Meeting Mr Write

by Cassandra P Lewis

  “Pippa for crying out loud, you only have to look at the sun!” I exasperate while I apply more oil,

  She pokes her tongue between her teeth “I know…Ha!”

  After a few hours lazing in the sun and dipping in and out of the pool to cool off, the flight catches up with me and I need some sleep. Pippa is more than happy to continue cooking so I go back to the room for a nap. Despite the tiredness, I can’t seem to get to sleep so I reach for the guide book and turn to the pages for Ao Nang.

  Lots of pictures of beautiful scenery, beaches and people, and various tit bits of information about where to stay, eat, drink etc. eat, hmm where to eat, I glance through the restaurants and Mr James’s words jump off the page to me.

  “To experience the fantastic flavours of Thai food, steer clear of the sparkly restaurants and head for the plastic tables and chairs outside, or head to one of the street carts. Try the papaya salad, be adventurous and ask for it spicy, it’s amazing! If you’re unsure though, Thai people will always help you to choose what you like”

  Annoyingly, he seems to know his stuff, maybe for the first night though, western food would be best.

  I wake to the god awful sound of Pippa singing in the shower, it’s comforting to know that there’s at least one thing that she wasn’t blessed with. Its six thirty pm and I am famished, I feel much better after some sleep and decide it’s time to let my hair down and experience Thailand.

  We decide to eat in a restaurant called Blue Mango. It’s close to the hotel and has a mix of Thai, English and Scandinavian food, actually there seems to be a huge Scandinavian influence in Ao Nang. Pippa has a cheese burger and fries and I go for a club sandwich…wow Alvez, really letting your hair down now! After dinner, Pippa is ready to party, she asks the waitress where to head to and we are pointed in the direction of the livelier bars. This is an eye opener.

  Ao Nang seems a fairly quiet town, mostly tourists walking along the front taking in the shops and restaurants, but behind the main strip is where Ao Nang lets loose. It’s littered with bars, McDonalds and what seems like hundreds of backpacker hostels, Pippa’s eyes light up at the sight of Thai girls in sailor uniforms dancing on tables and without a say in the matter we’re inside.

  “What should we drink?” she asks the girl behind the bar not me,

  “You want to party?” is the response

  “YEAH!!” Pippa calls out and without another word, a large bucket of Thai whiskey and Coke, was placed on the bar with two straws. As Pippa’s eyes light up at the sight, we sip, I wince slightly at the strength, but sip again…I may not be able to focus particularly well, but I see where this night is heading…

  Chapter Seven

  “Ahhhh….I think I’m dead!”

  “Not that you’re dramatic or anything Pip?” we had a great night last night, I think, but the morning after the night before is not so great “come on, nothing a day on the sand won’t fix”

  Pippa dons her deep purple halter bikini and looks fantastic, I go for a red and white polka dot one and sunglasses are an absolute must this morning. Maxi dresses and flip flops on and we’re ready to hit the beach. Ao Nang beach is just a short walk from the hotel and we stroll, ice cold Fanta in hand, past the long tail boats to a quieter end of the beach. There are massage places lined up behind the trees and in front of us, nothing but calm sea and the odd rock jutting out as though it has been painted onto the horizon.

  It’s hot, unbelievably so, and I love it, but I can’t just sit baking with a hangover,

  “Pippa I’m going for a walk, want anything?”

  “No honey thanks, stay safe”

  I decide to walk along the beach with the waves lapping gently over my feet. Even the sea is warm, this place is fantastic. I’m surprised as I walk, at the variety of people that I see. I expected it to be all backpackers with dreadlocks and tattoos, but there are elderly couples relaxing on the sand, families with children, and the definite honeymooners dotted in between, recognisable by their public displays of affection and the fact that they seem oblivious to anyone else being there. This is why I write romance, for people like that, the people that get lost in the arms of their significant other, and for the people that continue to hope that there is one special person out there for them. I feel like I’m letting them down, and the thought brings me back to earth with a bump.

