I stared out of the train window, my earbuds sending gentle
music to my ears, and for a second, I pretended I was in a movie. Like that
moment in Bridget Jones’ Diary when
Bridget is on the train and Gabrielle’s Out
Of Reach plays. But I wasn’t miserable the way Bridget was. Even though
rain streamed down the windows as we sped through the Devonshire countryside, I
was content. Not fully content – the nature
of my relationship with Radleigh was a little too volatile for me to start
planning the wedding just yet – but I was calmer than I’d been in a while. Quietly
confident, and less cautious than before.
I’d said goodbye to Radleigh a few hours ago, both of us
going to our respective hometowns before we would reunite in Cornwall in a few
days. I smiled to myself. The idea of Radleigh McCoy in Cornwall always made me
chuckle; I couldn’t wait to see how he coped without a Starbucks on every
corner.
My phone began to vibrate across the table in front of me,
and I smiled again on seeing Freya’s name on the screen. I’d also only seen her
a few hours ago, but… we’re girls. A lot can happen in a few hours that needs
to be discussed! I disconnected my earbuds from my phone and paused my music to answer.
“Hi, Freya.”
“Hey, beautiful! Are you home yet?”
“No, I’ve still got an hour or so left. But that’s okay,
every time it stops raining I have great views of the sea to keep me entertained.”
This train route was one I’d been on many times, going back
and forth from London to Cornwall. The train line through Devon runs right
along the coastline, and the scenes are stunning, even when it’s grey and murky
outside.
“Cool. I’m just calling because you and I barely had time to
talk alone the last few days. You’re really not coming back to L.A right away?”
I gave a small laugh. I missed Freya as much as she missed me.
Since we used to live together, we became like sisters, and when I moved back
to the UK, it was rough on both of us.
“Come on, Freya. You know why I can’t. It’s too soon. I need
to just be with Radleigh away from the pressure of L.A for a while. Where we don’t
have to worry about being photographed while we’re still trying to figure
things out.”
“I understand. I just wish we’d had more time together.”
“Me too. But I’ll be over in December for Bree’s birthday
party, and I’m staying over Christmas so we’ll have a lot of time then.”
I practically heard her smile down the phone. “That’ll be
good. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I sound so clingy today. Seeing you again is
like… starting all over again, missing you so much.”
I knew what she meant. I missed all of my friends like
crazy, but they all had each other. In the UK, I had my family, and that was no
bad thing. But like me, everyone I used to know in my little hometown had all
moved away, and unlike me, none of them had come back to stay. Sometimes I felt
like a stranger, which was weird because virtually nothing looked different
since I left. The village was still pretty and quaint. Still lacked excitement.
“I miss you, too,” I said. “But we can do this. We’ll keep
Skyping, and texting. I’ll be back before you know it.”
**
Today's Game On Teaser:
Another good scene :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeletePicturing the view from the train window right now :-)
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteI love this scene because I LOVE RAIN. and I wants it. now. (this summer just refuses to die like it should :P )
ReplyDeleteLOL, you should come back to the UK, we have plenty!
DeleteI'd be happier in Cornwall than LA too. If there was rain and the movement of the train, I'd have gone right to sleep. So relaxing!
ReplyDeleteYup, it is relaxing!
DeleteI could live on a train.
ReplyDeleteHaha, trains aren't my favourite way to travel, but they do have their upsides!
DeleteThanks for sharing your work, Kyra. You sound American. Are you from Britain or the U.S.? I'm from St. Louis, but I find myself slipping into British slang when I listen to my Clash cd's a lot or read something by Orwell or Lewis. I wonder if that happens to English people when they read Hemingway or Hawthorne. Anyway, see ya.
ReplyDeleteHa, I am, in fact, English! But yes, I find myself slipping into American pretty easily after watching movies or TV shows set in the US!
DeleteI love riding on trains, and you described the scene so well that I want to ride on that particular train! Of course, I've always wanted to visit the UK. If I ever do, riding a train will be part of my agenda.
ReplyDeleteIf you do come over, I will take you on that train ride! :D
DeleteNicely done. I like a good train journey! Hope everything goes well in Cornwall for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick!
Deleteif only I could go back to England!
ReplyDeleteJamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
Aww! <3
DeleteIt's a great train journey. Hoping the Dawlish line reopens as planned.
ReplyDeleteIt's opening today - hurrah!
DeleteStill lacked excitement - that made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteLol, poor Leah, she's all about the excitement!
DeleteI want to go to England so bad. :) Also, you have the coolest character names.
ReplyDeleteIt's my mission to get as many of my online friends over here as possible LOL!
DeleteOne of these days I'm going to visit England.
ReplyDeleteAs for your teaser at the end--those are the kind of books I love the best. When they don't start out immediately in love but at some point they realize the challenge of being together makes them both better and they can't live without each other.
Thanks, Charity! :D
DeleteI loved this glimpse between the two. I've traveled by train through England and always enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteOh cool! Most people who read this have just been imagining how it looks, but you might have seen it for real! :D
DeleteSo sweet, friends missing each other. Loved the teaser, you used few words to express a big moment.
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3
Deletecompelling writing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cynthia!
DeleteLove this vignette of friendship :)
ReplyDeleteDamyanti Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014, Latest Post
Twitter: @damyantig
#atozchallenge