The following day university started again, and in the afternoon, she had her first day at her new job at the prestigious event agency. The receptionist opened the door for her, and she got introduced to the team. Two girls, both around their early thirties, one from South London, the other with an Eastern block country accent. The head of digital was not in, as on most days he would delight with his absence. Last but not least, Pippa was introduced to the digital director’s assistant, who, on the other hand, would shine even brighter with his presence. He would be the one Pippa would work closest with, to her delight, which she already knew the moment he shook her hand with such a soft, arrogant, dismissive handshake.
“Welcome Pippa, we are already expecting you. I got lots of projects already waiting for you. Show us how you will delight us here.” Toby, the assistant, pointed to his desk. “Well, you might want to have a seat.”
Pippa could only feel how her stomach acid rushed up and she swallowed it down. Yes, this was exactly what she was looking for; working with the asshole assistant.
“Thank you, Toby.“ She smiled. “Nice to meet you, I am so excited.”
Pippa took a seat, and Toby started explaining his role, since when he was in the company and what important work he was doing, which prestigious clients he worked with and that Pippa’s forerunner had been from the Netherlands and had returned to his study, and he wasn’t really sure if Pippa had what it takes to talk with his important clients.
“But we will see, I have several projects in mind you could work with and then we will see where you fit best,” Toby suggested. Pippa agreed in a friendly manner and repeated.
“Yes, well, let’s see what fits best.” She was impressed by what an asshole this guy was, how someone his age could talk with such arrogance, and she wondered what else he could do besides talk nonsense. It seemed like as more asshole the people to work with, the better the pay. Pippa had forgotten about the idea of simply looking for another job because it was difficult to find one that fit the hours and paid well. Otherwise, she would need to ask her father to support her with her living costs which she wanted to avoid under all circumstances. She was so glad not to need to ask him to support her, despite the fact that, of course, he would pay her lots of extras that made life damn comfortable and allowed her to live in such an area. She would rather have to find a way to get along with this assistant director. Toby kept talking himself into heaven. In between, he was looking at Pippa.
“You are in the third year of your design studies, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and in programming as well.” with her proud voice.
“Very good. I need your help with this then.” Toby nodded. “We are working with a designer and programmer who are specialized in this, and I need a list of all those activities and the payments.” Can you work with Excel?”
Wow, what an eloquent question! Pippa was stunned, sitting on her chair, trying to fake her politeness with a smile.
“Excel? What is this?” she asks jokingly.
“Well, we do a lot of calculations; what did you study?” Toby was asking with his missing sense of humor.
“I was just joking, it is like asking a drawing student if he knows a pencil, isn’t it?” Pippa replies.
“Like a pencil?” Toby repeated. He was lacking the link to Pippa’s comparison, and she thought, let it be.
“Well, yes, I am quite familiar with Excel, Toby. I work daily with the program, for calculations, forecasts, budget calculations, and things like that.” Pippa explained and couldn’t hide her lack of excitement about calculations.
“Good, we will see.” Toby replied. “But entering some data shouldn’t be too difficult, I guess.” He commented. “Well, I have a meeting now. You will come tomorrow afternoon. Here is what you can start with; you will sit at the side of Rebecca at the reception, and she will show you the computer.” Toby finished.
Pippa couldn’t believe her luck with this new job. This was going to be like working in hell. She said goodbye and left the office, texting Tess: “Ready for a drink? Meet me at Kay’s Bar!”
In the midst of a scorching summer, an elderly gentleman returned from his Portuguese escapade, a spot his kids swore by after reveling in its beauty. But alas, he returned ailing, doctors scratching their heads despite weeks of poking and prodding in the hospital.
Cue his daughter, a paragon of devotion, swooping in to nurse him back to health. Days turned dire, and it seemed like the old man was on his last lap, pining for his girlfriend’s company to ease his struggle.
Yet, fate played its wicked hand one Friday afternoon. His girlfriend, all sugar-coated charm on the phone with the daughter, dropped the bombshell: she wasn’t coming. The old man, crestfallen, sat in the garden, suggesting his daughter hit the gym’s pool since she loved swimming.
Later, when the daughter returned, she found her dad chatting away with his girlfriend, who casually dropped, “Oh, your daughter wasn’t around; she could’ve joined.” Translation? The girlfriend wasn’t too keen on the daughter’s vibe. But this daughter? Classy move. Shut down the girlfriend’s request for future visits sans her presence with a “none of your business” zinger.
Days dragged on, with the old man’s health doing the limbo. Then came that night when the daughter defied her dad’s wishes and dialed the ambulance. Cue a whirlwind of gloomy days, but then, a glint of hope as the siblings orchestrated a move to a better clinic, cueing the comeback trail.
Come Christmas, the old man, not quite up for a trip, found himself at the girlfriend’s daughter’s place. Meanwhile, the siblings jet-setted off – one chasing Thailand’s sunny delights, the other lounging on a Portuguese island.
And so, curtains closed on the year. Each found solace in their favorite spots, bidding goodbye to the chaos with a hearty “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
With the tour guide’s excellent advice, the three finally arrived safely at the port in Laem Chabang after a four-hour ride with a private coach. They stood in front of the Star Clipper. A vast white sailing yacht with a decoration in the spirit of maritime tradition.
“Wow, this is a sailing ship!” Danny stood there with an open mouth staring at the boat.
“Yeah, a Voilier traditional four mâts with 115 meters in length,” Nia looked at the sails; adventure was waiting for her eyes, “and 85 double cabins.”
“And a pool!” Lulu added with a smile on her face. She could not wait to lay at the pool, feeling her skin kissed by the sun a soft breeze.
*
Paula and Walt had just boarded the cruise, and Paula was already researching, surfing the internet. After she had stumbled about some nature project, she decided to stay in their cabin following her study on environmental and social issues in Asian regions. Not the idea Walt had how to spend the evening, but rather than starting a discussion, he decided to leave the cabin to get some fresh air on deck.
Danny was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, taking a critical look, then his mouth changed into a smile, and he did what he always found a bit of scary thing, talking out loud while being all by himself. But he told himself confidently, “You are getting there!” He then carried on unpacking his stuff. His cabin was quite spacious, the interior a mix between the comfort of maritime tradition and timeless luxury. He threw himself on the king-size bed and closed his eyes for a moment letting the past year review. Headlines that had run through the media appeared in front of him. When he opened his eyes again, he knew that he had made the right decision leaving it all behind. He was looking forward to the trip and his new fortune. He went to the bathroom to get ready for dinner.
*
Nia was so curious, and before she was unpacking, she wanted to see the whole ship. She got a quick introduction by the skipper who had welcomed her. They quickly discussed the project topics she would be writing. The skipper explained to her the winds for setting the ship at sail. She then moved on along the spacious teak wooden deck. She was breathing in the fresh air filled with sea salt, looking back at the city around the port. Nia passed by the open pool walking to the back of the ship.
