link
A/N: Wow, aren't bạn lot just lovely? Thankyou so much to those of bạn that reviewed the first chapter. I was not prepared for how much it made me smile! bạn shame me, because I'm rubbish at reviewing.
I have an overview in my head of where this story will go. For those of bạn wondering what's going on, it won't be a big mystery that will stretch throughout the story. My intention was just to slowly reveal thêm details about Naomi, her motivations and her intentions over the first few chapters. That's just the way my head is telling me it must be written. So don't expect any Dickensian lawyers to limp into the story and declare that the Fitch family have swindled Naomi out of her rightful inheritance!
I have to admit that I'm not too happy with this chapter, it seems a bit dull. I decided just to be Công chúa tóc xù and get it out there though, because if I take to long over the exposition chapters, I'm in danger of just giving up completely.
Enjoy! Myrtle.
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Chapter Two
Emily
I sighed to myself and walked with Katie into the gym. I tried not to let my shoulders slump at the thought of another long ngày stretching ahead of me. I had only been working there for a tháng - ever since I had finished my degree. I suppose it wasn't a bad job really, I just felt stuck.
When Mum and Dad first suggested that Katie and I should 'learn the ropes' at the gym, we both knew what they had in mind. Their idea was for us both to tham gia the family business. Six months ago, Dad had opened another gym on the other side of town. His dreams were now of owning a fitness empire, and he wanted to keep the running of it all in the family.
Katie and I had no intention of joining the family business. However, Katie had suggested that while a job was on offer, we keep that tiny detail to ourselves and just play along. I have to admit the cash didn't come in wrong, but I was worried for the future. Katie would never be made to do anything she didn't want to. She constantly defied Mum and Dad, and what annoyed the hell out of me was that she always got away with it. I on the other hand, was always the one to toe the line. I could see a time not too far away when Katie leaves to fulfil her half baked ideas of being a fashion designer, whilst I was left here running a gym
I fixed a bright smile to my face, and breezed into the office. We exchanged a chirpy 'morning' with Ted, and sank down onto the comfy little sofa. Ted was the current manager of the gym. Dad had hired him when he bought the một giây gym. He spent most of his time at the new gym now, and wanted someone he could trust at this one. Ted was an old friend of Dad's, so Katie and I had known him for years. He was in his fifties, but he tried to hide the fact bởi dying his hair jet black. It looked a slightly unnatural colour, tiếp theo to his ageing skin. He was also a bit of a fitness freak, like my dad, so he was in pretty good shape.
Katie grabbed the schedule, and we both checked to see where we were meant to spend our day. So far, 'learning the ropes' seemed to be code for 'general dogsbodies'. Katie and I just had to fill in with whatever jobs were needed. Some days, that would be greeting new members - which wasn't too bad when it meant we got to meet people like Naomi, the girl who joined yesterday. But usually, our jobs would involve standing around bởi the pool, hoặc hanging around in the main gym, helping people with the machines. Sometimes, on a really good day, Ted would hiển thị us how to keep the various ledgers and other necessary paperwork up to date. But only when we were really lucky. Did bạn pick up on my sarcasm there?
Today was just perfect - I was at the pool. Exchanging locker keys for large, numbered elastic bands. Wow, what a glamorous life, eh? I'm really using my degree to the full with this job. Katie was on reception, as it was Cook's ngày off. I groaned, đã đưa ý kiến goodbye to my sister and headed down to the staff changing rooms. One quick change later - into đạp xe, chạy xe đạp shorts and a 'Fitch Fitness' Polo áo sơ mi - and I was at the poolside prepared for a long morning.
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I had been at the poolside for an hour, and I was bored. Fortunately, I spotted some light relief in the form of Panda. She bounded up to me, waving both hands.
"Hi Emily! Time for my Aqua-fit class again! I've got some new ideas for this one. I was thinking of adding a bit like this," she demonstrated some crazy looking dance moves "to that new song bởi Cheryl what's-her-face, who used to be married to that randy footballer who took photo's of his ding dong!"
