Hello again! I didn't intend to let so much time lapse between the prologue and the first chapter of this story, but life happens. It also took a while for the muse to spark again with this one. Anyway, it did—finally—and I have most of it planned out now, so I hope to update fairly regularly.
As I said in the note on the prologue, this story is inspired by the movie 500 Days of Summer, in that it's premised on the end of a relationship in which the girl (in this case Sybil) was never in love with the boy (in this case Tom Bellasis), but it's told from the girl's point of view (the movie is the boy's point of view). The break up scene in the prologue and a couple of scenes from the end of the movie will be worked into this story, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. The character's back stories will all be of my own invention. So if you haven't seen the movie (which I do recommend) you won't be missing anything.
When this chapter starts, it's a month after the prologue and about two months after the break-up. This is still a bit of a set-up chapter. The action really begins in earnest in the next one.
But enough from me, here ya go!
One month later
"So will you come to the wedding?"
Sybil smiled at her friend's eagerness. "Of course, I'll come, Imogen . . . if you really want me there."
"I do! And aren't those words you just long to hear me say in front of dozens of people?" Imogen said, playfully batting her eyelashes.
Sybil laughed at her giddiness. In truth, it never took much to get Imogen excited, so Sybil could only imagine how over the moon she'd be on the day of her wedding to her sweetheart, Ben.
The two friends had met up at a small teahouse in York, where Sybil had lived and worked for her first three years out of uni—and where Sybil and Tom Bellasis had lived out their doomed relationship. Sybil had taken the train up for the day and stopped to meet Imogen on the way home to Downton Abbey, where she was going to see her parents for the first time since she'd moved to London a few weeks before. The move had been an impulsive decision, but she wanted a clean break and a fresh start. She'd always longed to live there, and nothing—certainly not a dead-end relationship—was stopping her now.
"Ben will be happy too," Imogen said.
"You don't have to guild the lily," Sybil said teasingly.
Imogen's smile faded a bit. "I know how he was after you and Tom ended things, and it wasn't fair."
"He was just being a loyal friend," Sybil said with a sigh.
"You're our friend too! There was no need to shut you out or to blame it all on you."
Sybil looked down but didn't say anything.
"Listen, Sybil. I know . . . well, I know we only really got to know you after you two were going out, but I'd always wanted to be your friend. Truly."
Sybil looked up again and saw the sincerity in Imogen's eyes. It was odd for Sybil to think of Imogen and Ben and not think of how much time she and Tom Bellasis had spent with them and how close they'd all become in such a short amount of time.
Ben and Tom had been mates at university, and Sybil and Imogen had been working at the same hospital as nurses for a year, both hired right after their graduation from nursing school. One night, Sybil invited Tom to an outing with friends from the hospital, and he showed up with Ben. It proved a fateful night, for the mix of drinks and karaoke tipped a reluctant Sybil toward the "more" side of "more than friends" with Tom. And it was the night Imogen and Ben met.
They were two young couples having a laugh, one with a veritable spark, the other only pretending to have one.
"I should have stuck up for you more, and I'm sorry," Imogen said quietly. "I just didn't know how to react. It was, um . . . rather sudden."
Sybil shrugged. "It was and it wasn't.
"What do you mean?"
"I never really loved him. I mean, I did, it's just . . . "
Imogen smiled sadly. "You were never in love with him?"
Sybil shook her head. "It's weird. I knew I wasn't going in, but he's been my friend since we were kids. I just let him convince me that I eventually would be."
"Well, it's over now and regardless of what happened, you're coming to get good and pissed with me and Ben on our wedding day. I know we sent you one invitation to both of you, but just because you won't come together doesn't mean you can't come at all."
"Good," Sybil said with a nod.
The two girls laughed. It made Sybil happy to have taken the time to clear the air with her.
"So how are things going?" Sybil asked. "I can imagine the details are driving you mad now that it's only three weeks away."
"I am excited, and I know that I'll enjoy myself on the actual day, but the planning of it saps you of the will to live."
Sybil laughed. "Well, at least there's not much more to go."
"Thank, heaven. And really, Syb, I've been so consumed with it that I'm more than happy to talk about something else. Like you! How's London? I'm dying to know how you're getting on! Have you started looking for a job?"
"Only just. I'm finally settling into my own flat. I came up to get a few things from home to bring back with me, in fact. But so far it's been really good. I mean—I know I haven't been there long, but it's exciting to be somewhere new. I don't have to deal the possibility of mum popping by unannounced, which is nice, and I'll see my sisters more."
"How's Mary? I saw the announcement in the paper yesterday that she's engaged."
Sybil nodded as she sipped her tea. "You'll love this. They've decided to forego the traditional wedding and invite everyone on holiday with them to Hawaii, leaving Friday as a matter of fact."
"Oh you mean like a destination wedding?"
"Is that what it's called?"
"That's when you ask everyone who wants to come to travel with you somewhere so it's like you have your wedding and your honeymoon all at once."
"Yeah, I guess it's something like that. It was rather a last-minute decision, so it's only going to be immediately family—Matthew's mum, Edith and our parents."
"Oh, that'll be lovely! Though, I've to say I'm shocked she's not marrying at Downton."
"I am too. They might have a reception there later, but they're really keen on doing it right away. And Matthew's firm represents the parent company of the resort where they're all staying, so it's free other than air fare."
"As if that's an issue for the daughter of the Earl of Grantham," Imogen said with a roll of her eyes.
