by Suzy Turner
'Urgh,' I sighed. 'If I'd realised that I would have told her to throw it all in the bin.'
Julianne put down Clooney, who had been rubbing himself against her chest, and stood up.
'You're joking? Fred might actually be among that lot,' she leaned forward on her desk. 'I think we need to go through all the letters and then do a follow up article about all your 'fan mail'. It would make for some hilarious reading.'
I raised my eyebrows.
'Didn't you look at some of those guys the newspapers featured?'
Julianne pouted, her eyebrows knitted together.
I shook my head for a moment before giving in. She clapped her hands together and squealed. 'Thanks honey, you won't regret it. Even if Fred isn't there, you might just find the man of your dreams. Well, you know what I mean.'
'Yeah, yeah,' I said as Beckham hopped down, clearly having had enough of me for one day. Sigh.
'Sales have continued to go up, you know. Since your article,' she said, sitting back down across from me.
'I figured as much. I know, I know. I'm happy to do anything to help you, Julianne. You know that.'
'Thanks, honey. I'll get a few members of staff to start sifting through the mail as soon as it arrives. Perhaps you could just tell them what, or who rather, they should be looking out for?'
I nodded, unsure what to tell them really. The guy I knew, okay I didn't know him. The guy I saw wasn't even a guy, he was just a kid. Not a lot to go on.
After lunch, Julianne, Charlie, Jasper, Chloe and I sat in the meeting room while I told them what Fred had looked like. Piercing blue eyes, dark hair, high cheekbones. And that was it. I couldn't tell them any more.
Jasper clasped his hands together under his chin and squealed like a girl. 'I'm so excited, Katie,' he said, his body shaking in excitement from head to toe. 'We might actually find your true love for you. I can't wait to get started. When did they say they would deliver the mail?'
'They just said as soon as possible.'
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and in walked Jasmine carrying a huge sack.
'It's arrived,' she dragged it across the floor and with Jasper's help, heaved it up on to the table.
'Oh m..my g..god,' I stuttered. 'There's loads!'
'What?' said Jasmine. 'You ain't seen nothing yet. There's another two sacks the same size as this out in reception.'
'Holy crap!' announced Chloe as she rushed outside to have a look, dragging one of them back in with her just as Jasmine nipped out to get the other one.
'Erm... I think we're going to need some more assistance,' Julianne said with a grin on her face. 'But first, I'm going to go get my camera and take a photo of them!' she said before rushing out towards her office.
'Thanks so much for coming to help out, Jo,' Julianne said later on, as my best friend arrived with Carly after school.
'I'm happy to help.' She and her daughter got stuck in, sorting through the letters, adding the majority to the DEFINITELY NOT pile, some to the POSSIBILITIES and a few to the YES pile. The YES pile were the ones I'd reluctantly agreed to meet. Crazy, I know.
'Ooh, check this one out,' swooned Jasper as he revealed a photo of a particularly good looking guy built like a rugby player wearing nothing but a smile.
'OMG!' squealed Carly. 'Let me have a look,' but Jo snatched the picture out of her hands before she even got the chance. 'I knew I shouldn't have brought you with me.'
Carly stuck out her tongue and carried on sifting through the letters as Jasper discreetly stole the picture and placed it in his back pocket with a wink to Jo, who burst out laughing.
'Jasper, you're just so... so gay,' she laughed.
'I know. Fabulous, isn't it?'
'Oh, I think I found one,' said Charlie as she handed a photo across the table towards me. Looking down, a breath caught in the back of my throat and I coughed. The most gorgeous guy, with long black hair, stared back at me and his eyes I could have just melted into them. I smiled and sat down staring at the picture while Charlie read out some of the information on the letter.
'Says his name is Luigi. Italian.? Interesting. I take it I should put that in the YES pile then?' she smiled as Julianne took both the letter and the photo out of our hands, clipped them together and placed them firmly in the right pile.
'I never would have thought Fred was Italian, but I guess it's a possibility. Wait a minute... does he live here or in Italy?'
Julianne picked the letter back up and looked at the postmark. 'Rome.'
