I'm sorry I've taken so long to update this story – but I wasn't sure if anyone was actually reading it. Then I received a second review – and this has inspired me to get going again.
Sorry to those who have favourite and put it on alert – I promise to get going again.
As the saying goes – onwards and upwards.
Chapter 2
I woke up the next morning with a terrible headache. It took ages for me to get going, but once I remembered that I would be on a cruise ship travelling to Europe in less that forty eight hours I felt energised and enthusiastic about the whole thing. I chose not to remind myself of my misgivings about Jacob and instead thought only of what I would need to travel to Cannes, Monaco and other such exotic places.
I put the radio on to keep me company as I packed. I was just putting sun tan lotion in my case as the news came on. I had very little interest in what was happening in the world but at the end they had a gossipy spot about what was happening with various celebrities around the world. This I was always interested in. I found it endlessly fascinating to hear about people who lived exciting lives and were always in the world's spotlight. I couldn't imagine living such a life – to be always haunted at every moment by the press and paparazzi. This didn't affect how much I enjoyed hearing or reading about them, especially when I thought about how boring my life was.
Suddenly, after yet another instalment on the number of children Angelina Jolie had and what a wonderful mother she was, my ears pricked up at the name Edward Cullen. Apparently, yet again, Edward Cullen had been caught exiting the bed of another society siren.
'Though his immoral behavior had shocked and disgusted people worldwide, his fiancée, gravel heiress Rebecca Northing, worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 million, insists that the marriage will go on as planned. I don't know about you, but I'd like to know what this Edward Cullen's got . . . ."
I knew what Edward Cullen had got – he'd got charm, good looks, personality and downright nerve. He was an international player who seemed to make his way in the world by living off other people – usually of the female variety. He was always being reported and photographed with different women. His reputation was notorious, but through it all he brushed it all off with a knowing wink and a beautiful smile. No wonder Rebecca Northing would put up with his playing around. I wondered what it would be like to be in his shoes. He was obviously a hustler and a chancer, but he certainly always seemed to be enjoying himself.
I finished packing and placed my two cases beside the door ready to leave in the morning. Jacob had left behind the airline and cruise tickets and I kept anxiously checking my handbag to make sure they were there. As the time came and went for Jacob to come and whisk me away to the airport I began to worry. And then panic. No sign of Jacob. I tried ringing him on his mobile but it seemed to be switched off. After ten excruciating minutes of worry and concern, I at last realized that it was now or never. I could sit around and wait for Jacob to turn up (unlikely) or I could go ahead and set out on a great adventure on my own. After two more minutes of indecision I phoned down to Alice and Jasper. I quickly explained my predicament and, as I hoped, they insisted on giving me a lift to the airport. We arrived there with just minutes to spare and it was wonderful to have my two great fiends waving me off through the exit gates. I'd had no time to panic and by the time I was sitting in my first class seat on the plane I'd given up looking for Jacob to turn up at the last minute. As the doors shut on the aircraft I felt an incredible feeling of freedom. Jacob had organized such a tight itinerary that there was now no way that Jacob would be on time to catch the cruise liner at New York. I felt my heart soar. I was free.