Walt was standing at the railing, looking at the water and further beyond, trying to grasp the horizon when Nia joined him.
“Already inspecting the ship, Nia?” Walt asked.
“Yeah, it is fascinating. I had a welcome drink with our Skipper,” she smiled “well, I mean our Captain at the navigation bridge. He gave me a short introduction.” Nia could not bear a smile. “The guy looks more like a movie star than a skipper.” She laughed.
“Oh, well, you are single, aren’t you? So maybe that’s your holiday flirt?” Walt joked.
“Well, yes, if the guy wasn’t at least double my age.” Nia tweaked with one eye. ”Then for sure.”
“Oh, such a pity, but maybe you find one of the other 180 guests where one might be closer to your age range.” Walt laughed.
“Well, if I were looking for a flirt, I probably would find someone here, but this was not the purpose of the travel. I am not looking for a holiday fling.” Nia sighed, looking at the blue water, sky, and slowly sinking, setting sun.
“Oh, no holiday fling? How could I forget, for you, this is a business trip. You are actually at work here. A workplace where others make a holiday with fascinating views and stunning sunset. What a dream!” Walt was winding her up.
“Yeah, this scenery is priceless, and this ship. These sailings look so majestic, so vast. I have seen only this outdoor deck and my cabin, but the interior must also be impressive. I am excited about the restaurant tonight; it reaches over three floors.“ Nia looked forward to the dinner.
“I haven’t seen it yet, either. Paula immediately switched on her laptop, surfing the internet. She is already looking for the next project.” Walt explained.
“Ah, so for you guys, this is as well a business trip you are looking for new projects?” Nia asked.
“No, not really. I got an offer from the UN in London, and I want to settle in London. I have been around the world for the last ten years since I graduated. I had no job longer than two years in one country. So, I think for me it is time to settle somewhere. But Paula, I think she is more interested in moving on to a new project abroad. We wanted to make this trip to get clear about what we are going to.”
“Oh, wow! She is surfing the net for new projects, and you are watching the sunset on your own.” Nia summarised the relationship status.
“Mmmh, well, I am not watching the sunset alone, am I?” Walt smiled, looking at Nia. “Paula is the one who is missing out on this natural wonder, not me.”
Nia could understand that there comes a time when one wants to settle. She was also travelling a lot for her job, and she loved it, but she also knew the downside of travelling around the world. She knew that at some point, you wanted a place to belong.
“I understand, I also love travelling, but I also need some base, a place where I can go to feeling kind of home. For me, it also has the time come where I want to settle, and I am starting more thinking about getting a partner and family planning rather than some holiday fling or affairs.” Nia looked at the stunning sunset.
“So, when was your last relationship?” Walt asked.
“Well, the last guy I was with had an affair. It turned out that I was the affair. The guy was married. And, of course, he had no intention ever to change this. And I wasn’t just his only affair.” Nia swallowed.
“My kind of superpower, getting on the wrong guy. They are either married, cheat, turn out gay; there is always something.” Nia joked.
“Or are your double age?” Walt laughed. He laid his arm around Nia, hugging her. The two watched the sun slowly disappearing behind the ocean.
*
After unpacking, Lulu had taken a bath in her lushly appointed en-suite bathroom, which included features of marble surroundings as well as a dressing table. She was impressed by the interior of this beautiful spacious cabin: antiques, vintage Thai silks, Jim Thomson’s fabrics and a gorgeous reading nook.
She was now sinking into the lounge chair; her face was still covered with her fresh-up mask sheet and eye pads, looking like lemon wedges. The mask had to stay on for another fifteen minutes. In the background was playing some beautiful lounge music with Asian ambient sounds. At the side table, she had placed a glass filled with champagne. Lulu took a sip from the Dom Perignon, and she cheered to herself. Finally, she had made it happen to split from her husband and took the courage to start all over again. She took a second chance at her career and looked back at her past thirty years.
Her marriage had become a low-impact shimmy on a greyscale with vibrations of sadness, a monotonous everyday life filled with waiting for her hubby. Better said a waiting game for his phone call, when he would bring up some lame excuse why he could not make it. Lulu wasn´t sure about the time when they had been this happy picture-portrait family. These days had passed a long time ago. Since the kids had gone their ways, their daughter was at University, now at her finals, one more year, and she would start working as a lawyer, while her brother had stepped into his father’s career to become a movie director.
Lulu knew that her husband’s excuses were often long nights discussing new projects including spending the nights with new, aspiring, female talent half her age. Sometimes she did not know if this waiting game had just become a habit, a kind of addiction. Remembering when she had met her husband on the film set, the time she had been the young, promising talent. For her husband, the career had developed like an ageing vine, and he was still prominent in business, while for her, the profession had had an expiry day by having had her first child. In terms of technology and a change in the film industry, she now had the chance to come back with an offer to cast the main character in a new streaming show on Netflix. She had finally drawn a line under her marriage.
*
Lulu was standing at the majestic three-level Atrium Dining Room staircase, which featured single-sitting and open-seating dining. The open Atrium started at the Piano Lounge on the Main Deck with a spiral stairway hugging the Atrium’s perimeter, accessing retail shops, two decks of passenger cabins and, ultimately, ended at the centre of the Dining Room three decks below. An ivory-coloured piano positioned high above. Lulu had spied her table where Paula, Walt, Nia, and Danny were already seated. The group was sitting at a table together. The design inspired a festive atmosphere but without feeling intimidating. Lulu took one more deep breath to take in the whole ambience. Before she walked down the staircase, the ship’s surroundings were splendid, joining her group at the table. “Ah our beautiful Lulu,” Walt complemented Lulu while a Stewart was adjusting her chair.
“Oh, thank you, Walt.” Lulu smiled into the group, where everyone looked at their best after resting in their luxurious cabins and had taken the time to dress up for the welcome dinner.
“Thank you for giving me a seat at this star table.”
Placed at the table where the captain would later join and usually sit for dinner, including unique service. Almost no wish was unfilled. While reading the dinner card, their eyes lightened up with each line they read.
“Smoked Salmon and Caper Beery on Herbed Crisps, Eggplant Caviar topped with Salmon rose and Seafood Dim Sum with Plum” Danny read the Starters from the Dinner Card.
“Mmh, here we have wild sweet leaf salad from Isan with red ant eggs from Korat. Anyone who goes for the traditional Thai menu?” Nia was asking. Everyone at the table showed a quite irritated look with a smile on their faces.
“Ant eggs, seriously?” Paula was wondering, “What size do they have? They are going to beat the Caviar. I am just going to order it for the look of it.”
“You probably will need a zoom to identify the red ant eggs.” Danny was joking. “What size are they, and do they have these living ants here on board?”
