Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  When I arrive at my parents’ house I see an unfamiliar car in the drive way. I push through the door and into the huge hall way my mom has a very good taste in home decor everything is black and white, everything to match and everything so luxurious and glamorous. I hear talking in the kitchen so I make my way through and sitting there I see my dad my mom and Penelope my little sister with long golden blonde hair and huge brown eyes not as big as mine but still very big she is dressed in a little pink and white dress her hair flowing and a beautiful smile on her face "lanna” she shouts rushing over to me “oh lanna it’s been ages” “yes Penelope it has and I’m sorry but hey look I brought you something "what is it?" “Remember my little pink channel bag you love?” "yes" she says too excited “I brought it for you” “OH really lanna I love it I love you” she says taking the little bag and giving me a huge kiss she bolts out of the room and upstairs to her room no doubt .”Hello alanna” my mom and dad say “how have you been?” “Yes I’m fine who cars that in drive?” “Your father got me a new one do you like it? Did you see the paper this morning my mom asks?” “Yes It’s nice and yeah I saw the paper everything they are saying is lies” “you know how they twist things and sweetie you look a little thin. Have you eaten today?” “Yeah mom I have” my mom is one of those moms who really worries but bless her I love my mom she is amazing! My dad walks over and says “now sweetie I have a little something to ask you!” “Ok go ahead” I say as I sit on one of the chairs at the breakfast bar in the oversized kitchen. “I know everything is going on here with the parties and all but I have to go out of town for new years and I was wondering if you want to join me.” “Where are going?” “London!” “London oh dad of course yes I’m there when do we go?” “Tomorrow too soon?” “No its fine oh I can’t wait I am going straight home to pack! Finally I’m going to London” “ok sweetie I will send you the flight details it’s an early flight tomorrow that ok?” “off course I am so excited”, I give mom and dad a quick wave and shout up to goodbye to Penelope and rush out the door I jump in my little red mini cooper and head for home. I turn on the radio I’m a so excited about London ever since I was able to talk I have just been so obsessed with everything British. I love the aspect of the country the legends the myth that surround it the history. the culture and off course I love the royal family it’s just so amazing to think over there in what can only be described by me is the most beautiful country in the world that royalty actually exists! There is a Queen there are princes and most of all there are castles, I know every American has a soft spot for the UK but me? It goes far beyond that to me it’s a real passion my dad has always promised that one day he would take me to London and now that day is finally here. When I get home I can’t even contain my excitement I rush up the stairs and find my Louis Vuitton suitcase. I fling open the suitcase on my bed and start looking in my closet for what I could possibly bring to London. Right so it’s December and it’s going to be cold over there so think practical, right jeans, and just as I go to reach for them my iPhone bleeps and I have a new email from my dad

  "Hey lanna this is all the details for the trip to London" FLIGHT VS67 NON STOP JFK-HEATHROW

  VIRGIN ATLANTIC

  28/12/12 6.30 UPPER CLASS

  GATE 19

  p.s don’t be late sweetie!

  I reply, Oh dad how could I be late I have only been planning this like my whole life wouldn’t miss it for anything P.s how long we going for? Lanna.

  Right where was I jeans I don’t really know how long we are going for so it’s kind of hard to guess how many pairs I will need so I think it’s best to take around seven if we are there for a week then I will have a pair for each day and if we go for less then I will have extra that’s pants sorted out now sweaters I’m thinking turtle necks and button up cashmere sweaters will be so right for the cold bitter winter of the London streets. so I grab a few I mostly where dark colors like black dark deep rustic reds and navy which everyone always says goes great with my blonde hair and light but golden skin. Now shoes well obviously I bring my loubotins and jimmy choos five pairs should be enough and of course my dark brown ugg boots but I will leave them out as they are better for the airplane. now evening wear after all it is work for dad so I’m thinking there will be a few events for us to attend I go into the other side of my walk in closet and switch on the light and there they are all my dresses from the one I went to prom in and other high school dances in, to my cotillion dress they are all there not one out of place not one that doesn’t have some memory attached. I choose and few a white one witch is really flattering with a thin black belt that goes round the waist and another by Vera Wang and of course the only dress I love and have never worn the white and pink channel dress my mom bought me for Christmas, I throw in some other essentials hair dryer, products make up etc. I leave out my black sweat suit for the plane.

