A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Seventy
Rose slept soundly for the first time in
days. She only awoke as she heard the sounds of Jack getting up. For a moment,
she was startled, slightly confused as to where she was. She opened her eyes
and was relieved to see a familiar face.
"Hi Rose." He smiled.
"Morning Jack, did you sleep well?"
"Nope, I’m a bit stiff from the floor
but I’ll live. I’ve done it before."
"I’m sorry." Rose looked at Jack,
the morning light making him look handsome. Rose sighed to herself. She
remembered what she had told him last night. She had meant it, but seeing Jack
made her feel all strange inside.
"We’ll sort something out. What I don’t
know yet. Now I have to go to see my boss today about starting this job. I can
get you some books and things to read whilst I’m gone. But that really isn’t a
solution. You won’t want to be stuck here all day while I’m out. The job is
only for two weeks. Maybe we can find somewhere else to stay." Jack
finished lacing up his boots.
"Have you thought yet about what you
want to do Rose? What you’re gonna do next?"
"I haven’t Jack. All I thought about was
getting away. Now I have done that, I haven’t given it any thought at
all."
"You could go somewhere else."
"Leave New York?"
"Kind of. The major shipping lines are
here, you could get a boat to Europe, maybe visit France or Italy, just like
you said you’d like too. Maybe you’d be better off out of America."
Rose propped herself up the pillows pulling
the sheets up modestly.
"I wouldn’t possibly have an idea about
going to Europe."
"It’s easy. You go down there, read the
pamphlets, or just choose a ship. You get your ticket and you go. It’s
easy."
"Maybe for you. I couldn’t do it on my
own."
Jack studied her face carefully.
"You asking me to go too?" he said
aloud. "After what you said last night?" he thought to himself.
"You’ve been before, you know what to
expect," Rose replied.
"This your life Rose. You are an
independent woman of means, which makes life a lot easier. You won’t have to
sleep in ditches."
"You don’t want to come then?" Rose
seemed disappointed.
Jack looked at her. She was beautiful, even
first thing in the morning; her red curls fell around her face, which seemed to
have a little more color in it now. Even some of the sparkle was coming back to
her eyes. He knew he loved her, but if she had no feelings for him, was there
any point in going to Europe with her, hoping every day that she might show him
some affection?
"It’s not that Rose."
"Then what is it?"
"I haven’t decided what I want to do
next. Said I’d help you get away. Get you sorted out. But at some point, you
are going to have to learn to look after yourself Rose. I can’t be there all
the time."
Rose looked at him, hurt in her expression.
Regardless of what she had said, there were feelings for Jack. She never
thought that he wouldn’t come with her, only now she realized that what she had
said the night before had had an effect on Jack.
"I’m going to get the morning paper. Do
you want to get dressed for breakfast?"
"I’ll get ready while you are out."
"See you soon." With Jack gone,
Rose crept out of the covers. She sighed at her limited choice of clothes. She
needed to do some shopping. If she were going to Europe, a few more clothes
would be required.
She sat back on the bed. What was she to do
about Jack? What had been said was true in part. She could not divorce Cal
without him finding her. So she would always be his. She knew Jack had lied
about his feelings for her. But she had only been free of Cal for two days. It
was all too soon.
Choosing a simple dress, she began to get
changed. They would have to take breakfast downstairs, so she would not be able
to wear a hat. She pinned her hair up loosely and hoped no one would take too
much notice.
She was ready when Jack returned.
"Nothing again." He gestured to the
papers as he threw then down on the bed. "You ready to go for
breakfast?"
"Are there many people around?"
Rose asked.
"I had a quick look and there didn’t
seem to be. There's some tables in the corner, we could sit there."
"That would be good." Rose picked
up her purse. "Let’s go."