Sybil laughed, knowing her friend to be teasing. Unlike most of the "posh set" she'd grown up with, Sybil lived a simple life, worked a job and surrounded herself with people who loved her for who she was. Tom Bellasis was the son of her Uncle Marmaduke's banking partner, and as such his family was on the lower fringe of the upper class, but they were not of aristocratic stock like the Crawleys and their wealth didn't quite compare to the Grantham estate. Tom was a quiet, humble kid, which was why Sybil and he became friends, a friendship that Sybil still hoped could be repaired someday.
"So when do you leave?" Imogen asked.
Sybil bit her lip. "I'm not sure I'm going."
"WHAT!" Imogen stopped short. "Sybil! You're turning down a holiday in paradise, not to mention missing your sister's wedding!? Why?"
Sybil shrugged.
"Well, can I come in your place?"
Sybil laughed.
"I'm dead serious!"
Sybil sighed, still smiling at her friend. "I likely will go—at least, I know mama will insist I do when I get home tonight."
"Why don't you want to?"
"It just feels weird. Me at a wedding when I just broke up with someone because I find the prospect of love rather nonsensical."
"You didn't just break up. It's been two months, and as to the 'love nonsense' as you call it. Do you really think your sister is making a mistake getting married?"
Sybil smiled ruefully. "She's the exception that proves the rule."
"And me?"
"You, too." Sybil looked down at her hands. "I just don't think it's for me, OK?"
"OK. But Sybil, it's Hawaii! Go and have fun."
"I know. And I know that once I'm lying on the sand with a cocktail in my hand I'll be happy to be there. But right now the prospect of a weekend devoted to romance when I'll be the only person alone sounds a bit dreadful."
"Well, you could take care of that, you know."
Sybil couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Oh, I'm not saying get back together with Tom. I mean take someone else. Isn't there someone you're interested in you could invite?"
"I'd wager it's going to be a long, long time before I have interest in anyone," Sybil said, taking a sip of her tea.
Imogen smiled. "I doubt that very much, but maybe going alone will just leave you available for some whirlwind island fling. A sun-kissed American surfer dude."
Sybil laughed at her friend's meager attempt at an American accent. With a sigh, Sybil said, "I won't hold my breath."
"You should go. Forget romance. Drink cocktails with tiny umbrellas, eat good food, enjoy the sun and your family. Then start your new life in London a new woman."
"Well, when you put it like that, it does sound like good advice."
"Then, TAKE IT!"
Sybil laughed, "All right then!"
XXX
After spending a few more hours catching up with Imogen (and learning that Tom was a still a bit of a mess, post-break-up), Sybil finally made it back to Downton Abbey. Carson, the family's butler, greeted her with a smile at the door and reminded her that dinner would be served at 7 p.m.
Sybil made her way up to her room, where her mother had already brought in several boxes for her to pack up and was currently sifting through old mementos from Sybil's childhood.
"Do you know that you can take a van to the top of Waimea Canyon and bike all the way back to the beach, without even having to pedal?" Cora asked her daughter, without turning to look at her.
Sybil smiled. "Yes."
"We're doing that on the second day. And on the third—"
"OK, I'll go!"
Cora finally turned back to Sybil, who'd come in and flopped down on her bed. "Good. Now call Anna right now and tell her, so she can make the arrangements."
"I'll call first thing tomorrow."
Cora pursed her lips. "Darling, just call now and get it over with."
Sybil sighed, and without getting up, reached for her mobile in her back pocket and looked up Mary's assistant's number.
XXX
"Hello?"
"Hi, Anna, it's Matthew."
"Oh, hi, Matthew," Anna said smiling. "Mary's been in meetings all day. I can knock on her door if you like?"
"That's not necessary. I wanted to talk to you, actually. I finally heard back from Tom. He will be coming to Hawaii with us, after all."
"Good! You can't get married without a best man."
Matthew laughed. "That's what I told him. Anyway, he's visiting his family in Dublin at the moment, so he won't be flying in with us, but do add him to our block of rooms."
"OK, that's two late comers in one afternoon."
"Who's the other?" Matthew asked.
"Sybil just called. She's coming as well."
"Brilliant. You're the best!"
Anna laughed. "Thanks."
Just moment after she'd hung up, Mary stepped out of her office. "Tell me again, why did I become a tax lawyer?"
"The glamour," Anna deadpanned.
Mary laughed. "If only."
"An update on Hawaii. Sybil called and said she's coming."
"Finally! Who knew it'd be such hard work convincing a 25-year-old to have some fun."
"Oh, and Tom is coming as well."
Mary stopped short. "Really?"
"Won't be flying with the family, but he'll be there."
Mary's brow furrowed. "Golly, I wasn't expecting that, but I suppose if she wants to give it another try . . ." she said quietly, almost to herself.
"What?" Anna asked.
"Never mind," Mary said. "Just make sure they have a king suite—one with a Jacuzzi. And beach front. They deserve some fun after everything that's happened." She turned to go back into her office.
"You mean you want them to share a room?" Anna asked, confused.
"A suite!" Mary said, closing the door behind her.
Do they even know each other? Anna thought.
With a shrug of her shoulders, she picked up the phone again, dialing the travel agent.
"Hello, Patty," she said, when the agent on the other end had picked up. "This is Anna Bates calling for the Crawley family wedding party. I need to add one room to the block—a suite if possible. Beach-front. King-size bed. The guests' names are Sybil Crawley and Tom Branson."