The Art of Loving

[16] Surprising News

The next couple of days passed quickly and on Friday afternoon, Ellie returned home from work excited for the time that lay ahead. It wasn't just the trip to Cornwall, but also the trip to Scotland that followed immediately after. When she got off the tube station at Edgware Road, she pulled her thin summer jacket a little tighter around her. The wind had freshened up a little and the clouds were once again hiding the sun that was supposed to be warming everyone.

She sped up her steps a little, knowing very well that Brian was probably already waiting for her. He had gotten his parents' car for the weekend so he and Ellie were going to drive to Cornwall on their own. That way they would be able to leave Cornwall on Sunday early enough, independent from the rest of the group. Brian had agreed to meet Ellie at her flat with the car and his things, ready to go. All that was left for them to do was to pack a bit of food and for Ellie to get her things before they could set off to Cornwall.

Ellie had given Brian the spare key to her flat so that he wouldn't have to wait outside in case it started to rain. When she could see the car parked in front of the building when she finally was on her street, she smiled widely and hurried up even more. Brian had stayed at his parents' house the night before, so the last time they had seen each other was Thursday morning and that seemed like a very long time to Ellie.

She unlocked the front door of the building, hoping that Mrs Arthurs was out, or at least otherwise occupied so that she wouldn't delay Ellie and Brian even more. They still had five hours drive ahead and the sooner they go going the better. Quietly she made her way up the stairs and unlocked the door to her flat as well.

"Ellie?" She could hear a familiar voice coming from her living room, followed by someone very familiar appearing in the doorway.

"Yes, it's me," she told him, putting down her handbag before she went over to him. "Hey you." Smiling widely, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Hey. How are you?" He asked, hugging her back. "How was work?"

"It was alright," she told him before she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him softly. "But I'm glad I'm off now."

"Me too," Brian agreed before he gave her another quick kiss. "I made us some sandwiches already, I hope that's okay."

"Of course it is, you know it is. I packed my bag last night, I just have to get that. Apart from that we're ready to go, right?" She asked and let go of him so she could gather her things. "Oh, and I have to change. Give me ten minutes or so and I'm ready to go, okay?"

"That's perfectly fine, my dear. I'll start bringing everything into the car." He went to get his guitar case that he had brought upstairs, not wanting to leave his precious guitar unattended in the car, and he got the bag with food that he had prepared already before he went downstairs to start loading everything up again.

Ellie changed into some comfortable clothes, throwing her uniform in her laundry bin. When that was done she got her camera bag and the bag with the few clothes she decided to bring. When that was done, Brian was back in her flat.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, taking one of her bags.

"Do we have everything? You have your guitar and everything you need for that?" She asked him, making a round through her flat to make sure nothing was left on.

Brian nodded. "I do. And you have everything you need for your camera? Batteries, charger, film?"

Ellie nodded at every item he listed. "Yes, I've got everything. And we have clothes, and food? And something to drink?"

"Oh! Something to drink, yes. Good thinking." He returned back to Ellie's kitchen, to pick up the bottles he had set out.

"Then that should be everything. Should I bring a book?" She asked and looked at him.