"yeah, Panda. That sounds good" I said, not really sure what else to say.
Panda and I had been Những người bạn since college. I know to outsiders she could seem completely mental, but she was a good friend, and I wouldn't change her for anything. She started working at the gym a few months ago, teaching an Aqua-fit class twice a week. She found she had a real talent for it, and had since added several other classes to our schedules. She was certainly a hit with the members, and her classes were always fully subscribed.
"How's the wedding plans coming along?" I asked. Panda and her fiancé Thomas were getting married in a few weeks time.
"Tikkety flippin' boo, Em! Most of it's been done for months, but mum's gone a bit rarr-rarr over the wedding favours. Don't see why though. If anyone wants a favour, they'll just ask, won't they? I'll do anything for my mates, and bạn all know that."
I opened my mouth, but thought better about saying anything. Panda chatted on happily about thêm wedding preparations, until it was time to start her class.
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The last of Panda's aqua-fit class had just drifted off to the changing rooms. I crouched down beside the pool to pick up a float, and that's when I saw it. A leg. Well, two legs actually - they usually come in pairs. And this pair of legs had just strolled out from the changing rooms. As I glanced up, I noticed that these particular legs belonged to Naomi. Naomi in a bikini. It was quite a sight to behold. She had long, shapely legs, a toned, flat stomach and...well, the full package. I had to admit, I was rather jealous of her figure. She looked like she had just strolled out of a Marks and Spencer's advert - bạn know the one, where they all look so young and so pretty, and are having so much fun, and look nothing like any of Marksies actual customers?
I walked over to take her locker key from her. I couldn't help noticing that she seemed really pleased when she saw me. I matched her grin with one of my own.
"Hi, off for a swim then?" Lame. What else would she be doing in a bikini, stood beside a swimming pool - looking for crazy golf?
"yeah, I thought I may as well get the most out of my membership for this place!" I nodded back to her, and swapped her key for a band. Unable to think of anything else to say, I just watched as she walked up to the deep end and did a perfect dive into the pool.
There was something about this girl that I liked. She was effortlessly cool, and just so full of confidence and charm. We had only met yesterday, but already I hoped that we could become good friends. I didn't usually want to befriend the gym members, but she was different. Maybe it was because she was the same age as me? I wasn't sure, but I would take any chance I could to strike up a conversation with her.
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When Naomi had finished her swim, she hauled herself effortlessly from the water and walked towards me. She was a really good swimmer. The pool was pretty quiet, so I had spent most of the last giờ watching her make rapid progress back and forth across the pool. She grinned at me as I handed over her locker key.
"What're bạn doing for lunch today, Em?" She asked, catching me bởi surprise both at her câu hỏi and at the way she casually shortened my name.
"Dunno. Canteen, I suppose." I hadn't had chance to make myself any lunch before leaving the house this morning, so I was planning on raiding the vending machines like always. Lunch would probably consist of the oh-so-healthy crisps, táo, apple and bar of chocolate.
"I was wondering if bạn felt like joining me for some lunch? There's this nice little cafe I know, not too far from here."
"sounds great," I answered, trying to keep the note of excitement out of my voice. It was just lunch with a new friend. I didn't want her to think that I was some kind of socially starved loser, excited at the prospect of eating out with her. I glanced at my watch. "I'm finished here in 15 minutes. Shall I meet bạn in reception?"
"Okay. Looking phía trước, chuyển tiếp to it." She winked at me, and walked into the changing rooms. This ngày was starting to look up.
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I walked into reception and saw Naomi straight away - dry, dressed and slouched into a seat. She stood up when she saw me. As we walked towards the door, I glanced back at Katie behind the desk. Her eyebrows shot up at me in an unspoken question, but since she was busy dealing with a customer, we couldn't chat. I gave her a little wave, and followed Naomi into the car park. When I got outside, she was stood beside a sporty, soft hàng đầu, đầu trang BMW.
"Come on, I'll drive us there," she said, motioning towards the car. I gaped at her.
