The New Companion

Zoe Griffin... I

Chapter Sixteen:

Macy had booked us a train back to London at lunchtime so we were able to have a light lunch on the train.

"This will be great Zoe, we can go sightseeing like we used to, have a bit of adventure and surprise," Macy informed me bouncing up and down in her seat. I forced a smile to attempt to show some gratitude for what she was doing.

"Hm yeah," I replied noncommittally.

"I've also got a surprised planned for us, you will like this one I promise." I laughed at her promise, the amount of times she had surprised me and it didn't end up turning out too well. Like the time she brought home a kitten which scratched all of the walls and ate the corner of my Harry Potter poster (which remained hanging up, I just hid said corner behind my desk). Eventually the train reached London and I was quite happily thrown back into the proper hustle and bustle of my favourite city. I smiled and stopped for small chats with the people I knew from years in the acting business and working at the Gustavo's Pizza Place. None of them asked me about my latest publicity and for that I was thankful. I did get more stares around the place and heard the occasional whisper,

"yeah that's her, she's with Tennant." 

"How did she manage to get with him?"

"Who knows?" Every time Macy heard one of these comments she would quickly start talking loudly as an attempt to drown them out which I was incredibly thankful for.

We visited all of our favourite tourist hotspots like Big Ben, The London Eye (which we went on four times), Westminster Abbey and all of my favourite bridges. Macy and I posed to take silly photos and generally stood around in a quiet awe of our beautiful city which we had missed for so long.

"Come on Zoe, we have one last stop," Macy informed me, hailing a taxi. We hopped in a sped through the city. It washed by in an instant until we were in a neighbourhood I had seen before. The streets were the same, as were the flowers that grew daintily from hanging baskets.

"No Macy, no, I can't do this," I pleaded as we stopped outside David's apartment.

"It's ok, I sorted it all out with Billie when you were packing, she had texted you to see where you were and if you were ok. She thinks David will understand the proof, and we need you two to get back together. For your own good. Zoe, you know I wouldn't make you do anything if I didn't fully believe that you could handle it. You can do this and I think you have to." She hopped out of the car and ran up the steps to ring the bell. I sat in the cab for as long as I could before the driver asked me if I was getting out. I took my time to pay. Walking up the steps to the front door was torture. They were never ending. The world moved in slow motion as I began to panic. I didn't know how I was going to do this. Faking it until I made it was not going to work today. Macy had already rung the doorbell and was talking briskly with Billie. When her mind was set on something, it was set until the task was accomplished. Which led to her impatience.

"Hey Zoe, thanks for coming," Billie said wrapping me in a hug.

"It's not like I had much of a choice." Macy elbowed me and shooting me a look telling me to play nice.

"It's alright, I know how hard this has been on both of you. Come on through," She said gesturing for us to follow her inside. I placed my coat on the coat rack just as I had done many times before. I stood in the entryway breathing. In for four. Hold for four. Out for eight. Hold for four. Repeat. I instructed myself to continue with the breathing technique I had learnt in drama which helped me to calm down in stressful situations. Just like this one.

"David, we have someone here to talk to you, please hear them out. Even though you don't want her here." I saw through the reflection of the mirror his face fall before becoming neutral again. He didn't want me here and I did know that, but I hoped for him to change his mind. I cautiously walked into the living room where he was seated.