[kiasusam]

Cont'd 8

She’d always had a thing about green-eyed men it went back to something she’d read when she was a child, which she never forgot. Carl reached over the table at that moment and took hold of her hand, running his thumb gently over her delicate knuckles. ”I think this is going to be a fantastic trip, I’m so pleased you came along, you make the whole thing worth while,” he said, placing her hand on the table and covering it with his own.

Andrea just knew she’d made the right decision she was so enjoying Carl’s company and relished the thought of being with him for the next month or so. A few hours later they’d reached one of many stops, and were told the train would be there for 45 minutes. Carl and Andrea decided to take a short walk, just to stretch their legs a little.

Things sometimes have a way of going bad when you least expect it, for as they got off the train, Andrea’s father was walking towards them. ”What do you think you’re doing young lady, leaving with a total stranger and not telling us where you’re off to?” he shouted, getting everyone’s attention. ”If we hadn’t got the information out of your sister, we’d have never known where you were,” he finished, glancing at Carl. ”Sir I can explain!” said Carl, walking forward. ”I don’t wish to hear your explanation sir you’ve done enough damage,” he replied, before giving Carl a chance to say what he had to.

Grabbing hold of Andrea’s hand, her father tried to pull her away with him. "No father, I don’t wish to come back, I’m on a trip with a wonderful man and for the first time in my life I’m truly happy,” she said, pulling her arm away. ”But you hardly know him, and don’t tell me talking online counts, you could be talking to an axe murderer for all you know,” he said, trying to prove a point. Carl walked forward at that point, holding out his hand. ”Hi, my names Carl, I’ve always considered myself a good man, I’ve never broken the law and always respected my parents, but I have a life to live so I expect them to respect me as well,” he said, his hand out stretched.

For a moment Andrea’s father was quiet, and then he took Carl’s hand and shook it. ”Father, I am 29 years of age; I think I know what I want in life, and I want this.” Her father put his head down, not wanting to make eye contact, but Andrea knew he was just saddened to have to let go. ”Father, I love you so much, you and mom mean everything to me, please understand this is something I want and need to do,” she said, putting an arm round him. ”We love you so much, we would hate to see you come to harm,” he replied, the tears filling his eyes.