Maybe this was what Gramps was trying to tell me. Maybe he knew I’d meet Tyler and wanted me to take this leap. It can’t just be a coincidence, can it?
Chapter Six
Being close to my parents, the first thing I did when I got home was to ask what they thought. My mum surprised me the most, saying she thought it was a wonderful idea. A sunflower road trip in memory of Gramps. She’s been my rock over these past few months, we mourned together. She told me to follow my heart, if I wanted to do it, then I should. And if I want to come home at any time, to call and she’ll arrange a flight for me.
So here I am, sat in Alice’s bright pink car in the car park facing the sunflower field. You only live once, right? Given the chance, I’m sure Gramps would have taken it, so how could I not?
“You ok?” Alice asks, squeezing my hand with her freshly manicured one and offering me a reassuring smile.
“Yes. Just a bit nervous. But I’m looking forward to it,” I say, and I mean it. This will be good for me. I need to start living again, not just existing. This is a step forward for me.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door and climb out of the car, smoothing down my sundress. Walking to the boot, I open it and pull out my duffel bag. I’m really doing this.
“Have you got your passport?” she asks, ever the organiser. Holding up her fingers and counting off her checklist. “Your travel insurance? Phone charger?”
“Yes, Mum.” I laugh, shaking my head at her. What would I do without her? A sudden rush of anxiety hits me and I ask, “What if he doesn’t show?”
“Then so what? I’ll be here and we’ll drive to the nearest pub and laugh it off,” she says, giving me a hug and smiling at me.
“Thanks, Alice. What would I do without you?” I say, hugging her back.
“You’ve got this,” she encourages as she pulls back and squeezes my hands in hers. “Text me when you find him, and I’ll go. Otherwise I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Nodding, I give her one last hug and head off into the sunflower field.
Walking amongst the tall flowers, I’m once again in awe of their strength and positivity. Gramps once told me I was like that, always seeing the light and good in people. And maybe he was right. After all, here I am standing in a field waiting to meet someone I believe will help me travel across Europe.
“You came.” I hear his voice before I see him. Turning, I’m greeted with the sight of Tyler and a beaming smile. In faded jeans and a white t-shirt, with his wavy light brown hair and light facial scruff, he takes my breath away.
He walks toward me and takes my bag from me, making me sigh in relief at the loss of the weight. I’m sure I overpacked, but better to be safe than sorry.
“I wasn’t sure if you would,” he says, running a hand through his hair in relief. “I hoped you would though.”
“Yeah?” I ask, smiling. Feeling lighter now I’m no longer worried he won’t show. I relax a little, my shoulders sagging in relief.
“Yeah. This will be fun.” Smiling he motions to the car park and I follow him. “You’ll see. This trip will change your life.”
I laugh at the craziness of this situation, even if his statement does ring true.
Chapter Seven
Age Six
Halfway through a game of Monopoly, I look up at Gramps and ask, “Where do sunflowers come from, Gramps?”
“That depends on who you ask. In Greek mythology, there was a nymph called Clytie who fell in love with Apollo, the god of the sun.”
“What’s a nymph?”
“It’s like a fairy,” he explains patiently. I nod and he continues, “She worshipped him, always watching the sky to see him in his chariot. She lay on some rocks for nine days, staring at the sun, waiting for a glimpse of Apollo. On the ninth day, she was transformed into a sunflower. Still turning her head in the direction of the sun to try and spot her love.”
“So sunflowers are really trapped fairies?” I ask, intrigued but confused.
Laughing he pats my leg, “They could be, my sunflower girl. They could be.”
“I’d like to be a fairy,” I muse, rolling the dice and taking my turn, as Gramps chuckles next to me. I know he hates playing board games, but Nan always convinces him to join in.
“A fairy? No. You’re a sunflower, and that’s much better. Strong and beautiful, you inspire happiness and love.”
Chapter Eight
Tyler sure likes to travel in style. Part of me was picturing an old camper van, or a rundown Escort. But when he led me to his car, I was pleasantly surprised to see the silver Audi A7. I smile, tossing my bag into the boot—which is huge! Like big enough to fit a body, I shut that thought down quick—I waved to Alice as she drove off and we were on our way.
“So, Isabelle. Welcome to Tyler Tours. I’ll be your guide for the duration of our trip. Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I probably won’t know the answer, but I’m great at bullshitting. I’m sure I can figure something out super quick.” He grins over at me and I laugh.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask as we join the motorway. I’m a combination of nervous and excited. I’ve always wanted to travel, so I know this will be a great experience. I just never thought I’d do it with a stranger on a whim.
“Well I did some research. Looked up the best sunflower fields to visit in Europe. Open the glove compartment,” he instructs, motioning to it with a nod of his head while he keeps his eyes on the busy road.
Opening it, I pull out a bunch of papers, stapled together in the top right corner. It’s a list of places in Europe and pictures of them. Provence, Tuscany, Carmona. Maps on how to get there. Hotels nearby that we can stay in. A list of toll booths. Handy phrases to know in different languages. It has everything. I can’t believe he did all of this.
“Wow, you’ve been busy.” I’m impressed, he’s put a lot of thought into this. That’s sweet and a little crazy.
“Well, I like to give off the spontaneous, fly by the seat of my pants persona, but I’m an organisation freak at heart,” he jokes and I smile.
“Bonus points for that. I love planning!” I’m an organisation and stationery geek. I buy more diaries and notebooks than I will ever need just so I can make them pretty.
“Woah. I didn’t realise I was being ranked on my performance. Now I feel the need to pull out all of the stops.” He shoots me a cheeky grin and I laugh and roll my eyes.
“You mean you were going to offer me a subpar experience? I’m hurt,” I joke back. He’s so easy to talk to. For the first time in a long time, I feel comfortable. Maybe this will be exactly what I need.
“Scout’s honour, I will wow you with my mad tour skills.” He gives me a Scout salute, while keeping his other hand firmly on the wheel.
“Were you a Scout?” I ask, raising a brow at him in question.
“Uh, no,” he admits, bashfully. “But I do respect their values…?”