19 November, 1994
It was pouring.
The rain never seemed to surrender in the cold night.
What did I think with when I decided on taking a train that would arrive from Liverpool at 11 PM?
I scoffed at myself, I wasn't a very good planner after all.
My shoes got wet almost instantly when I walked on the platform - unsure where to head next.
The cold air was refreshing, it felt like I hadn't been able to breathe for hours and now I could finally get oxygen into my lungs.
Footsteps were all around me, people were heading from their trains, out into the streets.
London.
I was in London.
The streets were far from empty, almost as if it wasn't in the middle of the night.
A big line of taxi's were parked along the road, waiting for passengers to get off their train and get a ride into the big city. One like me, that is.
I walked up to one of the taxi's and seated myself in the backseat.
"Where to?"
The driver asked me, finding eye contact through his rear view mirror.
My manager had fixed an apartment for me to stay in. That's right, manager - I was finally getting somewhere in this industry.
"Pratt street"
I replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as ever.
"Pratt street it is then."
The driver replied in a baritone voice.
I looked out the window, following raindrops that got caught on the glass, watching them race each other.
The drive was longer than I expected it to be. I didn't think London was that big.
The driver was silent, focused on navigating the maze of roads. I appreciated the quiet. It gave me time to reflect on everything that had led up to this moment. My manager had said that London was the place to be if I wanted to make it big. It was where dreams were either realized or crushed under the weight of expectation. I shivered, not entirely from the cold.
We turned a corner and the taxi slowed. "Pratt Street," the driver announced. I peered out the window and saw a row of modest apartment buildings, their facades dark and unassuming.
"Which number?" he asked.
"Number 23," I replied, knowing I'd memorised it from saying it out loud to myself at least a thousand times the night before.
He pulled up in front of a brick building.
The cold night air hit me again, but I felt a strange sense of exhilaration. This was it. My new life was beginning. I retrieved my bag from the trunk and hurried to the entrance, fumbling with the key that had been sent to me.
The building's lobby was small and somewhat dingy, but it was dry and warm. I found the elevator and rode it up to the fourth floor. The hallway was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.
Apartment 23 was at the end of the hall. I inserted the key and turned the knob. The door creaked open, revealing a small but cozy living space. It wasn't much, but it was mine.
I dropped my bag on the floor and took a deep breath, absorbing the reality of my situation. I was in London, with an apartment and a chance to pursue my dreams. It was both terrifying and exciting.
As I began to unpack, I found a note on the kitchen counter. It was from my manager.
"Welcome to London! This apartment is a bit basic, but it's in a great location. Tomorrow, we have a meeting at 10 AM sharp. Be ready. This is the start of something big. - Penny"
I smiled at the note, feeling a rush of gratitude. Penny had believed in me when few others did. I couldn't let her down.
I took a quick shower and changed into dry clothes. As I lay in bed, listening to the rain tapping against the window, I felt a strange mix of anticipation and fear. Tomorrow, I would meet with Mike and begin the next phase of my career.
Sleep came slowly, but when it did, it was deep and dreamless. The rain continued to pour outside, a constant reminder that no matter how hard the journey, I was finally where I was meant to be.
20 November, 1994
The morning arrived in a blur of gray clouds and persistent rain. After the restless excitement of the night before, I woke with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Today was my first big meeting, and I needed to make a good impression.
By 9:30 AM, I was ready. I wore a professional outfit that wasn't too formal. The rain was still falling as I stepped out of the building and hailed a taxi to take me to the meeting with Penny and my new director - Mike.
The meeting went well, but by the end of it, I needed a break to gather my thoughts. Penny had suggested I explore a bit, so I decided to take her advice. I found myself wandering the streets of Soho, captivated by the vibrancy of the neighborhood.
As I turned a corner, I collided with someone, the impact jolting me out of my reverie.
"Watch it!" a voice snapped. I looked up to see two young men, one with striking blue eyes and a scowl, the other with a more relaxed demeanor.
"I'm so sorry," I said quickly. "I wasn't paying attention."
"Clearly," the blue-eyed one said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Leave it, Liam," the other one said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "She didn't do it on purpose."
I realized with a start that I had bumped into Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. My knowledge of the band was limited, but I knew they were a big deal. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Are you alright?" Noel asked, his tone slightly more conciliatory.
"I'm fine, thanks," I replied, trying to regain my composure. "Just new to the city and a bit lost, I guess."
Liam's scowl softened into a smirk. "New to London, eh? That explains a lot."
Noel chuckled. "Don't mind him. He's always like this. I'm Noel, and this is my brother, Liam."
"Molly," I said, offering a small smile. "Nice to meet you."
"So, what brings you to this lovely weathered city?" Liam asked, a hint of mockery still in his voice.
"I'm an actress," I said, deciding to own it. "Just moved here for work."
Liam seemed emotionless. "An actress, huh? Anything we might've seen?"
"Probably not," I admitted. "I've only had a few small roles so far."
Noel nodded thoughtfully. "Everyone's gotta start somewhere. London's a good place for it, if you can handle the chaos."
I laughed softly. "I'll keep that in mind."
Liam scoffed, half sarcastically. "Maybe we'll see you on the telly someday."
"Maybe," I said, feeling a surprising warmth from their banter.
With that, they walked away, leaving me standing in the drizzle with a strange sense of encouragement. Despite their initial arrogance, the Gallagher brothers had shown me a glimpse of their more decent sides.
