I remember about a week later after the circus walking through some vintage markets I had discovered by accident. There were temporary change room’s set up and just rows of used knick-knacks, clothes, decorative things and household appliances. It was an incredible thing to watch set up. It took them only an hour and even less to pack away. It was fun to go shopping there, which was what I was going when someone tapped me on the shoulder. “That’s an attractive hat, love.” The boy laughed in a very familiar voice. “Harry! What are you doing here?” I said giving him a hug and he kissed my cheek. “Shopping, of course!” “Sure, sure. That blazer’s really nice suits you as well.” I said. “Hey, seeing as we’re both here shopping, let’s shop together? Maybe go grab a bite to eat?” He hinted, smiling. “You’re smooth, Styles. Very smooth.” I turned back to the mirror and admired my hat. “Let’s have a challenge. We both have to find the worst vintage outfit for each other and whoever looks the worst shouts lunch. What do you say?” He grinned. “You’re on! Meet back here in 10, ok?” We shook hands and went our separate way. I found Harry some high-waisted Hawaiian pants, some lace socks that came up just above your ankles, black leather loafer shoes that had been attacked by a bedazzler, a very ugly and itchy jumper that had a 3D cat on the front (whiskers and all), a nice blond afro wig and a bowler hat to finish it off.
“I’m scared, you have a lot of stuff in your arms.” Harry said when we met back up. “You should be, you’re going to look terrible!” I giggled. He gave me my outfit and pointed towards the change rooms. I had a pink gypsy wedding dress, a wig of Rapunzel red plaits, a Viking hat and some purple plastic sandals. Australia could’ve heard Harry’s laugh when I walked out of the change room. “Are you taking photos of me?!” I squealed and covered my face. “You look horrible!” “This is the only time you are ever allowed to say that to me.” I said. “Strike a pose!” Harry called and I began posing in many different silly poses, him smiling the entire time. “Now, try this on!” I said, pushing him towards the other change room.
“Cassandra! I actually don’t want you to see me. You definitely won!” Harry called from behind the door. “C’mon you chicken! Come and smile for the camera.” I called and the door slowly opened. I couldn’t hold in my laughter for a second longer. “Shut up and take a photo!” “Hang on, hang on let me stop laughing.” I said, almost unable to breathe. “Oh my god that’s the best thing I have ever seen! I’m texting it to myself so I can set it as my wallpaper!” I said laughing again. “I want a photo of us two.” Harry said, giving me that amazing smile of his. “Excuse me sir, could you take a photo of us please?” Harry catches a man by his shoulder and holds out his iPhone. “Of course. You two both look… Interesting.” He laughed. “Smile, babe.” Harry said as he put his hand around my back and my hand placed on his torso. The flash went off, almost blinding me but Harry piped up “Just one more, please.” This time I was caught by surprise as his large hands grabbed my face and pulled it to his. In the photo I’ve got my eyes bulging and arms in weird positions like the stunned mullet I was. “Thank you very much.” Harry said to the man before he walked away to continue his shopping. “Now, this one’s going to be my wallpaper.” He said, pointing to the photo of us kissing. “I’m getting changed,” I giggled and blushed, “And, I believe you owe me lunch.” He bent down to kiss me but I didn’t let him and walked to the change rooms, looking back at him smirking.
