Wendy looked down in the sink and realized she'd been washing the same pot for about 10 minutes. She shook her head, trying to clear the dozens of thoughts that were distracting her from her work. The last few days had been interesting. She had spent every evening with Ethan and it had been quite nice. He had taken her to expensive restaurants and exciting attractions around London. They had seen a play at the Globe and spent several hours riding the Eye over and over again. He had even met her mother, and Mrs. Darling had made it very clear to Wendy that Ethan was far more acceptable than that other boy. But it was that other boy that Wendy couldn't get out of her mind.
She hadn't seen Peter since she had yelled at him the other day, and she missed him terribly. Although she felt justified in her behavior towards him, and she was still a bit annoyed by the way he had acted, she knew that she had been rather harsh and she wanted to talk to him and try to explain. But he hadn't come to see her since then, and she hadn't had time to go to Neverland. And she didn't know if he'd ever really understand what it meant to live in the real world.
"Are you finished yet?"
Wendy spun around to see Mrs. Hinsdale glaring at her.
"My dear, it seems you've been washing those dishes for nearly an hour," Mrs. Hinsdale said, looking perturbed.
"I'm just finishing up," replied Wendy, placing the pots and pans on the counter to dry. Mrs. Hinsdale sighed and Wendy was afraid she was about to get another lecture. Instead, the woman stepped forward and placed her hand on Wendy's shoulder.
"Miss Darling, it has been a trying week. This house is full of troubled boys, and I realize it was hard for them to have someone new in their home. Hardships befell us that were out of our control. Through all this, you have proven to be a solid and trustworthy employee, even though you may have made some unfortunate decisions, which I suppose can only be expected from someone of your age."
Wendy stared at the woman, not sure if she was complimenting or scolding her. Regardless, it seemed that she wasn't about to lose her job, so she decided not to say anything to destroy Mrs. Hinsdale's fragile opinion of her.
"I apologize if my actions caused you any additional stress," Wendy said, a little nauseated by her own compliance.
"It's quite alright, you're young." Then Mrs. Hinsdale gave Wendy an uncharacteristically giddy grin. "And I must tell you, my dear, I'm so glad you're dating my nephew."
"Oh, we're not really..."
"You can't imagine how marvelous it feels to have just a few hours to myself in the evening without his constant chatter."
Wendy opened her mouth, then closed it.
"Of course he is a wonderful young man and you are very lucky to have caught his attention, but sometimes I marvel that he never runs out of things to say."
Wendy laughed in spite of herself and Mrs. Hinsdale gave her a knowing wink and walked happily out of the kitchen.
*****
"Feels just like flying, doesn't it?"
Wendy stared wistfully out the window of Ethan's Astin Martin as they sped through the countryside. No, she thought with a twinge of sadness, it's not like flying at all. Nevertheless, she smiled weakly back at Ethan. He beamed and took her hand in his. It was surprisingly soft.
"Wendy Darling, you are a fascinating individual."
"Oh really? Why would you say that?"
"I can see it in your eyes," Ethan said with a careless shrug, as if that was all the explanation that was needed. "My aunt seems to be quite impressed with you. She likes you a lot."
Wendy frowned. "She doesn't really act as if she likes me."
"She doesn't act as if she likes anyone," Ethan said with a laugh. "But if she doesn't say anything negative about someone, that means she's rather fond of them."
"It must be exhausting trying to figure her out."
"You have no idea. I'd much rather spend my time trying to figure you out."
Wendy turned away from his intense look. "How often do you live with your aunt?"
"More frequently now than I used to. My parents live in Manchester and they would send me to live with Aunt Fran every summer. And then I started to attend school in London, so I lived with her most of the year, and now I've got the internship with the law firm, so I've stayed with her. She acts like I'm a nuisance, but I think she secretly loves to have me around. One time when I was going on a holiday with some friends, I swore I caught her crying the night before I left."
Wendy was having a difficult time focusing on his story. She had noticed some lanterns along the road that reminded her of the glowing turtles that crawled up the walls of the lost boys' tree house.
"Ah! We're here already!" Ethan exclaimed, pulling off the road. "It seems my heart isn't the only thing racing when I'm with you."
Wendy coughed and pretended not to have heard the compliment. Ethan got out and opened her door, then escorted her to the edge of a cliff. She looked down on a phenomenal scene. The sun was setting and the low light accentuated the hills and valleys below them.
"It's wonderful," Wendy said, admiring the view and the feel of the crisp air.
"I'd say it's a little more than wonderful," Ethan joked lightly. "This has got to be the most breathtaking view in all of England!"
Wendy looked out at the beautiful landscape below them. She had to admit it was incredible, but it could never compare with the otherworldly views of Neverland. Stop it, she thought. Neverland was contrived and fabricated. There was no life for her there, no life for her with Peter, a boy who refused to be responsible or do anything worthwhile with his life. This, right here, with Ethan, was real. This was where she belonged. And it was time to leave the dream of Neverland behind.
She forced a smile and stood a bit closer to Ethan.
"Yes, it is breathtaking."