Coffee, tea? Or me?

SOLITAIRE- Part I

SOLITAIRE

Don't wanna talk anymore, I'm obsessed with silence

I go home and I lock my door, I can hear the sirens

I see buildings and bars from the window

And I listen to the wind blow

I see people and cars covered in gold

And I'm happy to be on my own.

I

James left the studio in Camden Town and flagged a cab, the photoshoot had run longer than expected and he was late for his meeting with his agent.

He sat at the back of the black car and gave the driver the address to the building in The City then called Lucy but the call went to voicemail.

He hadn't talked to Lucy all day and now a feeling of unease was starting to grow at the back of his mind. He told himself that she had probably been called for a flight and, despite being annoyed that she could have left without even a text, he had learned that sometimes that was just the way her job was.

As he watched outside the window and the sky turning deep blue at the horizon, his mind started to wander again, unable to chase the odd feeling away. His thought then went to Sam and his hand closed in a fist as his unease turned to anger. He would have gladly smashed his face until it was a bloody mess hadn't Lucy stopped him, he hoped the man hadn't tried to see her again or James feared he couldn't have controlled himself next time.

James bit his nail and called Lucy again, but once more her pre-recorded message answered back.

With a heavy sigh, he texted her instead.

Hey baby, I hope you're ok. Haven't heard from you all day...I miss you. Text me or call me as soon as you can ok? I love you.

***

Lucy pressed the accelerator of her Alfa Giulietta and moved to the right lane to pass a slow middle lane driver.

She had been driving for almost two hours now, the sky had turned deep blue and then black in the December late afternoon. Her tears had stopped and she had calmed down partially, her frustration turned into chill anger and contempt.

I'm ignoring all the dumb shit. Yo, because nothin' is comin' from it. I'm not gonna waste no time. Fuckin' around my gat straight hummin'.

She rapped loudly along Cypress Hill on the radio, her hand moving from the gearstick to the air in gangster moves, as she pressed the accelerator some more.

When she saw the sign for an upcoming petrol and rest area she indicated left and made her way to the exit. It was only when she stopped her car that she realised she hadn't eaten all day.

After filling the tank, Lucy stopped at a Greggs and bought two pasties and coffee for the drive, then went back to the car and sat in the dark eating the first pasty. She stopped chewing and listened, she listened to the silence and felt free. She had left her phone at home and for the first time in a very long time, she felt like she didn't owe her time to anyone. Because of her job she had to be available most of her days at any time, her friends, family and James they all loved her but sometimes she found herself exhausted from trying to keeping up with them all the time, no matter how tired she was. After that morning she had also been vulnerable to random strangers meaning to hurt her but now nobody knew where she was, no way for them to get a hold on her. She grinned and started the ignition.