AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I will have to speak with Mr Lucas first, but I don’t think it will be a problem.”
“He looks busy, don’t worry, I’ll call him myself when I get back, I’ll wait outside for the taxi.”
Back in the apartment, I grab my case and head back out. I don’t feel comfortable here. Maybe it will be better once I have a few things of my own. Who knows, this is better than where I was. I have to keep telling myself that.
I asked the taxi man to wait while I grabbed my things. When I got back, he asked me, “Where to?” and I had no idea where I wanted to go. I had not been anywhere yet to find a nice spot to sit in.
“Can you recommend somewhere I can sit and stay for a while, somewhere with a view maybe?”
“The Manor Hotel, where I picked you from, has comfy garden seating with heaters, and the grounds are beautiful. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great, means I don’t have to walk far with a broken rib,” I say smiling.
“If you had told me that love, I would have carried your case down the stairs for you!” Shaking his head in the mirror, he pulls away.
“There is also Bruno’s. Next time you’re out and about, it’s a great coffee shop.”
“Thanks, I’ll check it out.” He talks about all the places I should visit and I write them down in my notebook, deciding to see a few of them over the next few days.
“If I want to find things to do, like creative things, where would I go?”
“You’re best off going to the small biz hub, it’s like a centre where they have stalls, and all that stuff, it’s down by the sea front.”
“Who needs the internet when we have you!” I can feel myself feeling better as the morning goes on. I feel a plan starting to click into place, I’m excited, and I don’t remember the last time I felt excited to be on my own, to be free.
Walking back into the hotel, I head to the café and order a really big coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. Once I have them, I walk out to the garden and find the comfy sofas the driver talked about. Clicking on the heater, I settle in.Fuck me, these are comfy.I sink into the seat as it wraps around me, this is amazing. Taking my notebook out of my bag, I place it on the table. I need to clear my head and get a plan in place. Decide on my next step, what I want to do and have and how I will get it. I take a look at my list and decide to write a fresh one. It’s a new start, so a new list would be appropriate.
I scratch off the old list and start again, but this time I start thinking about how I want my life to be, who I am, what I love, and also the many things I would have loved to do/get done when I was with Glen, but he would never allow me to, so the first thing I write is:
Create my own design company
I trained as a fashion designer. I loved creating funky images and applying them to all manner of clothing and bags. I was so close to starting my business when I met Glen, but he instantly took a dislike to it, and said I would never be able to do it, that I lacked everything you needed to run a business appropriately. Well I’ll show him, I just need to figure where to start with it, and how I will finance it. I know I can support myself with the job I’m doing. It’s not much but I can make it work, if I get another job. I remember Dan saying they had jobs going here, I’ll ask at reception on my way back.
2.Do some yoga
I may not be able to do some right now, or join a class. I know that will work out to more money, but I’m sure there will be an app I can use to get me started. It’s the one positive thing I cantake from my relationship with Glen. He liked that I was willing to work on myself. I was bigger than the other girls he knew. And he always reminded me of how much slimmer they were compared to me, so I took a few exercise classes but I enjoyed the yoga the most and stuck with it.
3.Get my dream tattoo
I remember designing one once, it was a beautiful simple floral design. I wanted it to run over my shoulder, down my back and arm, tiny flowers, hundreds of them clustered together like a vine. I have a picture of it on my phone, I’ll see how much it would be to get done.
4. Sell my house
This one still scares the shit out of me, I have no idea how I’m going to do it, but I need to do it. It’s the only thing that ties me to that place, and him now, and I want rid of it.
5. Buy my own place
I can’t do this until I sell that… I sigh a little, this is not a short term plan.
6. Always stand up for myself, be independent
The rest speak for themselves, I’m excited, but so nervous at the same time, also a little angry at myself for not doing these things before and letting him control me and treat me the way he did for such a long time. But now I have a plan, something to focus on, which I have been missing this last week, it feels good.
Sitting back, I take a good look at the view, the gardens look down onto a huge lawned area filled with trees, beautiful flowers, and shrubs, it all looks out on the seafront. The place has such a relaxing feel to it, it’s stunning. I might stay out here all day, but I need more coffee first. Eventually I manage to stand up and head back inside. Fifteen minutes later, I have my second delicious coffee in hand and I slowly walk back outside. The sun is still shining when I sit back down in my cosy spot and pull one of the blankets over my lap. The sun may be shining butit’s still cold. Leaning back in the oversized chair, I close my eyes and start to relax, feeling the warm sun on my face, and it feels wonderful.
