Page 63 of Heal For Me

“Do either of you drink coffee or tea? We have a minute before our train.”

“Do as the British do,” Janelle says, hooking my arm, she’s also breathing as hard as I’m trying not to. “Let’s get some tea.”

Tea is gross. I don’t know how this entire country is obsessed with it. I choked mine down because I didn’t want to risk insulting Beverly, not that she made it, but ew.

“The train is much less stuffy than the tubes. At least during the week. If this was the weekend, we might be standing instead of sitting right now.” Beverly sits in the seat next to me. She was kind enough to offer Janelle and I each a window seat so we could see the city on our way out.

“I don’t know how people would manage that daily.”

“I think I could do it,” Janelle says.

I definitely could not. Not only was it like running a marathon, but the amount of people is huge, no thank you for me. Bayshore isn’t a super small town, and I could maybe go a little bigger, but I can’t imagine living in the heart of London even if I only saw a sliver of it. I would definitely like to visit for a long weekend, though. I hope I can get Ash to come during our time here.

“So much like my Ashley.” Beverly laughs breathlessly. “And you sound exactly like my Henry. He works and lives in the city.”

Janelle loses her smile when he is mentioned, but Beverly doesn’t seem offended that Janelle isn’t a fan of her son.

“Ah. Yes. I forgot about your short time spent together. Emotions were high, hopefully you can find a middle ground while you’re here.”

“Hopefully.” Janelle’s smile is fake as the day is long, but I don’t think Beverly notices.

The nice voice over the intercom tells us it’s time to go and says something else I’m not able to catch but I know it was said in a thick English accent. Janelle and I share an equally thrilled look. “I just love it here.”

“Would you ever consider moving here? After school of course,” Beverly asks.

Janelle ponders the thought for a moment, looking out the window as London passes by. “I think I might. I’ve always wanted to live in a city. New York is the obvious choice, so why not make it London?”

This surprises me. Of course, I’ve thought about moving here, Ash is from here—it wouldn’t surprise me if eventually he wants to move back—and I don’t have any family holding me back. Jethro and Jason, but I never see Jason and we live in the same country, and Jethro, something tells me he would visit me wherever I lived. I guess Janelle probably assumes the same about her parents; they can obviously afford it.

“I am not sure if Ashley has told either of you what we do.” She drops her voice, I guess not wanting people around us to hear. “But we own a law firm. Helms and Pearson and we are always looking for employees. I’m not sure what you are going to college for, but if you wanted to work for us, it wouldn’t need to be your forever career. It would be a good steppingstone, though.”

Janelle’s and my eyes are equally wide. I guess surprised that she offered her a job after knowing her for less than an hour, but I’m more surprised they own a law firm. Ash did not mention that. I’m pretty sure that’s a big deal and the same kind of thing Uncle Jet owns, so they are probably close to billionaires if he is. I wish I was interested in law, geesh.

“You’d hire me just like that?”

Beverly nods like it’s no big deal. “I trust my instincts, and I trust my son who has said marvelous things about both of you.”

“Wow, I . . . truthfully, I don’t know what to say. I’m only eighteen, so I have few years before I’ll be ready for a full-time job but if you’re serious, that is totally something I’d be interested in.”

“Brilliant.” Beverly beams. “I’m sure we could find something for you to do during the summers, office work most likely, but we would pay well.”

“Absolutely. Holy—wow.” Nice save. “This day just got so much better.”

“For me as well.” Beverly’s smile is as bright and blinding as Ash’s. She reaches for my hand on my lap and squeezes. “I am ever so glad you are here, Payson.”

Something about the way she says that and the distant sorrow in her eyes makes me think she doesn’t just mean here on the train with her, and I wonder how the distance has been for Ash. His letters give little away, just that he misses me, but I’m sure it’s not been as easy as he’s made it seem.

Emotions crowd my throat, making it impossible to reply. I force a smile and nod, but she seems to understand.

I wonder just how much she knows. I know she visited while I was in the hospital, so probably a lot, and oddly enough, that doesn’t make me feel any way. Before, I would have been mortified, but like Dr. Herringbone taught me, my scars are a part of me, like everything that lead to them. I wore long sleeves today, more for Beverly and his family than myself. I think I might need to change when we get to his parents’ house, though, it’s beyond hot here. Not all what I thought England would be like. Where’s all the rain?

I relax into the seat, watching London pass by and the skyscrapers turn to fields. A gentle ease fills my insides. I think it might have something to do with the calm that Beverly brings, but I know it’s also because I’m meeting with Ash in less than thirty minutes. For the first time, I don’t feel the heaviness of the baggage. I hope he notices a difference because I can sure feel it.

We still have a long way to go, but I’m ready for my happily ever after now.

28

Payson

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