I gulped, 'You mean... you mean... I'm now in the European news, too? Jeeze, when will it ever end?'
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Every time I switched on the morning TV, there was someone talking about, well, erm… me, actually. It was the weirdest thing. I'm just so relieved I moved into my new house when I did. At least the gates kept out those wretched members of the press. Wait a minute, I was a member of the press too! Okay, so perhaps they weren't wretched. They have a job to do, I understand that. I just wish they'd hound someone else, for a change. Unfortunately, they soon realised that the owner of the pink Mini was me. Even hiding under a large floppy hat and massive sunglasses didn't help. Why, oh why, did I buy such a highly visible car?
So I'd been borrowing Zara's car lately, or Tony's. Occasionally, I even hired the services of a chauffeur driven alternative. Anything to allow me to get out of the house without being followed. It wasn't easy. I'd been toying with the idea of going over to stay in New York, just for a bit of peace and quiet and to do the kind of stuff I hadn’t been able to do for a while. You know, like pop down to the local coffee shop, browse my favourite shops or even go to the movies. I'd have loved to go and see the latest Johnny Depp flick, but how could I, like this?
'Right, we've got the first five set up for you, which will take place next Monday. Kate, Kate - are you listening?'
'Hmm?' I said, turning from Julianne's window, overlooking the Thames. 'Sorry, what were you saying?'
Julianne stood up and walked over to me, looking at me like a mother might look at her adorable child. 'I was just saying that the first meeting has been set up. They're all coming here, on Monday morning, to see you and I thought th—'
'Sorry, who’s coming to see me?' I asked, confused.
'The potentials.'
'Oh,' I sighed and sat down on the little sofa that was tucked away in the corner of her office.
'You're really not here with me today, are you?' she asked as she sat back down at her desk.
'Sorry Julianne... there's just so much going on at the moment. It's difficult to keep up.'
'I understand, I really do. But the sooner you find Fred, the better your life will be. Don't you agree?'
I kind of nodded and shook my head at the same time, before chuckling quietly. Deep down I knew I wasn't going to find Fred, but I'd agreed to try. I'd agreed to meet them and so that's what I would do. But I didn't have to look forward to it.
'We're bringing in Carlucio to take the photos and we thought we might use the roof, provided it's not wet or snowing. Although, it'd look great in the snow. But, if not, we're stuck with the studio.'
I nodded, semi listening, just as Jasper burst through the door, with barely a knock.
'Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I'm not interrupting anything,' he said before continuing, 'it's just that there's a man here to see you, Kate. A rather nice looking man,' he winked.
Not expecting anyone, I sighed heavily again. Another reporter.
'Oh, Jasper, you know she'd rather not have to talk to any more members of the press. And besides, Kate isn't working at the moment, at least not officially, anyway. Nobody should know she's here,' scolded Julianne, while he looked a little upset.
'No, it's okay. I'll go,' I said as I reluctantly stood up and straightened my long black skirt. 'Where is he?' I asked.
'I asked him to wait in the meeting room,' Jasper giggled as I followed him.
'Thanks, Jasper.'
He s
miled cheekily at me before going back to his cubicle.
As I pushed open the door I was surprised to see a vaguely familiar face. I suddenly had a quick flashback. It was the guy I'd tripped over on the tube almost a year ago. What was his name? I couldn't, for the life of me, remember.
As soon as he spotted me, he stood up and grinned. 'Miss Robinson,' he said, with such warmth that I felt immediately at ease.
'Oh, hello,' I said, blushing slightly.
'It's good to see you looking so well, and not covered in blood,' he joked.
As he held out his hand, a memory flashed in my mind and I remembered his name.
Shaking hands, I said, 'It's good to see you, Mr Walker. Thank you so much for coming to my rescue back then. I don't know what I would have done, had you not been there.'
Paul Walker smiled, his cheeks pinking slightly. 'I'm afraid to say that had I not been there, you wouldn't have fallen over in the first place. It was my fault, if you remember?'
'Not at all.' I replied. 'It was completely my fault.'
