As she stopped to catch her breath, she looked back, what had just happened? Walking away from the man she had felt loved her, now feeling like her heart had been ripped out and her head was pounding. Tears now flowing, everything was over, love and heartbreak the two go together. This was not how things should have played out.

It had been a lovely day, they had been to the park with her niece, Daniel had even laughed when he had pushed Rosie on the swing. Reading the day wrong, she knew she had been crazy to say it. The words just came out and now she regretted them.  The sounds of the park had become silent as his words reverberated through her head. Not knowing how to feel, Jenny now wanted to sit with her Ben and Jerrys and shut out the world. Rosie by her side squeezed her hand,
“It’s ok Auntie Jen, I didn’t like him anyway.”

Stopping, she gave Rosie a hug. Ten years old and mature beyond her years. All Jenny wanted now though, was to be alone. To shut out the world, shut out the noise. She didn’t need to hear I told you so or others advice. She didn’t need sympathy. All she needed right now was her own company.

Leaving Rosie with her sister she did not tell her what had happened. Walking home she stopped at the little shop and bought wine, chocolate and Ben and Jerrys. Healthy eating, who cares!

Once home, greeted by Lara her Spaniel, tail wagging excitedly, Jenny disintegrated. Cuddling her dog she told her what had happened with Daniel.
“I thought he loved me, loved us, but no he doesn’t. How could I be so stupid?”  Once changed into her pyjamas she filled her glass with Pinot Grigio and opened the tub of ice cream. Then balancing Milk Tray under her arm she walked towards the settee with Lara, tail wagging, leading the way.  Locating the remote control she flicked on the television. Bridget Jones, she knows about love and heartbreak. Very apt considering what had just happened. Wondering whether it was the events of the day, she knew she was kidding herself by asking if he had really meant it.

Licking her spoon the sweet Ben and Jerrys was making her feel better. Thirty years old and single again, she had been with Daniel for about a year now. He had never said he loved her but after a year surely those feelings should be there.  Watching him with Rosie, she had felt so happy, saying the words, I love you had seemed right. She had not expected to hear the words, “I’m sorry but I can’t do this anymore”. What was wrong with her?

Okay, she enjoyed her chocolate, ice cream and wine, but so what. Does my personality stink? She wondered. Maybe she could be like Bridget and hook a nice Colin Firth. Men are not worth this heartache, maybe she should be a nun.  Thinking about past relationships, they had all ended badly. Wanting to be a mum one day, this was not good enough, where is my Mr Right she thought. Downing her Pinot Grigio, she looked at the bottle becoming empty.

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Lewis sat a single man staring at his four walls. There was just one girl he liked and she was with someone. It was then he heard his phone vibrate. A message from Lisa which read, “I haven’t spoken to her but Rosie tells me that Jenny and Daniel have split up. Just thought you would like to know”.

So, there’s hope, he had known Jenny years but, she had always seen him as a friend. He had realised about six months ago that he loved her and had confided in Lisa. Wondering how to play this, he did not want to be a rebound boyfriend, no more love and heartbreak.  He wanted her to love him as he loved her.

Lewis stood 6 foot tall, brown hair and kind blue eyes.  He was a self-employed gardener, running his own business and often covered in mud. Not one to wear a suit, unlike snooty Daniel who worked in a bank. He knew he needed to do something. Wanting to attract her attention he now decided that he was going to go and see her. Maybe take things slowly, give her time to get over Daniel then tell her how he feels. Not wanting though to be stuck in the friend zone, he was confused.

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Bridget Jones was proving to not be good company. Lara now sat with her head on Jenny’s lap. Stroking her head she was glad she had at least one friend. At least someone cared. The wine was now gone. Tub of Ben and Jerrys empty and the Milk Tray was nearly gone. She sat feeling cheerfully sick.

Thinking about her future, she knew after tonight she needed to do something. Daniel was her past, he hadn’t even texted. Thinking about her life, reflecting on her ex’s she was starting to get maudlin. Getting more depressed, she thought about the men she knew. She had had to much love and heartbreak.

There was only one who she did really like, but she had known him years. She was sure that he wouldn’t look twice at her. He was always dirty and sweaty, the downside of manual labour but quite sexy. Head throbbing now, she knew she was going to be sick. This was all Daniel’s thought. Jumping up, she ran to the kitchen sink and threw up. It was now that she heard the doorbell. Why now? Thinking of ignoring it she waited a few seconds. Then she heard a voice.
“Jenny, open up, it’s me.”
She stood there, why was he here? Wondering if he was covered in mud and sweat she walked to the door. Typical that she stank of sick, not an attractive look. Oh well, she thought, maybe my future starts here, or is it the wine and sweet goodness talking?

For more see, True love at last

Written for Grammys Grid story prompt – As she stopped to catch her breath, she looked back…