not to get angry.

"There are some very special people with us tonight." Mark said into the microphone and was accompanied by whistles. "First and foremost a girl who means a lot to me." The whistles got louder. Mark grinned and wiped his nose with his finger while he bobbed around a little. When it got quieter, he spoke again: "This is for you, my love. Two young lovers!" The hall screamed excitedly as the band started playing again. Flora couldn't stop the smile on her lips. God. She loved him so much.

"So that leek got a girlfriend." Sarah paused and took a sip of her drink. Harold laughed.

"Yes. He's not exactly the dream boy. What are the guys called, darling? Do you know them by name?" He looked at his daughter. Flora tried not to get angry.

"Yes. The bass player is called John Illsley." She pointed to the tall young man with the wild curls. "The drummer is called Pick Withers."

"And the guitarists?" Sarah asked with interest. Flora bit her lower lip.

"They're brothers. Mark and David Knopfler. Mark is the singer." Sarah nodded and leaned back in her chair to listen to the band again.

"He doesn't look like much, but he's a damn good guitar player." Harold hummed as his foot tapped to the beat of the song and he watched Mark's fingers on the guitar neck. Flora felt her heart swell a little when she heard the praise.

"He's incredible!" She exclaimed, beaming. "He's incredibly talented!" Sarah and Harold looked at each other. "And his eyes are really breathtaking, Mom. Wait until you see his eyes up close!" Sarah looked questioningly at her husband, who shrugged. The concert lasted about another hour before Mark said:

"Good night! Now it's time to go home! We are Dire Straits!" The boys bowed and Mark held up his guitar before they left the stage to thunderous applause. Harold clapped, smiling too.

"You were right, honey. This band is really very good. I'd be surprised if they didn't get a record deal soon."

"Oh, they've already released two albums, Dad." Flora smiled.

"Flora, my darling...how do you know so much about these guys?" Sarah asked cautiously. Flora bit her lip hard. Damn, had she given herself away now!?

"Oh. I just really like their music and have been looking into them a bit." Sarah nodded. Flora sat uncomfortably between her parents for a while. "I'm just going to use the bathroom for a minute." She said, stood up and made her way backstage. When she got there, she found Mark clinging to John, laughing. The bassist himself had tears in his eyes from laughing and was clinging to Mark. David looked annoyed and sat on an old sofa. Pick just giggled and poured himself some water in a paper cup.

"You should have seen his face!" Mark screeched, laughing, and laid his head on John's chest while he laughed hysterically and could hardly breathe. John felt much the same. Flora smiled as she walked towards the two of them.

"Hey, Flo." Pick said, giggling. Mark raised his head and tried to breathe deeply to stop his laughter, but he didn't really succeed. He giggled, wiping a few tears from the corners of his eyes and letting go of the tall bassist to walk towards Flora. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her gently.

"So? What did you think of the concert?"

"You guys were amazing!" She exclaimed, giggling. Mark smiled. "Mark, my parents are waiting for me out there." She said, pointing behind her to the door with her thumb. Mark took a deep breath. "Now or never, honey." She said quietly. The guitarist nodded firmly and kissed her gently before he took her hand firmly in his and the two went into the pub. They snaked past a few tables before they got to the right one. "Mom. Dad. This is Mark." Flora said, smiling, having let go of Mark's hand. The two adults raised their heads and looked at him.

"Oh. The guitarist and singer, right?" Harold smiled. Mark nodded modestly. "You really are a god on the guitar, boy. I think one day your name will be next to Jimmy Hendrix." Mark smiled.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sir."

"Well. It was nice to meet you, Mark." He said and wanted to speak to his wife again, but Flora stopped him.

"Dad."

"What's wrong, darling?" He asked, astonished. Flora slowly took Mark's big hand and put her small one in it. He instinctively laced their fingers and stroked the back of her hand with his rough thumb. Harold and Sarah looked down at the joined hands with wide eyes.

"Dad, Mom." Flora took a deep breath. "I love Mark. He's been my boyfriend for a year." There was silence between the four people. Mark bit the inside of his cheek while Flora squeezed his hand worriedly. Flora saw it coming. The anger in her father rose. However, he wasn't angry at her. He was angry at Mark.

"How dare you?" He growled angrily. Mark looked at him unimpressed.

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"How dare you take my daughter out for a whole year without asking for permission!?" He growled angrily. A few people turned around on their bar stools and looked at Harold in dismay.

"I've fallen in love with your daughter, Sir. I love her with all my heart. Love doesn't ask for permission. Love isn't always on time."

"You want to tell me about love!?" Harold shouted angrily and stood up. He and Mark were the same height, which is why they looked into each other's eyes. Flora squeaked worriedly. Mark pulled her protectively behind his back and didn't let go of her hand. "You have absolutely no idea about love! You're just going to take advantage of my girl! You're going to impregnate her and then leave her behind! I won't let that happen!"

