so long, london - gracie abrams

10

Cameron had been stressing about the dinner all day, and by the time it was 6 o'clock she thought she would explode. She had chosen to make a Sunday roast, an English classic, yet a surprisingly difficult dish to make as one person. She had chosen to cook a whole chicken, and spent the better part of her afternoon slaving away in the kitchen to make sure everything was perfect. Cameron was famously a perfectionist, she needed everything she created to meet her standards and if they didn't she wouldn't stop trying until they did. That was part of the reason she was so good at her job.

Gracie and Audrey were arriving at 7, but she predicted that dinner probably wouldn't be ready until 8. Madeline made herself useful by going over to the liquor store and buying wine, although Cameron didn't think she had the faintest idea of what she was doing. Cameron got the easy jobs out of the way while she waited for the chicken to cook and before she put the potatoes in. She washed and chopped lettuce, made the batter for the Yorkshire puddings, and washed all the vegetables for sides.

Madeline came back from the liquor store at 6:45, right when Cameron had finished setting up platters for all the food. It was an exorbitant amount of food for 4 people to each, but she would find some clever way to use all the leftovers for the rest of the weeks meals. Madeline set 2 bottles of wine of the island, one red and one white.

"The guy behind the counter told me this one would taste good with the chicken, but I got the white too because I like white wine." She said, exhaling.

"You're a lifesaver Mads." Cameron said, leaning against the counter.

"It smells amazing. You've outdone yourself." Madeline said, looking around the kitchen.

"Thanks, I just hope it's good." Cameron said, running a hand through her hair.

"You look exhausted."

Cameron winced, "I know, it's been a long day."

"When do they get here?" Madeline asked, looking over at the antique clock that was in Cameron's living room.

"7. So you can just hang around here until then right?"

"Yeah. Do you need any help?"

"No."

"Right I forgot, you're the suffer alone type. Very noble of you." Madeline joked.

"Thank you." Cameron said, walking over to the oven to check on the chicken.

She grabbed the tray of potatoes and tossed them in there now that she thought they would cooking at around the same time as the chicken. Cameron busied herself for the next 15 minutes by washing the pile of dishes that had accumulated in the sink. By the type she had tackled around 3 quarters of the dishes she heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it!" Cameron shouted to Madeline who was setting the table.

She tossed the towel she was using to dry her hands on her shoulder and walked around the kitchen and towards the door. When she opened the door she was greeted by the sight of a ginger holding a bottle of wine. She assumed the girl was was Audrey. A huge smile appeared on Audreys face when she saw Cameron and she opened her arms for a hug. Cameron obliged and they kissed each other on the cheek as a greeting.

"It's so nice to meet you! I'm Audrey." She said after they pulled away.

"Cameron. Please come in." Cameron said, smiling at the girl and moving out of the way so she could enter.

Once Audrey walked in Cameron saw Gracie, who was twisting her lips in a funny smile. Cameron smiled at her and Gracie walked over to give her a hug. Cameron wrapped her arms around the shorter girl and felt a bit of relief at the contact. Gracie held her for a beat longer than expected, but Cameron wasn't complaining. Once they broke away Gracie laughed.