Chapter 7: E-P-O-V

Well this was just dandy. Barely five minutes in Birmingham, and I didn't have the first clue where to go. Alice wasn't being a great deal of help, claiming her visions were going haywire again. Great, what could Bella be obsessing over now? Frustrated, I rang Carlisle for advice. He answered quite quickly.

"Hello Edward, what is it?" he asked

"I'm lost. I haven't a clue where to start looking for her Carlisle. Where would be a good place to start?"

"Well Bella said she was going to university there, so maybe you should look at all the universities there. Look for anyone with the surname Swan. That should help. Good luck son. Be home soon – Esme's going insane," he chuckled wryly.

"I AM NOT!" Esme screeched in the background. I laughed.

"Miss you Mom," I called

"Miss you too baby," she cooed. I rolled my eyes. Carlisle snickered and hung up.

I looked up, with new spirit, now I had a place to start. I went up to the help desk to ask for directions.

"Excuse me; I'm supposed to have an interview at Birmingham University, what's the quickest route there?" I asked the woman. She stared at me.

"He has an interview? At the university? Wow, smart and hot. Yes please" she thought. Wow, the British were quite refined, even in their heads.

"Yes Sir, its a few streets away, you're better off taking the bus heading towards there. Or would you like me to call you a taxi?" she asked.

"Yes, a taxi would be good, thank you," I said

"No problem Sir, name please?" she said brightly.

"Edward Cullen," I answered

"Okay then Mr. Cullen, if you'd like to take a seat over there," she said, pointing to a row of fold-out seats.

I nodded and made my way over as she reached for the phone. In a few minutes, my taxi was organised and would be here to take me to the university in just a short while. I sat back and watched the people bustling about, checking flight times and fidgeting with their possessions while they waited.

After waiting for about half an hour, a man in trousers and shirt came in and walked over to the desk.

"Hello, I have a taxi waiting for a... Mr Edward Cullen?" he murmured, although I could hear him perfectly.

"Yes, he's right over there," said the help-woman, pointing at me.

The taxi driver smiled and waved me over. I smiled and made my way over.

"Hello Mr. Cullen. It's Birmingham University I'm taking you to isn't it?" he asked

"Yes, thank you," I replied

"Come with me then, your taxi is right outside," he said, motioning for me to follow him.

Once outside, we got into the taxi and he took off. City centre was quite crowded, and the taxi driver practically doubled up as a tour guide, occasionally pointing out popular Birmingham attractions, such as the shopping centre and a large theatre where popular Christmas pantomimes were put on.

After about half an hour's drive, we pulled up outside a large university campus. I paid my driver and he took off.

After finding directions to the main office, I looked around the campus in awe. It seemed like a well equipped facility, perfect for my Bella. I made my way to the main office, having acquired directions from a passing lecturer.

I stepped into the large foyer that served as main office. There were several large help desks around the room, with different departments listed on them such as, "Student Enquiries", "Staff Administration", "General Enquiries..."

I went over to the desk labelled "Student Enquiries". There was a large blond woman sitting behind it who looked friendly enough. She looked at me as I walked over. I quickly pieced together a cover story in my head.

"Good afternoon young man, can I help you?" she said, looking at me with a kind expression.

"Yes, I'd like to enquire as to whether you would have an Isabella Swan on your records" I said

"I'm very sorry, but that information is strictly confidential Sir," she said, her voice suddenly turning cold. I looked into her mind. She was having troubles at home. Her oldest son had left after a bad argument. I quickly made some edits to my cover story. Assuming a worried expression, I leaned closer.

"Yes, well, it's just that... I'm a friend of her brothers. They had a really bad argument, and she left. She's meant to be starting University this fall, but we don't know where she's gone. He's desperate to speak to her again, but she didn't leave an address and doesn't answer her phone..." I let my voice trail off, satisfied with the sympathetic look on her face and her matching thoughts.

"Well, I suppose I could make an exception," she said with an uneasy look on her face, worried she would lose her job if her manager found out. She started tapping at the keyboard, and looked pleased with what came up.

"Ah yes, Isabella Swan, 18 years old, emigrated from Washington, USA? Is that your person?" she asked

"Yes, that would be her," I said, assuming a look of great relief.

"Yes, she's registered to begin her degree this September, so she must be in the Birmingham Area. I can give you an address if you want," she said

I nodded, and she tapped some more, then reached quickly for a notepad. Hurriedly scribbling onto it, she quickly shoved it at me. Quick as a flash, I tucked it into my pocket. I smiled and thanked her and hurriedly walked out.

Well this was just dandy .