Look forward - part 2

 Looking forward - Part 2

Beth spent the following week, sorting, packing and disposing. She made four trips to the small, charity shop on the island, offloading all unnecessary items…and offloading many memories! She returned her keys to the owner of the beach house; he had become a good friend to herself and Jim over the years. She gave him a forwarding address and said a very quick, ‘Goodbye’ , conscious of the fact that the tears were already welling up in her eyes. Jim had already paid the rent in advance and he had sorted out notice, so there was nothing left to do but to start the long journey to Devon and begin her new life. The queue for the ferry across to the mainland, was short, and before she knew it, she was off. She intended to break the journey half way by staying for a couple of nights with her bestie..an old university friend.

The day was bright and dry. Beth enjoyed driving, although the island had had its limitations. Six hours later, she was ready for that catch up: an evening meal, a glass of wine and the company of her best and closest friend, Anna. Anna had had her share of heartbreak too and Beth had been a good listener on many occasions. They chatted until the early hours after which Beth slept like a log. She awoke with a start! No gulls! She wouldn’t miss that racket! She looked forward to a day in Anna’s company and the pair of them were soon laughing and giggling like a couple of children, as they had in the old days. ‘Good friends are precious as well as the best medicine,’ thought Beth.

After many hugs, tears, and goodbyes that were uttered numerous times, Beth was on the road again. Another six hours and then she would be at home; it would be lovely to be treated to the home comforts that her mum and dad always provided…and to be back in her old room. Mum would make sure that a hot meal was ready and waiting! Beth was apprehensive at what lay ahead yet at the same time she was somewhat excited that she had the freedom to decide her own future. Not long now!

Her parents didn’t fuss; they weren’t that sort but had always been there if needed.They had made a couple of trips to see Beth and Jim on the island and they had liked him very much. They felt Beth’s hurt. However, there was no point in dwelling on things. Beth could stay for as long as she wished and she could take her time deciding what to do, in the comfort of her family home. Not only that, Beth’s brother and sister lived nearby and some extended family time would be good too, especially as they had young children who loved seeing Aunty Beth.

A couple of weeks passed. Beth, a qualified teacher, had decided to use her skills and take on some supply teaching. That might be a way of returning to full time teaching, she thought. Supply teachers were always needed and no sooner as she had registered, she was in big demand! It was always good to be wanted. After eight years out of the classroom, she thought that she would be ‘rusty’. But she couldn’t have been more wrong. In no time at all, it was as if she’d never been away! She was loving it. The island and Jim soon became distant memories as Beth threw herself into her teaching.