Darcy loaded the car, did her last run for the meat plant, saying goodbye to her friends as she went, then she dropped into the Cavendish to explain her situation and say goodbye to them too.

By late afternoon, a young and impulsive Darcy had hit the road. 

It was time to move on.

 Part 21

As she came over the brow of a hill, Darcy saw the city lights in the fading distance. It had been hard not to think about all that was now in the past. She took a deep breath. A new life lay ahead

It was dusk by the time Darcy arrived in the city centre.  She booked into the cheapest B&B she could find and went in search of some supper.

On softly glowing, drizzled street

Neon lights, a flickering show

Shining echoes underfoot

Across the paved pathway below

Steamed bar windows draw her eye

Through crowds of people passing by

Just down the street from the bar, Darcy spotted an open cafe. On closer inspection it was a dingy place with formica tables and scuffed floor, but it was clean and could provide her with hot tea and a bacon sandwich. It would do for now. Darcy chose a table by the window and sat down to watch the people in the street whilst she waited.

Raindrops spatter ‘gainst the pane

Whilst shadows dance as faces pass

Expressions indecipherable

Distorted by the rain-washed glass

The steady beat of footsteps drum

In tune with traffic’s constant hum

A radio plays forgotten songs

As raucous laughter splits the air

Young trio huddled in the gloom

All mismatched clothes and matted hair

Textbooks strewn haphazardly

Amongst notepads, pens and mugs of tea

Darcy smiled to herself. They were obviously students. Maybe that could be her one day. She had not forgotten her promise to herself and somehow she would find a way to fulfil it.

She finished her meal and walked back to the B&B. Tomorrow she would need to start looking for a job and find herself a suitable place to live, otherwise her savings would not last long.