The Tragic Life

Chapter 5

WARNING: CHAPTERS 32 - 36 OF THIS BOOK CAN ONLY BE READ ON INKITT! LINK IN MY BIO ♥️
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Saying goodbye was the hardest part. I left it until the last minute on Sunday evening to catch my train back home on the promise that they would come to visit me next weekend. I'm hoping that they'll be extending their stay longer into the week as Yasmin has time owed in lieu from the overtime she cumulated at Christmas, but they can't promise anything.

I even invited Jamie along as Emily seems to have adopted him as her new best friend. And I enjoy his company. We exchanged numbers so we can keep in contact after I found out that he lives one town over from me, and we've been messaging ever since. It's mainly about food, pictures of places we want to visit and funny memes when he's bored at work.

I'm halfway through brushing my hair when my phone vibrates against the bathroom counter.

Jamie - Are you free to meet up for lunch?

I leave it a few seconds, wondering what to message back.

Me - I can't right now. I'm sorry!

The bubbles show up, and I lean over to read the message as I drag the brush through my hair.

Jamie - Ah, never mind.

I lied. I don't have any plans today and could've easily caught the bus to see him.

I don't know why I feel slightly sick at the thought of it.

Ten minutes go by, and I start to regret saying no, so I go in search of my phone.

Me - I just got some free time. You still up for going to lunch? We could go to Olive Place?

I wait.

And wait some more before my phone buzzes in my hand.

Jamie - I definitely am. Yeah, I'm always at that place. I'll meet you at Cleethorpes at one.

I did mean the Grimsby deli, but I prefer the Cleethorpes one. They have the best range of cakes and biscuits in town. I always end up buying two of the caramel shortbreads to bring home, probably eating one on the way back too. I'm greedy for sweet stuff. Once it touches my tastebuds, it's game over.

Olive Place is on the shopping avenue, close to the pier, which is a ten-minute walk from my house. I'm incredibly lucky to have the seaside so close to my front door. It's something that I'll never take for granted considering I had to live in a cramped, one bedroomed flat on the back streets of Leeds City Centre for four years.

Lewis was studying at Leeds University at the time, and it worked out cheaper than the student digs or shared accommodation. In hindsight, we should've paid the extra, as there was nothing legal about our tenancy.

There was damp throughout the entire house, mould sticking to the walls because of it. All of the appliances were broken so bad that we had to buy a microwave to warm up our food, and another kettle to fill up the bath because the boiler rarely heated up the water. Everything was always going to get fixed —It never happened.

Dragging the pram from underneath the stairs, I go grab Emily from her play mat, making sure to wrap her up well in a puffy jacket to keep the ridiculously strong wind from making her cold. It's a struggle, as always, to fit her wriggling arms in the small holes.

It sets me back ten minutes, but I'm finally walking up the hill that leads to the shopping avenue by one o'clock.

Olive Place usually have the cutest coloured chairs and tables sat out front, but the wind must've put them off laying them out today. I often sit out here with a smoothie and a round of toast, watching the world go by. It's a nice place to come for a bit of company, as the regular customers and shoppers are always up for a chat.