Turd

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellow,

Today started well, I was showered and packed early.

"Aren't you taking your sunglasses?" asked Caro.

"I am going to YORKSHIRE," I reminded her.

Manda arrived, full of good humour and we had a fun ride to the airport. I hugged Caro goodbye. She waved me into to airport under a clear blue sky.

"Huh, wish I'd brought me sunnies!" I joked.

"Turd," said Caro.

"I find it highly amusing that your final word to me was 'turd'," I texted.

"It was with affection," she replied.

Then everything went wrong.

I had checked the visa requirements before I left but missed a vital piece of info. For Australia you need a visa IF your layover is more than 8 hours.

And mine was 10.

The lady advised I use the Australian government's app to apply. "It should take 10 minutes!" she said.

But no. Not for me. I spoke to her again. We tried AGAIN. No use.

I tried to look for alternatives - maybe find an alternate route to Dubai or a later flight to Australia.

I called Caro to see if she could help. But she was in tears.

"I can't talk," was all she said.

Which left me semi terrified. This is Caro. Caro is not like this.

I found out via text that her car had been totalled. She was fine, she told me. But clearly upset.

I am not meant to go to the UK, I thought... not via Australia nor Dubai not ANY effing where.

I am licking my wounds, recouping my losses and going home. Yorkshire can wait.

S.

UPDATE: I'm now home and while still feeling silly, I'm also feeling massively relieved. Caro is mostly ok - obviously shaken but seems to have bounced back. She told me the incident was her fault but her ex driving instructor and Tiger came to help her. She's got the insurance stuff underway and is doing well. 

Jefe and Manda texted to offer their support.
Briar texted to offer her support.
Ellie texted to offer her support. 
Shenée even came OVER.

I'm just so grateful to be here with all of our strange family. But most of all I'm grateful that Caro is all right. I had a big scare put into me today and it's making me wonder if I want to go to the UK at all. 

I expect in time I will come around to the idea again. But I'm going to leave it until I have sufficient savings (we're running pretty low right now) and when I'm sure everyone is safe. Right now I just want to hold on to my Caro. I never want to let her go ever again.