  BLEEP!! My phone again another email

  Hi lanna sorry I forgot to say how long, we are away for 4 days, I have to go just now I’m on a conference call so I will see you in morning and please sweetie try to get some sleep tonight

  I reply, ok dad so excited I will try to sleep see you in the morning lanna.

  Now that I am all packed and ready to go I head down the stair and grab a snack switch on the TV and try to relax until the morning comes. I flick through the channels but nothing seems to take my fancy so I switch off the TV and grab my laptop from the coffee table I switch it on and sign into my email account I notice that porcha is online she is one of my closest friends I went to school with she doesn’t live out here in the Hamptons but instead she lives in the city the upper west side to be exacted in her mother’s hotel porcha is a petite girl around 5"1 with a thick mass of light brown wavy hair that is always to perfect and never out of place her hazel eyes have a certain sparkle her thin but pouted lips are always painted and she is always dressed in the most figure hugging dresses that really show of her curves all in all she is a lovely girl and one of the few that are really genuine nice person I open up the IM chat box and send her a quick email

  Hey porcha how’s it going?

  Quickly she replies

  Hi fine what about you did you have a nice Christmas?

  Alanna: yes it was great spent it with the family there’s nothing better.

  Porcha: yeah, so I heard everything with Sophie she must be feeling a mess right now?

  Alanna: she is fine you know it’s been hard for her after all she did love chace and Chelsea was a best friend of hers but she’s as good as to be expected.

  Porcha: it was terrible thing for a friend do I know it’s bad for a boyfriend to cheat but come on what Chelsea did was worse than chace don’t you think?

  Alanna: I totally agree chace was always that sort of guy and as hard as it is to except he cheated Chelsea was a friend and it was unforgivable.

  Porcha: it’s an awful situation, so I here you and hunky Italian Marco are a thing!

  Alanna: yeah except we are not

  Porcha: really?

  Alanna: absolutely there is nothing going on with me and Marco not a thing never has never will be!

  Porcha: the press has it wrong then?

  Alanna: totally wrong although he did ask me to go to Venice with him for New Year’s.

  Porcha: really? Wow are you going?

  Alanna: no I’m going to London tomorrow with my dad.

  Porcha: London! You have always wanted to go it must be a dream come true?

  Alanna: yeah it totally is.

  Porcha: what I would give go jet off to London it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

  Alanna: yes I’m super excited trip of a lifetime!

  Porcha: totally.

  Alanna: I better go and grab some dinner and head of to bed it’s a 6.30 flight and I need sleep.

  Porcha: ok have fun and I will see you when you get back. Alanna: yes we will meet up for coffee or something. Porcha: p.s happy new year

  Alanna: happy New Year<
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  I log off and close up my laptop I go over to the kitchen and have a raid through the fridge oh what looks good,,, I grab a pre made chicken salad and can of coke I sit down at the table, and as I go to eat my dinner I think to myself did porcha really think that me and Marco where an item? or was she simply just fishing that’s the thing with porcha although she is nice and everything else there is a side to her that maybe is a little bit of a gossip and she does tend to spread rumors a lot I am always very aware and careful of what I say to her knowing that whatever I say could end up on her blog or even worse in the hands of the press. "Hi" Sophie shouts as she pours in through the door with more Macy’s bags than I think I have ever seen in the arms of any one person. "Shop till you drop huh?" “Oh you could say that” Sophie says with a little smile “I have the most amazing news” “do tell” “you know how I always wanted to go London?” “I think everyone knows that alanna” “I’m going” “what really? When?” “Tomorrow” “huh?” “Yes in the morning” “but how?” “My dad has work over there and he has asked me to go with him” “how long you going for?” “Four days” “oh that’s wonderful really it is you must be so excited?” “I am” “I bought you a little something today” “ah you didn’t have to” “no but I wanted to you have been so good to me recently and have helped me through a lot and I just wanted to show how much its appreciated” she rummages through her bags and pulls out a little tiffany box she hands it to me and I carefully open the little blue packaging I’m surprised when I see the little silver locket its round with carved roses on it and inside there is a picture of Sophie and I at the beach “Sophie its wonderful I love it really its lovely thanks” “I wanted to get you something special you are amazing alanna!”

