|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 22, 2009 12:03:08 GMT -5
Zachary knew of many places to stay and hide in London. Some where shady, some were downright sleazy, and some were places you wouldn't expect. Mrs. Pennywhistle's was one of the unexpected places. And one of the best.
It looked quiet and unassuming from the outside. Like someone's grandmother's house. There was a pretty little garden, which even in the dead of winter, added a splash of color to the area. The flower-lined walkway led up to an enclosed porch, complete with porch swing. There was a welcome mat with a big smiley face on it, and a pink floral wreath that adorned the door.
Two or three cats usually sat on the porch, ready to greet all visitors. Today as Zach led Suzie up the stairs, a large white cat approached them and wound itself around Suzie's ankles affectionately.
"I hope you don't mind cats," Zach said. "Mrs. Pennywhistle, the owner, really loves them. Last I recall, she had at least a dozen."
How had Zachary Scotts found a place like this? It was definitely at odds with his usual type of place, and his reputation. Once he had gone home with a girl he'd met in a bar, and this was where she had been staying. He wound up staying the night with the girl, and was so impressed by Mrs. Pennywhistle's hospitality and delicious breakfast that he made note of the place, and the next time he'd needed a quiet place to hide with someone who would keep secrets, he chose Mrs. Pennywhistle's.
The boarding house was ideally located on a residential street on the very outskirts of London. It was far away from the hustle and bustle, and no one would ever think to look for someone hiding there.
He gave Suzie one last smile, then opened the door to the boarding house, which, as the sign on the door proudly declared, was always open.
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 22, 2009 13:14:08 GMT -5
Suzie appraised the place, though she was trying not to judge it. It was difficult, though. It was quaint and she imagined friendly, where anyone inside took care of anyone else.
Glancing at Zach, she wondered if that was why he chose here to bring here... there were other people to watch after her and he wouldn't have to live with the guilt when he didn't come back for her.
"Cats are fine," Suzie said, an edge to her voice. Maybe she should run first. Just leave and go back to California, tell Taylor the baby was his. Both he and Zack had dark hair, brown eyes, so she wouldn't have to worry about him being suspicious. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agatha Pennywhistle on Jan 22, 2009 14:33:40 GMT -5
Agatha Pennywhistle had just finished baking a lovely apple cranberry tart, which was now cooling on a table in the kitchen. She was sitting down in the main room, with a gray tabby cat sitting comfortably on her lap, as she read a mystery novel.
When the little bell over the door rang out, Mrs. Pennywhistle glanced up to see a young man she had not seen in quite some time, and a pretty young lady she had never seen before. Ever the warm and welcoming hostess, Agatha shooed the cat from her lap and hurried over to greet them.
"Hello, hello!" she said excitedly. "I remember you from long ago... three... four years, is it? You're looking as handsome as ever, my dear. And you... such a pretty little thing. Are you his bride? oh, of course you are. Look how good you look together. My dear, I am Mrs. Pennywhistle... you may call me Aggie."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 22, 2009 14:51:12 GMT -5
Zach smiled and shook Mrs. Pennywhistle's hand. "Ah, Aggie, I'm surprised you remember me," he said. "It has been nearly four years since the last time I was here. And you look just as lovely and charming as ever. This is Suzie... she is not my bride... yet." He gave her a wink, then continued, "I was hoping you'd have a room available for a week or so? Suzie needs a quiet place to stay."
|
|
|
|
Post by Agatha Pennywhistle on Jan 22, 2009 14:56:05 GMT -5
Agatha blushed. "Oh, you... such a flatterer!" she gushed. "Of course I remember you... such a fine strapping man... made all the ladies blush when you walked in. I'm guessing that's how this lovely young lady was, too."
She reached out and took Suzie's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, dear girl... You are welcome here for as long as you like."
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 22, 2009 15:34:47 GMT -5
Suzie just smiled, not reacting to any of the bride comments, and said thank you to the woman. She was so nice, it was a little overwhelming, and Suzie wasn't sure if she liked it or not.
"I won't be staying long," she assured the woman. "Just until Friday night." Whether or not Zach came, she would be gone by then, starting a new life either way... one with Zach, or one with Taylor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agatha Pennywhistle on Jan 22, 2009 16:58:14 GMT -5
Agatha smiled warmly. "Well, that's fine, too," she replied. "Now come over here and we'll get you all checked in. "I have a lovely room available with a view of the garden, and another that faces the lake in the back. Have you any preference?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 23, 2009 3:49:13 GMT -5
"Oh," Suzie said, not expecting to be presented with options. "I'll take the one with the view of the lake, if it's no trouble," she answered after thinking about it. She hoped it would remind her of the ocean back home... it was something that always relaxed her.
She glanced over her shoulder, missing the warmth of Zach's closeness.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agatha Pennywhistle on Jan 29, 2009 13:13:38 GMT -5
Agatha beamed. "An excellent choice, my dear," she said cheerfully. She took out a log book and wrote a few things down, then glanced back up at Suzie. "Can I have a last name? It needn't be your real name... just something for record-keeping purposes."
Most people who came to Mrs. Pennywhistle's boarding house were hiding from something. She was used to it, and she was always discreet. The way the young woman seemed nervous and uncertain gave a little hint to Agatha that Suzie wasn't entirely interested in being found.
