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Central International Airport Chapter #6Jessica finds a Royal Pub and maybe love by: leoofmo   Jessica was really hungry and wanted to relax. She threw her largest bag of luggage onto the bed and started searching for that "just right" dress to make her stand out in a dark pub. If she was going out, she was going to make it memorable. She dug to the bottom under the stack of pink apparel to match the mood of Paris. She did not want to wear pink now. She was look for the purple go-go boots and the matching 60's style dress that cuts up to her thigh. She pulled out the dress and decided it needed to be ironed. No porlbme there, she knew every place in London had to have one. In England she wanted to stay in bed and breakfast not this place. The least they could have done was have modeled the room after a Lora Ashley design. She ran to the closet and presto, there was an iron. She plugged it in in the bathroom and returned to get her boots dugg out. Now which bag was her shoes in. Oh yeah,In the little on next to the foot of the bed. Her boots where her most prized possession. They were purple suede and had pointed toes and nine inch heels. They went to her knees and zipped up the back. She had black hoes to match the purple, white and black swirled dress. She pressed it in a moment and dashed the dress and the boots on.
Just when she was about to exit the room with her purse in toe her cell phone ran. No now she thought.
She looked down at the phone she had just pulled out of her purse. The LCD screen read Sarah, her friend back home. Originally, she was from Houston. In fact, she had just returned to check on the damage to her parents home from the recent hurricane to come through. She had bought their house for them and let them pay her rent ever since their adjustable rate mortgage had gone up with the latest intrest rate hike. She was greatful to help out but wanted to get the house payed off to atart her own life. Ever since graduating with her civil engineering degree and moving away from home, two mortgages was not her idea of a happy, healthy life. So she rented. Sarah knew buying her mom's house was a good investment, and that her parents relied on her, yet she felt a little trapped. Jessica had recently had to talk her into staying saying that in July it would be her two year anniversary at the firm and that meant an 8 percent raise. It had delayed her urgency to move back home. Jessica feared that her return to Houston now would renew her resolve to go home and stay. Jessica dreaded answering it for that reason but bit the bullet and said, "Hello."
"Hi Jessica, how is Paris," squealed from the other end of the connection.
"Good try Sarah, but I am in London."
"London." she screamed. "What happened? "
"Too long a story for an overseas connections. I am just going out to find a pub and get a drink."
"Looking for an Irish pub like our Paddy Malone's," said Sarah with a tinge of jeaoulsy.
"Yes, I guess that would be correct but finding an Irish pub in England is a little wierd. I think just a pub is what I am looking for. Maybe all pub here have hard cider. I don't think just Ireland has that lable. I may want a Guinness anyway. Can you help me? I don't have internet here and feel lost."
"Ok," Sarah said. She pulled out her lap top and fired it up. "Your in London right. Any preferences?"
"No, just a historic spot."
"Ok," Sarah continued. She went to ixquick.com and typed in English pub. A link popped up saying traditional and historic pubs guide at pubs.com. "I think I found a place." Sarah said.
"Great Sarah, you are saving me a ton of time."
"Try the Royal Oak at 44 Tabard Street, Borough, London. Is reads, 'It seems that time has stood still at Harvey's Royal Oak, the Sussex brewer's lone foray into 'The Smoke'; their range of gorgeous ales a treat for Londoners. This almost plain, classic, two roomed corner pub has a Public and Lounge bar, separated by a former off-sales counter, once commonplace in Victorian urban pubs.' I think I want to go. Oh, the crowd is friendly local and can be an eclectic mix of clientele from far and wide. Just what you need Jessica. If you want some food they offer up Lamb shank. Let me know how this turns out," Sarah added.
"Ok, Sarah," Jessica added trying to frantically to remember the address to write it down. "the address was 44 Tabard Street right."
"That is correct. Now don't loose track of time. You might miss your flight," Sara said with a chuckle thinking of what might have happned the first ime to land her friend in the center of London instead of Paris.
"Hey Sarah, I have to go now. I owe you a big one. Oh, how is it going in Houston."
"It is good only Windsor is on me again to stay here for good but I am holding strong. I just need to hear your voice again and get some breathing and relief away from his constant nagging. The adjuster comes with the check tomorrow, and I am working on fixing this up with a good contractor and leaving. I have two more interviews Friday afternoon.
"Well, you hold strong and keep your goal in mind. Then come home! Remember, Widsor is not your husband and you can kick him back home to Houstand anytime. If he wants to return, you are under no obligation to go also. He is your live in and not your life line. Got it!"
"Yes, got it Jessica. Now take a breather yourself. I want the full scoop when you get back."
"Ok dear, You rock girl."
"Cheers dear, and stay out of trouble," said Sarah as she hung up.
Oh dear, Jessica thought. Well, Widsor, the Columbian Sarah had been dating for seven years, was still a thorn in her side. Sarah had wanted him to stay behind in Houston, but he had followed her up and got a job at a local dealership as a mechanic. He was planning on staying with Sarah, and she did not have the heart to kick him to the curb although she could not see herself getting old with him. Sarah just felt like she needed the comfort he had given her as a college student as she stuggled with college and morgage with her parents plight. She had not learned to live on her own and had comfort in Widsor although not happiness. It was not Jessica's problem tonight.
She opened the hallway door and surged into the night being careful to step over the drunk in the way this time. She made it to the street. Just as she was about to hail a cab a wreckless biker sped by and splashed her dress from a puddle in the cobble stoned street leaving her drenched.
The bicke stopped at the red light up the street a little ways ahead.
"Hey you jerk,"she yelled back. Look at me. What do you have to say for yourself!"
The rider looked back. There was no helmet and his jet black hair blew in the night wind. He gave a simpathetic smile and made a U turn to return to her on the curb.
"I am so sorry. I did not see you there. I was in a bit of a hurry. Is there anything I can do to make you forgive me? Did I ruin your evening? My name is Andrew," he said in a English accent that took her breath away. His smile was wide and full of bright white teeth. How could she be mad at him.
"Look," she said haultingly, "I have just had a bad day trying to get to Paris and ended up here. I know you didn't mean any harm. My name is Jessica, and I am on my way to the Royal Oak Pub for a drink.
"Here let me take you. It is on my way."
"No, I hardly know you, and this is a long way from my home. I will be fine"
"Don't be silly. I have all but ruined your evening. Hope on. I don't bit. I will even by your dinner. It is all on me. It is the least I can do. I am yours for the evening. You will be a welcome distraction. Andrew had been worried about his job. He was from London himself and was in the newspaper business. Yet, his boss was only giving him obituaries and a few sports stories. Andrew wanted to make a name for himself and was tired of the same old stories. He had been on his way to his brothers for a bit of soccar (football to the Brits), but this lady needed his assistance after his unthoughtful act. I seemed more like fate for them to meet this way. He was likely to have a more enjoyable evening with her. So to the Royal Oak it was. He held out his hand, and she took it. He helped her hope on and they took off into the night. Jessica and Andrew road hastily into the misty London night air full of ehilaration of what awaited them.
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