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Chapter one
Bella
I stare out of the window. Trees and buildings whizz by so fast creating colourful stripes and patterns. I try to focus on the beauty it creates rather than my increased heart rate, sweaty palms and the bile which threatens to escape my stomach.I’m on the 7:00am fast train to London Euston.I’ve left my little hometown, where I’ve lived my whole 28 years, and I am starting afresh in the capital city. I have been offered an opportunity I could not refuse. A chance to enhance my career and finally put my hard work and skills to use. My phone alerts me to a what’s app message.
John: YOU’RE MAKING A MISTAKE BELLA. COME HOME!!
Another reason why I’m relocating. I delete the message. I won’t let him spoil this for me. I go on my emails and reread the job offer I received, for about the 100thtime:
From: Rebecca@foster&thomas.co.uk
Dear Bella White,
I am pleased to offer you the position of senior stylist at the Foster & Thomas salon at Trinity King.
We were very impressed with you on your trial day, you fit in with the team well, and we believe your skills will be an asset to the Foster & Thomas family.
I hope that you accept the offer. I understand that it will mean relocating for yourself but I am sure I do not need to explain what an incredible opportunity this is.
As we spoke about in your interview, the position comes with many benefits one of which is accommodation. You will find all the benefits and details of your position in the attached document.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Rebecca Thomas.
I am still in disbelief that I actually got the job. This is it, the start of my new life. Time to follow my dreams.
I have accepted a senior stylist position in one of London’s top hair salons. The salon Foster & Thomas is situated in one of London’s finest hotels, Trinity by King. The hotel is on Trinity Square and is one of many of the ‘King’ 5 star hotels. The King hotel chain has hotels all over the world. I hadn’t been inside one until the day I went for my job trial. I have never seen a hotel so beautiful. The way it smelt stays in my memory the most. As soon as I entered those revolving doors my senses were hit with the sweetest, freshest smell I had ever come across. Apparently, this was the King hotel’s signature scent for all their hotels. No wonder the hotel chain was so popular. Foster & Thomas is any stylist’s dream employer. How I, Bella White, from a small town in the middle of nowhere, have managed to land a job there is little short of a miracle. But I believe in miracles, in dreams and fairy tales and this miracle had arisen at the perfect time.
I’ve lived a very normal, sheltered life up to now. I grew up in a lovely little village where everyone knew everyone. I had the perfect childhood, growing up in a loving family and living in a modest family home with my mother and father, wanting for nothing. I went to the local schools and always had lots of friends. When I left school, I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser. My parents encouraged me to follow my heart and would have stuck by me whatever I had chosen. I’ve worked at my local salon ‘Joyce’s’ from being 14. Starting as the Saturday girl, working my way up to being a senior stylist. I loved it. I worked so hard getting all the qualifications I could and attending course after course in the latest techniques. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to use these techniques very often. The only time I did was when I convinced one of my friends to be my guinea pig. It was a typical shampoo and set type salon, nothing very exciting. I’ve always wanted to do so much more.
I recently attended a colour training course in London. One of the girls on the course said she worked at Foster & Thomas and that she was emigrating a month later. I googled the salon on my train ride home. I saw the job position advertised on their website, and for some reason, I filled out the application form.
One week ago, I received the email from Rebecca. Now I am on a train to Euston London. I have my suitcase, my handbag and an extremely sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. The past week felt like a blur. I’ve been so busy sorting everything out I haven’t had a chance to stop and think. Am I doing the right thing? I’ll soon find out, and if it doesn’t work out, I can “get straight back on that train and come home”in the words of my father. This is just what I need.
One month ago, my boyfriend since I was 18 years old, proposed. We were childhood sweethearts or so everyone said. John was my first and only boyfriend. We’d been together for 10 years; grown up on the same street. Our parents were friends- it seemed the perfect fit. We bought a house together two years previously- a lovely two bed cottage. Our friends and family had been asking for years when they’d be able to ‘buy a hat’ for our wedding. John and I had spoken about marriage but both agreed we weren’t ready for that yet. I loved John but marriage just didn’t feel right for me. I thought it was the same for John- apparently not.
