LAYLA! & THE UNTOLD STORIES OF LOVE

𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊- chapter six

Jan 16, 1994

When I want to clear my head, I run and run....and run.  A little after sunrise I put on some wool leggings, a long-sleeve t-shirt, fleece jacket, a ski headband and my trainers and go out to clear my head.  It had snowed overnight and the streets of Notting Hill glistened white.  I pass under the Westway and turn north at Ladbroke Grove proceeding on to Queens Park as London wakes for its Sunday rituals - for some church, for others a trip to the newsstand to buy the Sunday papers.  My Walkman tucked into my jacket, I keep running to a soundtrack of Achilles Last Stand, Sixty Seconds to What? and You Make Me Feel Mighty Real getting as far as Hampstead Heath before I turn south.

At a little after 11, I reach Primrose Hill.  I've been running for almost 3 hours and need to take a break. Sitting down on a bench I watch the excited children race their sleds downhill. The run has helped, and my head is a lot clearer than last night.  I've loved spending so much time with Jimmy but my week-long break in Birmingham is probably good – I need to get some distance, I think.

Just then I hear a familiar voice calling "Alexia?"  I look up to see Jimmy walking toward me with a young boy towing a sled. "What are you doing here", he asks smiling.

"Jimmy!?  Uh, I've been on a run", I say smiling at the little boy.

"Well, we've been sled-riding this morning.  This is my son James. James this is Alexia."

"Hi James, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He smiles shyly and says "hi" staying a little bit behind his father's leg.

"Did you sled down that great big hill", I ask.

"Yeah, we went really fast, too. Do you want to go", he asks.

I look at Jimmy to see if it's okay. He smiles and nods, so James and I trudge up to the top of the hill chattering about how much fun snow is and how fast we're going to go. It's very busy on the hill but, after a bit of waiting, we see our opening and take off - tearing down the hill with no one in our way.  Reaching the bottom we keep sliding until we come to a stop, practically knocking over Jimmy in the process.  Laughing hysterically, we get off the sled and apologize for almost sending him to the hospital.

"Haha, very funny you two," he laughs. "Alexia, James and I were going to get some hot cocoa at the little café over there.  Would you like to join us?"

James looks up at me smiling and shaking his head yes.  "How could I turn down two such handsome men."  Walking over to the café, I smile to myself when I notice that Jimmy is wearing the scarf I gave him last night. We get three hot cocoas and sit at the picnic table near the fire pit to get warm.  "That's a pretty cool sled", I say to James.

"Yeah, Daddy and Mommy gave it to me for Christmas."

"Well, what a great present". Mommy.....it occurs to me I don't even know what Jimmy's status is.  Is he still married?  Given that all he's done is take me to dinner and given me a friendly kiss, is it any of my business if he is?  I change the subject quickly. "Boy, you really drank that hot chocolate fast, James."  One thing about talking to a 5-year old, you can switch subjects in an instant and they'll go with you.

"Yeah, I like it when I'm cold.  Do you like yours?"

"Very much, it's delicious.  Thank you for inviting me to come with you."

"Daddy, can Lexi come to the movie with us?"

"Of course, if she'd like to."

Once again shaking his head yes he asks, "Please Lexi, come with us to the movie?"