by Penny Wells
Fingers shaking, Heather tapped the email. It had been written by someone at her work offices back home, in a time zone five hours behind Edinburgh where it was afternoon. Feeling nervous, her eyes jumped around and she saw the words “accepted” and “work visa.” Heather forced herself to slow down and read the email from the top.
“Heather, is your hand shaking?” asked Michelle. “Heather?” she repeated when Heather didn’t respond.
“I got it,” said Heather quietly. Anna and Brittney turned to look at her, startled by her shocked tone. “I got my work visa.”
“What?” said Anna in disbelief. “They just sent you an email?”
“Yeah,” said Heather, shaking even more now. “Work just sent me the email. It’s still afternoon there, so people are still at the office.” She looked at the email again. “My visa was approved. I’m moving to Edinburgh.”
“That’s amazing! Congratulations!” said Michelle, giving her a hug.
“Congrats! I’m jealous!” said Anna, also hugging Heather.
“That’s great!” said Brittney. She paused and then said, “Are you going to reach out to Liam?”
“I, I don’t know,” Heather stammered. She felt slightly dizzy as she returned her phone to her pocket.
“How do you feel?” asked Brittney, sounding a little concerned.
“Shocked,” said Heather succinctly. “I feel shocked. I had no idea I would be hearing back from them so soon.”
Heather felt dazed as they made their way toward the festival and barely greeted Ian when they met up with the guys. She trailed after the group in a sort of haze as they wandered the Christmas markets that were open as part of Hogmanay. They all ordered boozy hot chocolate and Anna raised her mug in a toast, “To Heather, who just got the news that she is moving to Edinburgh!” Everyone clinked their mugs against Heather’s and congratulated her.
Live music in different styles played on several stages, separated by city blocks. The group decided to meander from one to another. Heather didn’t mind; the music was loud enough that she didn’t have to decide whether or not to make conversation with Ian, which gave her more time to think.
It was happening. She was moving to Edinburgh. She needed to tell Liam.
Dancing in the streets with her friends, Heather made up her mind. She would write a note, take it to Liam’s house, and leave it in his mailbox. Nothing crazy. She would simply leave her email address and the information that she had received her visa and would be moving to Edinburgh. No pressure, right? If it had meant something to him, he would reach out. Either way, she would know.
Heather laughed aloud, drunk more with the energy of the street party, the relief of having her visa, and the excitement of moving to Edinburgh than from her hot chocolate. It was getting close to midnight, now, and Heather realized her mug was empty. “I’m going to go get another hot chocolate,” she shouted to Brittney, barely audible over the music. Brittney nodded and Heather made her way back toward the Christmas markets.
From this end of the street party, she was near the stall of spun glass ornaments she had so admired and that Liam had gifted her. On a whim, Heather changed course to look at them again. She smiled dreamily as she gazed at the red and white striped ones that matched her own.
“You really can’t get enough of those, can you?”
Heather whirled around and her heart seemed to fail for the second time that night. “Liam!” she shrieked, and she flung herself at him. He stumbled backward, but caught her, wrapping his arms tightly around her and laughing. She hugged him and then loosened her grip, looking up at him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Aberdeen!”
“I was,” he said. “I came back today. Heather…” his voice trailed away and his face became so serious that he seemed nearly in pain. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I know you don’t know if you’re moving here or not, and I know long distance rarely works out, but I couldn’t rest in Aberdeen when I knew you were so close. It’s your last few days in Scotland, and I want to share them with you.”
Tears sparkled in Heather’s eyes as she stood on tiptoe and kissed him fiercely, her hands clinging to fistfuls of his coat. “Liam,” she said when she dropped back to her heels, “I got the email tonight. My work visa was granted! I’m moving to Edinburgh!”
Relief and delight spread across Liam’s face. He opened his mouth to speak, but his emotions seemed beyond words. Instead, he took her face in both hands and kissed her again. At that exact moment, midnight struck and fireworks erupted over Edinburgh Castle, punctuated by the whooping and clapping of the thousands of festivalgoers. Heather laughed. The fireworks were spectacular, but when she looked back at Liam, he had eyes only for her. They held each other close as the show continued and festival goers cheered. Heather rested her head on Liam’s chest. He had come back for her; he had found her in the crowd. As they began the new year together, Heather felt nothing but hope for their newfound love.
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The End.
Penny Wells
Penny Wells has been writing stories since she knew what a story was. She loves reading and especially enjoys a lush fantasy novel or an engaging historical drama. Wells lives in the United States with her husband, who is an avid reader of nonfiction. When she isn’t wrapped up in the consumption or crafting of words, she can often be found curled up with a warm drink and cozy craft.
Visit her website here:
www.writerpennywells.com
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Visit her blog here:
www.writerpennywells.com/blog
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