mutuality | wroetoshaw

forty three

IM BAAAAACK!! Sorry for ghosting for 3 days I literally came home from work everyday and just slept until I started the next day 😭live love laugh starting work at 3am

It's six hours before Harry's flight is due back at Heathrow when I make the announcement to my family.

I'd thought it through for the last two days, and it was this morning I'd actually done something about it, starting to pack up all of my belongings, and Harry's remaining ones into my suitcase and an old bag I'd had to dig out of my wardrobe.

We're sat on the sofas, in front of the TV, just the seven of us, all of the extended members of our family off doing various things.

"I'm going back to London today," I tell them, watching each of them turn towards me with surprised expressions on their faces.

"You're what?" Ella is the first to speak, pressing pause on the tv remote so we can actually hear each other.

"I'm going back to London. I'm going to surprise Harry at the airport. It's time to get back to my life, and my job," I explain to them, feeling a little sick to my stomach with anxiety, but continuing on anyway. "Obviously, Harry took the car so I'm going to get the train back up, I'll -"

Charlotte interrupts. "No you're absolutely not. I'll drive you."

"Charlie -"

"Nope. Not taking no for an answer. We need our sisterly bonding time anyway," she carries on, and considering I hadn't actually bought the train tickets yet, I stop arguing it and nod my head.

"Are you sure, though? It's a long drive."

"Absolutely I'm sure. When did you want to leave?"

"In an hour or two maybe. It would give me time to drop stuff off at home first."

"I want to come," Georgie adds in, and we turn to look at her, both of us nodding our heads.

"Ella?" Charlotte asks, turning to our other sister, who looks overjoyed to be included.

"I'd love to. We haven't had a road trip in ages, let me go get ready if we're leaving in an hour, though. I look like shit," she calls out after her, jumping off the sofa and darting upstairs.

"Wait for me Els!" Georgie shouts out, also running off after our sister, now leaving just me, Charlotte, Archie and our parents, who were yet to say anything.

"I would come but I've got a shitload of work to do before tomorrow," Archie explains, looking a little deflated. "Make sure Charlie drives safe, though. You know what her driving is like," he teases, then suffering a pillow being launched at his face.

Whilst they bicker between themselves, I look over at my parents who are already looking my way, and I can't quite decipher what they're feeling, or displaying on their face.

"I - I know I've kinda sprung this on you guys. I'm sorry I'm leaving so suddenly," I start to apologise, but I'm stopped by my mum shaking her head, dad following her lead.

"I am so proud of you, Matilda. Don't ever apologise for doing something that will make you happy. Just make sure you text us when you get there?"

"Of course I will," I smile, climbing off the sofa to go over to them both, launching myself in the middle of them both to receive a warm hug. I felt like I was eight all over again, and the feeling was bittersweet.

"Love you so much my darling," my dad says, sounding a little choked up.

"I love you, dad. Thanks for having me and Harry here the last couple of weeks. It's helped more than you know," I murmur, head cushioned into his chest.