Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A few short moments later, I hear a bit of a shuffle and then the light sound of small heels taking steps just in front of the door.

As soon as the door opens, I'm wrapped in the warmth and smell of the most delightful sweet baked goods I could ever imagine. I raise my eyes up to see an enchanting older woman with perfectly coiffed white hair and a strand of pearls around her neck. She has on pressed, navy slacks and a white blouse. For a woman in her seventies, she looks truly fantastic. Kate would say it's because she had to chase her and Alex around until she was in her 60s and still has to straighten Alex out from time to time.

"Oh you must be our Coraline!" she says while enveloping me in a hug. She's so much shorter than I am, so I stoop low to return the gesture as she kisses both of my cheeks.

"Yes, Grandmama Jennette. Thank you for having me."

"Just Grandmama is fine. Come in, darling. Oh, please, do come in. It is dreadful out there. I hope your flight was well. Just set your bag anywhere dear. We'll put that away after we get you all sorted. Come in, and have a seat." She ushers me into a small room just off the hallway. What it lacks in size it makes up for in comfort. There are two small, plush sofas with a conversation table in between. There are also two armchairs perched in front of the window with cute planter boxes facing the street. The room is warm with rich, dark hardwood floors and cream-colored upholstery on the furniture with pops of blue in the drapery, rug, and throw pillows.

She gestures towards the sofa, and I notice she has cookies on a tray with tea, sugar, milk, and small finger sandwiches. I didn't have much on the plane. It was red eye, and I should have been sleeping, but I was too nervous and anxious to sleep. When my stomach starts to rumble after seeing the food, Grandmama snickers and says "Please help yourself, darling. This is but afternoon tea. We'll take supper in the dining room at 7. I will not be offended if you decide to take your belongings to your room and sleep for the remainder of the evening dear, so please don't feel as though you must keep an old woman company."

I sit across from her and reach over for a small plate and start piling on the sandwiches and cookies. "Thank you so much for all you have done for me already, Grandmama. You did not have to make my afternoon tea as well, but I appreciate it more than you know."

"Tis no trouble at all darling. I'm so delighted to have you here. I would have had the same for afternoon tea if you were not here, though maybe a smaller amount. How do you take your tea?" she asks as she pours two cups.

I can't help but feel as if some of the weight sitting on my shoulders has lifted. Even if just a bit. "Just sugar, please. Thank you."

After she puts the sugar into the cup, she hands it to me and takes a sip of her own. "Now, tell me how you are. Were you able to sleep any on the flight over? You poor dear. Don't take this the wrong way, but you look utterly exhausted."

I take a sip of my own tea after polishing off two of the finger sandwiches and a cookie. And wow, that cookie was amazing. I'll have to get her recipe for that before I leave. I give her a small, reluctant smile. "No offense taken, Grandmama. I'm sure I look like a wreck. I didn't sleep at all on the flight. To be honest, I was just so nervous it could all go wrong. I couldn't sleep, and now I'm here, still nervous it could all go wrong. I'm scared he'll find me. I'm scared of what could happen to Kate if he suspects anything. I'm so overwhelmed with emotions, but I can't feel or process any of them. I'm numb inside and out. And now I've not only drug my girl into this mess, but I have involved you as well. Neither of you deserves to deal with this. You didn't ask for my problems to be dumped on your doorstep. I'm a burden to everyone." I drop my head into my hands.