  I’ve been walking, lost in my own thoughts for almost an hour, I decide to sit for a while so I walk away from the shoreline and sit on the stone steps at the top of the beach. As I look out ahead across the calm sea, the heat haze blurring my view, thoughts of Michael creep into my head. I haven’t heard a peep from him since the day before our wedding, no explanation or apology, just dead air. I heard a rumour that he left because he was seeing a girl from work but I don’t know. I’m not sure he has that in him. We had booked a honeymoon in the Maldives but I couldn’t bear to go without him after he left me, after much persuasion on my part and a couple of name changes, Rafe and Matthew went instead.

  When I arrived at the hotel on New Year’s Eve ready to become Mrs Rosetta English, I knew something was wrong. Pippa was sitting on a bench with my mother and my brother was talking on the phone in the corner of the lobby.

  “What is it?” I asked Pippa but didn’t need an answer “Daddy, he’s not coming” I immediately turned and walked back towards the exit, I was calm but embarrassed and didn’t want any of our guests to see me like this, jilted.

  “Rosie, wait!” Pippa chased me while my mother caught my Dad up on the situation “he’s a prick Rosie, I’m so sorry” she hugged me so hard, as though she thought I’d collapse without her arms for support.

  “Did he call anyone? Or has he just not bothered coming?”

  Pippa rolls her eyes and I know she wants to murder Michael for this, “No, he sent Matthew.”

  “Ginge, I’m so sorry!” from nowhere Matthew pulled me out of my daze, throwing his arms around me. Matthew is Michael’s brother. They have never got along but Michael made Matthew his best man as he was distinctly short on friends “he’s such a dick, I’m so sorry. You look beautiful”

  “Where is he?” I asked, unsure whether I wanted the answer, my voice completely monotone. I couldn’t bear to make eye contact with anyone.

  “I don’t know babe, he text me to say he wasn’t coming and now his phone is off. Rafe and I have been trying to call him for an hour. Look, I haven’t told anyone inside yet, but I guess they need to know. Maybe you should get out of here before I go in?”

  “Yeah, I’m going right now. Matthew, this isn’t your fault” I could see the shame in his eyes “like you said he’s a dick. Tell everyone to go and enjoy the reception, it is New Year’s Eve after all”

  Matthew is the complete anti-Michael. He is kind and thoughtful and at the time he had been seeing my brother for almost a year, a fact that made him feel even worse about the situation.

  I climbed back into the VW camper van that I had just arrived in “Mam, Dad, I’m going home. Are you coming?” my parents and Pippa climbed into the van with me and after saying goodbye to Matthew, my brother Rafe joined us. Without needing to be told, the driver set off towards home.

  As we pulled away I watched Matthew walk into the hotel, his head hanging, completely ashamed of his twin and I felt the lump rise in my throat. My Dad wrapped his arm around me pulling me in towards him, and the floodgates opened, the realisation that I had just been dumped in spectacular fashion hit me and I sobbed into my Daddy’s chest, the one place I have always felt safe and protected.

  A ball bouncing at my feet brings me back to the present, and a little girl runs to pick it up. She smiles an apologetic smile up at me, and I give her a friendly grin back. She runs back to her family and I watch as they play happily together, reminding me of my own fantastic upbringing. I want that for myself one day.

  I haven’t thought about my non-wedding day in so long and when I did in the weeks that followed it, I blamed myself. I told mysel
f and those around me that I didn’t treat him well enough; I was always too busy, too shy, too boring. But now, with my toes in the sand and the heat from the sun on my face I realise that I was not to blame. Michael never treated me well, he told me what to wear, what to do, how to speak. He put me down and kept me from my family and friends, I have finally realised that him leaving me was the best thing that ever happened. Thailand seems to be having the desired effect, maybe I’ll find my inspiration here after all.

  Chapter Eight

  Leaving Krabi airport I feel truly calm. I’m a pretty chilled guy anyway, I don’t really get stressed out anymore, life’s too short, but walking towards my friend Steve who is standing holding a huge sign with ‘Jacko’ painted on it in pink, I feel really good.

