New Beginnings 8

When the alarm went of the next morning it scared me half to death. I lifted the blankets of me and pushed my legs out of the bed and sat up. I wasn't nervous I couldn't wait this was it my new life just beginning. I got up and got a shower and got ready. I wore black trouser and a plain white shirt that had a thin black belt around it. I fixed my hair and decided it was the next thing I wanted to change so when I looked in the mirror I saw someone slightly different. I grabbed my handbag and my shoes and walked down the stairs as soon as I got to the hall I smelt the sweet smell of something cooking. It was the first time I had been up this early since I got here. I walked into the Kitchen and Cecilia was making pancakes. I looked at the clock it was just after 7am. Cecilia looked up at me with a smile.1

"Good morning, are you excited?" She asked I realised that Dad and the girl's were at the table all looking at me for my answer.2

"Yes, I'm very excited." 3

"Oh good, sit down breakfast is almost ready." 4

"Can I help you?" She smiled wider now.5

"Of course not, you have a long day ahead and I love doing breakfast." I walked over and sat beside the others at the table. I sat in the middle of their long conversation about which brats doll was best Gabriella’s or Lucy’s and dad was even in the middle of this conversation now. I just sat there smirking listening to dad telling them that Lucy’s had the best hair. Cecilia brought are breakfast over it was pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs.6

Dad drove me to the Interlaken. I started to feel a bit nervous; as I got to the door I got out of the car and looked around at Dad with the door still open. He smiled7

"Good luck, honey." Was all he said I closed the door and he drove off leaving me? I took a deep breath opened the door and walked in. I noticed the green carpet and the mahogany fireplace. It smelt like a cross between the fire and cinnamon. It was very warm and strangely welcoming. I looked over at the little reception desk there was a guy sitting at it. He was in his mid 20's he was sorting through paper. He had brown hair and tan skin he was wearing a black shirt with a light blue tie. I walked over to him and he looked up.8

"Hello, welcome to the Interlaken inn, Can I help you?" He said9

"Hi, I'm Allison Webb, I'm starting today." I said he suddenly slouched and looked up and smiled.10

"Thank god, you looked like you had a complaint. Hi, I'm Marcus my mum told me you were starting today. She also told me to say sorry she couldn't be here. So you'll have to do with me. I've to train you but I've got a bit of a hangover so don't worry it won't be bad."11

"Ok, thanks" I said 12

"Come on round, I think you should start by reading the website. It has a lot of information on it about the things for the guest's to do. Then I'll show you how to check people in and the other duties to be done around here." He said as I walked around the desk to sit in the seat beside him. He had the website up so I could look at it. I started reading through the activities that the guest could do from Walks, Bike Rides, Fly-fishing and even a shooting ground. I looked through as much as I could for about 30 minutes as Marcus nursed his hangover he was drawing on a sheet of paper he had a picture of the little car park outside and the trees behind. It was pretty good.13

"That's really good." He looked up as if he had forgotten I was here.14

"Thanks that four year's of art school for you and now look at me still working in my mums place. Although it’s not that bad I have a couple of paintings hanging in the local gallery on Main Street." He said looking at me.15

"That's brilliant." I said he must be really good if he had pictures hanging in a gallery. I think I'll have to take a look.16

"So why don't you tell me a bit about yourself. Where in Ireland are you from? Mum said but I only hear half of what she tells me so." On the last word he shrugged his shoulders.17

"I'm from Belfast in Northern Ireland." I said 18

"Oh, what's Belfast like anything I ever saw of it on the news always made it look pretty scary. You know with the men in masks with guns." He said suddenly. I hated when people asked these questions I thought about how when I was little I used to scare the life of the kids in Donegal when I stayed with my Mum's side of the family and then when my cousin Marie came to stay and I made her hide when the British Army had came round the street. She had to go home after a week because she kept dreaming about them coming to get her. Kevin and I thought it was funny but Mum didn't. We spent most of the holidays grounded.19

