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Chapter 16 - In the Bag
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 17 - Dumped
Dani was right about the lovely Ryan. He wasn’t that lovely. Or at least he wasn’t lovely enough to stick with Katie. I can tell that she has been dumped, the moment she turned up at the house with red eyes and swollen features distinctive of a newly-ditched girlfriend. Fortunately, Scott is at one of his veteran meetings, so there’s only me to console her, which I can’t help thinking is a good thing. Scott might only be Scott, but he’s still a man and nobody wants a man around at a time like this. “I just can’t believe it,” she sniffs as she takes a shaky sip of her wine as we sit at the kitchen table, conducting a post-mortem of her relationship. “I honestly thought he was…” her voice trails off as she begins to cry again. “The one?” I offer. Poor Katie has told me five times already that she honestly thought he was the one. Her faces crumples as she blows into her tissue with the force of a hurricane. “Do you know what he said? He said I wasn’t exciting enough. What
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 18 - Date with Chris
I keep telling myself that my contribution to Katie’s emotional recovery was crucial. To the untrained eye, it may have appears that Scott waltzed in and transformed her from a gibbering wreck to a triumphant feminist. But I definitely laid the foundations. “How’s Katie?” asks Scott, after he returns from his morning run and fills a pint glass from the tap. “She’s still rather fragile,” I take a bite of my slimming bread toast. It tastes rotten and as though it may have been on the floor for a while. But it will help me lose weight. “I think it will be a long time before she turns the page on Ryan.”“Really?” Scott wipes the sweat from his brow and downs half the glass. “That’s a shame. I hope she picks herself up soon.”“Hmm,” I say as I take a big gulp of coffee. If I’m honest I’ve been left stunned by Katie’s apparent buoyancy since the breakup. I wouldn’t say she’s 100% rehabilitated. But I expected her to spend all week sobbing relentlessly, she’s been over here twice since it
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 19 - Ready for The Practical
To my credit, I don’t end up sleeping with Chris. I always knew I wouldn’t, but sometimes I surprise myself by how old-fashioned I am. Instead, when we get back to his house, the two guys he shares it with are competing with their girlfriends at Just Dance. Never missing an opportunity to crucify a dance track, we sing and dance until 3am. At least, I sing; Chris abstains coolly, which would make me feel self-conscious if I were sober. When the others disappear to bed, things get steamy again on the sofa. Look, I never said I was a complete angel.I reluctantly call it a night at 5:30am, determined to leave him wanting. This requires every bit of will power I can muster – a challenge given that my willpower is largely obliterated, along with my ability to walk or talk properly. I sometimes wonder how I would have coped in the nineteenth century when you had to wait until your wedding night before reaching the inner sanctum of your beloved’s trousers. Still, they didn’t have tequila s
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 20 - Scouting for Girls
Dani’s attention to project Scott has dwindled before we’ve even been here for fifteen minutes. It’s not through lack of commitment, she’s keen to point out, but because a six foot four Jake Gylenhall look-a-like athlete walks in and well we can’t say that she didn’t warn us.She instructs Scott to watch and learn, and practically shimmies across the room in her skyscraper take me to bed heels. She touches the athletes elbow in a way that couldn’t be sexier if she was a burlesque girl.Dani cares not that he is engaged in conversation with a group of five. She cares not that as she tosses her hair over her shoulder in a bewitching way, she almost knocks someone’s drink out of their hand. She cares even less that, as she introduces herself to him, the women around him glare at her so intensely that you can almost see daggers.Within mere seconds, she’s deep in conversation with the best looking man in the room – and he’s lapping her up.Scott shakes his head in amazement. “If that’s th
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 21 - The Chatting Up Chat
“This is killing me. We can’t stay in here all night. Go to the toilet again. Go on,” I tell Katie. “I’ve been three times already in the last hour and each time it was rammed,” replies Katie. “Why is it so busy in here? It’s normally quiet and civilised.” “I don’t know. Maybe it’s payday or something. Come on, Katie. Do it for Scott.” “If I go again, people are going to think I have a urine infection or something.” She frowns. “Do you think I’d get away with going again?” I ask. “I don’t think so. If Scott spotted you the last four times, like you suspect. We should just let nature take its course. He’s still over there, so he must be doing something right.” “We think he’s still over there,” I clarify. “He could have gone anywhere in the last three minutes.” “Pop your head up again, if you must.” “Okay,” I nod. I clamber onto my hands and knees and spin around on my seat in preparation for my latest recon mission. I have this down to a fine art now. Pop up my
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 22 - Another Failed Attempt
Scott’s next series of seduction attempts aren’t much more successful. Although Katie and I aren’t supposed to be monitoring him, in the end it’s a good thing we have. Everything and I mean – absolutely everything - that he learned in our practice sessions is forgotten when he’s within a few feet of a real, live, in the flesh female. The main problem though, is how uncomfortable he looks. Every time he approaches someone, his worried eyes give off strange vibes that make the women glare at him suspiciously, as if wondering if they may have to use their rape alarm on him. When he finally does engage with a woman at the bar, she’s so drunk that she can barely stand up, let alone focus on Scott or any kind of conversation. After a few minutes of apparent conversation – which on Scott’s part involves spewing out over 100 words a minute and on her part involves a lot of slurring and dribbling, she slips off the bar stool and onto the floor. Scott rushes to her aid and is grabbed o
