For those that wanted to know more about Misha before he met Froo, here is his story and how he came to be in England which is where he met her and fell in love,, and his time with Suzanne the woman in his past.
His passion for Suzanne becomes an obsession, as she plunges down into a self destructive whirlpool, so for those that believe that life's many experiences make up a rich and interesting tapestry....here is Misha's story.
To read about Misha and Froo please read the companion story Taking the Risk Chapter's 1-21 under Novels and Novella's.
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Sitting on the plane, his long legs cramped up against the seat in front, Misha looked out the window at the fields, small towns and villages of England spread out below him. The plane lowered down over the Sussex and Surrey countryside as it prepared to land at Gatwick, and he swallowed and moved his jaw to relieve the pressure in his ears as the plane ascended towards the airport. During the long flight he had tried not to worry too much about Suzanne, left behind in his apartment, but focusing on the fact that this was going to be the last time he would have with his maternal Grandmother.
During his childhood he had visited Guildford during summer vacations to stay with his Grandmother, playing with his cousins, and getting to know that side of his family. He had as he grew older wandered up to London on the train, going to the London Club scene, shopping in the fashionable Kings Road, catching the odd West End play and hanging around Leicester Square at night, drinking in the buzzy atmosphere as people swirled around, enjoying themselves, falling out The Trocadero into the pedestrian area where artists sat and drew tourists for a portrait that vaguely resembled the subject.
Now at the age of twenty-six he was at that point in his life when everything was at the point of change. He had been working and learning the ropes within his Uncles Video Production Company for the past nine months and he was keen with plans to start his own business, putting his Business Degree and the knowledge that he had learnt on all aspects of video filming to good use. Hungry to become his own man, make his own way in the word, and carve out his life as he wanted it to be was starting to grow deep inside of him, but where to settle?
New York, Los Angles, or even maybe London.
This visit to his see his dying Grandmother was also a chance to see if he wanted to settle over in England, especially now his mother had announced that she was coming back to her home land to stay.
He had always loved coming over to England, with its slightly different but vaguely familiar ways to the States. It was in many ways a perfect place to start out, making his dreams come true, but would Suzanne come out with him? He didn't know if she would be happy to follow him out. There was a great tradition of Drama and Acting over in London with some of the best Drama Schools in the world, and they could see if a transfer over for her could occur, but she was very much a party animal and she loved New York with its pulse, the fast paced scene, and the quirkiness. It would also mean her cutting ties with her suppliers and contacts that gave her the access to the drugs that she would take to anesthetise herself when things were going badly and she felt the insecurity and rejection in the profession she had chosen, which was often.
As the ground rushed up towards the landing plane, Misha felt the idea of moving over to England more and more exciting, a clean start for both of them, free of the pressure and the ready supply for Suzanne, and a stimulating challenge for himself on setting up his plans.
Waiting for his case to come around on the conveyor belt, jostling along with the other tired and journey wearing people also waiting he started to formulate his plan. Seeing his luggage he pushed between the large man holding onto the carrying cart as if it was a treasure not to lose, and a family of four, including the kids as they all pointed at each case appearing from behind the screen as if it was theirs.
"Excuse me...thanks." Leaning forward he managed to tag his case and swing it up off the moving belt and onto the floor. Walking towards the customs area and the exit, tugging the case behind him, he cleared his mind and started to focus on the sad time ahead of seeing his family under the sad circumstances of visiting his Grandmother. A lovely lady that he now realised he hadn't bothered to spend anytime with these past three years and now was almost too late.
Emerging from the Arrivals door into the airport proper he saw his English cousin Tom waiting for him and walking up to the railing he leaned over and the two men hugged. "Long time no see cous'." his childhood summer companion told him as he stood back, "Let me take your case, you must be tired."
"Thanks, the journey over was a bummer, my legs are twice the length of the space they give. Couldn't get comfortable and catch any sleep for the whole eight hours over." They started to walk out of the airport towards the moving escalator belt that led to the exit and lifts of the Short Stay Car Park.
"How's Gammy? How bad is it?"
"The old girl is holding court trying not to make a fuss or show she's in any pain. The Macmillan nurses are brilliant at the pain control thing, and she's ensconced in her bed upstairs. Doctor says about six week's tops."
"My God that's quick. How long has she had it?"
"We think she might have guessed herself for a while and not told anyone. First we knew was when she collapsed three weeks ago and Mum took her to the Doctor."
"I feel a real shit Tom. I haven't been over for almost three years to see her. I thought she would always be there, maybe for me to come over next year for a visit, and now....."
"Don't beat yourself up Misha. She understood. You live a long way away and have a life."
"I should have come over last year."