"I have no intention of impregnating Flora." Mark said firmly. "I am studying journalism and Flora is studying art history. Neither of us could allow something like that. Sir, I understand if you're angry with me for not asking for permission, but I think you have a completely wrong image of me. I have no intention of taking advantage of Flo, do I..." Harold interrupted him.

"That's enough!" He shouted angrily. "We're going home!" He took Flora by the arm and tried to pull her away from Mark, but the girl didn't let go of Mark's hand.

"I love him, Dad!" Flora cried with tears in her eyes. "You always told me that I should find a loving partner! He's standing right in front of you!"

"You have no idea about love! You're just a child! Look at him! What does he have to offer you!?" Harold shouted angrily, pointing at Mark. "As anorexic as he is, I don't think he could even buy you food or drinks! How is he supposed to take care of you when he can't even take care of himself!?" Flora was now crying bitterly.

"I love him!" She cried, clinging to Mark's left arm. "And if you don't respect him... then you don't respect me either!" Mark stood still. He wanted to resolve the whole thing without a conflict.

"Sir, I..."

"You're quiet!" Harold hissed angrily. "All you need is a stupid girl to help you put your dirty sexual thoughts into action. That's all you need." He growled. "You'll use her and then abandon her."

"That's not true!" Mark shouted angrily. His deep voice echoed throughout the pub. "I love this girl and since we've been together we haven't had sex once! If I had only looked for a girl because of my dirty fantasies, I wouldn't be with her by now!" Sarah looked at her daughter with concern. She had never seen her so devastated. "Sir. I understand that you want to protect your daughter." Mark said more calmly. "I have an older sister and my father acted just like you do, when she brought home her first boyfriend." Harold still looked at him angrily. "But Sir, you don't know me at all. Give me a chance to prove myself!"

"You don't deserve this chance!" Harold shouted angrily. He pushed Mark's chest.

"Dad! Stop!" Flora shouted, sobbing, still clinging to Mark's arm. Their argument became so loud that they didn't even notice what was going on in the bar. A robbery. A couple of young men had guns in their hands and wanted to rob the bar's cash register, as it was known throughout London that the bar had a minimum turnover of 6,000 pounds every night. Harold and Mark's screams only stopped when a shot was fired into the ceiling. They turned around in shock. Everyone was huddled on the floor.

"That's enough, Grandpa!" Shouted the man behind a black mask and pointed at Harold. "Get down on your knees and be quiet!" Harold and Sarah immediately knelt on the floor and put their hands fearfully behind their heads. "You too, Blondie! Are you hard of hearing!?" He shouted and pointed at Mark, who was still standing and holding Flora behind him. Mark knew that the police must already be on their way. They just had to buy time so that the gangsters would stay in the bar as long as possible.

"Hey. Calm down, buddy. You could hurt someone." Mark warned.

"That was my plan!" He laughed and aimed at a young man standing at the pool table. He shot him in the thigh. The man screamed and clutched his leg. The people screamed in fear again, but another shot into the ceiling silenced them. "Shut up and keep quiet!" The gangster shouted angrily. "And nothing will happen to anyone!" Mark slowly got down on his knees and pulled Flora with him, but the gangster's eyes were focused on the V-neck of Flora's white blouse. "Hey, little one. Come to daddy." He cooed. Flora looked worriedly at Mark, who was looking up at her from the ground.

"Leave my daughter alone!" Harold shouted angrily, but when a henchman put a gun to his head, he fell silent. The leader of the gangsters took Flora by the hand and pulled her onto his lap.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" Mark shouted angrily and stood up again.

"Oh, how sweet. Did you and grandpa argue about her? Who gets to fuck the slut first?" The gangster teased and ran his hand along Flora's inner thigh.

"Keep your hands off her!" Mark shouted angrily. Flora was shaking with fear. The tears on her cheeks had gotten worse. She was so scared.

"Mark. Stop." She said worriedly. She didn't want the guitarist to get into trouble because of her.

"Oh. So that's your name? Mark?" The gangster hummed and put his hand on Flora's left breast. Mark glared at him angrily.

"Take your hands off her." He growled dangerously. His hands clenched into fists.

"Or what? What are you going to do, Mark?" He teased, continuing to stroke Flora's chest just before he raised his hand and ran his fingers over her lips. Flora used that to her advantage and bit his hand. "Shit! Fucking bitch!" The gangster screamed angrily as his hand began to bleed. He let go of Flora and she immediately ran towards Mark. Mark held his arms outstretched. What happened in the next few seconds was like slow motion for Mark. Flora ran towards him and the gangster angrily raised his gun. He pointed it at Flora's back. Mark ran towards Flora, wrapped his arms around her torso, pulled her tightly to him and turned around so that he showed the gangster his back. The slow motion ended. Flora sobbed in Mark's arms. The guitarist let out a pained gasp. Flora opened her eyes in concern and looked at Mark, who sank to his knees, panting. He clutched his stomach and looked at her with wide, shocked eyes.