Chapter 28
The rain falls on the car windows, the sound of the windscreen wipers squeaking frantically filling my eyes. I open up my phone and scroll through my contacts, holding it up to my ear.
“Hello?!”
My mum’s panicked voice echoes through the phone.
“I’m coming home Mama.” I cry.
“Okay baby, I’ll pick you up.”
The sound of my mum’s voice is so soothing to me, not long till I can give her a hug.
After the plane ride, which felt ten times longer with my constant thoughts and occasionally crying, I’m finally home. Home. Even from thousands of feet high, I love being able to look out the window and spot the familiar places in London I know. I almost ran through the airport, and for once I stood up in the plane before everyone had left the plane. I walk through the arrival gates and my mum is standing there. In her usual outfit of a jumper and leggings, her hair tied up in a bun and glasses sitting on the tip of her nose. She smiles at me and opens her arms up, ready for me to land right into them. I press myself into her and for the first time in hours, I finally feel like I can breathe.
“I’m sorry Mum.”
“I’m sorry too, baby.”
She presses a firm kiss on top of my head, and I soak up the smell of her clothes. You know how everyone’s house has their own smell that they can’t really smell? Well every time I’m away from home for
BEYOND THE BLUES
a while and reunite with my family, I smell that heart-warming scent ten times stronger. As we walk up to the car, I notice my dad in the front seat. Of course, getting out to greet me at arrivals would be too much for him. He looks up from his lap and notices me pushing open the car door and embracing me into a hug. He’s taller than me and makes me feel like a child every time he holds me. Despite how hard this day has been, this has all made it worth it.
Home. My bed freshly made, my desk the same as I left it. The desk was covered in my spread out papers, with pens scattered about the place. Photos of people I love fill my walls, constantly reminding me why I’m here. Before I sleep, I open up my emails and check for any new ones since I’ve been gone. There’s a email from my agent, the subject titled ‘Congratulations’.
Dear Ophelia
I hope you can soak in this massive achievement. We’ve received some incredible news - your book has already received hundreds of pre orders, making you a best-seller before you have even hit the shelves!
It’s not every day we see a pre launch performance like this, so massive congratulations. Celebrate with a glass of prosecco!
Here’s to celebrating many more milestones together!
Kind Regards.
I let out a little squeal and covered my mouth. Did I really do this? Then I remember the brief shout out Nora did for me. I search on YouTube to find it. I watch the video and smile, a bittersweet feeling. Although we didn’t end on the greatest terms, sadly, we are both smashing our careers. Realistically, we wouldn’t have been able to do it together. But our love taught me a lot and I hope it taught Nora some things too. I thank her for taking me out of a dark place, for making me realise I can do whatever I put my mind to. Now I’m here, a writer, which a year ago was an unrealistic dream. I hope that Coco is proud as she looks down at me. I miss her. I miss Nora. But I’ll be okay, always okay.