Page 31 of Persuading Penny
Their laughter was nauseating.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. I’d initially been so excited at the notion of leaving Bath behind, even if just for a short time. I thought it would do me good to leave the troubles of the past years behind; my father’s failing health; the possibility of losing my childhood home; Cliff and Bridget always torturing me with their blossoming romance.
But I now realized that there was no escaping it. Whether in Bath, in Southampton, in London, or anywhere else on this planet, I could not escape the pain of seeing Cliff with that...that girl.
As we neared our destination, Keely stood to announce, “Seeing how we’re arriving so early in the day, yet not early enough to shoot anything today, you’re all free to roam as you wish, visit the city where Jane Austen spent her last days. Immerse yourself in her life...and untimely death...so young.”
“I heard the Titanic was put to sea from here,” Bridget called out, somewhat giddy. “The SeaCity Museum has a display of the whole Titanic story. Can we go see that?”
“As I said, you are free to roam as you wish. If it is the Titanic that interests you, then, by all means, go visit the museum.”
Bridget leaned closer to Cliff to say, “Jane Austen. Jane Austen. Jane Austen. This is going to be a great movie and I’m so proud to play one of the characters the woman created, but...by God...can we see and talk about something else?”
Keely shot her a wry grin and shrugged.
We arrived at the station and immediately headed to our hotel which sat near Southampton Water.
Neither a bay or a river and branching off from the English Channel by way of the Solent, Southampton Water was a flooded valley fed by the rivers Test, Itchen and Hamble. Not only was it home to so many leisure boats of all kinds, but it was the port for very large ships, containers and tanker vessels. Cruise ships carrying tourists also stopped there and ferries brought nature lovers and history buffs to nearby Isle of Wight.
I reached my room to find the view of the water partially obscured by a taller building, but I was pleased with the room all the same. It wasn’t luxurious by any standard, but was nonetheless large, clean and had all the necessary amenities.
Through my room’s door, I heard cast members plan to meet at one of the town’s many pubs. Abbie and Keely spoke about shopping and having lunch at Westquay, a large mall in town, and perhaps a cruise on the water.
Cliff and Bridget headed off to Southampton Common, eager for a nice stroll around the pond and perhaps a picnic...after their visit to SeaCity Museum, of course.
I allowed myself a brief moment of self-pity. Everyone had gone their way, and I was left alone.
Well, this is the perfect time to visit all the spots Jane Austen once frequented. Alone I can really take it all in without interruption.
Keeping my comfy travelling jeans, I exchanged my beige sweater for a lighter and cooler buttery yellow shirt with no adornment save for a white flower printed on the hem of the sleeve.
With a bit of change in one pocket, and the key to my room in the other, I headed out in search of the Jane Austen Heritage Trail.
On the south coast of England, Southampton was very much an important port city. Much revolved around the ports and marinas. But it was also a city with a beautiful history, in particular in the Old Town where cobbled lanes lead to ancient walls and onward to castle ruins.
Tudor House, which I hoped to have time to visit before leaving Southampton, was just one of the many structures in the iconic architectural style, all of them bringing undeniable charm.
I came upon the Jane Austen trail a little by accident. I’d meandered through the streets, caught up in the beauty and charm, and then...there I was facing one of the many plaques set about the town, telling fans of Jane’s experience in that spot. I’d almost finished reading the plaque when...
“A fan, I assume?”
Startled, I turned to see a handsome young man standing a few steps behind and to the right of me, reading the plaque over my shoulder.
“Oh, sorry,” I said, moving out of the way, though with his imposing height, he surely had no problem reading over me.
“Don’t be silly,” he said in a mellow tone. “You’ve every right to stand right where you are and take your time reading that. If anything, I should apologize for breaking into your thoughts.”
Flustered, I could barely make eye contact with him. He had a disarming smile and pleasant eyes that seemed determined to befriend me.
“Actually, I was through reading.”
“Have you done the entire trail leading here?”he said.
“No. I stumbled on this portion of the trail. Are you a fan of Jane’s?”
His smile broadened. “I guess you could say that. My mother and sister are the true fans of her work.I’m just curious about the woman’s life...as an author in her time. It does seem fascinating.”
I nodded. “Is Southampton your last stop of your journey through Jane’s life?”
