New Beginnings 7

It took me 15 minutes to get into town. I could not really remember where I was going I just remember that I only had to go straight down the road. It was then I noticed the little green walkway. It was a sort of park really but there were no swings or anything and it was very small. I crossed over the road and walked through the tiny park. There were a couple of people walking about but none seemed to look which seemed a bit unusual, everyone always seemed to when we were kids. I was on Sandra Street now I looked down at the line of tiny businesses. They were all small and wooden buildings. I saw the tiny grocery store and crossed the road. I walked past my dad's diner and to the entrance of the store. When I walked in I had to search for what I wanted. I needed all the ingredients for the chocolate cake I was going to bake. I was also getting some crisps and popcorn and whatever else I could find that would fill the hole in my stomach. I noticed the tiny woman with grey hair who was staring at me I released I was frantic in my search.1

"Can I help you?" She asked 2

"Yes please, where's the coke?" 3

"It's in the fridge just behind you dear." She said. I turned and there was the big fridge filled with lots of coke. I lifted out a bottle and made my way to the counter where she was standing.4

"Thank you." I said as I handed her the basket I had filled.5

"Your welcome, are you ok?" she asked. I looked at her I must look terrible.6

"Yes, thank you I just got some news." I said. She looked at me7

"You must be Jonathan's daughter? Cecilia told me you were here." She said. So how many people knew I was here and why I was here?8

"Yes I am." I said9

"Oh, it’s lovely to see you again dear. You haven't been here in a while?" 10

"Yes, it’s been to long." 11

"How long are you staying for?" She said. Talk about 50 questions but I had to get used to this, small town.12

"I'm not sure at the minute." 13

"Well you know Dr Walker is looking for a nurse for his practice." She said while hitting numbers on her cash register.14

"Oh, is he." Nursing was not really what I wanted to do now. But she had a point.15

"Yes dear, that will be $29.47 please," she said. I handed her the twenty and a ten-dollar bill.16

"Put the change in the box." I said as I turned to the door.17

"Goodbye dear, have a good day." She said I half turned back.18

"Bye." I said. I turned back but there was someone coming in and they held the door open for me. I looked around my bags to see a tall man with dark curly hair and light blue eye's they were so light that they stood out. He smiled at me.19

"Thank you" I said. Still looking and he still had his eyes on me.20

"Your welcome." He said as I walked past him out the door.21

I decided I would call in and see Dad. If he seen me and knew I hadn't come in he would be upset. So I walked to the door of the diner and in. Thankfully the door was open because with the 2 big paper bags I had I was never getting the door open. I walked in and set them on the counter. Dad just looked at me.22

"Hi honey, how come your out?" he said smiling. I thought this must be because it was the first time I'd been out of the house.23

"There was no was no junk food in the house and I really needed it. I got a letter and a cheque." I said sitting on the stool at the counter.24

"Really, who from?" He said suspiciously. I had a feeling what he was thinking even though he was wrong.25

"It was from Thomas Alexander. He wanted me to know he was sorry and sorry that I felt I had to leave. There was a cheque for £15.000 for your side of the wedding. It’s in my name but we can put it in your account when it has cleared." I said. He looked at me.26

"Keep it. It was a gift for you. I don't want it, use it to start again." He said without thinking. 27

“Dad I couldn't, not that much." 28

"You already did. Now that's enough, I want to hear nothing else about it. What would you like?" 29

"A strawberry milkshake, please." 30

I walked out of the diner and thankfully I had no bags. Dad was going to bring them home and I'd just had an ice-cream sundae so it wasn't that bad. I'd have another fix of chocolate later. I thought about what the lady in the shop had said. Dr Walker is looking for a nurse at the practice and here I am now with a lot of Money. It was then as I looked up to check before I crossed the road I noticed it on the door beside the antique shop. In large letters, Apartment to rent. Was all it said? I looked at it and I thought. It’s a sign. I could afford to rent an apartment right now. I decided to wait till I got back to Dad's before I made any decisions. I could see a career that did not focus on nursing. I walked home slowly when I got there Cecilia was already home. I walked in through the front door and she ran to the Hall from the Kitchen. 31

"Are you ok, where were you? I was so frightened when I got home and you were gone." 32

"I went to the shop and to see dad." 33

"Oh, well that's fine. Its just you haven't moved in almost 2 weeks and you have been so down and then I come home and you're gone and the TV is still on and I find the note on the hall floor." 34

