“How am I going to get out of this situation?” she thought frantically.
Without moving her head, she scanned the room in front of her. No exit signs and just as she feared she was going to have to walk past the man who had caused this sudden crescendo of emotions.
Standing up as quietly as she could she pivoted slowly about 180 degrees and with head held high and making sure she did not make eye contact with anyone she walked with dignified grace towards the door.
With relief she felt her hand curl around the cool white metal of the door. She pulled at it swiftly, the adrenalin racing through her blood as she realized escape was nearly within her grasp. The door swung open and to her horror the bell tinkled.
“Helena, is that you?”
”Run,” her mind screamed, “Don’t turn your head! You’re nearly there!”
Her heart, however, longed to find out how he was. The conflict raged within her for what seemed like an eternity.
“Helena?”
A firm hand was placed on her shoulder and much to her horror she felt herself turn. She realized that all eyes in the little café were looking at her. Conversations had stopped and onlookers were engrossed in what they sensed was a drama about to unfold.
Helena smiled, “Robert, What a surprise!”
The lie came easily. She needed to diffuse the situation and calmly allowed him to lead her to his table. The ruse worked. Realizing there was no imminent bust up or shouting match to watch the customers slowly returned to their murmured conversations.
His eyes twinkled as if amused at her discomfort. He could see she felt nervous but why was she so awkward. Helena had been happy enough this morning but she seemed strained.
“Not your usual neck of the woods is it?” he asked playfully.
Helena blushed. How she hated herself at this very moment. Why did she always find these things so difficult? Robert seemed to glide through life without a care, charming his way through even the most adverse situation and it made her so envious.
“Please don’t ask me why I am here,” she thought feeling he heart pound waiting for this question to pass his lips.
He caressed her fingers gently and she started to relax.
“Perhaps, just perhaps she could pull this off!” she thought trying to slow her racing thoughts.
“How did it go then? The meeting? Did you get the contract?” her words ran into one another in her effort to take control of the situation.
He smiled, “Looks good to go! They were really impressed with my pitch.” Then with a slight frown he added, “Sorry I ran out so early this morning but nerves got the better of me and I needed some time to think before the presentation.”
Typical Robert, not that she needed an explanation. She knew he would be nervous, he always was when pitching for new work and to be honest she had relied on him leaving early this morning so she could start to make plans. How had she got the timings so wrong? She knew he frequented this café but had expected to have been early enough to miss him.
With trepidation she asked, “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
His eyes lit up!” Is there an offer behind that question?” he joked.
Her heart lurched and she could feel herself weaken with desire but she knew she mustn’t succumb as everything would be undone.
“Sorry I shouldn’t tease, I know how uncomfortable it can make you,” he continued,” I am afraid I have to finish off at the office but won’t be too late.”
Taking this as a cue to end their conversation, Helena got up from the table. Leaning over she kissed him gently on the cheek and murmured, “See you tonight.”
She felt sad at her awkwardness with the man she adored and her touch though soft was filled with regret.
This time holding the ice cold metal purposefully and smiling as she heard the tinkle of the bell, Helena left the café with a deep sense of relief.
An hour later sat listening to the idle chit chat of Samantha her hairdresser, Helena smiled to herself. The mixture of blonde highlights and ash blonde roots really were hiding the grey that was threatening to take hold of her auburn hair. She looked like a new woman, ready for the next chapter of her life.
Thrilled with her new look along with her special purchases she arrived home. As she put her key in the lock the stillness enveloped her. The suitcases packed earlier this morning were still by the door and no Robert.
“Perfect,” she thought.
Everything was finally falling into place. The taxi arrived on the dot of five o’clock as planned and the Friday afternoon traffic seemed to dissipate conveniently allowing her to arrive at her destination ahead of time.
The foyer of the building was crammed full of people desperate to leave for the weekend. She nodded at the security guard who tipped his hat in amused acknowledgement and made her way up the escalator to the second floor.
Down the corridor she tiptoed as quietly as her three inch heels would allow and giving her appearance a cursory glance in the glass door she flung it open with all her might.
Robert stood and stared at the vision in front of him.
She moved swiftly towards him carrying something in her hand that glinted in the light. The rest of the office had gone eerily silent and as she reached him she grasped his hand, knelt down and said “Robert will you marry me?”
Astonishment followed by delight passed across Robert’s face before he said “Yes.”
Helena had finally done it. She had escaped the shackles that had stopped her showing Robert how much she loved him. She was free!