  Chapter 3

  I am finally here sitting on the airplane first class heading to London! I can’t really contain myself with excitement although I am not really the best flyer in the world in fact usually I’m a nervous wreck on an airplane and I can’t lie and say I’m not felling the same way now! As the plane takes off and turns around on its way to London I feel a sudden sense of unease like I’m falling the plane starts to shudder and I nearly jump out of my seat! It shudders again and starts to shake I’m terrified absolutely terrified! I have a glass of water on my table and I see the water start to tipple out of the glass oh my god this is scary! I see the air hostess and maybe it’s just me but she seems to have worried look on her face oh please don’t let there be anything wrong with plane oh god please! and then all of a sudden the shuddering and shakes begin to fade off and I hear the captain through the microphone "ladies and gentlemen boys and girls there was a lot of head wind there but luckily it seems to have cleared we are looking at a nice and smooth flight with a duration of just over seven hours so sit back relax and enjoy the flight" “oh thank god” I say to dad who is a little preoccupied with paper work I don’t even think he noticed the shudders! “yeah sweetie fine” I shake my head in disbelief how could he be so wrapped up in his paper work not to realize the plane was practically falling from the sky! Maybe that’s a little over reacted but any way he is just being dad and I am not going to let anything ruin my trip! I put on my headphones and search for a movie to watch I see that the latest twilight movie is on its not usually the kind of thing I watch but hey I might as well. When the movie is over its time for lunch and I must say for airplane food it’s actually quite nice! Another hour passes and I can’t help but flick my little TV screen over to the sky map I can’t resist seeing how far I am away from London my dream city. Just under four hours to go, I take out my iPod and start to listen to some tunes and in the process I must fall asleep! I’m dreaming I’m in London I am at black tie event there is people all around same kind of setting of the event in New York the other night but somehow more spectacular, more elegant, and more glamorous! I wake up to find one of the cabin crew speaking through the microphone" ladies and gentlemen boys and girls we are just under thirty minutes from Heathrow please if you need to use the facilities please do so now" I rush up and look at my dad still sitting there with his paper work he turns and smiles and says "nearly there" I smile back I undo my seatbelt and head for the bathroom as I enter I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I can’t look like that my hair is a total mess it’s all sticking up and frizzy I take it of the ponytail and try to smooth out best I can I look in my carry bag and find some smoothing serum I run a few drops through my hair and quickly it bounces back and I decide to leave it loose! I also take out some green tea tree face wipes and give my face a quick wipe I pop on some glowing moisturizer and quick dollop of lip balm and I’m ready to go! I swiftly head back to my seat and just in time as the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign as the plane is heading in to land I brace myself as landing is always one of the worst things I hate about being on an airplane I’m always terrified that the plane will hit something. The plane touches down I feel a sigh of relief not only that the plane is landed safely but I’m in London finally!