"This is your car? This?" I circled the little two-seater in awe. How many twenty năm olds have a sports car? She shrugged at me, and looked a little sheepish.
"I like sports cars. It was an eighteenth birthday present from my mum and step dad."
"Wow, I can't wait to see what bạn get for your twenty first!" I looked up at her in time to see a scowl vượt qua, cross her face.
"Nothing, probably. Miserable bastards" she muttered. I frowned, wondering what sort of parents would give her a sports car for her eighteenth, but nothing for her twenty first? She smiled and gently shook her head. "But enough about them fuckers. Let's do lunch."
We climbed into the car, and Naomi turned the key in the engine. Immediately, my ears were stung bởi a blast of music. Something - that may have been The Who - erupted out of the speakers. Naomi put the car in gear and swung us rather quickly out of the car park. I found myself surreptitiously checking that my ghế, chỗ ngồi thắt lưng, vành đai had clicked into place.
After a short journey, Naomi pulled the car up outside a quaint looking cafe. A chuông, bell jangled as we walked inside. We each ordered a coffee and a áo khoác potato, and went to sit down at a bàn bởi the window.
The conversation flowed easily between us while we drank our coffees and tucked into our food. She asked me lots of các câu hỏi about my life, and I found myself talking about mum and dad, Katie, and my younger brother James. She really listened to me. I noticed how she kept steady eye contact with me, and laughed whenever she found anything funny.
After a while, I realised I didn't know much at all about her. Whenever I asked her anything about herself, she shrugged hoặc gave vague các câu trả lời that didn't reveal very much. I found out that, apart from when she had been studying in London, she still lived at home. She didn't seem to hold either her mum hoặc her step dad in very high regard. She was rather scornful about them both.
The only other thing I found out about her was that she was single, and had been for a while. I didn't understand that. How could a girl like this not have a boyfriend? Surely she had to fight them off with a shitty stick? Mentally, I just added it to the long danh sách of things that had me curious about the enigma of Naomi Campbell.
As we ordered a một giây cup of coffee each, my phone started ringing. I glanced down, and saw a bức ảnh of Gary filling the screen. I felt a little guilty as I sent his call to voicemail. I was having fun with Naomi, and didn't want to be interrupted just yet. Besides, I would be seeing him later. As I looked back up, I saw the flicker of a smile leaving Naomi's face.
"What?" I asked, curious about what had tickled her. She shook her head and looked a little embarrassed.
"Nothing. Come on, bạn know I've got no tình yêu life to speak of. Tell me about yours. Tell me about this boyfriend, Gary?"
"He's a really nice guy." I smiled as I spoke about him. "He makes me laugh, and he's really thoughtful. He's not the most outgoing person, but we get on great, bạn know? We have a lot of fun together." Naomi nodded, but for once she wasn't looking at me. She seemed a little Mất tích in her own thoughts.
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After lunch, Naomi drove me back, at speed to the gym. She screeched into a không gian and yanked the handbrake up. She turned towards me, smiling warmly and casually placed her hand on my forearm.
"This was fun, Em. I'd like to do it again, sometime soon." I nodded my agreement. We exchanged mobile numbers, and I climbed out of the car. She gave me a last little wave as she raced out of the car park.
As I entered the building, I was accosted bởi Katie.
"Where the hell were bạn and that blonde skank off to?" she demanded. I rolled my eyes at her.
"She's not a skank - I like her. We just went to get something to eat. It made a nice change to get out of here for lunch."
"I'm not sure about her, Em. There's something about her... I don't know. Just watch out, yeah?"
I frowned at her. "Katie, what are bạn on about? Watch out for what?" She wasn't making much sense. Can't I make new Những người bạn now, without her voicing an opinion? I tried in vain to get Katie to elaborate on what the 'something about her' was.
"I don't know, Em. I can't put my finger on it." I was about to argue, but she held up a hand to quieten me. "Just watch the bàn for me while I go on my lunch." With that, she was gone, and I was left to wonder exactly what her problem with Naomi was. Not that it made any difference to me - I liked her and would continue to hang out with her regardless of what Katie said.
