When I'm Gone

Kate's POV

Its been almost a month since I've moved to London. I love it. I'm thankful for new memories that are already running through my brain. I was able to get a house the day after I arrived, it usually takes over a month to move in but I have some special circumstances and was able to move in quicker then the average person.

Olivia and my mom came the week after, mom stayed for a week but wanted to get back to my dad. He wasn't keen on flying, and flying across the ocean wasn’t his thing. He was a retired Navy man, so if he was going across any oceans, it was by boat. And boats didn't work for my mom.

Mom, Olivia, and I played tourist for the week. We went to the Tower of London, saw Big Ben, took a ride on the London Eye, saw St. Paul's Cathedral, went to Buckingham Palace, scoped out every park close to our house for Olivia, and of course went shopping. It was fun to be with my mom and not have a plan, when she would travel with us to speak I was always on a time crunch, never able to appreciate her. After James died, a new perspective was placed on my life. I thought of the little things and spent more time making other people happy, it made me happy.

I thought I could escape James, but he's all around London with us. He always knew this was a dream of mine but I had let it go when we had Olivia and I was okay with that. But I notice things here and there, the Police Officer with the last name James that directed us to St. Paul's Cathedral, the mom who was yelling at her son James at the park, the man in front of us at the checkout that at last minute grabbed James' favorite soda. It made me smile.

I haven't seen Louis yet. I honestly don't think I'll see him. I didn't want to give him my phone number. I actually really wanted to, but it was for the wrong reasons. I had an odd attraction to him I just felt like we had a connection but he has Eleanor, he's in love with her and I know if I spend more time around him it won't be healthy for me, so I left it up to fate. I'm sure his fate is with Eleanor.

Today Olivia and I were meeting a friend I had met, Dottie at a cafe downtown for brunch. Dottie is a nurse so her schedule is usually messed up but she had the day off and wanted to meet up with us.

“Olivia! Lets go little lady!” I smile when I see her bouncing down the steps in her long sleeved pink dress, white tights, and brown boots. I love this little girl. She reaches the bottom of the steps and spins and spins giggling. “Okay princess, lets not get sick.” I stop her and help her put her jean jacket then her cupcake hat on.

“Mommy, where's your coat?” She asks, her whole face lighting up.

“Right here.” I tell her as I dig through the hall closet and pull out my favorite longer beige coat with black buttons. We're dressed a little similar, I'm wearing a white and pink chevron sheer long sleeved shirt with black leggings and boots. My favorite shirt. I open the door and turn to Olivia, “Race you to the car!” I pretend to run fast but let Olivia beat me to the car door. “OH man! You beat me!” I pretend to be so upset.

“It's okay mommy, you can win next time!” She cheers for herself and I just laugh buckling her in to her car seat and take my place behind the driver's wheel. It's been difficult to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road but it's been easier every day.

We drive to the cafe singing “The Wheels on the Bus” over and over again. Olivia's current favorite song of the day.

I spot Dottie immediately, she's not in scrubs but she's a little crazy of a dresser, wearing a polka dot purple and blue dress. She reminds me of Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School bus books that Olivia likes so much. It's perfect though, she works with children at the hospital.

“Hey lady!” I embrace her in a hug, still holding on to Olivia's hand. “How are you?”

“I'm fantastic! You?” I simply smile. “And how are you pretty lady?” She bends down to ask Olivia who shy's behind my leg as perusal.

“Hey! You know Dottie!” I remind her as I take her coat off and help her to her chair. “What's good here?” I ask looking at the menu.

“Everything's good here Kate.” She gives me a “duh” look and laughs as I roll my eyes and scan the menu for us. I make a mental note to return to Terry's Cafe. I want to return when it's nicer outside and sit outside, I love to people watch.

“I'm stuffed!” I lean back in my chair rubbing my belly.

“I told you the food is amazing.” I nod in agreement as Olivia finishes coloring her picture.

“Well, we have to head to the grocery store, or whatever it is you all call it. Do you know where one is around here?” I stand up and grab my coat to put on.

“Yes, just down the Great Suffoclk, turn right onto Southwark Bridge and it's on the corner of that road and Lant street, if you've hit Lord's Circle, you've gone to far.”

“Thank you, thanks for lunch, we'll be seeing you soon then?” I ask.

“Yes, if you need anything, please let me know Kate. Bye Miss Olivia!” She waves and I grab Olivia's hand to walk back to my black SUV. Before I leave I notice a group of girls who I think are young but I forget I'm only 23, sometimes I long for company my own age but I have Olivia, she's all I need. I over hear them talking about boys and how one girl's boyfriend is late joining them and I try to contain my laughter. I know the last thing James would have wanted to do was eat lunch at a cafe with a table full of girls.

“Lets go mommy!” Olivia meets my attention as I push the door open to leave. I buckle her in and take my place starting to back out when I slam on my breaks, not noticing a car driving behind me in the lot. I take a deep breath and continue to back out onto the street and away to the store.

Notes

A shorter chapter, I'll be doing two updates today just to get the ball rolling. As you know, if you've read my other stories, things start sloooowwwww.

Happy Thursday!!

xo