The Foretelling (Charlotte Bloom #1) (25 page)

"I guess my life is a little bit more complicated than that.

"It doesn’t have to be." She smiled at me, and took my hand in hers. "Life is what you make of it. Why should you settle for anything less than happiness?"

I sat there with her, holding her hand and taking in the scenery from the window. The pub overlooked the ocean, and it was astoundingly beautiful. I didn’t want to leave. I knew deep down that I belonged here. But I also knew that I had responsibilities back in L.A. I had to take care of everything before I could come back. And I would. I vowed to come back.

"Well, you probably want a ride back, right? Unless you were planning on running another ten miles?"

I laughed and we headed out. She told Henry’s parents, who were playing cards in the corner, that she was headed out for a few minutes. On the car ride home, we chatted about Henry and how he and Mary had met. I was still in shock that he had been married. I supposed crazier things had happened. When she dropped me off, I hurried inside to shower. I felt disgusting from the sweat, sand, and salty crisps. I probably smelled like sweat, dirt, and beer.
Ick.

I took a quick shower and dried my hair. I pulled on the striped summer dress and wedges, throwing my hair up in a messy Heidi braid. I needed to eat some real food or I was going to pass out. I chugged a glass of water and grabbed my keys, locking the door behind me. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed some leftover stew, and heated it up on the stove. I made myself a small cup of coffee as well. As I stood there, sipping coffee, I realized I hadn’t seen Alec all day. I missed him. It was a startling feeling. With Harry, I never really missed him, even when we were long distance. It just never felt like I should miss him. I always chalked it up to being a strong, independent woman, but I now realized it was because I was probably never truly in love with him. It wasn't the same maddening, passionate, consuming feeling that I felt with Alec. I was just about to sit down and begin reading a new book in the common room when Helen came shuffling over to me, looking frantic.

"Charlotte, I’ve been looking for you all afternoon! Where’ve you been?"

"Sorry, I was on a run, and then I stopped by the pub to see Mary. Everything OK?"

"Yes, but this man keeps calling our telephone, asking for you." My heart sank.
Harry.
"He said his name is Allen. He’s an attorney."

"Oh. Did you get his number?"

"Yes, here, follow me," she said, leading me back to the check-in desk.

I felt a heavy, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had known I would only be able to run away for so long before things caught up with me here. Helen handed me a slip of paper, gave me a small hug, and walked away. I looked down. It was a 310 number. Los Angeles county. I took a few deep breaths and dialed the international operator, giving her the number. It rang twice before a man with a deep voice picked up. I checked my watch. It would be just before 9 a.m. in Los Angeles right now.

"Allen Healding speaking."

"Uh, hi, this is Charlotte Bloom. You left a message for me earlier," I explained, hoping he would remember. I had no idea what was in store for me.

"Ah, yes, Mrs. Bloom. Lovely to finally chat with you."

"Is everything OK?"

"Well, yes and no. I suggest you meet with me on Monday to discuss your pending divorce. We may be able to sort everything out in one day. There weren’t any children, and the assets can be divided evenly, which is what Mr. Bloom suggested we do. It’s a piece of cake, but we do have a lot to discuss face to face. My client seeks divorce immediately, and in order for me to process everything, I need to speak with both of you in person."

"Monday? That’s in two days. I’m currently in the United Kingdom."

"Well, I suggest you fly out at your earliest convenience."

"OK. I’ll try and work something out."

"See you Monday, Mrs. Bloom. I look forward to meeting you."

And with that, he hung up. I was fuming. I had known this time would come. I had anticipated it every day, gauging Harry’s tone in his emails. I needed to speak with Harry. I had thought he understood my situation. I dialed the operator, and then Harry’s cell number.

"Hello?"

"Why did you have Mr. Healding call me here? I told you, I’m coming back in September. I still need more time."

"Charlotte… you’ve been gone for almost two months! Things need to be dealt with! You can’t keep acting like a child, and running away from a bad situation. I know you’re having a ‘jolly good’ time in Wales, but you need to come home. We need to talk. Be a big girl and come home."

