Where You Are

London

Jesse

Almost a week after the wedding, I was back in London for a couple of days off and trying very hard not to focus on how empty and just downright wrong it felt to be in my flat alone.

The wedding ring still felt odd on my finger, but I was sure that was only because I wasn't used to wearing it yet. I hadn't taken it off once since Birgitta had put it there, and I didn't intend to either. I was glad I was constantly aware of it. It meant that it was all real, it had really happened. I ought to ask the airline to make my layover days in Canada. That way, I could actually be with my wife on my days off. It didn't matter if she had to work or not. It just felt unnatural being away from her.

She'd made the decision not to return to England until her visa had been approved. Something about not wanting to give them a reason to deny it to her if she was entering the country when she shouldn't be. I could see her point but I didn't like it. Hopefully it wouldn't be long anyway. The immigration website said her visa could be approved in as little time as a week.

So anytime now, really.

The first night in my flat alone hadn't been bad. I was so knackered from work and the excitement of the last few days, I'd passed out almost at once. The second evening, however, was a different story. I knew Birgitta was working nights, so she was sleeping during the day and I likely wouldn't get a chance to actually hear her voice for a while. I had to find something to keep my mind occupied or I'd go mad. I didn't like being alone on a good day, but it was worse knowing I didn't have to be. And shouldn't have to be. I was a married man now, that was the whole point of being married.

I eventually decided that if she was meant to get her visa any day now, I really ought to clear some space in my flat for her and her things. She had quite a few things of her own, but surely she wouldn't bring everything with her when she moved. A lot of stuff like furniture and kitchen things I already had, so there was no need of hers. But she would need room for her clothes and bathroom things. My flat wasn't massive, but there was enough space for the two of us and I could get rid of things to make more.

I started in the bedroom, opening the closet and dressing table and pulling out clothes that I didn't wear or didn't fit anymore. She already had a few of her things here. Some clothes she'd bought the last time she was here for the sole purpose of having extra clothes in my flat. Plus her wedding dress and what she referred to as her Celine Dion dress hanging in the closet that is brought back just the day before. I shoved the clothes I didn't need anymore all in a bin bag and then headed for the toilet to sort through those things.

There was suddenly a loud pounding on the front door as I passed through to get another bin bag.

'Open up! We know you're in there!'

It was Billy's voice and I grinned, tossing the bin bag aside. I could use a better distraction than clearing out my flat.

I opened the door. Billy wasn't alone, he pushed himself into my flat followed by Ewan, Rob, Hugo, Jimmy, Lachie, Lucy, Evie, Petra and Elisa. They were all dressed like they were going out, not at all like it was a Thursday night. Only the girls appeared to be wearing matching denim jackets over their tight, sparkly dresses.

'Get dressed, we're going out,' Billy told me, looking me up and down. He was dressed in jeans and a dark shirt. I, on the other hand, was wearing an old football shirt and joggers that had holes in the knees.

'Going out?' I repeated, crossing my arms over my chest. 'Where?'

'Stag night,' he grinned. 'We gave you last night, you've already done things out of order. I've waited too long for this.'