Chapter Three

Luna’s POV

“Hey, why don’t we go shopping today? we can go into the travel agents and look for a holiday, call it a celebration for getting your book published” Carrie spoke with so much enthusiasm, she has been trying her best to cheer me up over these past seven weeks.

I began writing a year ago, it’s always been my true passion although I never shared this with anyone other than Carrie, she was the only one who knew about my writing and the one who sent my novel out for publishing without my knowledge so I guess I have her to thank for my publishing offer.

This morning I received an email from a publishing company who agreed to publish my novel. I have to go to London this weekend for a meeting with the publisher, I’m not sure how everything happens but I’m sure they will explain it to me when I get there.

“Carrie, I cannot afford a holiday, I’ve quit my job and I’ve got this London trip to think about, if I decide to go I will need to save my money” I told Carrie.

“what do you mean if you decide to go? It’s all expenses paid, in a high class hotel and you get to take a plus one, you’re going” Carrie grinned.

She knew I would be taking her with me if I decided to go and I think she was secretly more excited than I was. Plus I did have a few thousand saved away from the house which I put up for sale two days after everything that happened. It was a quick sale as I wasn’t really interested in profit, more so just erasing all memories.  I was saving this money for emergencies but it could come in handy for this trip.

“Fine, we’ll go to London, but it’s just for the weekend then I need to get back and sort out my career” I said.

“Girl, your career is just beginning, you’re an author now, plus we’ll have so much fun, the worst is behind you” Carrie said with a sympathetic tone.

I must admit I have felt so much better this past week, mainly because Carrie has kept me busy helping out at the beauty salon but also because I learned that the monster Ethan was finally caught by the police after hiding away since the whole ordeal. Before he was caught I felt like I was constantly looking over my shoulder but now I feel a sense of relief.

I drove my Ford fiesta to the shopping complex about 5 mile from Carrie’s house, I’ve been living with her until I get myself sorted, although it’s a bit of a pain as she refuses to take money off me for bills. We parked up and walked to our favourite coffee shop, we always started our shopping days off with a vanilla latte and a delicious crepe. It was a family run coffee shop which always made me feel right at home. The owner Jeff would often join us for our morning coffee, we liked to think of him as our very own grandfather, he was always so sweet and full of beautiful stories of his dear wife, they were so lucky to have each other. Unfortunately Jeff lost his wife last year, I think having the coffee shop keeps him from feeling lonely.

Walking out of the coffee shop, Carrie spotted a dress in the window across the road. Her eyes lit up as soon as she spotted it, it was a long red flowing dress which sat off the shoulders, it had a split up the right leg which would look perfect on Carrie  as she had the most beautiful figure with long legs. In-fact we had similar body shapes although Carrie was much more confident in her body than I was in mine. We often got compared to as sisters as we were quite similar in size, with a slim face, high cheek bones and a nose which curled up a little at the end. The only significant difference was the hair colour, mine was a dark ash brown while Carrie’s was a glowing golden blonde.

“I need that dress” Carrie stated, “it will be perfect for when we go to dinner at a posh restaurant in London” she laughed.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her, she was so excited about going to London. Carrie began walking towards the store, I followed suit, as we walked into the store we were met with stunning surroundings. There were dresses placed perfectly on mannequins with spot lights on each one making them look like they were made for celebrities. I bet its expensive in here I thought, I was right. I noticed a price tag on one of the dresses hanging from a rail on the right side of the store £1500 it was a plain simple mid length dress with long sleeves, nothing spectacular however still quite elegant.

“Luna” I heard Carrie shout.

I turned around and she was stood beside the most amazing dress I have ever seen. It was similar to the dress in the window although something about this dress really had me awestruck. It was a straight floor length gown with a strapless heart shaped bustier top and a slit up the left leg,  it was a beautiful golden colour which reminded me of a goddess, it was made for a model I’m sure of it.

“This dress was made for you” Carrie stated, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m sure the price is made for me too” I said sarcastically.

“just try it on, come on treat yourself, you deserve this” said Carrie, I must admit now that I have seen it I don’t want to leave the store without it, and Carrie is right I do deserve it.

We tried on the dresses and immediately complimented each other, we were only going to London for a weekend and probably would be way too overdressed if we were to turn up at a restaurant in these dresses but then again Carrie did always like to stand out and knowing Carrie she would convince me one way or another to be just as vibrant as her.

We left the store with two bags each, not only did we get the dresses but we also ended up buying shoes, bags and accessories to match. This weekend better be worth the money spent today I thought to myself.

As if reading my thoughts Carrie stopped me in my tracks, turning to me “I promise we’ll have the best time, you won’t want to come back to this shitty place, in-fact I might not even bother coming back myself”

I laughed but something about Carrie’s words got me thinking, maybe it was time for a change, maybe London could be my new home, I guess I’ll have to wait and see what the weekend brings.