Scarlett

❶

London had treated me well in the year that I had spent there. The people were lovely and hospitable and my flat had everything I needed. But it was still incredibly difficult being an American actress in England.

I had moved in order to work on one of my small films just over a year ago and decided not to go back to the states when I fell in love with European life. Unfortunately, my new home didn't seem to love me in the same way and I had found myself tragically without work for about six months. That was a very bad thing when you had rent to pay. I wasn't a very popular actress and only starred in Indie films that hardly anyone saw or even heard of. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Indie film communities were tight knit and incredibly hard to get into. The directors, who acted as the group leaders, established the actors they preferred to have in their films and most often didn't allow new ones to infiltrate their works. I had been a part of a community, not unlike these I just explained, in California. But, also like I said, I had abandoned my American life to live in London. So the search for employment continued. I did have several connections with English Indie stars but couldn't find a director who would take me.

Life went on though, I had a roommate, Teagan, who helped make rent less painful and Henry, my boyfriend, to help me make it through.

Henry was a chef at a small cafe not far from my flat and was a sweet and devoted man. I had met him on a previous trip to London. We had become friends then and kept in contact when I left. When I returned, we had immediately hit it off and become a couple.

Hectic and penniless as my life was, I liked to think that I had everything that I'd ever hoped for.

***

Teagan's alarm clock woke me up from the next room over at 5:30 in the morning.

I scrunched my nose and blinked rapidly to rid my eyes of sleep. I must have forgotten to close my door the previous night, her alarm always woke me up if I didn't. I was an awful light sleeper.

As Teagan, always the early riser, crashed around our flat getting ready for her job at the jeweler down the street, I realized that I was never going to fall back asleep. I sat up and stretched my arms above my head. Gradually, I got dressed and put a bit of mascara on before going out to our kitchen to pour myself a cup of tea.

"What are your plans for today, Evie?" Teagan asked as I sat down heavily at our dining room table.

"I don't know. Henry has the day off so we'll probably find somewhere to go."

"Oh that's nice," she said, but I could tell she wasn't really listening as she squinted at something on her laptop. One thing about Teagan was that she was extremely one track minded. If she had one thing going on, nothing else mattered. I'd grown accustomed to it and just stopped talking.

I sipped at my tea and watched as she packed the rest of her things up and left. I felt like a total bum as the door clicked shut behind her and left me alone in the total silence of the flat.

I glanced at the clock above the stove and noted that it was 7:00. Coming to the conclusion that Henry must've been up, I took my phone out and dialed his number.

"Sweet heart!" He answered after a moment.

"Hey baby."

"What do we have planned for this marvelous day? It's just you and I..."

"I was about to ask you the same thing. You're usually the one with all of the ideas," I laughed.

"Well," he said, "I was thinking that we should have a picnic. It looks like it's going to stay dry today."

"That sounds great!"

"Brilliant! Pick you up at ten?"

"See you then."

***

I spent the rest of the morning searching the web for directors to email or films to ask around about. I found my own inbox empty, causing my heart to sink. It was always the same. Either my inquiries for employment were ignored or offers politely declined.

I slammed my laptop shut and sat in silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of the people outside. What had I done with my life? How was I going to continue living like this? I had had such a good set up in America and I had thrown it all away. I had been running away from my boredom and numerous exes. So basically, it had all been for nothing. It had been the stupidest decision is ever made and it would probably ruin me.

I got up to top off my cup of tea. Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was almost ten. At least I didn't have long to sit around and sulk, Henry would hopefully be able to cheer me up.

***

Henry's car smelled like aftershave and salami as I got into it. He had a picnic basket sitting in the back seat and a wide grin on his face. I slid into the seat and leaned over to kiss him.

"There's my beautiful girl," he murmured, pulling away. "How does a picnic at Greenwich Park sound?"

"Perfect. That sounds absolutely perfect."

The drive wasn't long, but it was awkward. This had been happening a lot lately. I had always loved Henry but we seemed to be running out of things to talk about. To be honest, I was getting bored. It sounded cruel, but that was how I'd always been. I went through boyfriends fast because I got tired of them.

I didn't plan on breaking things off with Henry yet though. I was still very attached to him and this slight awkwardness was just starting.

***

When we got to the park, we spread a blanket out on a hill and sat down.
Our awkward moment from the drive had seemed to pass and we talked until around noon, when we dug into the picnic basket.

Being a chef, Henry could make an impressive salami sandwich and the food didn't last long. It was relaxing. So much so that I was almost able to forget about my stress of trying to find work.

***

Towards the end of the evening, I laid with my head in Henry's lap, enjoying the cool breeze and the feeling of his fingers playing with my hair. I had my eyes closed as he told me the dramatic story of some rowdy patrons at the cafe from the past week. I laughed when he started to get particularly animated.

I was startled when his phone suddenly started ringing loudly from his pocket. He grabbed it quickly, muttering that it was someone from work. He looked at me apologetically before shifting me off of him and standing up.

"Hey Mike," he said pleasantly. He started walking away and I couldn't hear any more after that. I sat and picked at the blanket edge awkwardly while I waited for him to come back.

Eventually getting tired, I got up to go stand by him. But as I approached, I slowed down to listen to his hushed tone. He seemed to be finishing the conversation and my stomach dropped at his words.

"Yeah. Yup. I love you too."