"And you thought I'd killed myself." I said sounding as sarcastic as I could.35

"I'm sorry." 36

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't turn of the TV."37

"Well I care more about you and as long as you’re fine." 38

"Cecilia, the apartment for rent above the antique store in town do you know who owns it?" I said trying to sound casual. 39

"Yes, it belongs to my friend Heather she's had it up for a couple of months. Why?" 40

"I seen it today and I just wondered what the rent was." I said. She looked at me very surprised.41

"Why are you thinking about staying for longer? I could always ask. You know Dr Walker" I cut her off.42

"Yes I know he is looking for a nurse." I said. Why did everyone want me to be a nurse?43

"Well my friend Heather is also looking for a part time receptionist at her hotel. You could juggle the two." 44

I liked the sound of this something different and a few days here and there so I would not forget my degree and annoy everyone by turning my back on it.45

"I like the sound of that." I said and I felt happy at the change.46

"Will I phone and see then?"47

"Yeah, go ahead. I'm going to go the bathroom." I started to walk up the stairs and I went into the bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror. This is it this is my change. I now have a goal for life. I want to change everything about me. The first thing I'm changing is no man. I don't want a boyfriend. My new goal for life, Get over him and be happy. I heard the shouting from downstairs very loudly. 48

"Hurry up, were going to see the apartment and to meet Heather." Cecilia shouted. I ran down the stairs and followed her to her car jumping into the passenger seat. We drove down the road and when we got there Heather was already there. Cecilia parked on the side of the road and we both got out. walking towards Heather. 49

"Heather, this is Allison." Cecilia said50

"Hello, Allison it's nice to meet you." Heather said. She seemed very friendly. She had Blonde hair that was sort of wavy and down to her shoulder blades. 51

"Hi Heather." 52

"So you want to see the apartment. Let’s go?" Heather said opening the door. I followed her into the tiny hall and up the stairs it had a mink coloured carpet. When we got to the top she stopped, turned to me and said.53

"Go on ahead; I'll let you see it first." I opened the door and looked round. It was beautiful. The Walls were all white and it had oak floors. It was all open planned and you could see the kitchen the black granite work tops and the high breakfast bar that was higher of the back of the worktops. I loved it as soon as I opened the door. I walked about and was followed in my Heather and Cecilia. It even had sash windows.54

"Well?" Heather said. I looked at her55

"I love it." I said still smiling.56

"Do you want it?" 57

"Yes I do, very much." 58

"And the job do you want it too?" Heather said. This was brilliant the apartment and the job.59

"Yes and the job to." 60

"Good you can move in when you want. You start the job tomorrow at 8.30. You now work on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday." She said as she threw me the keys.61

"What am I going do about furniture?" I said looking at Cecilia. As we climbed down the stairs, and out onto the street. All she said was.62

"Don't worry yourself, Wal-Mart deliver."63

"Well I'll see you in the morning then." Heather said and turned to walk down Sandra Road.64

"Well's let go, we have something else to sort out." Cecilia said and she grabbed my arm.65

"What? Where are we going?" I said as she crossed towards Main Street pulling me along with her.66

"We are going to see Dr Walker." She said still tugging at my sleeve like I was going to object.67

Later that night after everyone had been informed of my plans Cecilia and I looked at the Wal-Mart web site. We ordered most of the furniture from it even though she kept insisting I should go to see it first. I didn't want to I just wanted it all to be done so we ordered anyway. It wouldn't take long to come as we paid the extra for delivery. I was happy it was all sorted that afternoon we had went to see Dr Walker. He was thrilled with the idea and happily agreed to me part time on the days between my shifts at the hotel. I was now working with him on Monday, Thursday and Fridays. Which meant I had to work a 6-day week? Although, my shifts with Dr Walker were only 4 hours a day. So it wasn't that bad. I got up from the computer to get a drink when Granddad came over and put his arms round me. This was a surprise Granddad kept to himself a lot in the whole time I'd been here I could count on my hand how many conversations I'd had with him. He went for long walks everyday and I hardly seen him so as I stood with his arms around me I didn't know what to do the last time he had done this I was around 14.68

"I'm so happy you're staying with us. Now we just have to work on your brother." He said. Then it hit. What were mum and Kevin going to do about me getting a job and an apartment here and how was I going to tell them. I would have to ring them but what to say. I looked at the clock it was 8.20 so back home it would be after 12. I have to ring them tomorrow after work. I decided to go up and get my things ready for tomorrow I had to pick something out to wear and I could also work on what I was going to say. I went to bed around 10pm in order to get up at 6am in the morning.69