This = Love

Chapter 61

"What are you going to do when you get back?" Danny asked me as we sat on one of the sofas in the hotel reception waiting for the others.

I smiled and gave his hand a light squeeze "I'm going to sort my life out" I said optimistically.

Danny gave me a questioning look "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"I'm going to try to sort things out with Eleanor, I'm going to look at work opportunities and most importantly I'm going to get ready to be your wife" I said with a smile.

"Not long now" Danny said with his eyes growing wider. I cuddled into his shoulder feeling content.

Glen arrived in reception shortly after and sat down on one of the chairs. "I'm sorry about all that at breakfast" he said to us.

"Don't worry about it Glen" I said lifting my head from Danny's shoulder. "How did you leave things with her?"

"I said I'd call her" he said looking a bit embarrassed.

"And will you?" as soon as these words left my mouth I realised that I had no right to be asking this, but Glen chose to answer me.

"Probably not"

I could see that Glen was disappointed, I knew he really liked her, maybe he should give her one last chance.

"Why don't you stay in touch and see how it goes? You could arrange to see her on your break from tour, just the two of you?" I suggested.

"It's a long time to ask her to wait" Glen retorted.

"It's a little over 6 weeks, if she's keen, she'll wait" I told him.

"Cars are here" Danny said gesturing outside and ending the conversation with Glen. He had his phone pressed to his ear, presumably calling Mark who still hadn't arrived.

Glen and I went to start putting the luggage in the car and just as we loaded the last case, Danny came out "I'd have done that" he said to me. I just rolled my eyes as we all got into the car and waited for Mark and Rina who came running out of the hotel 5 minutes later.

We didn't talk much in the car, everyone just sat with their own thoughts.

As I got out of the car I collected my suitcase and gave Danny a quick peck on the cheek before going with Rina to check in for our flight to London.

Once we had our boarding passes we found the check in desk for the flight to New York and waited for the lads to have their details processed.

We finally set off to go through security and into departures. I was grateful that nobody got stopped at security, I didn't need that hassle today.

We all headed straight to the bar and ordered drinks. We chatted and laughed just like we were on a night out but the great atmosphere only made the time go quicker and before I knew it, the moment had arrived. The flight to London was ready to board so it was time for me and Rina to leave.

I hugged Glen first, telling him to look after himself. Then I wrapped my arms around Mark, he squeezed me tightly. "Look after her" he said to me. I smiled as I said "You make sure you look after him" I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes and I knew the next goodbye would be the hardest. Mark kissed my cheek as I pulled out of his arms. I smiled as I turned to face Danny.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I pulled him towards me. The tears were now rolling down my cheeks.

"Don't work too hard" I said as I stood in his arms.

"Don't stress yourself" he replied as he kissed me in 3 short pecks on my lips.

I pulled him towards me again and rested my head on his shoulder as his hands rubbed gently and comfortingly over my back.

"I love you" I whispered.

"I love you too" Danny said as he kissed my head and started to move out of the hug.

The final boarding call meant that I had to go.

"Call me when you land" I said to Danny as I kissed him one final time before heading through the gate and onto the plane.

Rina's eyes were also red from tears, I can't believe you never get used to leaving them.

We sat in silence with our own thoughts until the plane started to take off and then my ridiculous fear of flying forced a conversation to start as Rina joked about how scared I looked, I guess plane journeys are just another thing I'll never get used to.

Landing back in London, Rina's mood had lightened as she talked about seeing the kids again. That's when I realised how much more difficult it was for her. She has to leave the kids to see Mark, for her it's constant goodbyes.

We shared a cab home, dropping me off first.

The apartment felt so empty. I busied myself with unpacking and loading the washing machine, I knew it would be ages before Danny had landed and would call.

I ordered takeaway for dinner because there was no food in the apartment, another job for tomorrow, and then got showered and changed before it arrived.

As I sat on the sofa, I knew I had to make the call to Eleanor, I just didn't know what to say.
I lifted my phone and stared at her name on my contacts list for ages before finally hitting the button to call her.

I took a deep breath while I waited for her to pick up.

"Hi Kay" she said almost nervously as she answered.

"Hi Eleanor, can we talk?" I asked.