The weeks went by and John didn't think much about the teacher anymore. Nor about his daughter's English deficit. He had his hands full. It was just before Christmas and it was already snowing outside. John had a lot of work. The shop was busy every day as people bought Christmas presents. It was just before the Christmas holidays. John was in the back of the shop helping an elderly couple find a certain record of brass music when he heard the bell above the door.

"Flo! Please take care of the customer!" John called across the shelves before concentrating on his search again. But his daughter was already on her way.

"Good day, sir. How can I help you?" Flora asked with a smile before the man turned around and she gasped excitedly. "Mr. Knopfler?" She beamed. Mr. Knopfler had become one of her favourite teachers. She loved his lessons. It wasn't boring like with the other teachers. He made jokes and often had the children work in groups. Flora loved that. "Mr. Knopfler!" She ran towards him. Knopfler, who was dressed in a long black coat, smiled at her and knelt down. She hugged his neck.

"Hello little one. What are you doing here?" He smiled. He had built a close bond with all of his students, but he still got on a little better with Flora.

"This is my dad's shop." She beamed.

"Oh. Really? I didn't know that." Knopfler smiled.

"You're not wearing a suit, Mr. Knopfler." Flora said in surprise as the man straightened up again and opened his thick winter coat. He was wearing black jeans and an equally black long-sleeved shirt. The first three buttons were open. He looked very thin. The girl had never noticed that in his thick suit.

"No." Mark giggled. "I only wear suits at school, you know?" She nodded excitedly. "Well, I'll have a look around, okay?" Flora nodded again and sat down at the counter. From there, she watched her English teacher walk down one of the long aisles and look through the many different vinyl records. John came to the counter and took the record from the older couple before taking a sip from a water bottle that was behind the counter.

"So? How's business going, my love?" He grinned and gently stroked Flora's curls, which were tied into a neat French braid today.

"Mr. Knopfler is looking around a bit." She smiled.

"Mr...Mr. Knopfler?" John asked with wide eyes and stared at his 7 year old daughter.

"Yes." She smiled. As if on cue, the man came to the counter. John's breath caught. Shit, he looked hot. John couldn't help but notice the flawless skin of his chest and neck, as well as his stunning eyes. For weeks he had tried to forget this man. Had tried to forget his feelings. But now that this man was standing in front of him...shit, now he knew what was wrong with him. He was in love. "Dad!" Flora shouted, waking him from his daydream.

"Er... what?" He asked, baffled. Knopfler giggled a little. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought."

"That happens to you a little bit often, right?" Knopfler teased.

"Mr. Knopfler..."

"Please. Call me Mark, Mr. Illsley. We're not at school." He smiled and held out his hand to John.

"In that case, I'm John." John said lamely. Flora watched with a smile. Mark smiled at him.

"I'm looking for a very specific record, John." He said and John felt his heart skip a beat when Mark said his name. Damn it. He had fallen in love with his daughter's English teacher. What the hell!? John swallowed hard.

"Y...Yes?"

"I'm looking for the "Loving You" album by Elvis Presley." Mark grinned. "I've been to many stores, but I couldn't find it anywhere."

"I...I think I reordered that album a few weeks ago!" John shouted, jumping from his chair and falling over his legs, but Mark caught him. John's heart was pounding like crazy as he was pressed against Mark's body. He stared into those light blue eyes and held his breath. Mark smiled gently at him. John couldn't help but notice that their two bodies fit together perfectly. He shook his head quickly, trying to banish that thought.

"Are you okay, John?" Mark grinned.

"I...uh...yes." John nodded quickly and let go of Mark before quickly running into the store's warehouse. His face felt like it was on fire. Holy shit! He behaved like a schoolboy in love and was 35 years old! John tried to calm himself as he ran his fingers through the vinyl records. It took a while, but soon he found the right album. He pulled it out of the box and went back into the shop. He had to smile when he found Flora playing, tic tac toe, with Mark as if he were her best friend...not her English teacher. John had never seen a teacher who had a friendly bond with his students. Mark was indeed something special. "Here!" He called, handing the album to Mark. The smaller man flinched a little, not expecting John, but took the album in his hands with a smile.

"Thank you." Mark said, turning the record a little in his hands to look at it.

"That's a very good record." John said. Mark raised his head and looked at him questioningly. "Elvis is great. I've loved him since I was a child." Mark giggled.

"Me too. I remember in one of my school photos I even turned up the collar of my shirt and tried to shape my lips like he did." The men laughed heartily. John felt his heart warm when he heard Mark's laughter. It was adorable. Mark paid for the record and wanted to say goodbye, but Flora stopped him.

"Please, Mr Knopfler. Can you stay?" She asked sadly. "The weather outside is also very bad! You could have a car accident or something!" Mark giggled a little. John bit his lower lip.

"Another time, Flora, okay? I have to go home. It's already late and I still have to tidy up."

"Are you sure?" She asked sadly. Mark stroked her head gently.

"Another time, okay? I know where to find you now." He giggled and raised his head to look at John. John smiled back a little. Mark said goodbye and then left the shop. John watched him through the shop window.

"Dad?" Flora asked quietly and tugged a little on John's trousers. Illsley looked down at her.

"Mh?"

"Do you love him, Dad?"

"Pff. Don't be ridiculous!" John shouted and giggled a little. "Of course not. He's a teacher."

"He's a journalist." Flora corrected him. "At least that's what he told us."

"Do you even know what a journalist does?" John laughed.

"Yes! Mr Knopfler told us that he does a lot of research and is a music critic for the newspaper!" John nodded.

"How about we make pudding together, hmm?"

"Pistachio?" She asked, her eyes shining. John nodded, giggling, and held out his hand to her.

"Pistachio."