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Feb 6, 2009 5:15:35 GMT -5
Three names came immidiately to mind. Her own, Zach's, and Taylor's. She couldn't use hers or Taylor's, as both were too easy to track down, and using Zach's just felt wrong. She hesitated, trying to think of a name. "Uhm... Miller. Suzie Miller."
She was over this, now, and just really wanted a room. The woman was so nice and friendly, but Suzie just wanted to be alone. Even without Zach, though she wouldn't turn him away if he asked to stay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Agatha Pennywhistle on Feb 26, 2009 16:36:43 GMT -5
Agatha nodded and jotted down the name. "Very good, then," she said. "You can pay when you check out. Until then, here is your key. Your room is 109. Go up the stairs there, and follow the hallway straight down. Yours is the last one on the left, dear. I hope you enjoy your stay here."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Feb 26, 2009 16:41:50 GMT -5
Zachary smiled gratefully, then took Suzie's arm. "Come along, Suzie... I'll take you up there, and make sure you get settled."
He was already dreading leaving her, and he could tell by the way she was acting that she was feeling the same way. He wondered if she still doubted that he would come back for her. For once in his life, Zach was more determined and committed to see this through. Even if what he was planning was ultimately reckless and irresponsible, Suzie was the most important thing in his life at that moment. He would have done anything to be able to be with her. He only hoped she would understand that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Mar 24, 2009 17:18:23 GMT -5
Suzie followed him, smiling at the older woman again.
It was still eating at her that she lied to Zach about being pregnant, or not being pregnant, actually, and she didn't know how long she was going to keep up the lie. Long enough to see if they could stay together without the baby. She wanted what was best for her child, but she wanted what was best for her too, and staying with a man who was only around out of obligation wasn't her first choice.
They found the room easily enough, and she unlocked the door. It was quaint, cutesy almost, but the view of the lake was beautiful, and it would do, for now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Apr 4, 2009 23:49:29 GMT -5
Zachary looked around the room quickly, but since he wouldn't actually be staying her, it didn't really matter if he was pleased with it. As long as Suzie ws comfortable, he was happy with it. She was his main priority.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching his hand out to her. "I know you'll be safe here... but it's killing me to even think of leaving you tonight, Suzie. After last night... I just wish we could go away right now."
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Apr 4, 2009 23:59:28 GMT -5
Suzie turned from the window and took his hand as she came towards the bed, stopping to stand in front of him.
She frowned. "You're the one that said we couldn't leave yet," she reminded him, and it broke her heart. She was now certain that he wasn't going to come back for her. He was taking this as an out, and what was she supposed to do when she was just left sitting here? She didn't want to go back to Taylor, she didn't want to be on the run. She wanted him. And she hated him for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Apr 5, 2009 0:31:28 GMT -5
Zachary was now beginning to recognize that frown. It was the doubtful frown... the one that said she was losing faith in him. He was beginning to hate that frown. How on earth was he supposed to change when no one, not even the woman he loved most, really believed he was capable of change?
He looked down at his hand holding hers, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "Sit with me a while, Suzie," he said, his voice soft. "I don't need to leave right away."
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Apr 5, 2009 0:55:09 GMT -5
Suzie sighed, but sat down next to him on the bed. The room, and the comforter especially, smelled like dust and mothballs. But it was somewhere that no one would think to look for her, so it worked.
"I still don't see why you have to leave at all, Zach. I want you to stay."
How could he say no to that? She was practically begging him not to leave her. Her father would be disappointed that the little girl that he raised to be proud was crumbling for a gambling man.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Apr 15, 2009 1:12:23 GMT -5
Zach hesitated. Why, indeed? Why did he need to leave? Maybe it was better just to stay with her, or to leave right away. He had a head start already; they needn't even know he was gone for a while.
But they needed the money. The good thing about Mrs. Pennywhistle's place was that she didn't ask for payment up front. It gave him time to get the money he needed.
And yet... how could he say no to that voice? That look on her face?
Instead of answering, Zach leaned close to her and, laying a hand on her cheek, pressed a kiss to her lips. The kiss was gentle at first, and slowly became a little deeper. Where he faltered with words, he was always eloquent with his kisses. They offered endless promises that he probably had no business making.
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzette Rousseau on Apr 26, 2009 1:08:50 GMT -5
And it was a no. That kiss meant, 'I'm sorry, love, but I can't stay.'
And yet, she melted into it anyway. Was this her punishment for falling in love with a smooth talker? She was now completely as his will and he was still going to leave. She just prayed he came back. If he didn't... if he didn't, she'd run away. She couldn't go back to Taylor.
She broke the kiss, her thoughts overwhelming her and distracting her from the kiss she should have been enjoying, cherishing. "I'm sorry I lied."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zachary Scotts on Apr 26, 2009 14:33:43 GMT -5
Zachary opened his eyes as she pulled away, and he raised his eyes to meet hers. While it was true that the kiss was a no, he was determined to return as soon as possible. He had no thought of staying away from her this time.
"Suzie, I don't care why you came here," he said. "All that matters is that you did. Even though I left you... I abandoned you... you still came to find me. Merlin knows, I didn't deserve it. I don't deserve you. And I really mean it this time, I'm going to do right by you. I'm going to fight for you this time."
|
|