I didn’t have a rebuttal. He was right. I knew he was. It had to be dealt with. Sure, he was being a bit rude about the whole thing, but deep down, I felt the same way. How long could I go on pretending that this was my life? How long could I play the bed and breakfast employee, traipsing around with my new friend, Mary, and my new boy-toy, Alec? What was I expecting? I’d come here to find my happiness again, and I had found it. I was happier than ever. I'd never stopped smiling, not once, until Mr. Healding’s call. But… shit had to be dealt with. As an adult, I realized that. I needed to be an adult. I needed to go home.

"I’m just so happy here."

"It’s not real life, Charlotte. It’s not real life."

His words resonated with me.
It’s not real life.
I thought of our friends and family, who had all emailed me at one point or another asking when I was coming home. I imagined them chuckling to one another when they talked about me, saying I was a crazy woman who had run off to Wales because I was having a mental breakdown. It seemed crazy. I knew that. It was irresponsible, and neglectful of my life in L.A., and yet… I’d been so happy. It had to come to an end. Everything good ends, I thought, pessimistically.

The PR for the Parc was pretty much done. I’d set Helen and George up with a basic understanding of everything to do with the computer and social media. My heart sank as I realized I would have to tell them I was leaving. No, that I
had
to leave, to deal with everything back home. I could help them remotely if need be. I had to tell Katie, Henry, and Mary. A sob escaped my lips as I thought of having to tell Mary that I was leaving. I shook with grief as I thought of Alec. He had known I would have to leave eventually… right? He had to have known. But the thought of telling him that I had to leave tomorrow, or even tonight… that thought killed me. I couldn’t deal with having that conversation. It would be the hardest conversation of them all.

"Charlotte… I’m sorry. But please, come home now."

"I’ll be home tomorrow," I cried between sobs, hanging up.

I sat the receiver back in its port. I rocked back and forth, trembling with grief. Tears poured out of my eyes and down my cheeks. I cried into my hands, as quietly as possible. I knew this time had to come, but it was too soon. I couldn’t leave now. But if I didn’t leave, this would turn into something bigger and uglier. I understood where Harry was coming from. He wanted this behind him. He wanted to move on. I did too. I wanted nothing more. And yet the thought of leaving shook me to my very core. I had my happiness here. I was a different person here. What would happen if I went home?

I composed myself, sat up, and wiped my face off with a tissue. I had to do this. It was either now or in September. I would have to face reality eventually. I slowly turned to the computer. I reluctantly logged onto the KLM airlines website and searched for flights back to Los Angeles. I felt like I was cheating on Helen and George by leaving. I looked around. Helen was nowhere to be seen, and I was pretty sure Alec was out riding horses. Now was the best time to do this. A lump formed in my throat when I realized only two flights were leaving to Los Angeles in the next twenty-four hours. There was one later that night, at 10 p.m., and one the next day at noon. The latter one got in on Sunday evening, L.A. time. I chose that one, paid, and logged out immediately. It was set in stone. I was leaving in less than twenty-four hours. I had a lot to do.

First, I had to pack. I walked to my room and went inside. Everything seemed different now. This had all been temporary. The room was a hotel room. I had barely six outfits to my name. I’d run out of travel toiletries weeks ago, and I was using the ones provided by the Parc. I didn’t fit in here. I didn’t have a place anymore. Helen and George didn’t need me anymore. I didn’t have a real home here, or a real job, when I thought about it. It made sense for me to be moving on. The fairytale had to end sometime.

Alec was… I wasn’t sure what Alec was. My heart raced every time I saw him. We’d gotten to know each other so well over the last few weeks. I smiled when I thought of him, and how he held my hand, laughed at my jokes, how he wanted to be more than friends… what could’ve been. He’d asked me to stay. He’d kissed me. He was falling in love with me. And, I slowly admitted to myself, I was falling in love with him. I quickly packed up all of Mary’s clothes, except for the mohair sweater. I wanted to keep that as a memory of her. I also kept the dress I was wearing. I knew I was acting morbid, thinking of saying goodbye. It’s not like I would never see these people again. I would come back as soon as I could.