There had been a charity night at the local golf club; entertainment, food and drinks. All our family and friends were there. It had been a great night; my girlfriends had been there and we danced the night away. We were on the dance floor, myself and my girls dancing and singing away to Take That “ Never Forget”. The music suddenly went off and a spotlight shone on the stage. There was John.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry to interrupt your night, I won’t take much of your time. There is a very special lady on the dance floor tonight and I would like to ask her a question.” John reached for a small box out of his jacket pocket and got down on one knee. There were gasps and “awws” from the audience but my heart sank. My chest was so tight I couldn’t breathe. I had to get out of there- so I ran.
I eventually went home about 2am, after being at my best friend Chloe’s house. She had chased me out of the golf club and taken me back to hers. Chloe knew how I felt about the marriage situation. She’d held me while I cried and promised to stick by me whatever happened, which I had no doubt she would. I finally went home to face John. I felt so bad for doing that to him. I did love him, and I never wanted to hurt him, but things had changed between us. John had changed. That night John gave me my reason to leave. He hit me so hard in the face that there was no way even I could justify his actions.
I definitely did the right thing leaving John but I was going to miss my parents so much and my friends, especially Chloe. Chloe had thankfully waited outside after dropping me off that night. She heard my scream and let herself in. She packed my things and took me to her house, which is where I’ve stayed until leaving for London. I made her promise not to tell anyone about what John had done though; he’d been hurt enough. He felt very guilty and was sorry for doing it. He’d had a lot to drink. I’d really hurt him, not that I thought that made it excusable but simply that he had enough to deal with right now. I gave Chloe my car, my beloved yellow Mini. I didn’t have time to sell it, plus I loved it and know Chloe will look after it. She didn’t have a car, so I thought it was a little thank you for all she had done for me. After all I don’t need a car where I’m going.
As well as working in a top salon in one of the best hotels in London, I will also be living there. The hotel has living quarters for staff, little studio apartments, and one has just become available. I’ve been offered it as part of the job opportunity. It seems too good to be true really, how could I turn down an offer like that? Yes, I have done the right thing, definitely. I just wish my nerves would believe it.
I left the train at Euston and my anxiety kicked in. I now have to get on the tube. London is so busy. I’ve never seen so many people in one place. Everyone is rushing around talking on phones. If you stop moving, you are sure to get knocked over. I follow the signs and make my way to the tube station. It isn’t my first time in London; I’ve been a couple of times before for training and for my trial, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. It is so different to home. I quickly text my parents and Chloe to let them know I’ve arrived at Euston and that I am about to get the tube. I check the map and find the line to take me to Tower Hill. The tube station is only a short walk from the hotel, a ‘stone’s throw’ as Rebecca said (she obviously hasn’t seen me try and throw a ball). I stand, checking and double checking the line making sure I have the right one. I walk to the line and stand on the platform. It quickly fills up with people pushing and shoving. The first time I came to London and used the tube I was so overwhelmed. I was frozen to the platform. I watched 4 trains go past before I built up the courage and pushed my way on.
I stand ready for the rush, as the train pulls up. I grab my case and with as much confidence as I can muster, I jump on. I’ve never been very confident in myself; I always worry about things and get anxious but I try not to let it stop me doing things. I always feel a little elated when I have completed something I felt so anxious about. Like now, standing outside the tube station, breathing in the cool fresh air. I’m proud of myself for getting here. I get my bearings for a moment and allow my breathing and heart rate to steady. I check my phone maps and set off in the direction I need to go, then I ring my mum. I’m so happy to hear her voice, even though I only saw her a few hours ago waving me off at the station.
“Hello sweetheart, have you arrived safely?” she questions.
“Yes, I am here, safe and sound,” I reply.
“I am so glad. We are so proud of you sweetie. Now you go and show them how wonderful you are. Call us later when you have settled in. We love you Bella,” say Mum and Dad in unison. They always have their phone on loudspeaker.
