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.

☆  ☆  ☆

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.

☆  ☆  ☆

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…

Anne-Marie sat on her bed playing with her long brown hair. Dreaming of the one boy who she wanted to give her heart to, her true love. The shadows danced around the room. Life had not been easy, she was 35 now and single again. Her last relationship had ended suddenly when two timing Freddie had decided that blonde brazen Roxanna was a better prospect. She had been devastated, like he had put his fist into her chest and physically ripped her heart out.

Now months on, watching her pet chipmunk, Sonia, she thought about Jonathan, her friend the Architect. They had known each other most of their lives and he had always been there for her and her for him. If she had a problem, he was always the first person she would phone. She felt that there had always been something more between them but, had always been too scared to pursue it. She did not want to lose his friendship if it all went wrong.

He had been there for her through so many situations, he had always picked her up and made her laugh again.  She thought of the time they had sat up all night, watching films and eating Chinese food.  The time he had come with her to collect her new Pug puppy, William.  Now sat lying on the floor next to her. The time she had been there as he had cried over his latest failed relationship with cruel Sandra, “its not you, its me”.  He later found out that she had someone else which upset him even more.  Jonathan also came with her to collect her first car, a Vauxhall Corsa that they had named Charlie.  She did not want to lose his friendship but had known for a long time that she had really fallen for him.  She then wondered if he felt the same..

Anne-Marie looked up at her calendar on the wall. The picture of the London city scape looked back at her. Glancing at the date, Friday 13th February she thought tomorrow is St Valentine’s day. Picking up her mobile she started typing frantically.   After sending her text, she sat and thought, was she doing the right thing? Looking down at William, she now got off her bed, walked to the kitchen.  A cup of tea might help.

  *    *    *    *    *     *   *

Jonathan was walking his Jack Russell, Hetty, through the woods as he did daily.  Listening to the crunching of the leaves and the wind whistling through the trees.  He was enjoying his time alone and feeling relaxed.  it was then that his phone buzzed.  Reaching into his pocket he saw the message was from Anne-Marie.  He smiled to himself thinking about her, she was the one girl who had ever felt true love for.  However, he had always feared pursuing a relationship with her as she was his closest friend. He did not want to lose her.

She wanted to meet him tomorrow in the park.  Wondering if the date was related to her wanting to meet, as it was Valentine’s day tomorrow  he hoped that he wasn’t overthinking things.  In past years they had had other people.  This was the first Valentines day in years that they had both been single.

        *    *    *    *    *    *    *

It was 13.00 hours as the handsome Architect walked into the Newsagent and bought a Toblerone and some red roses. Feeling nervous he tapped in his pin number, smiling at the cashier he then walked out. He wondered if he should tell her how he really felt, would she reject him?

Walking into the park, he thought about what true love really meant.  Did this mean marriage and children? Big commitment, maybe in time.  Hetty led the way, tail wagging.  She knew that she was about to see William. Jonathan had butterflies in his stomach as he got closer to their meeting place.  There were children playing with a football nearby.  Lots of laughing and screaming, There were families sitting on picnic rugs. and babies in pushchairs. The park was busy today.

William was playing fetch, happily retrieving his ball.  He was then excited when he saw Hetty racing towards him.  The dogs greeted each other and then Hetty fetched the ball. Jonathan thought surely this relationship is meant to be.  The dogs are friends and are like family this could really work.

Anne – Marie sat on the park bench watching the grey squirrels racing about and the children nearby chasing each other and laughing. She was nervous but excited, hoping that she was doing the right thing.  She knew that what she felt was true love but felt so scared. It was then that she heard his voice.

“Anne, sorry I’m late” he sat down next to her with a thud. She looked up and saw the roses, wow her heart beat faster, she told herself to not get too excited. Maybe they were for someone else. He then offered her the Toblerone.

“Oooh you old romantic, Toblerone, roses, its St Valentine’s day and there are squirrels playing on the path.” They both laughed and looked at each other.

“Anne, I need to tell you something.”

“I need to tell you something too.” They looked at each other awkwardly. Hoping that the other felt the same way but to scared to say it. He then reached up and put his arm around her. Anne-Marie did not push him away, she liked his arm there and she cuddled in closer.

They had known each other years, why had it taken till now to get this far? Maybe they both had to make their mistakes first to see the one person in front of them that was the right one for them. Jonathan pulled her in closer and played a little with her hair. She then looked up at him and it was now that their lips met for the first time. Finally, she thought, maybe now things will be right.  They both hoped that they had now found true love at last.

For more see, A date for Valentine’s day

What is Valentine’s day?