Stay Strong

First Impressions

Morning sunlight streamed through the small window of George's flat, illuminating the modest furnishings. Carina blinked awake, momentarily disoriented by her surroundings. The events of the previous day came rushing back, and a lump formed in her throat.

The year 1930. She was in the year 1930.

She glanced around the room. George was nowhere to be seen, but the faint clatter of dishes and the smell of something cooking drifted from the kitchen. Gathering her thoughts, Carina stood, folding the blanket she had used on the sofa. Her clothes, so out of place in this time, were wrinkled and creased.

When she entered the kitchen, George was there, frying eggs in a cast-iron skillet. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled.

"Morning," he said cheerfully. "I wasn't sure if you'd sleep through the day."

"Morning," Carina replied hesitantly, sitting at the small wooden table.

George placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. "It's not much, but it'll do," he said.

"Thank you," she murmured, picking up her fork.

As they ate, George studied her carefully. "You'll need to head out eventually," he said. "But we've got to sort something first."

"What do you mean?" Carina asked.

He gestured to her clothes. "You can't walk around looking like that. People are already suspicious, and you don't want to draw more attention."

Carina frowned, looking down at her denim jacket and fitted blouse. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"In London? Just about everything," George said with a chuckle. "But don't worry, we'll sort it. There's a market not far from here. I'll help you find something more... appropriate."

Carina wasn't thrilled at the idea of blending into a world so unlike her own, but she knew he was right. If she was going to survive here, she had to adapt.

The market was bustling with life, a stark contrast to the sleek shops Carina was used to. Vendors called out their wares, from fresh produce to handmade garments. The air was filled with the sound of bartering, laughter, and the occasional argument.

Carina's presence immediately drew attention. Whispers followed her as she walked beside George, their stares lingering on her unfamiliar clothes and modern demeanor. She shrank under their scrutiny, but George placed a reassuring hand on her arm.

"Just ignore them," he said quietly. "They'll get bored soon enough."

At a small stall selling dresses, George picked out a few simple garments. "These should do," he said, handing them to her. "Go try them on."

The makeshift dressing area was little more than a curtain strung up in the corner. Carina stepped behind it, slipping out of her own clothes and into a modest floral dress. The material felt strange against her skin, heavy and coarse compared to the fabrics she was used to.

When she stepped out, George gave her an approving nod. "Much better," he said.

Carina glanced at her reflection in a nearby mirror. The woman staring back at her looked like a stranger-someone from another era entirely.

As they left the market, the whispers grew louder. A group of townspeople had gathered near the square, their eyes fixed on Carina.

"Who does she think she is, strutting around like that?" one woman muttered.

"She's not from here," a man added, his tone accusatory.

Carina's heart raced as the crowd closed in, their voices rising in a cacophony of suspicion.

"Go back to where you came from!" one of them shouted.

Before she could react, George stepped between her and the crowd, his expression hard. "That's enough!" he barked. "She's with me, and she's done nothing to you lot."

The group hesitated, their hostility faltering under George's glare. He took Carina's hand and pulled her away, his grip firm but gentle.

Back at the flat, Carina sank onto the sofa, her hands trembling. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to cause trouble." George knelt in front of her, his blue eyes steady. "It's not your fault," he said. "People around here don't take kindly to anything they don't understand. But you'll be alright. You've just got to keep your head down for a while."
Carina nodded, though the weight of her situation pressed heavily on her chest. She was trapped in a world that didn't want her, with no way back to the life she knew. But as George smiled at her, his kindness unwavering, she felt a small spark of hope. Perhaps, with his help, she could find a place in this strange new reality.