“These ants are the most venomous insect in Thailand. They can be dangerous for kids as these ants have the ability, unlike other insects, to sting more than once, but usually, it just results in a trip to the school nurse. A sting from these might increase your temperature, and it swells, similar to a wasp sting, and it will cool down after a few days.” Paula gave her expertise on insects.
“And I do not think they have the living ants on board. These eggs are bought in bulks as they are a delicatessen here in Thailand.” She added.
“Well, I will go with the classic caviar, I guess.” Danny laughed.
“Me, too.” Lulu joined Danny’s choice. “I am not so experimental on food, to be honest.”
“Well, I order it, and you guys can have a taste if you like,” Paula suggested.
“Oh, that’s great!” However, Nia was not so convinced by the traditional Thai cuisine.
“Can I get your O-Tones for my article then? I can change your name if you like. But it would be great if I have authentic feedback about the whole cruise experience, including the Thai cuisine, of course.”
“That’s okay, you do not have to change my name.” Paula giggled. “I am happy to share my experiences with you.”
Of course, there was also a buffet, and apart from the menu, there were choices a la card.
“King River Prawns Tom Yum Soup modern style” Walt continued on the menu. “I wonder what modern style means?”
“Maybe the art they catch it, rather than how they prepare the dish”, Paula questioned. “This would be interesting how they treat these living creatures. I would feel much better knowing how they catch this seafood and if they are wild ocean living or if they are from such prawn farms filled with antibiotics.”
“Well, if you want to enjoy this dinner, you better don’t question these things.“ Lulu suggested. “Best you go for the vegan menu.”
“Yeah, you are right.” Paula laughed. “But the red aunt eggs are for the excitement when food becomes an adventure.”
They all cheered their glasses, ready for the feast.
“Yeah, I will go to the buffet, maybe having the chance of a plain simple burger.” He laughed.
The buffet exceeded anyone’s expectation from traditional Thai cuisine such as Thai steamed Red Curry with crab from Bang Taboon and seaweed from Andaman, organic Rice Berry rice, organic Jasmine Rice or Roasted Cherry Duck Breast with sweet tamarind sauce from Phetchabun to an international kitchen with spicy dishes like Chili Curry with Angus Beef Rib from Buriram. Yes, there was a simple dish like Burger with crisps as well. So no disappointment for Walt, and he returned triumphing to the table like he had hunted the beef himself.
“Oh, you are such a philistine!” Paula shouted, “We are on a Thai cruise with the most delicious traditional foods, and this is what you go for?”
“Yes, this is what I go for, some plain fare beef.” He grinned. “I feel like I am surviving on appetizers since we left London, some dim sum here, a crab pastry there. I need something sustainable once in a while.” He laughed. “I still have the whole week time to try each dish.”
They cheered their glasses again. “To a wonderful trip! How about we make a competition about the best Thai dish at the end of the week?” Paula suggested
“Oh, no. please, no competition here on board, I just want to enjoy and relax without any competition pressure or whatsoever.” Danny immediately intervened.
“Yeah, you are right. We are on holiday, for pleasure only.” Lulu agreed.
And at this moment, the captain joined the table.
“Only for pleasure and holiday.” The captain repeated.
“Well, these are some of my favourite words. I see I’m at the right time at the right table.” Looking around, Jules’s gaze suddenly stuck on Lulu’s eyes, and the two stared at each other. Lulu was starring in Jules’s eyes, eyes that were quite familiar to her and which she hadn’t seen since shortly after the Cannes festival almost thirty years ago.
“Lulu?” Jules swallowed. He usually knew all the guests’ names who were on board. As Lulu had registered with her common family name Heloise Richard which was still her husband’s family name Jules did not know that Heloise was Lulu.
“Yes, that’s me, Captain,” Lulu responded in a sharp tone of voice with a sweet smile.
The captain, Jules, was kind of perplexed for a short moment. This situation was nothing he had expected, and he was unsure how to continue the conversation to explain why the two knew each other. So far, he had avoided showing off his past reputation as a film star. His guests would mostly know him as a captain and sailor. He decided to continue with his regular introduction without explanation.
Meanwhile, the board program presented a performance of classical Thai dance followed by a cabaret — both allowing a short break for digestion. Finally, the dinner finished with dessert. A muskmelon parfait was with lavender ice cream served, a toddy palm cake and mango sticky rice.
The captain, Jules, told some little anecdotes about the cook, how they had met the first time and his passion for the sticky mango rice, which was not everyone’s favourite. He also explained the ship’s amnesties, the evening program, and the activities on board for the next day. In his charming voice and good looks, he had all the cruise guests’ attention the second he spoke. Lulu listened attentively, and she was still impressed by him. Jules looked stunning. He had been remarkably handsome in young years but even know the grey in his hair did not take a thing off him, it made him look even more attractive. He had aged like a good vine. Lulu had imagined any role Jules could have played, but she had never seen him as a cruise ship captain. But in his white dinner jacket just like thirty years ago at the Cannes Festival, the same feeling overcame her, like the day when she had first fallen in love with Jules when they were shooting for the “Celebrity” movie.
A week had passed. On a Friday afternoon, Pippa picked up Tess from the airport and Tess couldn’t stop talking about the amazing time she had had with Gibson who was now heading off to New York where he had to discuss a case with one of his mobster clients. Pippa laughed about who Tess called gangster some people from well-known institutions. They arrived at their Belgrave home and Pippa joined Tess for dinner.
Early Saturday morning Tess walks over to the kitchen. While preparing her first cup of coffee she is checking the latest news with a bad surprise. She reads the headline of the front post, Asian multimillion merger with global network failed. She puts the coffee down than shouting out loud: “This son of a bitch!”
The text below stating Ms Wonder Woman enjoying her Mediterranean cruise and had a blast on Tuesday nights VIP party in Magaluf. Followed by party pictures and a picture from the dinner with Marcos. Below the line stating. Just a business dinner? Jackie’s lawyer Marco who defends her in the Asian Media companies prostitutes Scandal and Miss Tess who arranged the merger between Asian Media and NW.
Tess is jumping in a square while she reads the full article that says that the network has backed off from the deal because of leaked information and obvious taking advantage of insider information. Tess is speechless. The picture shown from the dinner are the pictures she had been posted on her Facebook account. But she could not believe that any of her close circle would have done that. Disappointed she walks over to Pippa knocking at her door and. A half sleeping Pippa with a sixties-I -just-woke-up look opens the door.
“Need some coffee or egg?” Pippa asks.
“No!” Tess replies shortly.
“Anything else missing?” Pippa keeps asking. Tess is again answering with a no.
Tess holds her phone with the article under Pippa’s nose.
“Look at this, the Network rejected the deal because of this nice article.” Pippa looks at the party pics.
