The Summer That Changed Everything

Chapter Five - Part Two

Felicity’s hand eagerly searched her bedside table to turn her alarm off on her mobile phone. It was far too early for a summer morning, but Felicity was bubbling with excitement; she was heading out for the day with her parents. Once that fact sunk in, she was raring to go. She threw the covers off her and rolled out of bed, and trudged into her bathroom before hopping in the shower.

The water woke her up as it splashed on her face. Feeling refreshed, she bounded out of the shower and threw on some clothes.

In the small likelihood they took cute family pictures for social media, Felicity sat at her dresser and put some light make-up on. Who was she kidding? She would be the one to suggest the pictures. Her father would moan initially, but there was nothing wrong with wanting to document the day and he would realise that and eventually give in. She fluffed her hair before grabbing a denim jacket off the hook in case the weather turned. It was the UK, after all. The weather could do anything. After that, she put her phone in her pocket and headed downstairs.

As Felicity reached up to the top shelf to grab a bowl, she heard footsteps behind her. Clutching the bowl, she lowered from her tiptoes (even the bottom shelf was too tall for her mere 5-foot 2 frame) and turned around to see her parents.

“Ready for the day?” Felicity asked, excitement exuding from every pore. She couldn’t wait to spend the day with her parents, creating memories and having fun. The time was fleeting before her big move, and she was glad they could make the most of it.

“Actually…” her father started.

Felicity’s mood deflated like a popped balloon, and her face immediately dropped, with that one word, as she knew exactly what was coming.

“What’s happened?” she asked, doing a poor job of keeping her face from betraying her emotions.

“Do you remember that deal we tried to clinch the other week?” Peter asked. Upon seeing Felicity’s nod, her father continued. “Well, we thought we had it in the bag after the successful dinner. But now it’s very close to falling through. It’s no surprise, but we must head to the head office to fix it.”

Saying nothing, Felicity looked at her mother in earnest. Perhaps Tanya could shed some light on this suddenly clouded situation. Perhaps just the two of them could spend the day together instead. It wouldn’t be the same without her dad there, but they’d have fun, regardless. Maybe they could attend a spa or catch a show; something that wouldn’t upset her father if he missed it.

Tanya’s subtle shake of the head had her makeshift plans crashing around her in an instant.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Tanya breathed. “It’s an all hands on deck kind of situation.”

“Okay,” she said around a numb face. She then plastered an all-too fake smile. A smile she knew her parents could see through. “That’s fine. I know how important this is.”

“Thank you for understanding, sweetheart,” her mother said, walking towards her. She took Felicity’s cheeks in her hands and pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead. Tanya grabbed Felicity's hands and she gave them a squeeze. That one action portrayed just how sorry she was. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine,” Felicity nodded. I’m used to this, she wanted to say. But she immediately worried it would come across as harsh. Even though it was true. “I’ve got things to do, anyway.”

“Good,” Peter smiled. With that, her parents started their exit from the kitchen. “We won’t be too long. We’ll get some takeaway for dinner to make up for it. And we will have a day out together soon, I promise.”

Felicity nodded and forced a smile, her emotional vulnerability seeping through. With a weak hand, she waved them off again. Once she heard the bang of the closing door, she leant back on the kitchen counter. Her heavy head fell into her warm hands and she fought back tears. She didn’t know why she was so surprised. This happened a lot, and who was she to begrudge her parents of this important business matter? It just sucked that it was always her, and her plans that would fall by the wayside because of it.

A buzzing coming from her jacket made Felicity whip her head up out of her hands. She rummaged through the pocket of her - now unused - denim jacket to fetch her phone.

How’s the day with your parents’ going? Decided where you’re going yet?

Felicity let out a cynical chuckle and replied.

How about nowhere? There’s been a change of plans concerning the family business, so I’m home alone as per.

Jared took a while to respond and there’s actually no rule to say he would reply straight away. So, to distract herself, Felicity set about making the breakfast she almost prepared at the start of the morning. While she crunched on her cereal, her phone vibrated on the countertop.

I’ll be over in half an hour.

***

True to his word, almost exactly half an hour later, she heard the doorbell. With excited energy, she padded to the door and threw it open to spot Jared standing there.

“Hi,” he grinned.

“Hey,” she smiled. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but I didn’t expect you to text me, let alone come over. It’s a little early, isn’t it?”

“Well, unlike you, I’m an early riser,” Jared said, tapping her on the nose with his forefinger. Felicity stood there in shock; he’d never done that before. That was odd. But not completely unwelcome. She fought with a smile at the contact. “And I couldn’t have you in this enormous house all by your lonesome, could I?” His care and thoughtfulness were palpable in his words.

“How chivalrous of you,” she joked. Though she didn’t deny the warmth in her heart at the thought. He had dropped everything to head over to see her; and that felt special.