"It's not that bad not anymore." I said. No, I didn't want any drama.20

"Ah, so word on the street is that you were meant to be getting married that's why you're Dad and the family had all gone over, but here you are with no ring. My friend Caleb and I have a theory. We think you ran off on him and now you're hiding out. Are we correct?" He said. I almost swallowed my tongue. At least no one knew what had happened but I had to say something he was staring at me waiting for my reaction. Telling the truth would make him pity me and saying he was correct made me look like the bad one so there was only one thing to say.21

"It was a joint decision." I said. His face dropped a bit.22

"Oh, I thought something a little more exciting. Sorry." He said and exciting was the last thing I thought. The door opened and a cleaning cart was pushed through the door. A girl with Copper hair and a really pale face followed after it. She was wearing a blue apron over a black shirt.23

"Morning Sophie, Have you met Allison?" He called at her. She looked to me and started towards the desk.24

"Morning Marc, Hello Allison it's nice to meet you, I'm Sophie. How are you enjoying your first morning? Don't worry you won't always have to put up with him." She said looking towards Marcus. He rolled his eyes picked up the reservation book and started looking through it then he said.25

"You know you love me really, Oh and by the way you win the money it was a 'joint decision,’" He said looking at her I didn't even want to think about this.26

"Marc, you can be so annoying. But I'll take my $20 please. Would you like a drink Alison?" She said looking at me. Like if I said no it meant I was annoyed. I was but I wanted to make a new start so.27

"Yeah, please." 28

"What do you want?" 29

"A coke, please." 30

"I'll go get them." She said turning around towards the door31

"What about me?" Marcus shouted after her32

"What about you? She called as the door shut33

The day went quickly and by the end of it I was answering the phones and taking bookings. I had even checked people in and out. It was still bewildering but it was getting better. I had gotten a lot of information out of Marcus and Sophie too. I had lunch with Sophie she was really sweet. She had also gotten a lot out of me and was helping me with what to say to Mum and Kevin. Marcus and I had spoken about different things throughout the day he was very easy to talk with. He had told me about how he had always loved art and how excited he was when he had gotten into art school. I also found out about how he was tan his grandfather was Mexican his Dad and himself and his 2 brothers had the colouring and the dark hair and eyes. He told me about his girlfriend Camille. He met her in art school and she was travelling in Italy. He missed her but she was enjoying herself and he didn't want it to ruin her time so he put on a brave face. He told me about his best friend Caleb they had been friends from they were little and had been best friends since. Caleb was the local vet and had loved animals forever. His words exactly. They were both 26. Marcus birthday was September 15 and he was a Virgo. When he started to get his things together I realised the time. It was 5.50pm almost time to go the day had gone so fast and I had enjoyed my day everyone was so friendly. 34

"We are just waiting on Wesley, he doe's nights here." Marcus said. I looked out and saw my Dad was already here waiting for me. Marcus noticed this too.35

"Hey do you want to go on I'll wait for Wesley. He'll be here any minute anyway." I looked at him36

"Are you sure, I don't mind waiting." 37

"No your fine and anyway from next week It'll be me disappearing." He said smiling38

"Ok, I'll see you on Tuesday then." I said as I lifted my handbag of the floor.39

"Yeah, see you Tuesday. Oh you live on Millerton don't you? Why don't you tell your Dad I'll pick you up it’s on my way and save him the gasoline?" He said. I looked back at him and smiled. 40

"Are you sure?" 41

"Yeah, I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't, I'll pick you up about 8.00am it's just I pick up Sophie too. She lives on Indian Mountain Road." 42

"That will be great. Thanks." 43

"You're welcome." He said and I walked out towards Dad who was waiting in the car.44

I got into the front seat and put my seatbelt on.45

"Well how did your first day go then?" Dad said starting the engine and turning round towards the main road.46

"It was good. Everyone is really nice Dad. Marcus on reception said he would give me a lift in from now on so you don't have to go out of your way." 47