  Steve and I have been friends since university. He wasn’t on my course but we met when we got into a fight over the same girl on a night out, only to find out she was a lesbian, so we bought each other a pint and were each other’s wing man from then on. Steve travelled with me when we left University and just hated being back in England after that, he ended up moving to Thailand two years ago to run a karaoke bar, and it’s going really well for him. He’s marrying a lovely Thai girl soon and seems really happy. Settling down isn’t for me though; my bigger picture is that there are a lot of places to see and a lot of women to sleep with.

  “Where are you staying then JJ? You sure you don’t want to stay with us?”

  “No mate, thanks, I’m booked up so I’m good!” I’m staying in a hotel in Ao Nang. I decided I deserved a touch of luxury “looking forward to seeing Annie again though”

  Annie is Steve’s fiancée, I’m pretty sure that’s not her given name but it’s what everyone calls her. Steve decides to call in at the bar before he drops me off, any excuse for a beer and a chance to show off his little empire.

  “When you going to settle down then mate? Waking up next to the same woman each day is actually quite refreshing you know!” I can’t imagine that’s true,

  “You know me Stevo; life’s too short to spend in one bed. Not that I’m knocking your choice, Annie’s a star” as much as settling down is not for me, Annie is the best thing to ever happen to Steve,

  “JJ, I think the world of you mate, but you can’t sacrifice your own happiness for fear of getting hurt. She wouldn’t have left you all if she could have helped it” Steve sips his beer,

  “It’s not about that; Monogamy is just not for me. But you know, what is the point? I could choose one woman to spend my life with, just like my Dad did but end up alone in the end anyway. Nah, lone ranger, that’s me”

  “Jacko, I know you, you’re not the cold hearted man slag you make yourself out to be. One day, the right woman will come along and knock you off your feet, and if you’re not careful, you’ll scare her off before you’ve even started” he shakes his head like he’s genuinely worried I’m going to die alone “Come on, let’s get you to base camp, I’ve got to get back to the missus”

  After a catch up and a lecture, Steve drops me off at Sala Talay Resort & Spa where I’m staying for nine nights. It’s set away from the main hub of Ao Nang but within walking distance of everything. I’ve hired a moped and it’s waiting for me when I arrive.

  “Sawasdee Ka, Welcome” the receptionist wais at me and I return the gesture. I hand over my confirmation and passport and within a moment she smiles as she hands me a room key and directs me to follow the boy that has arrived to carry my bags. I’ve gone all out and treated myself to the penthouse suite, it has its own sun terrace balcony which gives me an amazing panoramic view out over the bay, and of the ladies sunbathing around the pool, I can’t complain.

  I know I’m here to work but it would be rude to not spend at least one day doing nothing, so shorts on and it’s time to chill out. For the hell of it I decide to take Ms Rosie Alvez with me and see what this romance thing is all about. I grab a cold beer from the mini fridge and get comfortable on a sun bed, prop myself up, and switch on my iPod. Jack Johnson’s velvet tones fill my ears and I open the paperback,

  Introduction

  “Cassidy Lovell is a fucking whore”

  “Tara, watch your language will you” Sandford is conscious that there are children at the next table,

  “Sandy” I lower my voice “seriously, it’s not enough that she fucked you over, now she has to do the same to me? We were supposed to be friends. I’m going to ruin her! The bitch will regret crossing me, I promise you that!”

  Well, that’s not the start I expected…Ms Alvez has a potty mouth. I read on and by the time I realise that I’m hungry I’m on chapter ten. This isn’t exactly what I thought a romance novel was all about. It’s funny and the sex is pretty adventurous even by my standards. It’s the story of two girls who were best friends at university but grew apart when they found themselves rivals for the same job, and the same man. It’s witty, really witty and I can’t help but think I underestimated Rosie Alvez. Of course I know it’ll all work out in the end, Tara will defeat Cassidy, Sandford will get his promotion and Tara will live happily ever after with Jonathan, but despite the inevitable ending, I am gripped by the writing, it’s refreshing.

  Despite wanting to read on, I decide to head out for some lunch. I throw on a t-shirt & grab my note pad on the way out, never one to miss an opportunity for research. Sunset is about an hour away so I head up towards the main beach area and find a seafood restaurant with a beach terrace, perfect to enjoy the view.

  Chapter Nine

  “Alvez, you rocked my freakin’ world last night!” Pippa declares from under her pillow.