“Who the hell did that, where do they have the dinner pic from, that’s the picture you posted to me, didn’t you?” Pippa is now fully awake, and anger rises in her.
“Exactly, I only posted it on Facebook, privately to you and a view more. And I do trust them all. None of them would leak it, and certainly not to the press, I have worse photos from all of them.” Tess thinks further.
“Well, I guess at least one will sit with his greatest pleasure reading this article, Ryan, he never liked me on those deals.” Somehow, she has a sense that he would be really the only person who would love to see her failing a deal and wonders.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he has anything to do with it!” She shouts out. “Damn! With this scandal I can look for another job! Prostitution within media station who promotes projects on social welfare and poverty in far eastern regions. But I don’t believe this is true! I know Eileen, she leads that Media agency, this cannot be.” Tess is upset.
“Wow, this is really at high stakes, what are you going to do about it?” Pippa asks.
“I will talk to Eileen and then, yes, contact my new best friend who I have jiggery poker on boat trips with, Marco!” Tess responses snappy. “Yeah, that could be an idea, he might be the right lawyer for that.” Pippa replies cynical with a smile. “A dinner with your boyfriends business friend can be a real crime nowadays. I’m sure you are in good hands with him.” Pippa continues.
“Yeah, posting pictures on Facebook! They did not get those pictures legally, these were private pictures, taken on a private location. I wonder how they got them. Someone is trying to frame me, and I bet I know who.” Tess still upset.
“Ryan’s girlfriend, the Editor in Chief of that paper who published this bullshit first!” Tess shouts. “I don’t get it, what’s her interest in ruining this Asian Media channel? They really do great work on woman work force and environmental issues in Asia.”
What’s her interest about it, to screw you?” Pippa asks. “Well, being with Ryan might not be such triumph as it seems. Maybe she found out that it is rather disappointing being with him than an asset to have! Well she should know, who screws me gets it twice as bad back.” Tess gets back to normal.
“Okay honey I got to make some calls, to sort this out and find a new investor. I guess you are busy, too, aren’t you? You have the new project running and you are involved in the Award event planning, aren’t you?” Tess asks while taking a sip of her coffee.
“Yes, I have to make comparisons for all the offers and prepare bids.” Pippa replies. “Oh, I need to do this as well. I need to find a good fit!” Tess says walking back to her flat and continues her work.
“I wish I had an app for that an it would take me only one click.” Tess swarms. When Tess was upset, she really reached her high on inspiration and her ideas were just flowing. An app that was a great idea, Pippa thought. This was something she could easily program, and it was for both one for finding investors this one she could use for her study project and she could use that basic idea as well for her job for managing those merchant offers, that was a great idea. She immediately started some research for all essentials necessary for finding investors.
By Sunday evening she had the first version ready, knocking on Tess door. She joined Tess for dinner, the two ordered Chinese and Pizza and Pippa encouraged Tess to download the prototype of her app, helping her to find a new investor. Tess was screaming for joy.
“That is amazing, darling, this brings up really good sources. Let’s get in touch with media one. I think Marcos knows the CEO, let’s play our jiggery poker, as we do it, even we don’t do it, so we can use the whole story to make something out of it.” She dials Marcos number who picks up the phone.
“Hey, Tess how are, you, I hope you are not hiring prostitutes again, don’t you?” Marcos jokes.
“No, I moved on to hiring IT programmers, they work more decent at night and pay their taxes.” Tess replies.
“OK, good, my dear, I see you make better choices now, don’t you?” Marcos asks.
“Well, I try my best to keep it legal.” Tess says.
“So far, I have some information about your lovely ex, who seems to be a key figure in this whole thing, and I promise you to get him. But the deal is probably gone I think there is nothing to get the Network back on.” Marcos replies.
“Yes, I know, this is why I am calling! I am looking for a new investor, and actually, my neighbor programmed an app for this, something else we need to talk about as this works amazing. We came up to Media One now, and I think they are really a good match.” Tess introduces her plan.
“I would love to have your advice on it, and to ensure we won’t experience another blow like with the network.” Tess says.
“Yes, leave it to me, I know them quite well, I will figure it out and let you know, but yes, this is an amazing fit, well researched!” Marcos complements.
“Thanks to that app!” Tess replies, “I would not have thought of it to be honest.” Tess confesses.
“Yes, that’s excellent we have to discuss this further, I will get back to you as soon as I know more.” Marcos says and they put down the phone. Tess turns to Pippa.
“Congrats, darling, he will figure it out, I am sure we get a new deal and he is interested in the app! I guess you’ll be set for the year, financially” Tess hugs Pippa and fills some champagne glasses.
“Wow, then I can kick my super part-time job with this asshole, yeah!” Pippa throws in.
“Well, darling, I would suggest you, to hang in there, if you do that app for that agency you really can make yourself a name for it. You got to overcome that bastard. He got all the contacts you need. You have to make use of that. I don’t know how he does it, but he is really good at that.” Tess advices.
“Yeah, you’re right. I will suggest him to run this whole process through the app.” Pippa agrees.
“Good girl!” Tess compliments. “Oh, and that coming from the badass girl?” Pippa jokes.
“Well, good girls are bad girls never caught.” Tess replies then adding “And have a good lawyer.” She smiles and the two cheer their champagne glasses.
 “Let’s chill and cheer!” Tess says and the two throw themselves on the sofa, turning on the TV and watching an episode of “Dancing with the stars.”
The Snow Queen – A Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen
But what became of little Gerda when Kay did not return? Where could he be? Nobody knew; nobody could give any intelligence. All the boys knew was, that they had seen him tie his sledge to another large and splendid one, which drove down the street and out of the town. Nobody knew where he was; many sad tears were shed, and little Gerda wept long and bitterly; at last she said he must be dead; that he had been drowned in the river which flowed close to the town. Oh! those were very long and dismal winter evenings!
