Chapter 29: Decision.

He sighed as the clock ticked...one minute past seven.
I guess she ain't coming then.
Solemnly he boarded the train and found his reserved seat in first class.
It had been a while since he had travelled by train but he figured that him and Ruby would have had time to talk.

-------------------------

Earlier that morning...

9.00am

Her radio alarm clock woke her with some perky local radio DJ wittering on. She had eventually fallen asleep some time before five, so she was in no mood for such cheeriness.
Rolling over she hit the snooze button.
Sleep had done a good job of making her forget her troubles, but the harsh light of day soon reminded her of the decision she had to make.
Pulling a pillow over her head she tried to avoid the sunlight and the decision.

Eight minutes later her slumber was disturbed again.
"Shot through the heart and you're..."
She bashed the off button on the radio alarm clock.
'Is this some kind of sign?' She said to herself with a laugh.

***

10.15am

'Morning Roo fancy some breakfast?' her Mum called as she heard her come downstairs.
'Hi, no thanks i'll just have juice.'
Tutting her Mum passed the carton across the breakfast bar. 'You should have more than juice, breakfast is the most important meal.'
Roo just accepted the carton pouring a glassful before walking out through the utility room into the back garden.
It was a beautiful June morning.

'Hi Roo.'
Her Dad was busy making the most of the nice day by tending to the garden.
'Hi Dad.'
'What are you up to today?'
'Oh nothing much....' Just making the biggest decision ever '...might go to town, do bit of shopping.'

***

1.00pm

She sat on a bench in the village green, waiting for the bus.
Gazing down the road at the hazy heat coming off the tarmac, she wondered why the bus always ran late.
I guess it gives me plenty of thinking time.
She rummaged in her tote bag removing her discman. She never left home without it.
Putting in a compilation disc she idly skipped through until something took her fancy.
Halfway through the Clash's London Calling the batteries ran out.
'Damn! I was enjoying that.'
She shoved it back in her bag once more, now what can i do to take my mind off things?

She heard the bus long before it finally pulled up, the old diesel engine working hard in the afternoon heat.
'You getting on then love?' The driver asked.
'Sorry no i've changed my mind.'
She got up from the bench and ran across the green back to her house.
Opening the door and going inside. She nearly bumped into her dad in her haste.
'Thought you were off to town?'
'Change of plans, i have to make a phone call.' She shouted behind her as she grabbed the cordless phone and ran upstairs.

'Alex?'
'Hey Roo! I was going to call you.'
Ruby nervously fussed with the sheets on her bed as she spoke.
'YEah...Listen we need to talk...'
'Great idea.' Alex enthused, 'I'm swimming in an interstate meet this week why don't you come on over?'
Ruby was about to interrupt, but he didn't give her chance...
'You deserve a bit of a break. I even looked at flights for you. There is one leaving from Heathrow tonight at 8, check in at 7...'

3.58pm

For the second time that day she sat on the village green.
This time she did get on the bus.
'You've decided to join us this time?' It was the same driver.
Ruby just smiled politely, 'London please, single.'

6.54pm

Traffic had been hell, not surprisingly as it was rush hour.
Shit i am so going to miss it. She thought as her taxi pulled into the drop off bay.
Ruby ran through the main hall, looking around her she had no real clue where she was headed.
'I'm so sorry.' She shouted back is she knocked into some one's shoulder as she ran by.
Finally she found a row of overhead monitors stretched in front of her, she scanned through the departure times....

-------------------------

'Excuse me is this seat taken?'
Jon didn't look up from beneath his baseball cap. 'Knock yourself out.'
'I see your people skills are not improved at all.'
This time he did look up...