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Chapter 7 - Preparing to get back out there
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 8 - Project Scott
Do you know those apartments in Changing Rooms with elegant soft furnishings, hand-made decorative items and room schemes that showcase striking colours with clean lines? Well, our apartment is nothing like those. I’d like it to be. It’s just never worked out like that, despite my considerable efforts. When we moved in, fired up with creative zeal, I attempted in earnest to recreate such a look. Only, when I painted the hall a deep shade of mustard, it looked brown. So I painted over it with ‘Blush’ and that looked brown too. I followed with a ‘Corn’, a ‘Yellow Meadow’ and an ‘Olive’, but the most appealing shade I ever managed just looked like the unwashed shorts of a dirty Boy Scout. When Scott pointed out that the walls mightn’t withstand much more, I went for broke and painted it ‘Duck Egg’. Every time I walk in now, I feel as if I’m being committed to a prison cell. Still, we’ve learned to live with it. The other reason our apartment is some way off those in Changing Rooms is
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 9 - Bad Date
I’m so excited about Project Scott, I’m almost tempted to bring proceedings forward and rearrange my date with Jake tonight. But Dani’s out anyway, with a wealthy older man she’s been seeing recently, and Katie and her boyfriend Ryan have gone to the cinema. Besides, we couldn’t do it properly on a Friday night.Instead, we have the whole of tomorrow in which to hit the shops and begin Scott’s reinvention. Consequently, I have stuck to Plan A and arrived at the shabby-but-trendy bar where Jake and I arranged to meet. Judging by how sexy he looks when he walks in, it was the right decision.“Emma, how are you?” He smiles as he approaches me at the bar. Jake is a lecturer in Social Studies (whatever that means), so as well as having a bum I could keep under observation all day, he’s a chatty man too. He’s wearing fitted jeans, vintage trainers and a T-shirt showing off biceps that could have been inflated with a tyre pump. I’ve dressed in what could be the first thing to fall out of my
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 10 - God Bod Scott
Dani looks as if she’s bitten a rotten apple and washed it down with lighter fluid. “That’s very weird and creepy.”She, Katie and I have hit the shops with Scott to begin his makeover. “I mean it,” continues Dani, frenziedly rifling through a rail of sweaters. “One phone call from his mother would have been suspicious. You deserve a medal to have lasted as long as you did.”I shrug. “I definitely won’t be seeing him again, that’s for sure.”“It just seems so unfair,” sighs Katie.“But, it wasn’t just the thing with his mother,” I complain. “I couldn’t understand a bloody word he was saying. And that was when he was talking about the plays I’ve seen. When he got onto Roger Vitrac and Power to the Children he could have been speaking Cantonese.”“Oh hell,” says Katie, concerned. “Don’t worry, Emma. I’m sure you’ve just been unlucky.”This is what she says after all my dates, but I don’t point it out. Besides, unfettered optimism must come easily when you’ve got a love-life like Katie’s
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 11 - Make Over
Scott isn’t the type of customer that the award winning and terrifyingly on trend salon GQ is used to. Even I feel intimidated, and unlike Scott, I haven’t got hair that could be home to several endangered species of wild bugs. Everyone here looks so perfect that they must get up at the crack of dawn just to style themselves. I only make it two steps into the salon before I dig out my beanie hat and pull it on my head, making sure to tuck in any loose strands so nobody can see them. It isn’t even that cold outside, despite it being early February, and it’s even warmer in the salon. But without it on, I have a sudden fear that I may be mistaken for a homeless person. After spending the whole morning shopping, Dani and Katie have left Scott in my capable hands for this part of the process. We plan to regroup this evening. We’re shown to the back of the salon, where we sit and wait like obedient school children outside the headmistresses office. “Aww honey. There’s no point trying to
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 12 - The Optician
Our next stop is the opticians down the street. “I feel a bit odd, looking like this,” Scott tells me as we walk down the street.“A good odd, I hope.”“I don’t know. I think so. But I feel weird in these clothes. Do you think I look odd?” “Nope.”“Not even a little bit?”I stop walking and look at him. “Scott, can I tell you something?” “Anything.”“You looked odd before. You don’t look odd now.”“Really?” He questions as he too stops walking. “You really think I looked that bad?”I feel guilty and worry that I’ve hurt his feelings. The last thing I want to do is hurt him. “Not bad exactly.”“But odd?” “No. Well…. A little.”“Why didn’t you tell me?”“I didn’t think it bothered you. Kind of like I know my cheap ugg boot knock-offs look weird but I wear them anyway.”“It didn’t bother me because I never knew.”I bite my lip and ponder as I start to walk again. “Maybe I should have started this better.”“No. Don’t feel bad. Please,” he insists. “Emma, I’m actually glad this is happ
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 13 - Visit Home
I’m due my routine visit home. And honestly, it never fails to amaze me how little their house has changed over the years. My mum might have replaced her curtain nets with Venetian blinds and what was once the mini bar is now a log burner, but the house still holds little trinkets from the past that I can’t comprehend when they haven’t been thrown out. There’s a limited edition Coronation Street ornamental plate, and some ugly figurine lady, and they even have some of their wedding gifts displayed. “Well hello stranger,” my mum says as I walk in. It’s been literally two days over my usual visit time and she acts like she’s forgotten who I am. As per usual my mums pottering about dusting and cleaning surfaces that are already clean enough to eat off. “What have you been up to? We haven’t seen you for a month,” she says. “It’s been nine days, mother. But I’ve been super busy at work, I had a make it or break it presentation and I think I’ve done well,” I tell her as I slump onto the
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 14 - Preparing for Class
“How long until they get here?” Scott shouts from the hallway.“Maybe ten minutes,” I answer as I take a bottle of wine from the fridge and pour a glass. I mark down another sin on my slimming world chart that I made. I know that my glass probably contains three sins but I’ve decided that because wine is made from grapes which are a fruit, then two points don’t count surely. “How aren’t you ready yet?” I call to Scott, he’s been getting ready for ages. “You don’t need to go to too much trouble tonight. We’re only acting out being a love god.” “I know,” he says as his face appears at the kitchen door. “I know you’re not letting me loose on the female population yet, but I thought it’d be nice to demonstrate that I’ve made some progress.”“It’s nice to see that you’re getting into the spirit,” I tell him as I turn to face him. “Oh!”“What’s wrong?” He asks me.“What have you done to your hair?” I gasp in horror.Instead of the messy and sexy, just showered and natural look, it looks a
Always Finding Mr Wrong Chapter 15 - First Rule of Flirting
Apparently Scott was top of his class at school. But only he’s not as school now, and tonight as he perches on our sofa, his expression is confused. It’s clear to see that he isn’t following what’s going on. “Rule number one of flirting,” Dani voices loudly as she scribbles on the we made from some wallpaper over my artwork. “Is to feel good about yourself. Do you feel good about yourself Scott?”Scott takes the biggest gulp of wine I’ve ever seen. “Fine.”“Fine, Scott? Just fine?,” she’s like a drill sergeant addressing new recruits. “We don’t want you to feel just fine, we want you to feel amazing, hot, and like you’re on top of the world. Everybody loves being around a confident and charming person.” “You’ve got every reason to feel amazing Scott, you look great and you’re lovely,” adds Katie in an encouraging tone. “Keep reminding yourself what a wonderful person you are and also hit great you look. You’re handsome and intelligent. Think of all that, trust me if you walk into 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
