Elise drove her old corolla up the steep hills towards the flat that had been home for so many years. It felt good to have left the hustle and bustle of London and arrive back in Yorkshire, back home to Escafield. Her flat was on the outskirts close to the Peak District National Park and she would be able to wake up every morning and look out over nature and watch the sunrise over the hills. She had missed the green views, the hills and the moorland. It was good to be home. Now all she had to do was get a job.
She pulled up in front of the small two storey block of flats, and parked in her slot. Last month the tenant who was renting her flat had moved south to London, leaving her home empty -- now it seemed like fate. She climbed the stairs two at a time deciding to ignore the lift. Unlocking the door she hesitated, what shape would she find her home in?
After a brief pause she pushed open the door and walked in, the place smelled musty and cold. She shuddered but stepped in. Papers and boxes littered the floor. It looked like it hadn’t been hovered in a year and everywhere was dirty. She dropped her bag, went to the kitchen and turned on the boiler and then rolled up her sleeves to start cleaning.
After a good three hours, with the windows open and a good amount of elbow grease her flat was looking more like home. Desperate for a coffee she rummaged through the kitchen cupboards, but there was nothing there. Making a quick mental list she grabbed her purse and set out for the shops, she would need new bedding, towels and toiletries and enough food to last a few days.
She jumped in the car and drove down the steep streets to the supermarket. The place was crowded and she decided to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat before facing the shopping.
“Elise.”
She turned to see a small woman with red hair and a pixie smile. Noticing Anna’s black leather mini skirt and red t-shirt, Elise looked down at her own dirty jogging bottoms and sweat shirt. She looked a mess, but could not help a smile as her friend ran up to her.
“Look at you,” Anna said taking her in her arms and giving her a hug.
Elise hugged back feeling tears prick her eyes it was so good to see a friend. “I was just going to have some lunch, care to join me?”
“Would love to,” Anna said, taking her hand and leading her through to the cafe’. When did you get back, and why didn’t you call?”
Elise dropped her head, as they were handed their meals and two large cappuccinos and weaved through the crowed tables. She was ashamed of what happened. Ashamed that she had no job and that she had run home like a spoilt little girl. Should she keep quiet?
As if sensing her reticence, Anna tucked into her food. “Eat first, catch up later.”
They ate a beautiful curry and as Elise drank the rich coffee it felt like nectar to her parched throat, she could feel an ache in her muscles and realized it had been hours since she had rested. She had completed the drive and then set straight to work on the flat, without a drink or a break. With two more cappuccinos she knew it was time to talk. Anna had not pressed her, but she knew her friend understood that something was wrong. “I quit my job.”
“I’m so sorry, what happened?” Anna’s face was warm and open, she made you want to talk to her, made you feel safe telling her everything and Elise found herself pouring out her heart. Telling her how she had fallen for Joel but knew what he was so she had turned him down again and again. She told of how eventually she felt that she was different and that he had come to respect her. She then told of her night of shame and how she had run away tail tucked between her legs. At last she finished and Anna reached out and took her hands. Her touch offered comfort and warmth and Elise felt a small smile cross her lips. “It’s good to be home.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. My bet is that if you still want your job it will be waiting for you.” Anna rubbed her hand as she finished.
“No.” Elise laughed a bitter laugh. “He was there when I handed my notice in, may have been arranging my dismissal for all I know. I should have given eight weeks notice but he said I could leave straight away. The damn pig couldn’t wait to get rid of me.”
“Did you speak to him about it?”
Anna’s eyes were comforting but the question cut like a knife. I should have talked to him, he had rung me a couple of times and asked me to come see him, but I was too ashamed. When he found out I was a virgin it had destroyed me.
“You didn’t?” Anna probed.
I hung my head in shame, what could I say. I had skedaddled out of there as quick as I could. I could not bear to face him.
“There’s more, what aren’t you telling me?” Anna asked her voice coaxing me gently.
“I can’t tell you. I’m so ashamed.” I hung my head and felt the first tear slip out of my eye and slide down my face to land on the empty plate with a splash. Then I found myself opening my mouth and telling her my shame. “I was a virgin. I had waited all these years for the right man and then gave it away to a pig.”
Anna leaned over the table and hugged me close. “That is nothing to be ashamed of,” she whispered into my ear stroking my hair.
I sat up, blinking my eyes to clear the tears. “Well whatever. This is a new start, now all I need is a job.”
Anna smiled back at me, that mischievous smile that said I know something you don’t. “Leave it with me. I may have something for you.”
Together the two friends wandered around the superstore, filling Elise’s basket with everything she needed. They returned to the flat and Anna helped her complete the cleaning and make the bed, then the two friends shared a beer. At ten o’clock Anna took a phone call, hanging up she said, “Report to Escafield Design at nine am tomorrow morning, you may have a job.”
Elise threw her arms around her friend she had hope again. Coming home had been the right decision.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter - the full book is available on amaon for just 0.99 http://bit.ly/1nmWeii if you want it now otherwise I will post the next segment next friday. Have a great weekend.
