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Chapter 53 - Sooner or Later
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Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 54 - Leak
A few days later on a wonderful sunny August morning, I switch on the radio as I drive to work, as Dolly Parton is singing “Working Nine to Five”. I only know the chorus but my vocal chords take the battering of a lifetime. By the time I’ve reached the outside of the city centre, drumming my hand on the steering wheel at the traffic lights, I’m so fired up I’m practically raving in my seat. It’s an important week this week. On Wednesday, I’ll be implementing the Nike UK plan. It’ll be the biggest challenge of my career to date, but one to which I’m determined to rise. This is the week I prove my worth to Mr Brown. My phone rings and I reluctantly silence Dolly and connect to the hands free. “Emma, it’s Alistair.” He doesn’t sound happy, but that’s only to be expected, given the week ahead. “Hi Alistair. What can I do for you?” “It’s out, Emma. It’s already out to the public,” he sounds as though he’s referring to an escaped lion. “What’s out?” “The News about the c
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 55 - Growing Feelings
When I get home at ten at night, Scott is still up. The lights in the living room are dimmed and he’s at the piano, caressing the keys, as a melody melts through the rooms. “So lately, been wondering, who will be there to take my place. When I’m gone, you’ll need love, to light the shadows on your face..” his voice calms me, yet I begin to picture his words holding their true meaning and shudder. He stops when I open the living room door. I’m so tired that I almost forget to feel awkward. “I didn’t know you’d expanded your playlist. I love that song.” He smiles, “I know.” “How’s it going?” “Not bad I suppose. You’re late.” “I’ve had the day from hell.” “At least it’s over.” “Each day is going to be a million times worse.” He pulls a face. “That doesn’t sound very optimistic. Is there anything I can help with?” “I don’t think so. I’ve got a bit of a crisis involving a client; scratch that, it’s a major crisis. The only thing that will get me through the next seventy
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 56 - Quiz
I frown at Scott. So does Drew. “Andrew?” I repeat. “I haven’t got it wrong, have I?” Asks Scott. “You went to Perronet Thompson school until about 1995?” “This isn’t Andrew,” I tell him. I look up and notice that Drew’s neck has turned an odd shade of red, and there’s a vein pulsing in the side of his neck. “And you are?” He glares at Scott. “Scott McMcanus. Your always stole my clothes at P.E, so I had to walk in front of the class in my boxers. Not that I’ll hold it against you,” he laughs. “It was a long time ago. What are you doing these days?” I sit, absolutely flabbergasted, unable to shut my mouth. “Now, wait just a minute,” I interrupt them. “Drew, you’re the Andrew who bullied Scott when he was at school?” “I haven’t called myself Andrew in a long time,” he bites out. “Do you know each other?” Asks Scott. He looks shocked that I would know his high school bully. “We work together,” I tell him, meaningfully. “This Scott, is Drew Turner.” A look of reali
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 57 - I Love Him
In the event that we don’t beat Drew and his friends – though, given their reaction, we might as well have. We beat them by a mere three points – seventy five to seventy two. Drew is raging: flouncing out of his chair and straight to the toilets. I’m thrilled; jumping up and down and hugging Scott as if he’s won the lottery. Laughing, he pulls himself out of my grasp and looks at me. “You seem pleased to have won,” he chuckles. “Wow, you’re a master of understatement sometimes, Scott. Too bloody right I’m pleased to have won.” Unable to control myself, I kiss his cheek, before pulling away in embarrassment. Scott looks awkward too. “I’m hungry,” he tells me, filling the gap. “How about we head home for tea cakes and horlicks before bed?” I suggest. “You’re a woman who knows how to party, Emma,” he grins. “Tea cakes it is.” Scott and I are at the door of the pub when Drew appears. “I suppose you’re going to be as smug about this as you are about everything else?” He spits
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 58 - Katie
When Scott doesn’t come home I know that my prayers have gone unanswered. It’s hardly surprising – even I am appalled to have raised this with our maker when parts of the world are ravaged by war and famine. The fact that I tagged on a perfunctory note about world peace and cruelty to animals is hardly going to have satisfied him. It is now 10 am and the only conclusion I can come to is that Scott officially has a new girlfriend. I phone Dani, trying not to whimper when she answers. “I need some retail therapy,” I declare when she answers. “Did you have a date last night?” she asks. “No. What makes you say that?” “You sound depressed.” “Not this time. Are you up for a shopping spree or what?” “Sorry sweetie, not this time. Jamie and I are going away for the night,” she says apologetically. “It’s a nice little guest house in Whitby. The sort of place that used to be my idea of hell.” “Oh. Well, have a great time, won’t you?” “What is it, anyway? Can’t you just tel
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 59 - The Other Woman
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m enjoying being part of a couple,” Dani announces, as she takes a bite of her bruschetta. “But I do miss this. Us three, having lunch and talking shit.” “Shit?” Laughs Katie. “I thought we were having a deeply stimulating and important discussion.” “About skirts,” I say. “Not just skirts,” Dani adds. “Though I don’t know why my love life suddenly features so highly in every conversation.” “Yes, you do,” Katie argues. “You know damn well why. We never thought we’d see the day when you had a significant other.” “YOU didn’t?” Dani exclaims. “You should hear my mum.” “You told your mum?” I ask. God, things must be serious. “They haven’t met yet. I haven’t changed that much. But I thought I’d lay the foundations for….” Dani’s voice trails off. “For what?” Dani pauses. “Nothing… just forget I said anything.” “Like that’s going to happen.” Dani lowers her voice. “Okay…. But don’t repeat this.” Katie and I lean in. “I thi
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 60 - Drama
Despite her earlier performance, Dani is distraught. I can tell because, as I accompany her back to the office, she keeps threatening to castrate and kill people. Well, mainly Jamie, but also a few pedestrians who don’t dive out of the way quick enough. “Knobrash,” she hisses under her breath as she matches ahead, while I struggle to keep up. “Knobrash, knobhead, wanker.” “He’s definitely that,” I concede breathlessly. “Did you see the bloody slut he was with?” She spins round and takes me by surprise. I only just stop in time to avoid colliding with her, only to cause a small four person pile up. “I did,” I untangle myself from someone’s earphone wire and hand it back apologetically. In fact, the woman Jamie was with didn’t look like a slut. She looked completely respectable – and as shocked as Dani. “Knobrash,” she repeats, continuing down the street. “Knobrash, knob…..” “Dani… please slow down,” I beg eventually. She stops and turns. Her lips are trembling, he
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 61 - Moral Support
“STEVE!! WAKE UP, STEPHEN! YOU LAZY PRAT. WAKE UP, WILL YOU?” I’m standing outside of my brother’s semi detached house, throwing flower buds at his bedroom window. “STEVE, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. PLEASE LET ME IN.” He surfaces like a hibernating bear, “What do you want?” He says grumpily as he emerges from behind the curtain. His neighbours are treated to a view of his naked upper half which is an alarming shade of burnt reddish orange. He’s clearly fallen to sleep on the sun bed again. Fixing his boxers, he opens his window and scowls down at me. “Seriously, what the actual fuck?” “Please open the door,” I reply urgently. “This is important.” “It can’t be more important than me getting some sleep,” he grumbles. “It’s only six pm,” I tell him exasperated. “Who bloody sleeps at this time?” “I’ve only just got back from a conference in Poland, you moron.” I don’t even feel the tiniest bit of guilt about ruining his beauty sleep, he’s clearly just overdone it on a
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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
