Chapter 2 - Friends

What did Greg want now? He'd better not be cancelling our date, again! I had it all planned out!

Sitting back comfortably in my leather bound seat I reluctantly hit re-dial. Hoping he would prove me wrong.

"Greg?" I swiped the back of my fist across my damp forehead, wiping away the beads of sweat that had gathered there. "Jen! Look, listen..." This is how all Greg's conversations started recently, and quite frankly I was getting fed up of it. I knew exactly where this one was headed too. "...this case is a fucking nightmare." He continued. "I'm going to be stuck here for a few more days. Sorry Darlin'."

"What? You promised you'd make it back today. I was going to make a picnic!" In a totally believable voice he said "I'm sorry Jennifer, maybe next week? I'll make it up to you I promise!" He always said that too, and I hated it when he called me Jennifer! That was what my mother called me when I was a kid and I'd been bad. He knew that and he still called me it. "I haven't seen you for two weeks Greg. Please? Can't they wait?" I wasn't hopeful, but I had to try. "Sorry Darlin'. Oh, hang on Jen." I heard him mumbling to someone, muffled by his hand over the mouth piece. He returned to our call after the brief conflab. "Look I have to go. Something's come up. I'm sorry; I'll phone you tomorrow, OK?"

"Do I have any choice?" I retorted sulking. He didn't answer, he'd already hung up. There was no; 'How was your day Darling?' No, 'How's the movie going?' Nothing. Our conversations were just as empty as our marriage.

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We pulled into the hotel car park and I thanked my driver before my door opened. Security was manning the steps and 20 or so keen fans were being held behind a barrier. On a normal day, I'd be more than happy to pose for pictures and say 'Hi' but today, I just didn't feel in the mood. Today, regardless of my feelings I knew I had to face the crowd. Putting on my best smile, I stepped out the car.

"Quick as you can please Mrs March!" The security chap said. The trouble with me was I never wanted to let my public down. Lord knows how long they had been stood there. Some had probably been there all day. Five minutes of my time was nothing. I owed them.

I waved and smiled and said 'Hi' as I moved along the barrier. I signed the books that were shoved into my face before crossing over the other side. I did the same there until I finally went up the steps. I turned, waved and went inside. Feeling the immediate change in temperature on my face as the air-conditioning hit me, I sighed. "Phew, it's a hot one today."

"Afternoon Mrs March." The receptionist said politely smiling. "Afternoon Polly." Sad wasn't it? I knew all their names now. Security saw me to my door, once inside I threw down my bag and automatically turned on the TV for background noise. It made me feel less lonely, these days. Heading to the bedroom, I stripped off and padded to the shower room; eager to wash all my cares as well as the smell of Tim's aftershave, away. Standing under the hot water stream, I felt myself relax and all my pent up aggression and annoyance disappeared down the plughole with the soapy water.
When I was done I stepped out, wrapped up my hair and folded a huge towel tightly around my body. These hotel towels were lovely.

I must get some for home.

Tucking in the end I walked back out to the lounge. I fished a cigarette out of my bag and lit it. Checking my phone whilst I was there, I saw a two missed calls. One from Trent and one was from Tasha. Without hesitation I chose Tasha over Trent and tapped her name, lifting the phone to my ear I inhaled a draw.

"Hey Babes!" She greeted me as she always did.
"Hey Hunny, you OK?" I exhaled a cloud of white smoke.
"Yeah, I just rang to see how things went today?" Hah! Even she remembered!
"At least one person asked that today!" I huffed.
"Oh?" She sounded puzzled.
"Ignore me. Today was awful; I messed up the main scene four times!" I drew in again on my ciggie, and then blew it free.
"Want to talk about it?" This is the conversation I should be having with Greg right now, not a friend, miles away in London.
"Man! I kept fucking it up! I hate sex scenes! I go to pot!"
"God, Jen you are so lucky. What's Tim like? Tell me more!" Her giggle always made me smile.
"Well, his body is actually more amazing than his face. But, it's actually harder to do than it sounds. You are surrounded by people with a cameraman looking at the crack of your arse. It feels wrong. Pornographic!" I drew on my cigarette again.
"Wow! What I'd give to make a porno with Tim fucking Ford!" She chuckled.
After exhaling I replied "Well the film business has its perks!"
"Have you seen Greg?" The sheer mention of his name made me anxious.
"What do you think!?" I was swiftly back in my bad mood.
"Man he's a dick! I really don't know why you're with him Jen, he doesn't make any effort!" She hit the nail on the head there!

Tasha was never backwards about coming forwards when it came to her opinion on Greg. I knew she hated him for the way he treated me.

"His present case is a nasty one apparently." Why on earth I was covering for him I didn't know. "I was going to make a picnic for today, but he called to say he couldn't make it." Maybe another draw on this cigarette would numb this pang in my heart.

"He's an idiot! I'm sorry Hunny. You know what I think, he needs ditching Babes. He's a self-centred asshole!"
"I know. It's so hard though, I always think he will change. But I guess I'm just kidding myself...anyway, enough about him. How are you?"
"Ah you know. Same shit, different day. Work is work!" Yep, I know that feeling.

"Sam OK?" She'd been with Sam for nearly a year now, they were still most definitely in honeymoon mode.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to say, he took me to the X Factor final on Sunday!" She sounded happy.
"Oh Wow! Any good?"

X Factor was a music talent show, everyone wanted to be the next big shot. They sang, well some did; some just wailed, and the winner would get a record contract.
"Wasn't bad." She replied matter-of-factly. "Not as good as when Gary Barlow was on it though!" Mmm Gary Barlow!
"I heard he was back on tour!" I stubbed out my butt, now dead.
"Yeah, may see if Sam will take me..." She started sounding distracted.
"You OK? You sound busy" The time difference would mean she was at work still.
"Yeah, kind of. Look I got to go. Sorry Babes." she apologized.
"That's cool. Catch you Friday?" She rang twice a week, usually Mondays and Fridays.
"Yes. I'll ring Friday around four?" Least I knew when she said she'd ring, she did. Why couldn't husbands be like friends? Trueful and Loyal.
"Sure Hunny. Speak to you then, bye!"
"Bye Hun!"
Ending the call with a smile, I eyed the missed call from Trent I thought. I'll ring him later. I wasn't in the mood now.

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A/N: Welcome back to chapter 2 then. What are your thoughts? Friends are great aren't they? *looks for the nods*

Big sparkly thanks to twihard till I die for being there when I need an ego boost and being a great Beta. I look forward to seeing your work. ;o)

Everyone ready for chapter 3? Scream if you wanna go faster!

DeathToBeReborn xx