Chapter 124 - Thinking in China

Lizzie looked at the little Chinese house.

It looked pretty enough, the snow was rather unexpected though. She had imagined a sunny spring awaited them but a very late snowfall had greeted them instead.

The house had been originally bought by Merlin and Freya (Lizzie's grandparents) and it had been rented out by a local firm but had been well cared for and looked just the place for time away from the world.

Lizzie looked round and felt that here she would have time to reflect and discover what had been making her feel so uneasy. Lizzie and Harold had doned more up to date clothes and sunglasses to hide who Lizzie really was. They hoped in this little Chinese town she might go unnoticed. This was not to be and a paparazzi even sneaked into the house to take a picture of her attempting to make dinner.

Harold managed to convince Lizzie to work out whilst they were away, healthy body healthy mind he extolled to her. She wasn't entirely convinced.

Lizzie even tried learning the famous Sim Fu.

On the third day however she took the day to herself to think, she went to a peaceful garden to contemplate.

It did look lovely with the snow all around, even if it was very cold. In the quiet she began to ponder her life and her leadership. 

She had been so worried about taking over leadership of the River family she had decided to go to University just to give herself three more years before she came leader.

There she had found strength and had chosen a direction. She had chosen the 1920's era and the decided to become a famous actress. She had succeeded in this and yet she was not satisfied. 

In a sudden realisation she realised why. It was the issue of family.

She had looked back on past leaders and rated them on how well they had done in their careers and how others had viewed them.

But what about family?

Her forebears hadn't only been great in the eyes of the neighbourhood, they had also been active leaders looking out for those under their charge.

Her grandfather Merlin had once had a run in with a Melvin who had tried to rob some members of the River family of their house. He had employed a private investigator and threatened Melvin with exposure unless he went away.

Her own father Owen had had a run in with Aidan River who had fathered three children by his girlfriend Sadie. Sadie had lived in a poky little house with the kids whilst Aidan had a big bachelor pad to himself. Owen had gone and convinced him to man up to his responsibilities and marry Sadie and move her and the children in.

What had Lizzie done? She had hardly spoken to members of her wider family, she had been to busy being famous and hobnobbing with other celebrities.

Well from now on things would change, she would work less and focus on making sure the wider family was okay. At last she felt as if she had grasped what really being a leader was all about.