A/N: Wow, aren't bạn lot just lovely? Thankyou so much to those of bạn that reviewed the first chapter. I was not prepared for how much it made me smile! bạn shame me, because I'm rubbish at reviewing.
I have an overview in my head of where this story will go. For those of bạn wondering what's going on, it won't be a big mystery that will stretch throughout the story. My intention was just to slowly reveal thêm details about Naomi, her motivations and her intentions over the first few chapters. That's just the way my head is telling me it must be written. So don't expect any Dickensian lawyers to limp into the story and declare that the Fitch family have swindled Naomi out of her rightful inheritance!
I have to admit that I'm not too happy with this chapter, it seems a bit dull. I decided just to be Công chúa tóc xù and get it out there though, because if I take to long over the exposition chapters, I'm in danger of just giving up completely.
Enjoy! Myrtle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Two
Emily
I sighed to myself and walked with Katie into the gym. I tried not to let my shoulders slump at the thought of another long ngày stretching ahead of me. I had only been working there for a tháng - ever since I had finished my degree. I suppose it wasn't a bad job really, I just felt stuck.
When Mum and Dad first suggested that Katie and I should 'learn the ropes' at the gym, we both knew what they had in mind. Their idea was for us both to tham gia the family business. Six months ago, Dad had opened another gym on the other side of town. His dreams were now of owning a fitness empire, and he wanted to keep the running of it all in the family.
Katie and I had no intention of joining the family business. However, Katie had suggested that while a job was on offer, we keep that tiny detail to ourselves and just play along. I have to admit the cash didn't come in wrong, but I was worried for the future. Katie would never be made to do anything she didn't want to. She constantly defied Mum and Dad, and what annoyed the hell out of me was that she always got away with it. I on the other hand, was always the one to toe the line. I could see a time not too far away when Katie leaves to fulfil her half baked ideas of being a fashion designer, whilst I was left here running a gym
I fixed a bright smile to my face, and breezed into the office. We exchanged a chirpy 'morning' with Ted, and sank down onto the comfy little sofa. Ted was the current manager of the gym. Dad had hired him when he bought the một giây gym. He spent most of his time at the new gym now, and wanted someone he could trust at this one. Ted was an old friend of Dad's, so Katie and I had known him for years. He was in his fifties, but he tried to hide the fact bởi dying his hair jet black. It looked a slightly unnatural colour, tiếp theo to his ageing skin. He was also a bit of a fitness freak, like my dad, so he was in pretty good shape.
Katie grabbed the schedule, and we both checked to see where we were meant to spend our day. So far, 'learning the ropes' seemed to be code for 'general dogsbodies'. Katie and I just had to fill in with whatever jobs were needed. Some days, that would be greeting new members - which wasn't too bad when it meant we got to meet people like Naomi, the girl who joined yesterday. But usually, our jobs would involve standing around bởi the pool, hoặc hanging around in the main gym, helping people with the machines. Sometimes, on a really good day, Ted would hiển thị us how to keep the various ledgers and other necessary paperwork up to date. But only when we were really lucky. Did bạn pick up on my sarcasm there?
Today was just perfect - I was at the pool. Exchanging locker keys for large, numbered elastic bands. Wow, what a glamorous life, eh? I'm really using my degree to the full with this job. Katie was on reception, as it was Cook's ngày off. I groaned, đã đưa ý kiến goodbye to my sister and headed down to the staff changing rooms. One quick change later - into đạp xe, chạy xe đạp shorts and a 'Fitch Fitness' Polo áo sơ mi - and I was at the poolside prepared for a long morning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had been at the poolside for an hour, and I was bored. Fortunately, I spotted some light relief in the form of Panda. She bounded up to me, waving both hands.
"Hi Emily! Time for my Aqua-fit class again! I've got some new ideas for this one. I was thinking of adding a bit like this," she demonstrated some crazy looking dance moves "to that new song bởi Cheryl what's-her-face, who used to be married to that randy footballer who took photo's of his ding dong!"
