We land at 10 am UK time. It's just over an hour drive from the airport to the hospital in Wrexham.
We will be staying with my aunty so we head there first to drop off our stuff and freshen up.
Visiting hours don't start for a few hours so I text Tony.
me - hey, we got here ok. Missing you already
I don't expect a reply as it's the early hours there but he does reply
Tony - I'm missing you too. tell your gran I send my love xx
What a sweetheart!
Despite my sadness, I'm buzzing with happiness too. Confusing eh!
My cousin, Becky, who I've missed so much rushes down when she hears us. She throws her arms around me, squeezing me hard and making me wince. My arm is still sore.
"What happened?" she asks.
"Long story, but my shoulder is dislocated" I say.
"Ouchies" she says.
"Any gossip?" she asks.
"Well, maybe" I say smiling.
Her eyes light up and she says
"Tell me more."
I get my phone out and show her one of the photos I took of Tony and myself at the zoo.
"Holy cow, he's gorgeous" she squeaks. "Where did you meet him?"
"I work with his housemate" I laugh.
"What does he do?" she asks.
"He's in a band" I say, grinning.
"No way!" she squeaks. Becky is very squeaky!
"Yes way" I laugh.
"His name is Tony, he's 23 and you dear girl can keep your sticky mitts off!" I laugh. "But the other guys are free and single" I hint.
I find a photo of all of them I took in their garden where they're all jumping up at the same time.
Becky smiles. "Well, they're a delicious bunch" she says, laughing.
We get ready to go and visit gran. She looks so frail but is so happy we are here. I tell her all about life in the States, about Tony and how he sends his love and all the other news.
Visiting hours are over far too soon but we tell gran we will be back tomorrow.
"I love you" I say as I hug her.
"And you too darling" she says back.
"Get your glad rags on, we are going to the pub" says Becky later that night. I can't legally drink in the States but can here. I laugh. I don't technically have any glad rags and don't actually know what Tony put in my case.
I find my black sundress from our day at the zoo and his hoody so put them on.
"Key street?" says Becky.
"It's Tony's" I laugh. "He helped me pack."
Becky and me are bad. We are slightly drunk and decide to ring Tony.
"Hello gorgeous" we both shout down the phone at him. "Put us on loudspeaker" we shout. "Becky wants to talk to you all too"
"What time is it there?" laughs Mike. "Pub time" we laugh. "Well, it was but now we are in the carpark"
"You're not old enough to be drinking" says Vic laughing.
"Yes I am Vic, I'm old enough here"
I laugh. "Becky is only 6 weeks younger than me so she is too"
Tony - you're both crazy
me - I know.
Becky - hell yeah
We say bye and I promise to ring Tony again tomorrow. While sober.
