LAYLA! & THE UNTOLD STORIES OF LOVE

𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐃𝐀𝐘- chapter ten

(Disclaimer: I did not write this story. This is an original story created by a Tumblr user named theangelwithabrokenwing. I am just uploading this to Wattpad due to my dislike of the Tumblr system. If you would like to support the original author, please follow the link in the comments and go favorite, like, and comment on her work on her blog.)

Jan 22, 1994

"James has talked about you all week," he says as he directs me through the streets of Kensington to his house.

"He's a sweet boy, I really like him," I say, grateful to be talking about something other than me.

We round a corner and he points, "It's that house right there."

"What house? That's a castle....you live in a castle!"

"It's only a small one," he laughs.

I pull my car up to the gate and he gets out to put in the entry code. Entering the house is like stepping into a fairytale. There are stained glass windows, mosaic floors and intricately painted walls and ceilings.

"Every room has a theme – time, love, the sea, etcetera. I'm still finding little details even after 20 years."

We go into the kitchen and Jimmy introduces me to Julia, his housekeeper and cook who's also Eric's wife.

"Julia, this is Alexia. She's going to be staying with us for a few days. Is the guest room ready?"

"Happy to meet you," I say extending my hand.

She wipes her hand on her apron before offering it to me. "I've been hearing a lot about you from all the boys; pleased to meet you. "Yes, the guest room is ready," she says looking at Jimmy "and James is upstairs in his room playing."

We walk up the circular staircase and he shows me my room. Like the rest of the house it's stunning, but the fireplace is the most amazing thing of all. It's covered in carvings of mermaids and sea creatures – this is obviously the "sea-themed" room I think. He puts my bag down on the bed and gives me a mini-history of the house and its architect.

"Hi Daddy."

I turn around to see James standing in the door smiling.

"Look who's here James."

"Hi Lexi! Do you wanna see my cars?"

"I sure do," and off we go to his room. We spend the afternoon playing games and racing toy cars and I had to laugh at the sight of Jimmy Page, rock icon, sitting in a child sized chair playing a game of Chutes and Ladders. After lunch we all go to the playground in Holland Park; it's a peaceful day after a harrowing night and I'm thankful for it.

"James we're going to have to get you back to Mummy's soon so 10 more minutes, okay?"

We stand together watching him try to get one more round of everything in – the slide, the swings, the merry-go-round.

"How are you doing," Jimmy asks taking a drag on his cigarette.

"Better, I feel better." I like how he doesn't push things, he asks and I answer and he accepts that without saying more than needs to be said. When I'm ready to talk more, I will. He understands this about me I think.

"Okay, James – time to go."

We walk back to his house where Eric is warming up the car. "Bye Lexi," James says and we give each other a big hug.

"I'll be back in a couple of hours. Make yourself at home and, if you need anything, just ask Julia," he says as he and James get in the car.

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