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 23 - Mum and Steve
“What’s new?” I ask mum, as I demolish my second custard cream. I keep telling myself that I didn’t enjoy the first. But they are annoyingly more-ish. Probably because there’s only half a syn in them. “Oh you know,” mum sighs as she polishes the picture frames for probably the third time today. “Your dad has been reciting romantic poetry and has been on a huge shopping spree. I have to say, I love the Gucci knickers.” “Not a lot then,” I say as I take a sip of my tea. “Oh well, I’d I make the big pay roll I’ll buy you as many pairs of Gucci knickers as you want.” “I’m sure they’re overrated anyway,” she sighs as she puts her duster down. “Your dad definitely wouldn’t notice the difference between Gucci and Asda George.” “That’s men for you, mum,” I tell her. “They aren’t all like that, are they?” She asks. I lean back on my chair as my brother Steve walks in. It’s march, below ten degrees and as per usual he is wearing his shorts and hoody. “Alright, sis?” He mutters a
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 24 - Second Date with Chris
I’m trying my absolute best to look trendy, cool and confident. The sad truth is that unfortunately my neck has come out in hives again and my hands are sweating like mad. The reality of a second date with Chris the optician is too much to bear. My logic tells me that I should be excited and feel nothing but positive about the occasion. The fact that he liked me enough to ask me for a second date should bring some confidence. The problem is is, logic isn’t something that I have a grip on at the moment. And things haven’t been helped by his choice of venue.When Chris had first suggested Goathland, I had visions of a romantic lunch at the sport Heartbeat was filmed, maybe a relaxing stroll, or even a scenic train ride. Up until yesterday when we spoke on the phone – I hadn’t imagined a day of hiking. 10 miles to be precise, taking the popular trails to each landmark of note. And that was before I read about how slippery and difficult the routes can be. I’ve no one to blame but myself
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Always Finding Mr Wrong Epilogue
If anybody had told me six months ago that Dani and my dimwit brother would become an item, I’d have questioned their sanity. She’s sophisticated, intelligent and witty. And, well, he farts like a flatulent rhinoceros and is refined as those hillbillies on The Hills Have Eyes. Yet, they got together two weeks after the fire, when Dani expressed a sudden and mysterious desire to join me when I popped round to Steve’s to loan him The Walking Dead box set. I stayed for fifteen minutes. Dani stayed for four days. Her theory is that I am blind to Steve’s charm because he’s my brother. That he’s fun, loving, amusing and attentive. She also tried to tell me that he’s great in bed, but I acted like a grown up and stuck my fingers in my ears, while singing “la-la-la-can’t-head-you-la-la-la” until she stopped. As for Steve, well, he’s smitten. Honestly, she’s turned him into a puppy dog – albeit not a very cute one. Despite my reservations, they seem to be enjoying themselves. And for the
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 79 - Made to Hold You
The moment I see him I am balled over by how handsome he is, he’s irresistibly, mouth wateringly sexy. I’m looking at a man who, thanks to project Scott, is the ultimate manifestation of female desire. He turns heads wherever he goes. But that isn’t the reason I love him. It’s not the clothes, or the hairstyle, it isn’t even his body or face. The Scott I love is the funny, intelligent, caring, loyal and lovely person I met all those years ago. That’s the Scott I long for, the Scott I can’t spend another day without. The trimmings and display are irrelevant. “Hi there, Emma,” he grins. His grin becomes a smile and it sends a surge of Hope through my veins, turning my legs to jelly and killing my ability to speak. “Are you okay?” “Yes. I … yes,” I stutter. Emotion rushes through me and my heartbeat thuds in my chest, thundering in my ears. “I’m just surprised to see you,” I say once my words find their way back to me. “And… happy?” I nod as tears cloud my vision. “Ve
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 78 - I Love The Real You
There’s one single word on the front: Emma. Seeing my name written in Scott’s very distinctive handwriting makes my heart pause and I gasp for breath. With my heart racing and fingers trembling, I open the envelope and head to my small balcony terrace. I throw myself into the chair, cross my legs and scan the letter, unable to devour its contents quick enough. ******** Dearest Emma, I’ve written this letter multiple times, and rewritten it in my mind at least a thousand times. Yet o never thought putting pen to paper would be so difficult. This is the eleventh copy and I’m still not happy with it. I thought about quoting your favourite poetry and literature but nothing seems appropriate enough to explain the situation, so it’s down to clumsy old me. There’s just one small problem; what do you say to the woman you’ve been in love with for years? From the moment I first met you, Emma, my life has been enhanced in a way I can’t fully explain. All those cold, wet and miserable aft
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 77 - An Envelope