"yeah, Panda. That sounds good" I said, not really sure what else to say.
Panda and I had been Những người bạn since college. I know to outsiders she could seem completely mental, but she was a good friend, and I wouldn't change her for anything. She started working at the gym a few months ago, teaching an Aqua-fit class twice a week. She found she had a real talent for it, and had since added several other classes to our schedules. She was certainly a hit with the members, and her classes were always fully subscribed.
"How's the wedding plans coming along?" I asked. Panda and her fiancé Thomas were getting married in a few weeks time.
"Tikkety flippin' boo, Em! Most of it's been done for months, but mum's gone a bit rarr-rarr over the wedding favours. Don't see why though. If anyone wants a favour, they'll just ask, won't they? I'll do anything for my mates, and bạn all know that."
I opened my mouth, but thought better about saying anything. Panda chatted on happily about thêm wedding preparations, until it was time to start her class.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last of Panda's aqua-fit class had just drifted off to the changing rooms. I crouched down beside the pool to pick up a float, and that's when I saw it. A leg. Well, two legs actually - they usually come in pairs. And this pair of legs had just strolled out from the changing rooms. As I glanced up, I noticed that these particular legs belonged to Naomi. Naomi in a bikini. It was quite a sight to behold. She had long, shapely legs, a toned, flat stomach and...well, the full package. I had to admit, I was rather jealous of her figure. She looked like she had just strolled out of a Marks and Spencer's advert - bạn know the one, where they all look so young and so pretty, and are having so much fun, and look nothing like any of Marksies actual customers?
I walked over to take her locker key from her. I couldn't help noticing that she seemed really pleased when she saw me. I matched her grin with one of my own.
"Hi, off for a swim then?" Lame. What else would she be doing in a bikini, stood beside a swimming pool - looking for crazy golf?
"yeah, I thought I may as well get the most out of my membership for this place!" I nodded back to her, and swapped her key for a band. Unable to think of anything else to say, I just watched as she walked up to the deep end and did a perfect dive into the pool.
There was something about this girl that I liked. She was effortlessly cool, and just so full of confidence and charm. We had only met yesterday, but already I hoped that we could become good friends. I didn't usually want to befriend the gym members, but she was different. Maybe it was because she was the same age as me? I wasn't sure, but I would take any chance I could to strike up a conversation with her.
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When Naomi had finished her swim, she hauled herself effortlessly from the water and walked towards me. She was a really good swimmer. The pool was pretty quiet, so I had spent most of the last giờ watching her make rapid progress back and forth across the pool. She grinned at me as I handed over her locker key.
"What're bạn doing for lunch today, Em?" She asked, catching me bởi surprise both at her câu hỏi and at the way she casually shortened my name.
"Dunno. Canteen, I suppose." I hadn't had chance to make myself any lunch before leaving the house this morning, so I was planning on raiding the vending machines like always. Lunch would probably consist of the oh-so-healthy crisps, táo, apple and bar of chocolate.
"I was wondering if bạn felt like joining me for some lunch? There's this nice little cafe I know, not too far from here."
"sounds great," I answered, trying to keep the note of excitement out of my voice. It was just lunch with a new friend. I didn't want her to think that I was some kind of socially starved loser, excited at the prospect of eating out with her. I glanced at my watch. "I'm finished here in 15 minutes. Shall I meet bạn in reception?"
"Okay. Looking phía trước, chuyển tiếp to it." She winked at me, and walked into the changing rooms. This ngày was starting to look up.
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I walked into reception and saw Naomi straight away - dry, dressed and slouched into a seat. She stood up when she saw me. As we walked towards the door, I glanced back at Katie behind the desk. Her eyebrows shot up at me in an unspoken question, but since she was busy dealing with a customer, we couldn't chat. I gave her a little wave, and followed Naomi into the car park. When I got outside, she was stood beside a sporty, soft hàng đầu, đầu trang BMW.
"Come on, I'll drive us there," she said, motioning towards the car. I gaped at her.
