I wake up to a new day. Sun streaming in brightly through the undressed window. Putting curtains up didn't seem like a priority yesterday, but I am definitely regreting that decision now. It's six in the morning and as a result I will be having an early start to my day. Luckily Tim and I didn't over do it last night with the wine or my head would not be agreeing with my current situation. I finally allow my eyes to open and stretch out across the bed as I wake up properly. Laying in the middle of an unfurnished room is so weird, and if I am truely honest, now that I look at this room in morning light it needs painting. This light blue, wishy washy colour on the walls is disgusting!
I ponder the thought, red? black? beige? a nice purple?
I can't decide, but at least it gives me more time to lay in my wonderful, comfortable bed.
After an hour or so of trying to relax in bed, and with me being no further ahead on deciding a colour, I drag myself up and out of bed. As I pull on my dressing gown which is draped over the end of the bed, I can't help but picture the room in black and red, with a gold/beige décor and I think it would really suit. Pondering that thought I head out to the kitchen in search of the kettle, a cup and coffee!
Again it was one of the first things I unpacked. Removal men have a high demand for tea so I am glad Michelle packed it in an 'essentials' box. She is so clever, thinking of all those things that I was going to need, that I definitely would have lost whilst packing and been clueless to find this end. Luckily I like my morning coffee black, because I have no milk in. In fact I have nothing in at all! No food, drinks, supplies, so I guess that's part of my day taken care of for today.
I lean back against the counter as I focus on taking my day as slow and relaxed as it will allow. I will head into town, pop by the café and grab myself a bacon barm, then pop into the corner shop for the basics, then perhaps wander home slowly. Then next on the agenda is to phone Jay, get a new car organised because walking everywhere really is not my idea of fun. I am thinking it is time to get back to a sporty model, two seats and more fun than business.
I spend longer than I should lost in my own thoughts and sipping at my coffee, and before I know it I am suddenly interrupted with a knock at the door. I scowl a little and pull away to answer the door, only to be met by a huge bunch of flowers staring my in the face.
"Mrs Connor?" the deliverer asks.
"Yeah" I answer as he hands them to me and I take them.
Probably from Michelle, or Kate, Aiden, maybe Johnny. Yeah probably Michelle. I settle with that as I bring them down and close the door when the delivery boy walks away. Taking the little card from its stand in the centre of the arrangement, I head back through to the kitchen to put them on the side and then eagerly open up the small envelope and pull out the card. In the midde of it is a line that reads 'Happy House Warming' with a small smile face at the side and then a big single kiss below. I frown, trying to work out the squiggle then below that, and eventually work out its a 'T'. I smile to myself for a long moment before wiping my smile away.
"So its 'T' now is it Tim?" I utter to myself as I pick my flowers up again and smell the gentle fragrance once more before putting them in water.
Its so warm in town today, I even came out without my coat its so nice. Its busy too, people everywhere which would usually stress me out, bother and annoy me but not today. Today is a good day for me. It may have started early, but nothing is going to wipe the smile off my face. I know I am jumping in head first again when I promised myself I wouldn't but we have clicked, and I need him as a friend at least. So far thats all its been really, friendly gestures and kind smiles. I read into things too much, so I am trying to hold back on this one, but obviously not too much!
I head into the small do it yourself place on the highstreet. Its a cosy little shop, with a strong smell of paint fumes, white spirits, woods, all those fabulous sense exciting smells that you get in a shop like that. I take a deep breath in and start scanning up and down the aisles. I know I am here for paint, but it never hurts to browse. I need other bits in order to paint anyway and I am in no rush. I hang about in the store looking around until I have circled round it twice and the old shopkeep is eyeing my awkwardly, so I grab a roller set and some brushes and throw them into my basket as I head back to the paint aisle to study the shades in more detail and hopefully select the perfect one for my bedroom walls.
Half an hour later I have finally settled on a shade of burgandy/red called 'rectory' and have moved onto the wallpapers. Everyone knows a girl in style had got to have her feature wall. I have had all those fancy patterns and such before, so I would just like something simple, like a gold emboss or floral maybe. My mind is quickly changed when I browse the selection and its all too 'girly' for my tastes. Eventually I spot one I like. A gold with a black pattern on it that suits me perfectly. Grabbing a couple of rolls, I quickly hurry off to the till to pay and get out of there.
Stepping back out into the sunshine, I hesitate about whether to go left of right. Right takes me home and left takes me to Carl's little cafe. I take a minute to really consider my decision before turning left and heading down the street. Lost in a daydream as I make my way towards the cafe I bump shoulders with someone walking the opposite way and mumble an apology as I glance up.
I swallow hard.
What are the chances? Of all the places in the world! Of the all the places down south!
I cannot believe who I am staring at now, as the world seems to stop around us.
"Peter?"
