Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 9

Dear Dad,

Which do you think is the correct answer? To follow your head or your heart? Or what if neither can be trusted any longer? Do you go off instinct? Your gut? Maybe intuition? Maybe you just let the music take over your soul and feel the vibrations in the air around you and let it lead you where it may? Is that the right answer? I hope so.

It's Saturday afternoon already and I'm ashamed to admit how nervous I am but I'm still telling myself that I've got this. And I won't back out no matter how much I really want to.

The coffee shop wasn't quite as busy today as I was expecting. Not as many people come in on a Saturday morning considering most were out late last night celebrating the end of the work week. I can't say that I blame them. Going out to have a pint with Charlotte is not what worries me in all honesty. It has everything to do with wanting to fly under the radar and exposing myself to more people is not how I would accomplish that task. Right?

Well, it doesn't matter anyhow, as I'm already standing here in my sleek, black body con dress and sensible heels that Charlotte helped me pick out. We did a couple of practice runs in them to make sure I was stable. And because the heel is low, they aren't very painful to wear at all. But they do make my long legs look even longer with the hem of my dress only hitting mid-thigh. I've even taken the time to tame my wild curls and pull some of the front pieces back out of my face but with a few wispy curls falling out without my consent. The rest I leave down around my shoulders and down my back. Now that I have some of it pulled back, you can see my lightly lined jade green eyes with a hint of mascara on my lashes. The only other thing I added was just a little lip gloss to my pout but I know that it will be nonexistent in just a few minutes as I continue to worry my lower lip between my teeth waiting for Charlotte's arrival.

Any minute now, she'll be pulling up in the driveway of the little stone cottage and I can feel my palms start to sweat. I gently rub them against my dress to rid them of moisture and try to smooth out any wrinkles... Finally, I see her headlights in the window of the living area and my heart starts to race. Well, here goes nothing. I think as I take a deep breath, grab my cross-body bag, deposit my phone inside, and step out the door.

Charlotte has her head stuck out of her window, and she lets out an ear-piercing wolf whistle startling me half to death. "Fuckin hell, Cora! You clean up nicely! Why've you been hiding all that," Charlotte shouts out the window? I can't remember the last time I've been so embarrassed, and there isn't even anyone around. I feel the heat in my cheeks crawling down and spreading to my chest. I slide into Charlotte's car, second-guessing my dress choice.

"Uh... Charlotte, you don't think this dress is too much for the pub do you? I don't want to stick out." I ask, unsure of my dress.

"You can't be serious. You look bloody fantastic, and you're not showing nearly as much skin as most of the other lasses will be. Don't worry, Cora. All's well." she brushes me off, backing out of the little driveway. This gives me a little more confidence. I don't think anyone other than Kate has ever paid me such kind compliments before. My flaming red cheeks start to cool and I look back to Charlotte who still has a goofy sort of grin on her face.

"You look really great too Charlotte! I can't wait to get to the pub so I can get the full experience." I seem to be infected with her good mood, watching the streets pass by my window. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever caught Charlotte in a bad mood. She is consistently happy, and I know I can always count on her to put a smile on my face. It's my turn to return the favor.

She looks over to me and says "Well, that's good cause we're pulling into the car park now." I can't help the rapid beat of my heart as the excitement and nerves build up under my skin. I get out of the car with a little shiver, but it has nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with my anxiety-riddled mind.