In His Eyes

A new Chapter...

Beth closed the door and heaved a sigh of relief.  The final box. She was done.  After one last long and fairly emotional day, the kitchen was packed up, the floor mopped, and the keys shoved back through the letter box.

That chapter was done.

On to the next. 

The story of her life, really. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she'd moved to London at 21, enthusiastic with hope for the future and full of life. 

Now, almost fifteen years and a what felt like a lifetime of experiences later, she was confident, independent, and could hold her own with anyone.  Making a name for herself in The City, she'd been headhunted to a new position, and with her usual 'in for a penny' attitude, she'd agreed.

With it, came a flat in a better part of town and the chance to meet new people and live another 'new' life.

Another single life. 

Beth was a serial spinster. She'd dated, of course she had, and even had a couple of serious boyfriends.  One who very nearly changed her life forever.  Nearly. Until she discovered he was changing HER beyond recognition. The Beth she knew had almost disappeared, and then? In her place? A mousey, stick thin, silent doll. 

After she woke up and smelled the proverbial coffee, she'd vowed no man would EVER make her feel like that again. They would have to take her as they found her.

In the beginning, it had been liberating.  She could live - and love - as she wanted. She wanted to date a guy a couple of times and not sleep with him? Go for it. Not be EXPECTED to sleep with him? A relief.

Dress how she wanted, skirt as long or short as she liked, without criticism. Speak how she wanted. Have an opinion of her own, not be like some soul-less automaton,  without judgement.  Eat if she wanted without ridicule. What was the point of food if not to enjoy it?  That's what the gym membership (that she actually rarely used) was for.

Sadly though, instead of worldly wise, she'd ended up cynical and suspicious. Her shell of resilience fending off not just potential 'gas-lighters' but pretty much everyone.   She had the reputation as both fearless and fearsome.

She kidded herself on she didn't care.

Now, as she closed the curtains and lit the lamps in her new little corner of the world, she felt the old pangs return. For a time, long ago, when she'd had arms to cuddle, lips to kiss and eyes to gaze into.  For someone to love her.

Settling down with a cuppa and the tv, she sighed. Oh well, she'd made her lonely bed. She better just lie in it.  Alone.

Along the street, another single soul was sitting watching the same tv channel.  Drinking the same tea and thinking scarily similar thoughts. Why did everyone expect him to be their property 24/7? Couldn't he just go to the shops like normal people? Couldn't he just walk his dog like normal people?

The answer was a resounding no.  And why not? Because he wasn't 'normal', was he.  He loved his job. Acting had been his life ever since he'd been the leg of the elephant.  Now, he was more likely to ride the elephant, but he had paid the price for fame.  He appreciated every single person who followed him and his work, and he knew he lived a privileged life. He just wished it was a life he could share with someone. 

Someone strong and independent, who would treat him like a 'normal' person .  He'd only ever found a few of those, the majority of whom he was related to. They, therefore, did not count!

As he sat back and flicked from channel to channel, he wondered who his new neighbour was. He'd watched with growing curiosity as she'd seemingly ferried the contents of her life to the flat.  She had been alone. At first, he'd thought by accident.  Then, as the day wore on and no one appeared, he realised by necessity. He almost felt sorry for her.  Almost.  There was just something about her, an air of capability, that stalled that final feeling.  

The tilt of her chin, the determination in her expression.  The ability to carry three boxes and a carrier bag without dropping any of them.  He was impressed and more than a little astonished all at the same time. This was a woman who seemed to have it all.

This was a woman he might like to get to know.

But not tonight. Tonight, he had a dog to feed and walk and a new script to read.  He looked over at the glow coming from the flat that now intrigued him.  A mystery for another time.  He had the feeling this was going to be fun.

She just had that look in her eyes.