At last spring came, with its warm sunshine. “Kay is dead and gone!” said little Gerda. “That I don’t believe,” said the Sunshine. “Kay is dead and gone!” said she to the Swallows. “That I don’t believe,” said they: and at last little Gerda did not think so any longer either. “I’ll put on my red shoes,” said she, one morning; “Kay has never seen them, and then I’ll go down to the river and ask there.” It was quite early; she kissed her old grandmother, who was still asleep, put on her red shoes, and went alone to the river. “Is it true that you have taken my little playfellow? I will make you a present of my red shoes, if you will give him back to me.” And, as it seemed to her, the blue waves nodded in a strange manner; then she took off her red shoes, the most precious things she possessed, and threw them both into the river. But they fell close to the bank, and the little waves bore them immediately to land; it was as if the stream would not take what was dearest to her; for in reality it had not got little Kay; but Gerda thought that she had not thrown the shoes out far enough, so she clambered into a boat which lay among the rushes, went to the farthest end, and threw out the shoes. But the boat was not fastened, and the motion which she occasioned, made it drift from the shore. She observed this, and hastened to get back; but before she could do so, the boat was more than a yard from the land, and was gliding quickly onward. Little Gerda was very frightened, and began to cry; but no one heard her except the sparrows, and they could not carry her to land; but they flew along the bank, and sang as if to comfort her, “Here we are! Here we are!” The boat drifted with the stream, little Gerda sat quite still without shoes, for they were swimming behind the boat, but she could not reach them, because the boat went much faster than they did. The banks on both sides were beautiful; lovely flowers, venerable trees, and slopes with sheep and cows, but not a human being was to be seen. “Perhaps the river will carry me to little Kay,” said she; and then she grew less sad. She rose, and looked for many hours at the beautiful green banks. Presently she sailed by a large cherry-orchard, where was a little cottage with curious red and blue windows; it was thatched, and before it two wooden soldiers stood sentry, and presented arms when anyone went past. Gerda called to them, for she thought they were alive; but they, of course, did not answer. She came close to them, for the stream drifted the boat quite near the land. Gerda called still louder, and an old woman then came out of the cottage, leaning upon a crooked stick. She had a large broad-brimmed hat on, painted with the most splendid flowers. “Poor little child!” said the old woman. “How did you get upon the large rapid river, to be driven about so in the wide world!” And then the old woman went into the water, caught hold of the boat with her crooked stick, drew it to the bank, and lifted little Gerda out. And Gerda was so glad to be on dry land again; but she was rather afraid of the strange old woman. “But come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,” said she. And Gerda told her all; and the old woman shook her head and said, “A-hem! a-hem!” and when Gerda had told her everything, and asked her if she had not seen little Kay, the woman answered that he had not passed there, but he no doubt would come; and she told her not to be cast down, but taste her cherries, and look at her flowers, which were finer than any in a picture-book, each of which could tell a whole story. She then took Gerda by the hand, led her into the little cottage, and locked the door. The windows were very high up; the glass was red, blue, and green, and the sunlight shone through quite wondrously in all sorts of colors. On the table stood the most exquisite cherries, and Gerda ate as many as she chose, for she had permission to do so. While she was eating, the old woman combed her hair with a golden comb, and her hair curled and shone with a lovely golden color around that sweet little face, which was so round and so like a rose. “I have often longed for such a dear little girl,” said the old woman. “Now you shall see how well we agree together”; and while she combed little Gerda’s hair, the child forgot her foster-brother Kay more and more, for the old woman understood magic; but she was no evil being, she only practiced witchcraft a little for her own private amusement, and now she wanted very much to keep little Gerda. She therefore went out in the garden, stretched out her crooked stick towards the rose-bushes, which, beautifully as they were blowing, all sank into the earth and no one could tell where they had stood. The old woman feared that if Gerda should see the roses, she would then think of her own, would remember little Kay, and run away from her. She now led Gerda into the flower-garden. Oh, what odor and what loveliness was there! Every flower that one could think of, and of every season, stood there in fullest bloom; no picture-book could be gayer or more beautiful. Gerda jumped for joy, and played till the sun set behind the tall cherry-tree; she then had a pretty bed, with a red silken coverlet filled with blue violets. She fell asleep, and had as pleasant dreams as ever a queen on her wedding-day. The next morning she went to play with the flowers in the warm sunshine, and thus passed away a day. Gerda knew every flower; and, numerous as they were, it still seemed to Gerda that one was wanting, though she did not know which. One day while she was looking at the hat of the old woman painted with flowers, the most beautiful of them all seemed to her to be a rose. The old woman had forgotten to take it from her hat when she made the others vanish in the earth. But so it is when one’s thoughts are not collected. “What!” said Gerda. “Are there no roses here?” and she ran about amongst the flowerbeds, and looked, and looked, but there was not one to be found. She then sat down and wept; but her hot tears fell just where a rose-bush had sunk; and when her warm tears watered the ground, the tree shot up suddenly as fresh and blooming as when it had been swallowed up. Gerda kissed the roses, thought of her own dear roses at home, and with them of little Kay. “Oh, how long I have stayed!” said the little girl. “I intended to look for Kay! Don’t you know where he is?” she asked of the roses. “Do you think he is dead and gone?” “Dead he certainly is not,” said the Roses. “We have been in the earth where all the dead are, but Kay was not there.” “Many thanks!” said little Gerda; and she went to the other flowers, looked into their cups, and asked, “Don’t you know where little Kay is?” But every flower stood in the sunshine, and dreamed its own fairy tale or its own story: and they all told her very many things, but not one knew anything of Kay. Well, what did the Tiger-Lily say? “Hearest thou not the drum? Bum! Bum! Those are the only two tones. Always bum! Bum! Hark to the plaintive song of the old woman, to the call of the priests! The Hindu woman in her long robe stands upon the funeral pile; the flames rise around her and her dead husband, but the Hindu woman thinks on the living one in the surrounding circle; on him whose eyes burn hotter than the flames, on him, the fire of whose eyes pierces her heart more than the flames which soon will burn her body to ashes. Can the heart’s flame die in the flame of the funeral pile?” “I don’t understand that at all,” said little Gerda. “That is my story,” said the Lily. What did the Convolvulus say? “Projecting over a narrow mountain-path there hangs an old feudal castle. Thick evergreens grow on the dilapidated walls, and around the altar, where a lovely maiden is standing: she bends over the railing and looks out upon the rose. No fresher rose hangs on the branches than she; no apple-blossom carried away by the wind is more buoyant! How her silken robe is rustling! “‘Is he not yet come?'” “Is it Kay that you mean?” asked little Gerda. “I am speaking about my story, about my dream,” answered the Convolvulus. What did the Snowdrops say? “Between the trees a long board is hanging, it is a swing. Two little girls are sitting in it, and swing themselves backwards and forwards; their frocks are as white as snow, and long green silk ribbons flutter from their bonnets. Their brother, who is older than they are, stands up in the swing; he twines his arms round the cords to hold himself fast, for in one hand he has a little cup, and in the other a clay-pipe. He is blowing soap-bubbles. The swing moves, and the bubbles float in charming changing colors: the last is still hanging to the end of the pipe, and rocks in the breeze. The swing moves. The