ترسیده

Chapter eleven

Afraid

It was a Friday evening in April. George and I were standing on the platform at the station. We were waiting for my train to Scotland. I was going to Harriet and Steve’s wedding. Harriet told me that Tom was not going. She told me again that she wanted me there. So, I decided to go.

When my train arrived, I kissed George goodbye.

‘I love you Nancy,’ he said.

‘I love you, George,’ I told him. I wanted him to come with me, but he didn’t want to.

‘Your friends won’t understand why you’re with me and not with Tom,’ he said.

‘No,’ I said, ‘you’re probably right. It’s too soon. But one day they’ll understand.’

I put my arms round him and kissed him again.

‘I’ll see you on Sunday. Use my flat while I’m away. You can stay there.’

My flat was small, but he said it was better than his room.

‘I’ll be here when your train arrives,’ he replied.

The wedding was beautiful, but I thought about George all the time.

As I travelled back to London on the train, I couldn’t wait to see George. We were so in love. I knew now that I never really loved Tom. I only thought I loved him. I didn’t really know what love was before. And I also knew that George loved me. I couldn’t wait to see him - to feel his arms around me.

The train arrived at last. I looked for George. There were a lot of people on the platform. I couldn’t see him. I got out of the train and looked around. I waited until the platform was empty, but I still couldn’t see him. I felt strange and cold. Was something wrong?

No, I told myself. He had to get a bus here. Buses were often late. But he knew that. Why didn’t he leave earlier? Perhaps he was waiting outside. But I didn’t see him. I felt afraid. But what was there to be afraid of?

I waited. I waited for a long time. Then I decided to get a taxi home. Perhaps George was ill. The taxi stopped outside my flat. I ran in and I looked about. My drawers and cupboards were open and there were things everywhere.

‘George?’ I called. No reply. Then I saw that some of my things were not there - my CD player, my small television.

I started looking for my other things. I looked by my bed for the box where I kept my gold watch. I didn’t wear it anymore. It made me think of Tom. But I knew it cost a lot of money. It wasn’t there! I was afraid. I wanted George.

‘George,’ I shouted.

But of course, George wasn’t there.