  “We aim to please Carvalho. I had a great time actually”

  “I know you did girl! I thought the days of Rosetta Alvez dancing on a table and a stripper pole in one night were long gone. You were wicked!” she props her head up on her bent arm and grins at me “I’ve missed the real you Rosie, I haven’t seen you let loose in years. It was great” I’m embarrassed. Not because of last night, but I feel so guilty for allowing Michael to rule me the way that he did. I’m lucky that Pippa is so oblivious to everyone around her; she never noticed that he didn’t want her around; either that or she just didn’t care.

  “Come on Pip. I need food”

  We’re going out today so we’re up earlier than I’d like after the night we had last night, but I’m excited for the trip. We’ve booked to go on a four islands tour, first stop is Pranang beach then on to Tup Island, Chicken Island for some snorkelling and then Poda Island, with lunch provided somewhere in between. Of course, until a few days ago, I’d never heard of any of these places, but as we’re welcomed onto the speedboat by our guide, I can’t keep the smile from my face.

  In the days since the club sandwich I have tried to be more open to Thai food. I have had spring rolls and chicken fried rice in the hotel, green curry and even tried barbecued squid last night from a street food cart, surprisingly, I really liked it, I’ve liked it all. The lunch provided on Poda Island is fried rice in a polystyrene box, with chicken and prawns mixed in and small bag of what looks like chilli and garlic in some sort of oil, it’s delicious and I find that the more I let go and give in to the experiences of Thailand, the more senses awaken within me. I feel happy and alive and to be honest, I never want to leave.

  Pippa and I climb up on the front of the speed boat on the way back to Ao Nang, it’s exhilarating having the warm air rush past us while we zoom across the calm sea, passing the painted on rocks close up while flying fish shoot across the water on both sides of the boat. Pippa, of course has been talking to a guy on the boat, a Canadian. He told her about a ‘great’ karaoke bar in town. Karaoke and great are not two words that I would normally put together, add Pippa to that mix and it’s a recipe for disaster, but once she has something in her mind, it’s very hard to change it.

  “Ooh Rosie, I love karaoke, can’t beat a good sing song!”

  “Carvalho, you know you’re tone deaf right?”

  “Yes, w
e can’t all be perfect! But after a few cocktails who cares?” I wish I could be that care free, my mind flashes back to the previous evening and I giggle, I can be that free, I used to be like that, “You know what; you’re right, karaoke it is!”

  Pippa gets into the shower and singing starts, what have I let myself in for? I put my iPod on to drown out the cats dying in the bathroom. What to wear tonight? I decide on a short fitted dress with a black and white Aztec print all over it. I wouldn’t normally have chosen something so bold, but Pippa convinced me and I actually think it looks pretty good. It’s far too hot for hair dryers and straighteners so I brush my wet hair to smooth it down and twist it into a neat bun on the top of my head,

  “Wow! Rosie, you’re rocking that look honey!” Pippa is standing in a towel, visibly impressed that I put ‘a look’ together “what shall I wear? I need to match your hotness”

  “Not possible Pip, I wouldn’t bother!” I say with a straight face, until she smacks my behind and pushes me out of the way of the wardrobe.

  Bit of mascara, blusher and Vaseline and I’m ready to go, Pippa is wearing a black strapless fitted dress and heels, her signature poker straight black hair, eye liner and red lips “wait, photo!” she holds the camera at arm’s length and snaps a quick shot of us. Some of the photos she’s taken of the scenery are amazing, and she always manages to catch my good side in the ones of us. It wasn’t a bad shout to come to Thailand with a photographer…

  Before heading out for death by karaoke, we decide to try a seafood restaurant above the beach. It looks out over the evening sea, the sun is on its way to setting and it shocks me that an everyday occurrence can be so stunning. The menu is great, so much choice and the restaurant’s own fishing boat sits bobbing away on the lapping waves in front of us, so we know the catch is fresh. We order the Thai seafood sharing platter with steamed rice, two margaritas and some stir fried vegetables. The food is delicious, I could stay here all night listening to the relaxing music, the that sort you hear in elevators of plush hotels, but Pippa is as ever, ready to party,