Free A Lonely Sky by Linda Schmalz

His eyes fixed on Julia. “Well, then. Who wants to go London?”
    Julia stepped towards Sam, feigning a confident smile. “That would be me.”
    Sam asked Chris and Bob to point out her luggage. As the three of them loaded her bags into Sam’s car, Julia turned to Kim.
    “See you soon, loon.” She held Kim tight in her arms.
    Kim returned the hug. “You’ll be fine. I should be home late tomorrow night. Try and call me then. You’re going to see England, Jules! Your dream is coming true.”
    Julia pulled away, afraid if she didn’t, she might cling to Kim and head straight for the plane. “You better go, too. You guys will miss your flight and then we’ll be in a real mess.”
    Julia said goodbye to Chris and Bob, and as she did, Sam stood by her side. Together they watched her friends head to the airport doors.
    Kim turned one last time and waved. “Take good care of her, Sam, or I’ll come to England and kick your blooming’ arse!”
    Sam and Julia laughed as the threesome disappeared into the terminal. Suddenly finding herself alone with Sam, she felt lost for words. She glanced up at him as he looked at her and winked.
    “Last chance to run away from me,” he said.
    She drew a deep breath. So many thoughts suddenly swirled through her mind - her father, John, the stage, England, college.
    “No, she said, straightening her shoulders, holding her head high and picking up her carry-on. “Take me to London.”

Chapter Eleven
     
    Julia woke as the car jolted to a stop. Righting herself, she peered out the front window, unable to see anything other than a thick fog and an enormous iron gate.
    “Good evening, and welcome to London,” Sam said.
    His voice startled her. For a moment, she hadn’t known where she was, but as she turned to watch Sam light a cigarette, all came rushing back. She glanced at the car clock and confirmed the late evening hour.
    “How long have I been asleep?”
    Sam rolled down his window a crack. “Well love, you fell asleep as we were about to take our ferry ride across the Channel. I thought you might like to see that, but it was dark by then, and you were quite out. I fear I bored you to sleep with my incessant chatter about my career.”
    “No, no.” She remembered their drive through Germany and Belgium. Sam had recounted his humble beginnings as a theater student, his work after graduation in Repertory Theater, and the persistence that led him to the possible role in a BBC mini-series.
    “Your career fascinates me, Sam. And, I meant to ask you more about your family.”
    Sam inhaled on his cigarette and exhaled out the window. “Well, speaking of family, here we are, at my aunt’s. Her home is beyond that gate, up the road.”
    Julia peered out her window again, trying in vain to spy the house. Even though Sam had described the home he once lived in, Julia still couldn’t picture it.
    She waited as Sam jumped out of the car and opened the locked gates with a large key. Returning to the car, he started it up, and drove slowly up a long and winding path. An immense mansion suddenly rose up from the dark.
    Julia gasped. “This house is like something out of a movie!”
    “Yes, and it has as much heart as the woman who owns it.” Sam continued to drive up a circular driveway, stopping in front of stone steps that led to the house. “Shall we go in?”
    Julia ran a hand through her hair. “I must look a mess.”
    “Then you’re the prettiest mess my aunt shall ever meet.”
    Julia felt a rush of warmth rise to her cheeks. “You’re crazy.”
    “So I’ve been told.” Sam reached for the car door. “Shall we go?”
    Moments later, Julia found herself inside a home she only envisioned in dreams. A gold chandelier and marble arch crowned the entryway. To her left, two long, dark corridors led to other rooms she could only imagine. A few feet ahead of the entrance, another set of twin arches, supported by grandiose columns, opened into a Great Hall boasting a grand