I try to think of an ingenious way to get through security. But after yet another infuriating conversation with another official, I’m forced to accept that the methods to combat terrorism are also enough to intervene when a unfit, scruffy and desperate woman. With an alarming and increasing level of determination I decide to buy a ticket to somewhere in Asia, just so that I can get through the security gates. But after another episode at the security desk, the fact that my passport is in a box at my new home is clearly a show-stopper. I stand in the airport in a confused daze, and take out my phone. I wanted to do this in person, but now I have no choice. I close my eyes and wait for the line to ring. It goes straight to voicemail. “Oh god,” I cry, but nobody notices. For almost an hour I pace up and down, trying to come up with a brilliant plan. But no matter how I try, nothing happens and no plan is formed. I look at my watch for the millionth time today and see that
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 76 - Bloody Idiot
I’m normally the safest driver in the world. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. Scott would say I drive like a grandma, behind the wheel , sticking to the speed limit and often below it. Scott, my heart aches. But with the needle on my speedometer touching a perilous 74mph – okay, so I’m not the next Schumacher or Hamilton, but I’m belting along the M62 in a small Vauxhall corsa leaving behind a caravan and two heavy duty trucks. My heart is hammering against my ribcage as I play corny movie scenes in my head. Lovers running with open arms and floaty haired women being spun around. Kisses that go on forever. The problem is, that this reunion isn’t going to be straightforward. Firstly, there’s Katie. Whether she fancies Daniel or not, there’s protocol to follow. Call me old fashioned, but declaring your love for someone else’s boyfriend isn’t the done thing. Yet, that is exactly what I’m about to do. And I’m not sure if I care about the consequences. And then there’s t
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 75 - The Love of His Life
Dani is screaming so loudly that the poor patients at the other end of the corridor must think she is undergoing an amputation without pain relief. “Why didn’t you tell me? For fuck sake!” “I… I .. don’t know,” I stammer. “I didn’t want to compromise your friendship with Katie for a start.” “How?” She asks incredulously. “Katie’s in love with Scott, like you said. Even if I was going to be a total arsehole and try to steal him – which I’m not – what good would come of telling you? It’d just land you with information that you’d be powerless to act on.” “Uhhhhh,” Dani rubs her hands down her face. “What a mess.” “Don’t I know it,” I agree. “I don’t mean about you and Scott,” she tuts impatiently. “Though I grant you, that is also a mess.” “What then?” She sighs and her eyes find the window. “You know when I said that I thought Katie was in love with Scott?” I nod. “I was wrong.” It takes a few seconds for her words to sink in. “What?” “She likes Scott, don’
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 74 - Told Scott What?
Given the fact that my mum was in a serious near death experience twelve hours ago, she’s looking amazingly well. “Just typical, isn’t it?” She mutters as she grabs another peanut m&m. “Everyone in the real housewives has a hot tub and none of theirs houses burned down.” Dani just smiles and offers me an m&m. “No thank you,” I shake my head. “But then I suppose they had the real thing and wasn’t swimming around in a discarded birthing pool.” My mum must be made of stronger stuff than me. While she is happily stuffing her face with chocolate, I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn truck. It’s not just the aftermath of the fire though, although that alone could leave me in a state of shock until 2040. My mind is also spinning with thoughts of Scott, who is now en route to Doncaster airport. I hope he’s not too annoyed with me for sneaking off, but then I did have a good excuse, even though visiting hours don’t officially start until 10am. It’s a good job Dani managed to
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 73 - I Can’t Say Goodbye
Scott has gone to the local store, just as he always does on his days off. Only this isn’t a normal day off. All his bags are packed and waiting by the door, ready for his departure in two hours. I’m supposed to go to the airport to see him off, but the moment my eyes opened this morning, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. I won’t be able to watch him and Katie head off together without bursting into tears and giving the game away. I take a notepad and pen from my bag, and begin writing as quickly as I can. I don’t have long until he returns. ‘Dear Scott, I’m sorry that I didn’t get to go to the airport with you, but if I don’t make visiting hours at 9:00am, I won’t see mum. She needs me right now, more than you need me, after what happened. I know you’ll understand, under the circumstances. Have an amazing trip and please don’t forget about me, will you? I’ll miss you more than I could ever explain. I meant what I said – I want a post card from every destination - don’t
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 72 - Fire
Scott abandons the car without consideration for others outside of Mum’s and Dad’s house and we quickly jump out. The air is thick with smoke and fear as the neighbours with grey faces huddle amongst themselves. There’s firefighters everywhere; running and shouting. I stand in front of the house and struggle to breathe as the flames crackle and roar, as they burst from three windows and the smoke billows into the night. “Where are they?” “They’re still in there,” Steve says, his eyes heavy with tears. “I tried to go in, but the hallway was filled with smoke and….” Without even thinking, I race towards the house, but Scott wraps his arms around me and pulls me back. “LET ME GO!” I scream. “Let the professionals do their jobs, Emma,” he pleads as his arms wrap tighter around me. I watch horrified as the firefighters wearing breathing apparatus make their way into the house. There’s orders being shouted and soon the house is being doused with foam and water. I feel a sudden r
