Chapter Thirty Six

We were up early next morning so I could pack all my new clothes into the lovely new luggage that "I" had also bought at Harrods the previous day. We headed to the airport and entered the Terminal building.

I had adopted the incognito celebrity "sunglasses indoors" look, but as we walked through the building, no one was looking at me. A few people nudged their companions and pointed to Harry and a couple of braver fans came up to him and asked him if they could have his autograph and take pictures with him. I skulked in the background, feeling slightly jealous, but aware that this was something I was going to have to get used to. Harry was very obliging, as always and after a few minutes, he made his excuses and returned to me and we continued down to the check in desk.

Harry handed over our passports and tickets to the check-in assistant. He barely gave a second glance to Harry as he asked the standard questions about packing the suitcases ourselves. I looked up at the destination board above the check in desk to see where we were going. It said "Nice – Cote d'Azur" – south of France – nice!

I smiled and hugged Harry's arm as we waited to go through security and then as we walked down to the Executive Lounge to await the flight, he turned to me and said, "So, now you know where we're going!"

"Yes" I replied excitedly. "I spent a fair few summer holidays in the South of France as a child, so I know how lovely it is down there!"

"Good", he said, kissing me, "I knew you'd love it".

After a short time, our flight was called and we boarded the plane. I suddenly felt slightly nervous. I had flown within Britain many times before, but had never been on a jumbo jet or on a flight lasting longer than an hour!

We were in First Class and I was amazed at how luxurious the cabin was and how much space we had. We settled into our seats as the stewardess checked if we needed anything. As the plane taxied down the runway, Harry squeezed my hand. "I hate flying!" he confessed.

"I don't know if I do...yet!" I replied.

"Well, we can be scared together then if you do too!" he replied.

After a short while, the captain announced we could remove our seatbelts. Harry looked over his shoulder towards the back of the cabin. "What do you reckon then, time to join the Mile High Club?"

"No!" I said, playfully punching him on the arm. "I'm in enough trouble as it is!"

He grinned at me and said "I was only joking...maybe on the way back?"

The flight only took two hours and before I knew it, we were touching down in Nice. We got off the plane and waited for our luggage. As we made our way out of Arrivals I was hit by a blast of warm air! It was only late May, but it was already pretty warm.

Harry turned to me and said "I'll find a taxi" and he headed off towards the taxi rank. I saw him lean into the car and speak to the driver. He then beckoned me over and I joined him in the back of the cab. I had no idea whereabouts we were going, and just looked out of the window at the glorious scenery. We headed along the coastal road out of the airport and soon the built-up area gave way to less densely-populated mountainous landscape. It was clear we were heading out of the city. I looked questioningly at Harry, but he just smiled at me and said "You'll see!"

Then, about twenty minutes later, I saw it: a signpost that simply said "Bienvenue a Monaco". This time when I turned to Harry, I was gawping. "But...it's...we...but..." was all that came out of my mouth.

He laughed at me. "Yes, Monaco. I know how much you've always wanted to come here".

"But...but...it" I still couldn't manage it!

"The Monaco Grand Prix this weekend?" Harry completed my sentence for me. "Yes, I know! Why do you think we are here?"

"But...but...how?" I should have just shut up really on reflection.

"I pulled a few strings, you know, with some mates".

I couldn't believe it! I had been a massive F1 fan all my life, but I hadn't even been to the British Grand Prix before, let alone Monaco! And we were going to be here for the weekend!

I sat in a stunned silence for the rest of the journey. Then, we pulled up outside The Hotel de Paris. It was in Casino Square! Out of the window of the taxi I could see final preparations for the weekend's race happening as bollards were being put in place and road markings being painted over.

I tried to pull myself together as we walked into the hotel. Harry walked up to the check in desk while I trailed slightly behind him, looking all around me in wonder at the architecture and massive domed ceiling. I had never seen such a spectacular place!

"Harry Judd" he said to the check in clerk when she asked his name. She smiled shortly at him. I expect he was probably the least-famous famous person she had ever had stay at the hotel before. He signed some paperwork and she handed over the keys.

We were shown to the lift by a bellboy, who pushed a trolley with our luggage on it, which had been unloaded for us. The bellboy didn't speak to us in the lift on the way up, he just occasionally smiled. He showed us to our room and then Harry gave him a tip, he shut the doors and left.

Harry locked the door behind him, put the keys on the side table and glanced around the room. Or should I say "rooms"?

"This is all right isn't it!" he said, turning to me.

I was still standing frozen in the doorway and hadn't moved yet! Of all the unbelievable things that had happened to me over the past few months, this was the biggest.

Harry laughed at me standing gawping at my surroundings.

"Come and have a look at the view!" he said, taking my hand and dragging me over to the French doors leading out to the balcony.

The balcony over looked the harbour and I could see part of the track through Casino Square where the Formula One cars would be driving during the race.

For once, I forgot I was terrified of heights and gasped in awe at the amazing view.

Harry stood behind me, with his arms around my waist. He kissed my neck tenderly and said quietly "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" I said, tears in my eyes. "I love it! I can't believe we're here! At all! Let alone this weekend!"

I turned to look at him, and the tears escaped from my eyes and rolled down my face. Harry gently wiped them away with his thumbs and then kissed me tenderly.

"You deserve this, Alex. I love you with all my heart and I want you to be happy!"

I wasn't sure if it was even possible for me to love him any more than I already did, but my heart surged and I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

We decided to go for a walk around the town before having something to eat as we were both stiff from travelling. I also took the opportunity to phone Mum and tell her where I was and check up on my little man, who was fine, and not missing me at all. "You enjoy yourself, love" said Mum. "Everything's fine here".

As Harry and I strolled hand in hand around the streets of Monaco in the late afternoon sunshine I honestly thought I could not be any happier than I was right then. Any thoughts about losing my job were buried at the back of my mind and I couldn't imagine anything mattering, except for being with Harry.