"For you it's never out of my way. But that's good. Marcus that is Heathers son, isn't it?"48

"Yeah, he's really nice he was really helping me out today." 49

"Good, he's a nice boy. Artist. I've seen his paintings there very good."50

"Yeah, He did a drawing today. It was brilliant."51

"Dr Walker called at the house. He left a uniform for you to wear on Monday." Dad said I'd almost forgotten the fact I had to work with him on Monday. The only good thing was that it was the later shift 12pm to 4pm.52

"Oh, At least I won't have to look for something to wear then." I laughed.53

We drove the rest of the way home in silence. I got to the house and realised I still had my call home to make. When I got in Cecilia had dinner ready so I went and sat down with them and had my dinner.54

"You're Mum called." Cecilia said, as I was about to go upstairs. I turned and looked at her. She was frowning. 55

"I guess, I'll have to go call her then give her the good news. Where did you tell her I was?" 56

"I told her you were out walking." She said.57

"Thanks. I'll go call her now." I said and walked to the hallway. Thankfully it was a cordless. So I grabbed my cardigan from the Coat stand by the door and went to sit on the bench on the front porch. I punched in the number and waited while it rang as I pulled my leg's up on the bench and rested my back against the house.58

"Hello." Mum answered. 59

“Hi Mum, how are you?" 60

"Hello love, I'm fine and you?" 61

"I'm fine thanks, Mum I have something I have to tell you." I said. Dreading this part of the conversation but I wanted it over with.62

"Yes love, what is it?" She said and from the crackle in her voice I knew she knew what was coming.63

"Mum, I've a job and I'm renting an apartment. I think I'm gonna stay out here a while longer than I had planned." I said and I knew it was an understatement but I couldn't get the words I'm not coming back out. I really didn't want to say that to her. She was silent for a moment and I could feel the tears running down my face as I waited for her to respond.64

"Well, as long as when you do come home you'll be happy. Then I'm happy." Was all she said but I knew she was crying.65

"I will be, Is Kevin there." 66

"No, he's out. But I'll get him to ring you tomorrow." 67

"Thanks Mum." I said. We went on with our conversation we had been on the phone almost an hour when I remembered it was Dad's phone bill. Although I knew he wouldn't mind, I decided I had to get off. 68

"Well Mum, I'm gonna have to go this is Dad's phone line after all." 69

"Ok, then honey. Enjoy Monday." 70

"Thanks Mum. I'll ring you when I'm finished. Night." 71

"Night, honey." She said and hung up the phone. I put the phone down on the bench and looked out over the garden. It was starting to get dark. I thought that my life in Belfast was really almost gone now everything that made me unhappy was a dot in my rear view mirror. That's when I decided I wanted to learn to drive and I would start soon.72

The rest of my weekend went really quick. On Sunday morning I had taken a walk around the small town and I spent the afternoon with Gabriella and Lucy. Most of the time spent on the swings. It was now Monday morning I had gotten up at 8am and Cecilia had my breakfast waiting for me. I had then watched some TV and went to take a shower and get ready for my first day with Dr Walker. It was now 11.40am and I was walking down towards his practice. I was wearing the white uniform that he had left for me which was the perfect size and I realised he had gotten my sizes from Cecilia. When I got to the Practice I took a deep breath at the door and walked in. There was a girl sitting behind the desk and she looked up as I entered. I felt hideous in the uniform, which I could only class as White scrubs she was sitting all neat, and in a suit. Her long blonde hair tied back in a Ponytail and the perfect make-up on her face.73

"Hello, you must be Allison, I'm Morgan Bailey." She said with her hands clasped together and an odd looking smile on her face and her eyes wide and very open.74

"Hi." I said. She looked very cheerful and smiled at my response.75

"Dr Walker had been waiting on you to arrive. He's with a patient at the moment. But, should not be too long." She said still smiling. He's been waiting but I'm 15 minutes early. I looked around the practice as I got to the front there were 2 people in the small waiting room. And here I was just staring around me. 76