little black dog, as light as a soap-bubble, jumps up on his hind legs to try to get into the swing. It moves, the dog falls down, barks, and is angry. They tease him; the bubble bursts! A swing, a bursting bubble, such is my song!” “What you relate may be very pretty, but you tell it in so melancholy a manner, and do not mention Kay.” What do the Hyacinths say? “There were once upon a time three sisters, quite transparent, and very beautiful. The robe of the one was red, that of the second blue, and that of the third white. They danced hand in hand beside the calm lake in the clear moonshine. They were not elfin maidens, but mortal children. A sweet fragrance was smelt, and the maidens vanished in the wood; the fragrance grew stronger, three coffins, and in them three lovely maidens, glided out of the forest and across the lake: the shining glow-worms flew around like little floating lights. Do the dancing maidens sleep, or are they dead? The odour of the flowers says they are corpses; the evening bell tolls for the dead!” “You make me quite sad,” said little Gerda. “I cannot help thinking of the dead maidens. Oh! is little Kay really dead? The Roses have been in the earth, and they say no.” “Ding, dong!” sounded the Hyacinth bells. “We do not toll for little Kay; we do not know him. That is our way of singing, the only one we have.” And Gerda went to the Ranunculuses, that looked forth from among the shining green leaves. “You are a little bright sun!” said Gerda. “Tell me if you know where I can find my playfellow.” And the Ranunculus shone brightly, and looked again at Gerda. What song could the Ranunculus sing? It was one that said nothing about Kay either. “In a small court the bright sun was shining in the first days of spring. The beams glided down the white walls of a neighbor’s house, and close by the fresh yellow flowers were growing, shining like gold in the warm sun-rays. An old grandmother was sitting in the air; her grand-daughter, the poor and lovely servant just come for a short visit. She knows her grandmother. There was gold, pure virgin gold in that blessed kiss. There, that is my little story,” said the Ranunculus. “My poor old grandmother!” sighed Gerda. “Yes, she is longing for me, no doubt: she is sorrowing for me, as she did for little Kay. But I will soon come home, and then I will bring Kay with me. It is of no use asking the flowers; they only know their own old rhymes, and can tell me nothing.” And she tucked up her frock, to enable her to run quicker; but the Narcissus gave her a knock on the leg, just as she was going to jump over it. So she stood still, looked at the long yellow flower, and asked, “You perhaps know something?” and she bent down to the Narcissus. And what did it say? “I can see myself, I can see myself! Oh, how odorous I am! Up in the little garret there stands, half-dressed, a little Dancer. She stands now on one leg, now on both; she despises the whole world; yet she lives only in imagination. She pours water out of the teapot over a piece of stuff which she holds in her hand; it is the bodice; cleanliness is a fine thing. The white dress is hanging on the hook; it was washed in the teapot, and dried on the roof. She puts it on, ties a saffron-colored kerchief round her neck, and then the gown looks whiter. I can see myself, I can see myself!” “That’s nothing to me,” said little Gerda. “That does not concern me.” And then off she ran to the further end of the garden. The gate was locked, but she shook the rusted bolt till it was loosened, and the gate opened; and little Gerda ran off barefooted into the wide world. She looked round her thrice, but no one followed her. At last she could run no longer; she sat down on a large stone, and when she looked about her, she saw that the summer had passed; it was late in the autumn, but that one could not remark in the beautiful garden, where there was always sunshine, and where there were flowers the whole year round. “Dear me, how long I have staid!” said Gerda. “Autumn is come. I must not rest any longer.” And she got up to go further. Oh, how tender and wearied her little feet were! All around it looked so cold and raw: the long willow-leaves were quite yellow, and the fog dripped from them like water; one leaf fell after the other: the sloes only stood full of fruit, which set one’s teeth on edge. Oh, how dark and comfortless it was in the dreary world!
Mia had just left the shuttle at Folkestone after passing through the Euro-Channel from Calais and traveling the fifty-mile route through the world’s longest underwater channel by train with her car—thirty-seven miles undersea in just thirty minutes. She was excited. North London University had offered her a place, one of the rare limited places in her subject. The university offered only fifty places a year for her area of study. Mia planned to move in with her boyfriend who had found an apartment in an old North London villa and share with several students.
A further ninety-minute drive through Kent, making her way through South London and the Blackwall Tunnel, Mia had to take a break to refill her tank.
She stopped at a gas station, filled up and went to the cashier. For some reason, her card failed and, of course, she hadn’t enough cash.
Mia was a slender girl, standing five feet four in her sandals. She was simply dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and she blushed bright red when the Point of Sale rejected her credit card. This had happened to her once before when she had accidentally exceeded her limit, but this time the card was seriously creased, the result of her sitting on it during her long trip from Germany. Despite Mia’s general level-headedness, she could be careless at times.
Everything happens for a reason. “Do I need to wash cars now?” Mia asked with a smile. Turning towards the customer behind her, she said, “Does your car need some polish?”
The man, a handsome thirtysomething year old, athletically shaped with dark blond hair laughed. “No, love, it’s just coming out of the car wash now, but I imagine you would do a better job.”
“Well, is there an ATM machine close by?”
“No, not that close,” the cashier said. “The next cash machine is about fifteen minutes away.”
“So, what can I do? Would you accept me leaving a deposit like my ID card? I would come back later with the cash. I’ve just come from Germany and I’m moving to North London. I could leave my address and telephone number with you.”
The cashier shook her head, but the handsome guy behind Mia said, “I can take it on my card and you can come to my office next week and pay me.”
“That would be great; I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay,” he replied. “And I got the number of an attractive German, right?”
The two exchanged addresses, phone numbers, and the man paid using his card. Mia felt ashamed but surprised that someone was so generous.
“You made it all the way from Germany with one tank filling?” He smiled and continued, “Don’t worry; I had a similar situation lately, so I know how it feels and someone helped me out, too. My name is Jason. Anyway, I got your car license, so I will find you if I have to.”
Mia thanked him again. “I will pass by your office tomorrow and leave the fifty pounds for you at the reception.”
Jason nodded, “Any time. See You.”
On her way-out, walking over to her fully packed Ibiza, Mia noticed that only one other car had stopped at the gas station. It must be his—a shiny Porsche 911.
Mia had planned to pick up her boyfriend Bo at his old address and then drive over to the new flat. When she arrived, Bo was standing, as always, talking with his landlady, an attractive African woman from the same country as him. She was a little older. She had a little boy and always had her eyes on Bo. She looked at Mia with hardly the friendliest Hello.
Bo grabbed his one suitcase and he and Mia drove over to Lordship Road, to the old villa where they would move in. Mia parked the car and followed him inside.
They were standing in the dark entrance hall, trying to find the light. Mia, excited, finally found the switch. Wrapping her hands around Bo, wanting him to kiss her, and Bo standing there with his hands in his pockets, cold as ice. Mia would have expected a jumping heart, an intensive hug, and a long sweet kiss, anything but this. She had waited all summer for this moment. A cold shower was running down her back. All she felt was a moment of nothing, knowing this love had been an illusion, all this sweet talk on the phone, cards, presents and whatever. The moment she had waited for had turned into a moment of no emotion at all. All she felt was disappointment. The illusion of love she had held had just dropped down to the hall and into the basement!