After Harry buying me a nice winter fur coat and some picture frames for the photos we took today we started off walking to find somewhere to eat. While we walked we he kept my hand firm in his and I squeezed his tighter every so often causing him to smile. “The next restaurant we see we’re eating there. My feet are sore. I didn’t think I’d have to walk so far in wedges.” I laughed, my face screwing up at the pain my feet were suffering. “Sounds like a plan. Although I like you in heels, it makes you almost as tall as me.” Harry smiled sweetly and I squeezed his hand again. “Here we go. Sit outside or inside?” “Outside.” I replied, “It’s a lovely day, for London.” “You choose a table I’ll go get some menus.” Harry said and with a kiss he was off inside. There was a quaint little table for two against the window of the shop and I took a seat, getting out my phone to not look like a loner. “Here we go, babe. I stole a flower from their vase for you.” Harry returned, handing me a single red rose. I felt the smile grow on my face and when I held it up to my nose the most beautiful scent overcame me. “Don’t you like the rose?” Harry asked, worried at my eyes becoming watery. “No, no, no Harry of course I do! I love it. It just reminds me of home back in Australia. There was the most amazing rose garden in my backyard. I always used to pick them so we’d have fresh flowers in the house.” I reminisced, examining the rose carefully. “I always pricked myself on a thorn every time.” Harry reached for my hand across the table and brought it to his lips, kissing every one of my knuckles softly before holding it warmly in his. “What do you want to order, love?” He asked, distracting me like a true gentlemen.
“What are you doing at work at the moment?” I asked Harry as we sipped our drinks. “Busy at the moment. We’re finalising recording our new album, rehearsing our show and then in a couple of months we head out on an American tour for two months.” Harry told me. “What about you? How’s the InterContinental?” “Being apart of the most renowned luxury hotel chain in the world it’s always crazily busy. But because summer’s ending the low season’s about to hit so it’ll get slower soon.” I said, catching Harry very intrigued as to what I had to say.
“I have a chicken Caesar salad for you, miss.” The waitress said as she set the plate down in front of me, “And a gourmet club sandwich for you, sir. Enjoy guys.” “Thank you.” Harry and I both said at the same time, which caused both of us to laugh. “You know I used to be a waitress for a good 4 years.” I said. “Really? That I didn’t know.” “Yeah, as a part time job in high school at this place called Hogsbreath Café. That was crazy. We had to wear these Hawaiian shirts as our uniform and whenever we took an order we had to say this one-minute spiel about their steaks and kneel on the ground to be at the same level as them. Then when I moved down to Adelaide and went to the hotel management college I had to do six-month internships where I was a waitress, a housekeeper or a receptionist at hotels all around Australia.” I was smiling the whole time. “Tell me more. I’m interested in your story. I want to know about your life.” Harry said, stopping eating just to say that. He really was interested. “Well I graduated from college after four years with my two degrees and fluent in French and I worked as a receptionist at the InterContinental Sydney. I had been working there for three years when the HR manager came to me and asked if I’d like to work as the Front Office Manager in the InterContinental Park Lane in London. At first I declined because I was happy with my life. I had just bought a house in Sydney. I had all my friends and family with me and I was going well in my job. I didn’t want anything to change.” “What made you change your mind?” “Well I looked at pictures of London and read people’s stories about moving overseas. I researched what visas and passports I would need. This was all while I was very intoxicated. I thought that the pathways along the river were nice. That was the deciding factor for me at the time. So I sent away the applications for the visas, emailed my boss and said I’d move, booked flights and sorted everything. Then when I woke up not only did I have the worst hangover but also I was moving to the other side of the world in two months and there was no way I could get out of it. Anyway I warmed up to the idea and I was extremely excited about it, I couldn’t wait to get over here and experience everything. There’s so much more to do here! I’ve been here 6 months already and I still find new things to do every day. It’s amazing. I’m so glad I did it. The only downside is that I’m 10 hours behind Australia and whenever I try FaceTime friends or family I have to stay up till the early morning to get a decent time.” I pause for a second. “And that is the story of Cassandra Grey up until the day you met here.” Harry looked content. “That’s so cool. You’re just so… what’s the word…” He ran a hand through his curled head of hair, “Intriguing. You leave me wanting more. I just want to know more about you. You’re almost addicting. I want to spend time with you.” Harry confessed and I could feel my cheeks going red.
I still have the frames Harry bought me. I still have the two photos of us. We were so young. It’s amazing how some things still haven’t changed.