I suddenly realised we were still shaking hands so I pulled mine away quickly, embarrassed as neither of us uttered a word while he just looked at me.
'What can I do for you, Mr Walker?'
'Paul, please. I was actually just passing the building and I remembered reading that you worked here, so I thought I'd pop in on the off chance that you might be here. I just wanted to make sure you were well.'
Clearly he knew I was well, if he'd read about me in the newspapers. But I just smiled and nodded. 'I'm very well, thank you. After all, it was about twelve months since my concussion,' I laughed. 'You really needn't have come, but I'm very pleased that you did, of course. Can I offer you a drink?'
'Well, actually, I was wondering if you might have time to join me for a coffee... elsewhere?'
I don't know why I did it, but I looked at my watch.
'But if you don't have time, that's okay. No problem,' he smiled.
'No, I mean yes. I have time. There's a Starbucks just down the street. We could pop in there although...'
Paul lifted his eyebrows waiting for me to finish. I was going to say, if he didn't mind being photographed by the press, but I thought better of it.
'Never mind. Let me grab my coat.'
Paul kindly got the coffees while I found a table, hidden in a corner, away from the entrance and the windows. When he approached, carrying my cinnamon soy latte and his own cappuccino, he sat down and smiled.
'I hope you don't think I was too forward, asking you out for coffee,' he said.
'Of course not.'
'But I've been trying to get up the nerve to contact you ever since the accident. Well, ever since the hospital. You see, I was...' he stopped and blushed again, looking to the floor before continuing. 'I was hoping you might put me in touch with your friend who was with you at the hospital,' he said, finally.
My mouth fell open.
'Oh. Have I gone about this the wrong way? I'm so terrible at these sorts of things. I'm sorry. I hope I haven't offended you?'
I burst out laughing. Paul was interested in Jo and, for some reason, I was actually quite relieved - and delighted.
I put my hand across the table and placed it over Paul's; he was looking somewhat downtrodden.
'I'm sorry, Paul,' I said between giggles. 'I'm not usually like this...'
After a couple more minutes, my giggling spread across the table and he began to laugh too. The ice was well and truly broken.
I let my head fall to one side and I looked at him. I mean, really looked at him. He was classically handsome, with a long nose, short blond hair, large brown eyes and full pink lips. I guessed he was about 35. I looked down at his hand and noticed there was no wedding ring, and no sign of there having been one, either. So he was single and he fancied Jo.
'I understand if you feel the need to scrutinise me,' he said, smiling. 'I could tell when she arrived that she is a very close friend.'
'Why didn't you speak to her?' I asked.
He looked away sheepishly. 'Honestly?'
I nodded.
'I was terrified.'
'Really?' I asked, wondering how Jo could terrify anyone.
'Have you ever had one of those moments? You know, when you see someone and feel like you should be with them? I guess some people could call it love at first sight? Oh gosh... of course you have. I almost forgot about your whole lost love thing. I'm sorry,' he said, but before I could answer he put his hand over his mouth. 'I'm so sorry. It must be awful that everyone knows so much about you and then here I go just blurting it out. Very insensitive of me.'
He was a gentleman, and he was in love with Jo. Now I knew I could introduce him to her.
'Please stop saying you're sorry,' I laughed. 'Everyone knows the truth about me. So? It doesn't matter. I hadn't really noticed you'd mentioned it, to be honest. I was still hanging on your previous words,' I smiled. 'I'm very touched that Jo had such an effect on you. Just from seeing her at the hospital. It's lovely. And yes, it is like my experience as a child, but completely different in that you could have spoken to her. That you're both adults,' I said, before taking a long sip of coffee.
'I thought I'd never see her again, or you, and then when I saw that first newspaper article about you, I was speechless. I've been trying to drum up the nerve to come and see you ever since.'
'Paul, you are very sweet and I would be delighted to introduce you to her.'
'Thank you,' he said, beaming.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The gossip magazines were filled with the same photo of Paul and me in Starbucks. Me smiling at him with my hand placed over his. The headlines read, 'Is this Kate's new love?'
