Journey From the Summit Read Online Free PDF

a small farewell gathering, but it would be fun to do. We planned a date, and discussed how we would go about letting everyone know without him finding out.
    I was pleasantly encouraged at having had my first proper conversation with Steve. It was as if for the duration of that conversation and those to follow about our secret plan, we were friends. I began to think that maybe this could change things between us. However, I soon realized that if we were not discussing the party or if Saul were around, he would treat me as he did before – with disdain.
    On the day of the party it had been planned that I would take Saul to the pub for an early drink, and give everyone a chance to arrive at the house. He was a little reluctant to leave the pub, wondering why I wanted to go home so early, but I said I was hungry and wanted to get some food, and that we could come back later. As it wasn’t far from the pub, he fell for this excuse and we ambled back to his house.
    The house was quiet as we walked in the door. As we approached the kitchen, I could see everyone waiting in there, through the glazed door, but Saul still hadn’t noticed. I pushed the door open,
    “Surprise!!!!” everyone shouted. Saul looked at me, and then back at everyone in the room, and to my horror he turned and fled upstairs!!
    I ran up after him. “Saul, what’s wrong?” I said finding him sitting on his bed.
    “What’s going on?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me you were doing this?”
    “Babe, it was meant to be a surprise for you!” I said, feeling confused by his reaction.
    “I hate surprises! Especially surprise parties! Oh Floss I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but I wish you had told me.”
    “Saul, I’m sorry! I had no idea; I thought it would be fun. Steve and I arranged it together – and that took some doing!!”
    He smiled then, appreciating how difficult it must have been to arrange something with Steve.
    “Come down babe,” I said to him. “Everyone is here for you. Come and have a drink.”
    “Yeah, you’re right,” he said, “sorry for being a grump!” He took my hand and we headed back downstairs.
    “Ah, here he is!” someone shouted. “Get the man a drink!” And Saul began to enjoy himself at last.
    I allowed myself to relax too and began to mingle and chat with our friends. Laughing at something someone was telling me, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
    Cathy was looking at me very directly. “Floss, can I have a word with you?” she said rather sharply.
    “Yeah, of course, you okay?” I asked.
    “In private,” she said curtly.
    I grabbed my drink and led the way through the throng of people, out into the garden. Wandering up to the very back, where no one else was around, I turned to face her, “What’s wrong?”
    “I can’t believe you’ve been so thoughtless!” she said angrily. “How could you arrange a surprise leaving party for Saul and invite Adam as a guest, when he is leaving too! How do you think he feels? Being a guest at what should be his surprise party too!!”
    I looked at her in shock! I hadn’t even considered poor Adam in this. Of course we had invited him, but being so wrapped up both in my feelings about Saul’s departure and arranging the party I had totally overlooked Adam’s part in this.
    “Oh my God, Cathy! I don’t know what to say! I’m so sorry, it wasn’t intentional at all. Let me go and find Adam and try to explain!” I said turning to leave.
    But Cathy grabbed my arm, digging her fingers painfully into my flesh, “Don’t bother Flossie! You will just make him feel worse than he already does. You are so selfish. This is all about you and your poor breaking heart – no one else matters do they?” she said tossing her fair hair over her shoulder as she flounced off.
    I was dumbfounded by her attack, knowing that although she had been very harsh about it, she was right. I felt so awful. Poor Adam, I couldn’t imagine how hurt he must be feeling. As