The Untold Fairytale, Enchanted Realms, Part 4

Chapter 4 - Walking Back

Jack’s POV

Relief swept over me as Eloise wrapped her arms around me, mumbling her apologies into my neck. I couldn’t understand anything, but it didn’t really matter. She was safe.

I should have known she’d be suspicious of my quick acceptance of her childish behavior, but I had other motives. We needed to get back to the hotel without delay.

Trying not to make the conversation difficult, I asked, “Would you like to go to Shakespeare’s Pub for lunch tomorrow before the play?”

Sighing, she replied, “Yes, but why are you changing the subject?”

”I’m not. I was asking about tomorrow, that’s all.”

Finally, stopping, she let go of my hand, crossed her arms, and said, “Jack Giles, you are a rotten liar. What’s going on?”

My stomach flipped and flopped like a fish on dry land. How was I going to pull off this lie without getting caught? I knew the words to say, but my voice would betray me. “Eloise, we are in London on an amazing vacation. I don’t plan on ruining this trip because of your reaction to the shopkeeper. He was mean, and you deserve to be upset. Honestly, I feared someone might have harmed you in the dark, and now that you’re safe in my arms, I have no intention of ruining this evening.”

Her lips pursed as she contemplated my words. “Fine! But hear me out! If you are concealing something from me, you shall pay for it.”

Based on the smoke coming from her ears, she was not joking around. I knew my little blond-haired spitfire would ease off when all was revealed, at least I hoped so.

The remainder of the walk was wonderfully uneventful. Before we went in, I asked, “Do you Want to grab a pint and something to eat?”

”Yeah, after everything, I’m starving.”

Once inside the King’s Gambit Pub, we sat at the bar and ordered two pints. While we waited, I asked her, “Don’t you feel like we stepped into a fairytale? I mean, look at this pub. Isn’t it crazy?”

Placing her glass down, she said, “I know. Look at how the archway is slanted, and the beams are rough-hewn.”

”Did you notice the stone floor and walls?”

”Year, this place looks like it could be a medieval movie set. Could you imagine being a hobbit or a tracker? It would be so much fun.”

Laughing at her faux excitement, I replied, “Only if you wrote us a safe passage at the end of the story. I want my happy ever after.”

Clasping her hands together, Eloise said, “Absolutely! A happy ending it shall be!”

The barkeep dropped off our burgers, and we focused on the food until we inhaled a few bites to lessen our hunger pains. With a mouthful, she said, “Jack, thank you for not letting me ruin the evening.”

”Did you have the intention of doing that? I don’t think so.”

”Of course not!”

”Then you did nothing wrong except give me a heart attack!”

Smacking me on the shoulder, she said, “You’re still standing, so no complaining!”

”You’re right! No complaining. That said, are you ready to head back?”

Pushing her plate backward, she said, “I hear there’s some romance planned for this evening. Let’s get started.” Sliding down the bar stool, Eloise put her hand in mine, and we walked across the street to our hotel.

I stopped by the front desk and rang the bell, and we waited for the clerk to come from the back room. The hotel looked like it was stuck in the 1800s with its wide floorboards, whitewashed walls, and rough-hewn beams lining the ceiling. The rooms were decorated sparsely with poster beds and heavy curtains.

Regardless of the historical vibes it gave off, the room was beautiful and comfortable. We had a suite with a lovely sitting room where we could cuddle and relax before bed.

Several minutes later, he came out, looking slightly disheveled as if he’d been fast asleep. “Sorry to bother you, but could we please have the key to room number 4?”

Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he said, “Ah, yes. Number 4. Here we go.” He handed me the key and slipped a note in my hand, but based on the look he gave me, I figured that I shouldn’t open it in front of Eloise. Instead, I tucked the key and note into my back pocket as we walked up the creaky staircase.

I unlocked the door by pulling the key out of my back pocket. Once we were inside, I said, “How about a nightcap?”

Standing on her tippy toes, Eloise kissed the top of my nose and replied, “Absolutely.”

She disappeared to the bathroom, giving me the chance to pull out the note and read it quickly. Smiling, I was satisfied with how my plans were falling into place.