Normally she would have turned around and be gone, but she had just left one life behind and she didn’t want to give up another—her dream study-place she had worked so hard for. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and thought, “Okay, this is better than no love at all, and at least I got my study place. This is what I came here for; I will manage; I won’t give up that, too.” Mia felt as if she had hit an iceberg while on board the Titanic and all her love was drowning. All she could do was let go and keep herself together.
Mia unwrapped her arms and with a fresh, friendly smile, said: “Alright, the light’s on, now you find the lock with the right key, it’s a really cool house.” Bo opened the apartment door, but the light switch inside didn’t work. The electricity in the house used a point system, which meant you had to purchase credit and charge on a meter in the corridor. With the help of her lighter, Mia made it to the bathroom. Bo, opening the bathroom door, said: “Ah, here you are.”
“Yes, here I am,” Mia replied with a grin.
“I got to go back to my apartment, I left something. I will be back later on,” Bo said. This was nothing new; Bo always had something to do. Every phone conversation had been like this—except that she had somewhere to go this time. It had happened so often that he would accompany her and for some reason managed to make her arrive late for her appointments or whatever she had to do, or miss them altogether.
“Yes, and buy some points for the electricity charge,” Mia shouted from the bathroom. She was alone now in the dark.
*
In the kitchen, Mia found some candles. The flat had a nice style, sliding doors separated the kitchen and the living room and bedroom were spacious. The house was an old villa; in better condition, it would make a beautiful apartment. Mia immediately thought of decoration ideas but she wasn’t sure if it was worth it. Despite the candlelight, the illusion of having found the love of her life, the picture she had created in her mind to study here in London for three or four years, and then her move to Berlin with Bo—all that had vanished and she thought it might be better to get her own room. Still, the way she had planned the move she knew they needed each other. Bo had signed a year’s contract and she did not want him carry it by himself.
Mia started unpacking, and made the bed. By eleven thirty, she was tired and ready to sleep. She had had a long day. She felt excited about her first day at university. She had to go to the administration office by nine before she would start her first class. She lay down and closed her eyes.
At one thirty a bright light and loud voice woke her up: “Hey, the light is on, look I bought the electricity points. It’s working.” Bo, putting his head through the open bedroom door, looked at Mia.
Mia, now fully awake, said, “Great, Bo, yes, it couldn’t shine any brighter, after midnight, could it?” She used her ironic voice.
“What? Oh, yes, you were sleeping already. Keep on sleeping. I got to make a call for university tomorrow; I need to ask a colleague something.” Bo, as usual, had something else to do. Mia couldn’t be bothered about that now. She turned over and fell asleep once more.
At six thirty, the alarm clock rang and Mia got up. Mia walked into the living room, which was an inlayed room, so there was no window. She opened the sliding doors to the kitchen and made it to the bathroom, where she looked through a huge window front onto the garden. Wildflowers grew between wild bushes—a stunning view, almost the whole front built with glass windows and on the side a beautiful old-fashioned bath. A view into the wild that delighted her.
Mia dressed and made some coffee. The sun was shining through the kitchen window. The kitchen had a door to the backyard. Mia opened the door and had her cup of coffee in the magnificent backyard that looked like a jungle. She took a deep breath and wrote a quick note to Bo, who was still asleep. The last thing she would do was wake him. All he would do was suggest he join her and make her miss her first class—for whatever reason.
“Oh no, Paul? You are here now. You were at Reading College, weren’t you?” Mia giggled into the phone. She knew him from Reading College, where she had been two years before but had left because of some family situation when her Mom had cancer and Mia was asked to come back to help out. He had called her when she was already in the car driving towards the ferry. He had asked her at the time if this was what she wanted. It wasn’t, but she did it anyway and somehow was happy that she had spent the last years with her mother and was now ready for a new chance.
Mia had fifteen minutes to make it to class. Walking through crowded corridors, she was asked by several people for a particular room or department. She had no clue where to go herself but somehow made it to the other side of the building, taking the stairs to the top floor where, of course, there was a queue in front of the door. She entered the lecture room and even got a seat. Five minutes later the room was full; the door was still open and people were standing outside. Mia wasn’t impressed; she had not imagined this many students in the class.
The first ninety minutes were over and Mia went for a break. As she stood outside the building, one of the girls came over. She was from Ukraine. “I can’t believe, what was this! This guy telling me I can’t get in? I paid seven thousand pounds to attend this class and he tells me to stay outside! My whole family saved all they had to make this possible” and she started shouting, “If this guy thinks I will stay outside the classroom again I will kill him.” One of the English guys, a typical go-getter who originally came from North London said, “What, you paid what for the class? ”
“Yes, we are not subsidized as we are non-EU. That’s why we have such an insane high study fee.”
Mick, the English guy, said, “Wow, then we are really lucky, yeah, then I would shout like that, too.” He paused. “Oh, we have one hour more till the next lecture starts. Come on, let’s go over to Sunshine’s and have lunch!” One other girl, Mac, who was standing in the group, said: “Yes, that’s a great idea. Let’s go over there.” Everyone agreed and the four went over to the Sunshine Bar and sat down at one of the roundtables. Mick, grabbing an extra chair, made himself comfortable and immediately ordered a lager.
“A gin and tonic, please,” Mac said.
“A vodka orange,” the Russian girl called Versa said.
“And a Gin Fizz.” Mia ordered her drink at last. Surprisingly everyone is going for an alcoholic drink at this time of day, but they think, why not?
“Oh, something uncomplicated, light, fresh and timeless! Great choice!” Mick comments. It doesn’t take long for the drinks to arrive. “Cheers, everyone. Let’s start this season. I’m excited about the digital class tonight; we will work on a huge project at the end of term.” Again, everyone agrees and cheer their classes.
*
The afternoon passes quickly; they get their schedules, terms and organisational stuff done. At seven, the evening class starts which means two hours to go. The best class, the design class for which everyone waits, includes an extraordinary design project. Luckily, it is a small class with a maximum of twenty people. The tutor, a man who had previously worked for an international agency, introduces the project, including all the programs and tools they will be using and explains all the processes about how the system works and gives some insights from the industry to the newbies. Mia is excited; this will be a blast!
They have a short break and Mia turns on her mobile. A message from Bo: “Call me back, it is urgent.” Mia calls back. “Mia, can you pick me up, I’m down south, it is urgent, I have to meet someone. He leaves at ten so you have to come now.” Bo keeps talking into the phone. Mia, taking a deep breath, wonders why he’s down south when he should be at Uni or his part-time shop, which is here in North London. “Hey, Bo, sorry but I have my class to nine. I can come down after the class has finished but I also need to get to the car. This will take some time. I might be down by ten.”