I groaned. Poor Paul.
Jo, on the other hand, seemed to think it was hilarious.
'So, you're having a thing with my man?' she asked with her hands on her hips.
'You haven't even met him yet.'
She laughed again while pouring two glasses of wine and sat down.
'Well, at least I get to see what he looks like before our big date,' she smiled. 'He is quite handsome.'
'Quite handsome? He's gorgeous, Jo, and he's got a massive thing for you.'
'Yeah, I know, you already told me all that,' she said nervously. 'I still can't quite believe you've organised for us to go out on a date. I mean, I haven't been on a date for years.'
'I know and it's time that changed. You're young and you're beautiful. Charles would hate for you not to carry on, you know that?'
She smiled. 'I know. I'm just scared, that's all.'
'There's really no need to be. Paul is such a gentleman. I have a feeling you're going to get on brilliantly. And besides, I'm just a phone call away if you want to leave. I could even call you, mid-date, with a 'family emergency', if you like?'
She picked up the magazine and gazed at his picture for a long moment before she shrugged. 'Nah,' she said, 'I don't think that will be necessary.'
Smiling, I stood up when my mobile began to ring. 'Hello?'
'Kate?'
'Speaking.’
'It's Paul, Paul Walker.'
'Oh, hi Paul!' I said, turning to pull a face at Jo, whose face reddened.
'I was just phoning to make sure you were okay. I presume you've seen the gossip mags today?'
'Yes, Jo just showed them to me and I'm fine. I'm so sorry. I really am. I should have warned you that it could have happened.'
'Oh, don't apologise. My friends and colleagues are grilling me about it, but other than that, it's been no bother. I just thought I should call you, you know.'
I grinned. 'Thank you. I really appreciate it. I'm, erm, actually here with Jo at the moment.'
I could almost hear him blush over the phone.
'Oh... I'm sorry for the intrusion...'
'Oh, stop being sorry. She's actually wondering if she might just say hello...'
Jo's eyes widened and she almost spat out the wine in her mouth as I hand
ed her the phone with a wicked grin, giving neither of them a chance to get out of it.
As she said hello, I tiptoed out of the room, taking my wine with me. I figured once they started talking, they'd be a while.
Satisfied that I'd done my bit for the day, I moved into the lounge and switched on the TV.
oOo
I couldn't decide what to wear. I mean, what do you wear when you're about to meet a selection of potential dream guys? A trouser suit? A skirt suit? Jeans? A dress? It was clear I needed help so I called Zara, hoping she'd be home.
'Give me five minutes and I'll be right there.'
Sure enough, exactly five minutes later on the dot, Zara stood on the doorstep with a smile.
'I'm a mess. I haven't a clue what I should wear for this... this... meeting thing. Please help,' I dragged her through the house and up the stairs to the smallest bedroom that I'd made into a walk-in-wardrobe.
She stood for a moment and took in the clothes strewn all over the floor. Turning to look at me, she shook her head with a sweet smile before picking things up and putting them back on hangers.
'How long have we got?' she asked.
'The driver's picking me up in precisely one hour.'
'Right, you go back into your bedroom and finish doing your hair. Leave the clothes to me,' she said as I placed my hands on top of my head and suddenly realised I still had the giant curlers in.
'Doh,' I cried as I ran back to my dressing table, desperately trying to pull them out without making too much of a mess of my newly-highlighted locks.
Sitting in front of the mirror, I managed to retrieve two rollers, but the other wouldn't budge and the more I tried to pull it out, the more entangled it became.
'Oh, for God's sake,' I shouted.
'Goodness,' Zara walked into the bedroom only to find me hunched over the dressing table, sobbing.
'What is it? What's the matter?' she asked as I revealed mascara running halfway down my face.
'It's, it's just one of those days. Everything is going wrong. I even blew up the toaster this morning.'
Zara couldn't help but laugh. 'I wondered what the burnt smell was. Now, calm down. We have just under an hour to sort you out and if it takes longer, then so be it. Those guys will wait all day, if they have to. Stop worrying and let me have a look at your hair.'