"Now, Mrs Reed you make sure you take care of that ankle and come back on Thursday and I'll get it washed out again for you. Make sure you're more careful on those steps from now on though." I heard the talking and turned around Dr Walker was escorting a lady from his office. A rather tall lady she really looked around 6 foot she was a lot taller than Dr Walker who was about the same height as I was. He helped her out to where one of the people in the waiting room stood up to get the lady's arm. He was even shorter than I was around 5'6.77

"Oh, Fred it’s bad." Was all she said to the small man?78

"Mr Reed, make sure she gets lots of rest on that ankle." Dr Walker said. I looked at the 2 of them as they left the office. Little and Large. I had to hold back my snigger. Dr Walker turned back to face me. 79

"Hello, Allison. How are you?" He said80

"I'm fine thank you." 81

"Ok, come along I'll show you you're room." He said and walked towards the Hall. I followed him up the Hall and I heard the front door open again. At the end of the Hall there was a door to the left and one to the right. He pointed to the door on the right. "This is my office. This one is yours." He said walking into the office on the left. It was small with pink walls. On the right as I walked in there was two chairs and beside that a desk with a computer and all the things I needed there was paperwork and a holder full of pens. There was a small Window beside that with blinds that were closed and the light on. On the left hand side of the office there was a bed and a dividing screen with 4 gowns hanging over it. Beside that there was a big door.82

"The door leads to the storeroom. It has everything you need in there." He said walking to the storeroom and opening it. I followed him in and looked around it had two big fridge's one for blood samples and the other for injections. 83

"There are two separate appointment books for us and I think you will find you're going to be pretty busy. But that should be normal for you after working as an NHS nurse. So if you need any help you know where I am. Morgan will keep you informed of when your patients arrive. I think you're first should already be here." He said as he turned and walked out of the door of the storeroom that led to the Hall. I turned and walked through the door to my office and closed the door to the storeroom behind me. I turned to look around the place and there was a tap on the door. I turned to look and there was a Man in his 50's looking at me. 84

"Hello, I'm Gordon Scott, I've to get my blood taken." He said. He held a folder at me. I turned and smiled at him.85

"Hello, I'm Allison come on in and take a seat. And I'll help you as soon as I figure out how to take blood." I said. I hoped he saw that as a joke. And he did he laughed as I looked over his chart.86

"Well I'm a little worried now, thank god you're not taking my blood pressure." He said. I got up to close the door.87

"Well no, you should be hoping that's all I had to do. I'll just go get a syringe and the blood vails. I came back with what I needed lifted his arm and slowly tightened the tourniquet and wiped the place I was going to take the blood from with the alcohol wipe and took his blood. As I applied pressure to his arm after he looked at me and said.88

"I knew you could do it." Everything went good that day thankfully I had not forgotten anything. 89

I walked home that day with a smile on my face. I remember why I wanted to be a nurse, I wanted to calm people in there time of need and hopefully I was doing something good. As I walked up Main Street I was going to call into my apartment to have another look around. I made my way past Dad's diner and went to cross the road.90

"Allison." Someone called. I turned and saw Marcus standing outside the diner with the guy I'd seen that day in the shop with the curly hair and light blue eye's. "Well look at you in your uniform." Marcus said91

"I know it's terrible." I said slightly laughing.92

"Oh, it is quite hideous. He said laughing.93

"Thanks." I pulled a face.94

"This is my friend, Caleb. The one I was boring you about the other day." He said pointing to the blue eyed guy.95

"Hello, Caleb." 96

"Hello, Allison it's nice to meet you."97

"So where are you going anyway, you've finished your shift at the Doc's" Marcus said98

"Yeah, I was just going to have another look around my apartment. I still can't believe it. The furniture is all coming on Friday I can't wait." I said and even the thought made me smile so big my cheeks hurt.99

"That's good, so you're going to need some help moving in then.” Marcus smiled100

"Yeah I probably will." 101

"Well don't worry, we will get it done."102