I was able to fit all of my clothes into my original suitcase. Even my new boots and parka. I counted my cash before storing it in my wallet. I’d made quite a lump sum working at the hotel. It would be a nice cushion for life back in L.A.

I quickly did a once over in the mirror and cleaned the running mascara off of my slightly sunburned cheeks. I straightened my dress, grabbed my keys and my grey cardigan, and headed out. It was starting to get dark and I knew it would be chilly. I found Helen in the kitchen with George and Katie.
Perfect.
I could tell them all at once. Helen ran over to me the instant she saw me.

"You have to go, don’t you?"

"Yes, I’m so sorry," I cried, as my voice broke. I fell into her and blubbered continuously for a couple of minutes. I felt George massaging my back, and Katie grabbed my hand, kissing it once.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow at noon. I have to sort some things out, and then I’ll be back."

They all looked at me with the same look of understanding. They knew I had to go.

"I’ll ring Uncle Thomas and have him come pick you up around 10 a.m.," George said, coming over to give me a hug.

"Thank you all for everything you’ve done," I said quietly. "I promise to come back. It’s not goodbye, just a ‘see ya later,’" I said, trying to convince myself as well as the others.

We all hugged, and I quietly asked George if he would drive me to the pub, so that I could tell Mary and Henry. He agreed.

The ride over was a quiet one. I could tell that he and Helen were sad to see me go, and I tried not to think about it as we rode in his old, maroon Lincoln town car. I’d been in this car a couple of times to run into town or to the pub. George always graciously offered to drive me anywhere I needed to go. I had Mary’s bag of clothes between my legs in the passenger seat. Soon George pulled up to the pub. I looked over at him, gave him another giant hug, and thanked him.

I grabbed the bag of clothes and headed in. The pub was a little busier now that it was officially evening. I checked my watch: 5:45 p.m. I walked in to the pub, searching for Mary. I spotted her canoodling with Henry behind the bar. Again, I was grateful they were together, so that I would only have to do this once.

"Lady, aren’t you sick of me yet?!" Mary yelled, coming over to hug me. She pulled back, looked at the bag of clothes, my red eyes, and my trembling lip. "Oh dear. Let’s go in the back," she said, taking my hand and leading me. Henry followed, sensing my distress. Mary pulled me into the office and Henry followed. They waited for me to talk.

"I have to leave," I said, crying at the same time. "Harry contacted a divorce attorney and I’m meeting with him on Monday. It’s better now than in a few weeks, when it’ll probably be even harder to leave," I reasoned. "I can’t keep pretending this is my life. I have things to deal with. I have responsibilities that I’ve been neglecting. My flight leaves at noon tomorrow," I said, not moving.

"We understand," said Mary quietly, coming over to hug me. Henry followed suit. I cried into their shoulders for a few seconds. "Just promise to come back, OK?" I nodded, weeping as they stroked my arm.

"We’ll miss you," Henry said, looking down at me. "But I think I know who is going to miss you most of all."

I nodded. The easy part was over now. I’d told Helen and the other workers, and now Mary and Henry knew. I felt sick thinking of telling Alec.

"Well, duh, if you don’t leave until tomorrow, we should throw you a party!" Mary exclaimed, before nudging Henry. "Yeah… I’ll call everyone at the Parc and we can have one last hurrah! I’ll have Helen shuttle everyone over, and it’ll be so much fun!"

I smiled.

"I would love nothing more. But I can’t. I need to tell Alec," I said.

"Tell Alec what?"

Alec came into the office, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. He was carrying white lilies, my favorite flower. He’d slicked back his hair and shaved, revealing a chiseled, epically handsome face beneath the scruff. I liked the scruff, but this cleaned-up Alec was definitely just as swoon-worthy.