Over Again

Chapter Five

“Have you got everything? Your phone, ticket…” Mum went on fussing over me like usual.

“I’m fine, mum. I have everything I need,” I reassured her.

I would be staying with my dad and his girlfriend in London for the next month, whether I wanted to or not. I mean, yeah, of course I want to see my dad. But I’m not exactly looking forward to meeting the tramp that split my family apart. I’d rather be stuck at work every day than spend one with her. Speaking of which, Steve was kind enough to let me take a sort of hiatus from the bakery. He knows my family situation and he’s known my family and me since I was a kid.

Mum looked at me for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes. She pulled me into a tight hug and sniffled into my jacket, “I’ll miss you Georgie,”

“I’ll be back before you know it,” I comforted her before walking away to board my train, dragging my suitcase behind me.

When I told Harry that I would be going to London, he jumped at the opportunity to make plans for him and myself for the next thirty-one days. I had to slow him down over the phone, reminding him that he had a commitment to his career and that my dad had forced me to spend some quality father-daughter time with him.

Once I arrived in London, my dad picked me up from the train station and drove us to his flash new apartment in the city where he lived with his girlfriend. I watched the numbers light up in the elevator as we went up each floor, the typical classical music filling the awkward silence.

“You’re going to love Kristen, she’s really excited to meet you,” He said happily.

I turned my head slightly and frowned at him, “Really, dad?”

“You know what I mean,” He sighed. “At least try to be nice, Georgia.”

“We’ll see.”

My stomach fell to the carpet as soon as I entered dad’s apartment. Kristen was stood at the end of the hallway waiting for us, a baby boy straddling her waist. Kristen was the same age as my dad, though she looked five years younger. I guess that’s what caught his attention. She had the whole fashionable city chic look going on.

“Dad. Please, please, please tell me that is not your son.”

“No, sweetie. That’s Josh, Kristen’s son from her first marriage.” He said.

Kristen took that time to introduce herself and I could tell straight away she was trying way too hard to get me to like her. Which just made me dislike her even more. Dinner was filled with the most awkward tension I’d ever felt and by the end I was just too tired trying to keep up with everything Kristen had said. The woman talks a lot. I headed to my bedroom, which looked very different and modern compared to my room back in Cheshire. It wasn’t very lived in. As I was about to climb into the barely used bed, my phone buzzed.

‘Harry S: We have to see each other tomorrow! Sleep over at mine? .xxx’

We talked for a while and he messaged me his address when my dad refused to let one of Harry’s drivers pick me up. We’d had sleepovers before when we were kids, our parents enforcing strict rules like keeping the door open. As if we would have done anything at that age. This time wouldn’t be that different though, except for the fact that we were older now which meant we were completely free to do anything we wanted. I snuck a bottle of wine into my bag from the kitchen cupboard and I was set for a good night.

“Boy, Harry’s really done well for himself hasn’t he,” My dad stated in amazement as we drove up to the building. Several expensive cars were parked around the multi million-dollar apartment complex. I located Harry waving excitedly by the double doors leading into the building. My dad parked along the curb and I kissed him on the cheek goodbye, “Love you,” I reminded him before hopping out of the car with my things.