(Charlotte’s POV)
Some time had passed since the end of the tour and we were all taking time off. Max and I went back to Manchester. He spent some time with his mum and I got to spend the week with my dad. We didn’t spend the week in Manchester though. We went to visit some family in America. My auntie (dad’s sister) lived in America with her husband and beautiful daughter, Mia, who was 4. I got to spend some time with them, seeing as the last time I saw them was when it was Mia’s christening.
The whole week was spent doing all the tourist things in San Francisco. I loved every minute of it. The only thing that was bugging me, was Jay.
Before we left for America, he sent me a text. ‘Hey Charlotte. How are you? Recovering from tour ;) xxx’. I didn’t reply. Since then he’s been ringing and texting everyday. I was missing him. But I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea just yet. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him.
It was my last day in San Francisco, and my dad was taking me and Mia to a theme park, while my auntie and uncle were going out with some friends. I took Mia on all the rides she wanted to go on, and surprisingly I really enjoyed myself. We went on the teacups and the dragon ride and things similar.
We got back to the house and we were having a BBQ as it was our last night in America. I was packing my suitcase, while dad was outside with my uncle. My phone buzzed on the bed, and sure enough, it was Jay.
‘Charl, I know you’re probably ignoring me because of what happened that night. I’m leaving you a text because I know you’ll read it. When I first met you in the restaurant, when you came with your uncle, and Steve offered you the job as his assistant, I thought you were beautiful and I could tell instantly how kind, sweet and caring you were going to be. You are all those things and more. Now I know you better, you mean so much to me Charl, and I will do anything to protect you. Just know that.’
And he left it there. I had to reply to that. I couldn’t leave him like that. I think now I was realising how I felt about him. He was kind and generous and he really did care about me. So I replied to him.
‘Hey Jay. I’m sorry I haven’t been replying. I’m in America with family. Coming home tomorrow. Can we meet up when I’m back? X’
He replied almost instantly.
‘Sure. Let me know where and when xx’
After this I finished my packing and went downstairs. The sun was setting outside, leaving a pink sky and a lovely glow over the city. The BBQ was nearly ready so I went and sat with Mia by the fire-ring, which was in the garden. It was just like a campfire.
After we had eaten all the amazing food and desserts, we all sat round the fire-ring with a glass of wine. Mia came over to me and sat in my lap. She soon fell asleep in my arms so my auntie brought a blanket for us and wrapped it around my shoulders. It was big enough to wrap around me and cover Mia as well. She looked so peaceful.
The next day, dad and I were flying home. My auntie, uncle and Mia came with us to the airport to wave us off. Mia stayed with me the whole time. I was gonna miss that little girl so much. I treated her like a little sister. My dad took a picture of us, from the back, walking through the airport, hand in hand.
Our flight was announced, we said our goodbyes and Mia started to cry. I gave her the biggest hug and handed her to my auntie. When we got on the aeroplane, dad showed me the picture he took of us. I sent it to my phone and set it as my background.
I soon fell asleep on my dad’s shoulder, thinking about Mia and the week I had just had, and then about Jay and how I was gonna tell him how I felt.