"This is your car? This?" I circled the little two-seater in awe. How many twenty năm olds have a sports car? She shrugged at me, and looked a little sheepish.
"I like sports cars. It was an eighteenth birthday present from my mum and step dad."
"Wow, I can't wait to see what bạn get for your twenty first!" I looked up at her in time to see a scowl vượt qua, cross her face.
"Nothing, probably. Miserable bastards" she muttered. I frowned, wondering what sort of parents would give her a sports car for her eighteenth, but nothing for her twenty first? She smiled and gently shook her head. "But enough about them fuckers. Let's do lunch."
We climbed into the car, and Naomi turned the key in the engine. Immediately, my ears were stung bởi a blast of music. Something - that may have been The Who - erupted out of the speakers. Naomi put the car in gear and swung us rather quickly out of the car park. I found myself surreptitiously checking that my ghế, chỗ ngồi thắt lưng, vành đai had clicked into place.
After a short journey, Naomi pulled the car up outside a quaint looking cafe. A chuông, bell jangled as we walked inside. We each ordered a coffee and a áo khoác potato, and went to sit down at a bàn bởi the window.
The conversation flowed easily between us while we drank our coffees and tucked into our food. She asked me lots of các câu hỏi about my life, and I found myself talking about mum and dad, Katie, and my younger brother James. She really listened to me. I noticed how she kept steady eye contact with me, and laughed whenever she found anything funny.
After a while, I realised I didn't know much at all about her. Whenever I asked her anything about herself, she shrugged hoặc gave vague các câu trả lời that didn't reveal very much. I found out that, apart from when she had been studying in London, she still lived at home. She didn't seem to hold either her mum hoặc her step dad in very high regard. She was rather scornful about them both.
The only other thing I found out about her was that she was single, and had been for a while. I didn't understand that. How could a girl like this not have a boyfriend? Surely she had to fight them off with a shitty stick? Mentally, I just added it to the long danh sách of things that had me curious about the enigma of Naomi Campbell.
As we ordered a một giây cup of coffee each, my phone started ringing. I glanced down, and saw a bức ảnh of Gary filling the screen. I felt a little guilty as I sent his call to voicemail. I was having fun with Naomi, and didn't want to be interrupted just yet. Besides, I would be seeing him later. As I looked back up, I saw the flicker of a smile leaving Naomi's face.
"What?" I asked, curious about what had tickled her. She shook her head and looked a little embarrassed.
"Nothing. Come on, bạn know I've got no tình yêu life to speak of. Tell me about yours. Tell me about this boyfriend, Gary?"
"He's a really nice guy." I smiled as I spoke about him. "He makes me laugh, and he's really thoughtful. He's not the most outgoing person, but we get on great, bạn know? We have a lot of fun together." Naomi nodded, but for once she wasn't looking at me. She seemed a little Mất tích in her own thoughts.
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After lunch, Naomi drove me back, at speed to the gym. She screeched into a không gian and yanked the handbrake up. She turned towards me, smiling warmly and casually placed her hand on my forearm.
"This was fun, Em. I'd like to do it again, sometime soon." I nodded my agreement. We exchanged mobile numbers, and I climbed out of the car. She gave me a last little wave as she raced out of the car park.
As I entered the building, I was accosted bởi Katie.
"Where the hell were bạn and that blonde skank off to?" she demanded. I rolled my eyes at her.
"She's not a skank - I like her. We just went to get something to eat. It made a nice change to get out of here for lunch."
"I'm not sure about her, Em. There's something about her... I don't know. Just watch out, yeah?"
I frowned at her. "Katie, what are bạn on about? Watch out for what?" She wasn't making much sense. Can't I make new Những người bạn now, without her voicing an opinion? I tried in vain to get Katie to elaborate on what the 'something about her' was.
"I don't know, Em. I can't put my finger on it." I was about to argue, but she held up a hand to quieten me. "Just watch the bàn for me while I go on my lunch." With that, she was gone, and I was left to wonder exactly what her problem with Naomi was. Not that it made any difference to me - I liked her and would continue to hang out with her regardless of what Katie said.