“No, why can’t you leave, now? It is important; the guy might be gone by ten if you don’t make it.” Bo keeps pushing. Mia already knows the so important thing is probably a CD or some other bullshit to pick up and keeps persisting. “No, Bo, some people pay like seven thousand pounds to get a chance on taking this course, do you know that? I’m not leaving now, what for? You have to wait, honey, but I’m not leaving early on the first day. I got to go. I’ll call you when I leave the Uni.” Mia puts down the phone. This was so typical! Any plan she had was interrupted by something so important, but no, not this time.
The class continued and they set the team members for the projects and for brainstorming first ideas. It was a tough assignment with a short deadline. They had three months to finish, which was not much for working out the details, their ideas for a design, their business plans, concepts, and planning the opening. They were excited and wondered if their concept and idea would be approved and subsidized. This was a joint project by the university together with local companies. It was an amazing chance.
At ten o’clock Mia arrived at Bo’s friend’s house. She made it on time and whatever it was that was so important, now there was plenty of time for chatting, eating and watching movies. At twelve, Mia asked to leave; she had an early class in the morning—Bo had an early start, too, but obviously he did not mind how much sleep he would get.
A half hour later they were sitting in the car driving up the Tufnell Park Road, Mia angry that it was so late, talking about the night before, asking where he had been while she was driving and the London traffic still busy. Bo, fully relaxed and chilled, looked over and complimented the car next to them: “Oh, a BMW, that’s a nice car.”
Why was it always like this? Mia was upset trying to work out something and he didn’t care at all, talking about something so different. Shaking her head, looking over to the car next to her, observing the same thing—a girl sitting at the wheel, heavily gesturing with her hands while talking, obviously not being amused about something, and next to her a guy, totally relaxed, not caring what she was saying.
The man looked over to Mia, blinking an eye and smiling at her. Mia shook her head again. This was unbelievable! It was the same situation in the car next to her. She felt like she had just seen her own reflection and had to smile about it. She thought: My boyfriend is also staring out of the window right now flirting with the girl in the car next to him. Of course, it wasn’t just the BMW but the driver, too, a thirty-something attractive woman now smiling at Bo. Mia had had enough, but she kept calm. It wasn’t worth it. She moved on. She would not bring up any more issues. It was simply a waste of time. Bo would never change.
Starting in the 40s, during World War II, a mother with her three children flees from East Berlin to West Germany in one night following a marsh by thousands of refugees when her only son dies. Her husband, the scientist Dolphy, arranges for his family a stay with business friends and trades his freedom for his family’s safety.
Moving on in the 60s, two of their daughters start a glamorous life in the film and model world in Paris. Forced through a great tragedy the girls move back to Germany living a happy family life in the 80s following the famous advertising slogan my house, my car, my boat.
Decades later, the off-spring, Vanessa’s dream to become a ballet dancer may be forever lost and Flo, Dolphie’s other grand-daughter decides to become a scientist inspired by her grandfather’s secret papers. She becomes a pioneer in flight engines while at the same time battling for the love of her life. Â
The next morning Sisley’s phone rang, Mel, her friend from London was on the Phone: “Hey Sisley, how is it going on up North? I’ve been out last night with my colleagues you remember the one we met the time you came over, here?”
Sisley “Sure, I remember your colleagues.” Mel: “Yes, they told me to go to Newquay, the UK surfer paradise, so what do you think about next weekend, let’s go there?”
Sisley: “Wow, there is a surfer paradise on that island? Well, yes we can go there”! Mel: “So cool, so we meet there next weekend? I check for Hotels and let you know.” Sisley: “Alright, honey, let me know by tomorrow and I’ll be with you.”
Friday afternoon Sisley thinks: “Thank God it’s Friday!” this week past so slow she can’t tell how happy she is this week is over, most of the time she hadn’t had much to, do. In the office, people would explain her their job and then turn around complaining how less time they had and explaining to her would take so much time, too.
A really nice place to work in this kind of atmosphere when your colleagues were so motivated in helping to explain their job, so you could help them out. Sisley thought cynical. Â But anyway, Sisley was just happy and so excited for the weekend that she had planned with a friend to spend in Newquay.
Walking towards her car, the secret couple Tina and Phil passed by wishing a great weekend and of course both took separate cars but coming from and driving home to the same address – so no one would get aware of their affair. Sisley just smiles wondering how silly that actually, was shaking her head than smiling to both: “Have a nice weekend, I’m driving down to Newquay, I need a little different scenery.” Jumping into the driver seat, Sisley turned on the music driving all the way down south-west towards Newquay.
At 6:30 pm she arrived at the hotel. Her friend Mel was already there, starting to scream when she saw Sisley: “Oh, Sisley, you made it on time, great, let’s go to the beach right away, you won’t believe what guys are there, I spent the whole afternoon at the pier, wow….I’m so excited!“ Sisley: “Well, I just drop my bag and yes, then we go to the beach, can’t wait.”
The two girls walking down the little street from the hotel to the promenade towards the pier. A bright smile on Sisley’s face comes up, looking at the wide blue ocean, the waves shivering, with some wild ones coming in between and at the front of the waterline a group of surfers. One guy just coming out of the water, shaking his mid-long hair in the background the sun slowly going down. Sisley’s breath stuck, she imagined having a great time here but looking at this, it was going beyond her imagination. The guy looking up biting on his lips than looking towards Mel and Sisley flashing a bright smile.
Mel: “I told you the guys here are hot.” Sisley almost speechless, her breath still stuck and her words coming out spluttering: “Yes, you said that and it’s more than true!” The girls walk on by and move on to the beach bar having a drink. The hot surf cutie passing by: “You look like you’ve just arrived, where are you from, ladies?” Mel: “I’m from London, I’m Mel and my friend Sisley she’s from Manchester, we needed a break from big city life, and I guess we found the perfect place for it on this island.”
The cute surfer guy: “Yes, you could say that this is the place to be if you want to have a good time. I’m Nick by the way. Nice to meet you. Mel: “Pleasure.” Sisley just winks with her hand saying “Nice to meet you.” Nick goes on: “Do you girls also surf or you’re more enjoying the wellness part? If you girls like to meet tomorrow morning we’ll be here from 10 o’clock”, he paused than continues: “Riding some waves?” He twinkles with his eyes: “Just an idea if you’re up for surfing.”
Mel and Sisley look at each other, eyes wide open, and both answer at the same time: “Yes, of course, that’s why we are here for, surfing, it’ a great idea, we’ll be here tomorrow morning.” Nick: “Great than see you tomorrow.” He winks with his hand and walks back to the group who’s already packing the boards, towards the pick-up and Van on the parking area. Nick walks towards the Pick-up opens the driver door. He then turns around waving at Mel and Sisley shouting calling at the two with his bright smile “You don’t want to miss it.”
Natalie Hush 