  Chapter 4

  We are now settled in our hotel and from what I have seen of London (the cab ride from the airport) it is exactly the way I pictured it. Historic, lively, and full of life, luxury, passion and London is a city of love. We are staying in London’s Knightsbridge area in the Sheraton park tower hotel. My dad has booked three rooms one for him me and another for my dad’s business partner Julian that has also came on the trip. My room is ultra-modern with chic fittings and a wonderful view out into the city. I stand by the window and I gaze out at what can only be described as the most beautiful city I have ever seen. It’s one thirty in the afternoon and I feel like I have to explore I grab a change of clothes and head for my dad’s room. "Dad" I say as I open the door he asked for extra keys for the rooms in case of emergencies "how you liking London?" “it really is amazing actually I was thinking about going out and maybe exploring the city a little bit?” my dad looks at me a gives a little cheeky smile “ok then sweetie but please remember to take your cell and please give me a quick text or email to let know your safe” “I will dad” “lanna before I forget you must be back around six!” "Why" I say looking a little nervous “tonight is the gala I thought you were going to come along?” “I wasn’t aware there was an event tonight” “yes all the businesses will be there its perfect for pitching the products to the market over here.” “Ok dad don’t get all business with me, I will be there ok?” “Don’t forget” “don’t worry I won’t” I say as I head out the door to excited to look back. I make my way down to the grand lobby and I am mesmerized by the sheer luxury of the hotel everything so shiny all white and gold huge windows with gold drapes hanging down! "Good day love" the door man says as he opens it for me and here I am alanna hart out on the streets of London swinging around like I own the place I really wish someone was here to pinch me! Even though I’m on cloud nine I still can’t escape the fact that I have no idea where to go what do or how to get there. I walk further down the street and I spot a tourist information point I don’t really fell like going over and looking like the crazy American who can’t find her way around but I bite my lip and head over. there is a long tall stand of pamphlet’s and guide books I pick up one that has a picture of Buckingham palace on the front I scan through a couple of the pages and it takes me no time to figure out that’s where I want to go first. "May I help you?" a small grey haired lady asks “yes I really want to go see Buckingham palace but I’m not really sure how to there or how far it is away?” “ok love I would say the best thing to do is yell a taxi down and the driver will take you there” the grey haired lady says in an accent so strong I almost didn’t understand anything she said “ok” I say with smile “thanks” "wait" the lady says “yes mam?” I say with a little swiftness in my voice “where are you from love?” “New York” I say with a smile “the big apple!” “Yeah” I say trying to hold back a giggle “London welcomes you love” “thanks” I say turning away and heading down the street. “Oh mam I forgot where I will get a cab
?” "if you walk down a little there is a taxi rank just wait there and one will come shortly" “thanks again” I turn a head down the street. Taxi rank taxi rank oh it must be that long line of cabs I see. I go over to the first one and an older man is driving with dark black-greying hair "hey sir can you take me to Buckingham palace?" “Of course my love hop in” I sit in the taxi and I look out onto the city ahead and still can’t believe I’m here, "love is it your first time in London?" “Yes” “tell me what does your kind self-kind think of our old town?” “I think it’s amazing” “that’s good to here are you here on business or pleasure?” “Um a little bit of both” “do you have an English lover?” “no I’m here with my dad and I’m just out exploring before an event tonight” “which event if you don’t mind me asking love” “I think it’s the met gala” “posh lots of powerful people attend there” “yeah I know” “is your dad one of them?” I laugh “he is trying to pitch ideas to the market here” I don’t why but I feel the need to tell this cab driver the whole story he just somehow makes me feel like I can talk to him about anything it’s a weird felling cause no cab driver in new York would give a second thought to what you were saying never mind be interested in your life. “love make sure you look out for the rich playboys that attend a pretty young girl like you will sure to be a target for them” “I am used to it with the events I attend in the states” “yes I’m sure you are but the young boys here they are a different story especially” the driver trails off “especially who?” “Nothing love just be careful that’s all” “we are here love!” I look out of the window and I cannot believe my eyes! Is that really the palace am I finally here? “That will be £15 love” I search for my money in my bag searching but can’t seem to find a thing no purse no plastic wallet no nothing! I start to panic and my face flushes hot with shame “sir I can’t believe it but I must have left my cash in my hotel room I am really sorry I don’t know what I can do?” “love if you have no money then there is only one thing for it” I think of what this guy is going to say surely he won’t get the cops or something crazy like that he turns fully around in his seat and stares straight into my face “love flash me a great big smile and we are even” so without hesitation I give him by best smile witch I save for those really special red carpet moments and without a second thought the cab driver says "hope you enjoy London love" I open the door and as my foot hits the ground I look back at the driver and yet again flash him another smile.