A Hidden Destiny

A stroll on Windsor Street

I woke up the next morning, feeling well rested. I fell asleep rather quickly after returning from Patty’s yesterday. Maybe it was a combination of travelling, the burger and a beer. Nevertheless, I was ready for today – I was going to meet with a woman named Janet, who was going to show me two apartments available for rent. After taking a quick shower, I dried my hair and put on my now dry denim skirt and a white top. I grabbed my crossover bag and a chunky cardigan and went down for breakfast.

I turned left from the stairs into a small room with small round tables by the windows and benches and slightly bigger tables against the wall. Every table was set with plates, utensils and glasses. In the center of each table was a small blue vase with one fresh white rose in it. 'How romantic', I thought to myself. Catherine was standing with her back to me filling up a basket with bread, but she must have heard me entering. “Good morning, dear, did you sleep well?” she asked me with a smile. “I sure did, thank you very much”, I replied and quickly complimented the amazing smell of the breakfast buffet. She ushered me towards a table by a window and told me to dig in. Well, who can say no to that?

As I sat by the window, enjoying my second serving of the most delicious breakfast omelet and a glass of apple juice, my phone vibrated on the table. I looked at the screen. ‘Appointment w. Janet – Windsor Street 31 - 10:30 am’. I made a mental note to remember to swing by the ATM on my way there to withdraw some money. I still had an hour and a half to spare before meeting up with Janet. Maybe I should leave soon, just to make sure I'll make it in time for my appointment.

I followed the map in my brochure, turning it slightly so it matched my real surroundings. ‘Just down this street and Windsor Street should be next to the small park’ I thought to myself, glancing at the clock on my phone. 9:47 am. Still plenty of time. I passed the small park after a couple of minutes and watched some kids running around, playing fetch, it seemed. A smile spread on my lips. They looked so happy, so carefree. Being a child was something you often took for granted. Once you grow up, you will realize that it was the simplest time in your whole life. No worries about bills to pay, about work, buying groceries. Stuff like that, you know? I sighed. Better find that ATM.

I turned right on Windsor Street and saw the ATM placed in front of a red brick building. It looked rather old. Old, like the rest of the town actually. It looked like it had been here for hundreds of years. But it was still well kept. Just like the hotel. Without thinking, I let my fingers brush along the bricks. Feeling the hardness of it, but at the same time, sensing how the bricks were crumbling a bit under my touch.

I snapped out of it and went towards the ATM. It seemed a bit out of place here. It was very new and modern among all of these old buildings. I inserted my card and the machine ate it and I waited for something to happen. The screen was loading and it felt like it took forever. Okay, maybe the ATM wasn’t that new after all. After getting some cash out of the modern, but old, machine, I headed back toward the park. Now I just had to meet up with Janet and then I could go to Patty’s and pay my debt. The time was 10:14 am as I passed the park and headed in the opposite direction on Windsor Street towards number 31.

As I reached my destination, 10:22 am, I saw a lady with platinum blond hair in a very tight ponytail. She looked furious as she tapped aggressively on her phone. I found myself hoping that she wasn’t the Janet I was supposed to meet.