New Encounters by Helena Smith Page B

reassure him that I will be there. In the pit of my stomach I wonder if we are moving too quickly.
     
    ‘What is it Bella?’
    ‘Nothing, its fine’
    ‘No, I can see it in your eyes. Tell me’
    ‘Well, everything is fine. But well, going away with you so soon for so long.... meeting your family.... Are we moving too quickly? ‘
    He reaches over the table and puts his hand over mine.
    ‘Bella, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just literally can’t stay away from you. If you don’t want to come then thats ok. I will just have to figure out a way to keep coming back.’
    I can see the disappointment in his eyes. He looks hurt.
    ‘Robert, I want to come with you. I guess I am not explaining myself very well. I am just scared that we are moving so quickly. I feel like I am free falling from a plane, and I don’t want to hit the ground.’
    He smiled ‘Bella, I feel the same. I am falling head over heels for you. I am worried as well. But I know what I want. I guess when I know what I want, I know no boundaries. We only live once, and if it feels right then we should just go for it.’
    ‘Yeah, your right Robert. Sod it.’
    ‘Sod it? How romantic Miss Stone.’
    With that I laugh and we clink glasses and instead of cheers we ‘Sod it’.
    Not sure how my friends will feel about this one though. But saying that, its nothing to do with them. This is about my happiness, about me and Robert. Wow, I am officially not me anymore I am a ‘we’.
     
    After lunch, Robert suggests we go and look at some castles. I am delighted at this, as I have always loved history and seeing such beautiful buildings that were built so many years ago. Long before there was machinery to help, and long before builders took 4 hour lunch breaks and 5 coffee breaks. The castle is cold, and decked out with red plump furnishings. Old paintings that look like they have been painted centuries ago. Windows, that have lead cross patterns on them. Fascinated, I walk around consulting my booklet that tells me the history of each room.
     
    We got to the second castle and I couldn’t help but try and stifle my yawn which Robert caught me in the act of.
    ‘I think Miss Stone, we need to go back to the hotel so you can get some rest before we go out for dinner tonight.’
    ‘Yeah, I think you’re right. I feel a bit tired.’ Not sure if I can rest much though.... lying next to Robert and all that, it will be a bit difficult.
     
    When we get back to the hotel room, we both lie on the bed and Robert puts an old black and white movie on. Before I know it, I close my eyes whilst in his arms. The next thing I know he is gently waking me up.
‘Come on sleepy head, it’s time for us to get ready for dinner.’
    ‘Robert... I can’t believe I have fallen asleep. I never sleep in the day’
    ‘It doesn’t matter, if you’re tired then you must sleep. Anyway you are a lady of leisure now.’
    I giggle and say ‘Oh yeah’
    ‘Right, I best go in the shower... are you coming?’
    ‘No Bella, we have 40 minutes to get ready. If I get in that shower with you, we won’t be going anywhere’
    I don’t mind this rejection, as it was done in the most perfect way. I skip off to the shower and shout.
‘Where are we going?’
    ‘We are going into the city. There is a restaurant there with the best reputation, so we should go and see it for ourselves. Then we can go out for a few cocktails.’
    ‘Oh sounds great’
     
    I was towelling myself dry while Robert was in the shower. I check my phone, and there is 2 messages from Ash.
    *Did you get there ok? Ash x’
    *Bella, let me know your ok? X*
     
    I text back.
     
    *Having the most wonderful time. Sorry been very busy haha. X*
     
    Robert comes out of the bathroom. ‘Who are you on the phone to Miss Stone?’
    ‘I was just texting Ash back, I should have let her know I was okay but I had forgotten. ‘
    ‘What are you two like? Am I that bad that she is worried?’
    ‘We have been