The Heartbreak Factor - Part Four

Chapter Sixty-Nine.

Usually the morning I wake up after a row the night before, I feel like nothing happened and I go on about life like everything is fine. But today was different. Today I felt nothing but anger as I woke up to see George sleeping on the sofa. He insisted he slept on the sofa so I could sleep in the bed we were supposed to share together by myself. Instead of arguing anymore with him, I just climbed into bed and silently cried myself to sleep - something I hadn’t done in ages. 

I crept around the floor as Katy sat on her bed in silence. I emptied all the clothes into my suitcase from the hotel wardrobe before grabbing all mine and Katy’s toiletries from the bathroom, leaving George’s stood alone on the bathroom counter beside the sink. I couldn’t believe I was actually leaving him in Los Angeles alone but he gave me no other choice after our row the night before. I didn’t want to leave him there. I didn’t want to fly back to England early with Katy. I just wanted him to man up and sort this whole thing out, but he evidently didn’t want to do that. 

Once everything was packed up, I grabbed the pen and paper pad that were on the bedside table and began scribbling down a note to leave for George. It was hard to write when I was trying my hardest to fight back the tears but I managed to do it. It might have not been my neatest writing, but I managed to get the words out onto the pad. 

“I didn’t want to do this, George, but you left me with no choice. Katy and I will probably be on the flight back to Heathrow by the time you wake up. Come home when you’re ready to sort this out as I can’t be doing with pretending everything is okay.” 

Making sure I didn’t make any sound that could wake George up, I ripped the top sheet of paper that the pad was written on and placed it on the pillow where George’s head was resting. I took one quick glance at him but he was still fast asleep. Part of me wanted him to wake up and grab me and beg me not to go and apologise for everything that happened, but part of me just wanted to get back home and have some space for a bit. Just be by myself, with the exception of Katy, for a day or so. 

Tiptoeing across the room, I got the suitcase from the bathroom before holding out my hand for Katy to take. Clutching onto the handbag George had got her, Katy took hold of my hand and looked over her shoulder at George, who was laid motionless on the sofa. 

“Bye daddy,” she smiled, receiving no reply. 

We walked out into the hallway and I closed the door before sliding my hotel key card beneath the door. Pulling the suitcase along behind me, I looked down at Katy as she looked back up at me. The little smile on her face didn’t even manage to make me feel any better. It usually did. Even on the worst of days, Katy’s little smile could make everything fade away. I didn’t understand why this time was different. Maybe it was hormones. Maybe it was anger. Maybe it was hurt. Maybe it was confusion. But I didn’t understand it. None of it.

As soon as we got to the lobby, I put the suitcase beside the reception desk and smiled to the man who was sat behind the desk sporting a pristine black suit. 

“Good morning,” he greeted. “How may I help you?” 

“I preordered a taxi through the room phone this morning. It should be here by now.” 

“Name?” the receptionist asked as he rummaged through a bundle of taxi reservation forms that were stacked behind the reception desk. 

“Shelley,” I paused, feeling a lump in the back of my throat. “Sammy Shelley.”

“Ah, yes. Here it is,” the receptionist nodded as he found my reservation. “8.15?” 

I nodded.

“Let me just ring them to make sure he’s on his way. You’re a bit early but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem,” he smiled before picking up the phone.