Wanted: Love in London Series 1

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opyright
© 2015 by Demelza Watts

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his book is
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or Alex
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H
er entire life
was in the back seat of a car. Most of it anyway.

“Okay, Dad. I’m done,” Elizabeth shouted as she slammed the car door shut.

She sighed and leaned back against the passenger door, surveying the back seats and the memories it contained. It was amazing to think that she could fit most of it into such a small space; today had finally arrived after weeks of planning. She smiled as she saw her dad coming out of the open front door, her Labrador dogs, Meg and Lupo, unusually quiet in his wake. Her mum followed closely behind.

“Ready to go, Beth?” her father asked as he walked toward the car. “Got everything? I don’t want to turn around half way down the motorway.”

“Yes, I’m all set,” she said, but turned to look in the backseat one more time. “I’ll be down in a few weeks anyway for the party, so if I forget something I can always collect it then.”

Elizabeth walked up to her parents and into her mother’s outstretched arms for an embrace.

“I’ll miss you, Beth,” Sally Morgan said to her daughter, holding her close. “You make sure you girls look after yourself; London is a big place, you know. It can be scary.”

“I’ll be fine, Mum,” she reassured her. “It’s about time I moved out. I thought you would both be pleased to finally see the back of me.” Elizabeth looked up, smiling at her mum’s glistening eyes, trying to lighten the mood.

“Don’t be silly, love. This will always be your home,” she said gently, releasing the younger girl and taking her hands. “Your dad and I will miss you terribly, but I understand your reasons for wanting a fresh start. Stuart… well, he was terrible—”

“Mum! This is not about him,” Elizabeth interrupted, grimacing at the memory of finding him in a compromising position with Lucy, her alleged friend. When Beth had demanded the truth, she learned it wasn’t the first time. “I’m over him, Mum.” She took a deep breath, steeling her spine. “It’s just as well I found out about his cheating ways now than wait until a few years down the line, if we had decided to get married.”

She put on a brave face, disguising the pain she still felt from discovering his betrayal five weeks ago. “Anyway, I’m almost twenty-two, it’s time for me to find my feet and I’m really looking forward to living with Amber. Plus, I’ve got my new job starting on Monday.” She squeezed her mum’s hands, reassuring her that it would all work out fine. She certainly hoped so.

“Well, make sure to bring the girls back in a few weeks for our anniversary party. I’ll look forward to seeing them again. It’s been a long time.”

Both women embraced for the last time, saying their goodbyes. Elizabeth bent down to give her dogs a final hug and kiss, trying to avoid their enthusiastic licking at the same time. Finally, she got into her dad’s estate car and put on her seatbelt. She turned to the window to wave at her mum, suddenly feeling very melancholy.

“Let’s do this, kid,” John said, smiling at his daughter. “Unless of course, you’ve changed your mind…” he asked, hopefully, wriggling his eyebrows up and down, comically. “Your face isn’t looking too certain.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Nice try, Dad.” She poked his arm. “Come on, let’s go.” Just then her phone buzzed with a bleep of a text message. She swiped her phone to read it, smiling at the message and then quickly tapped out a reply.

“That’s Amber, and she said to hurry up as there’s a bottle of champagne waiting to be drunk.” John laughed at Beth’s renewed enthusiasm and released the handbrake. It was time for her to leave Somerset and head for the bright and beckoning lights of London.

A
few hours later
, they pulled up outside the two bedroom flat in Clapham. Jessica and her boyfriend, Adam, had recently decided to move in together and Amber had relentlessly pleaded with Elizabeth to move in with her and take Jessica’s room. Having all grown up together, the girls were best friends from childhood and Elizabeth had missed them terribly when they decided to move to London a year ago. Still, at first she was hesitant to break away from her home comforts, but having considered her lack of options in Taunton, she decided to take the plunge. Now sitting outside in the car, she was bubbling up with excitement and knew she had definitely made the correct decision.

She rang the buzzer. “Not today, thanks,” Amber giggled into the intercom. Elizabeth laughed. “Let me in, you loon.” The door was buzzed open and Elizabeth stepped into the foyer. The hallway was pretty nondescript, black and white tiled flooring, a shelf for mail and the door to the downstairs flat on the left. She bounded up the flight of stairs to the first floor, and was met with a squeal as the door flew open.

“Beth!” Before Elizabeth could reply, she was grabbed into a bear hug “Hooray, you’re finally here.” Amber giggled, releasing her and doing a crazy happy dance.

“I know; I can’t believe it.” Elizabeth laughed, happy dancing with her friend. “I’m so excited. Let me in!” The girls both walked into the flat after Amber gave John a welcome kiss too.

“This is so lovely, Ambs.” Elizabeth walked into the front room, taking in the newly polished parquet wooden flooring and fresh neutral décor. “So much better than before.” The girls had certainly made it feel very homely yet contemporary, from the big comfortable sofa to the large shaggy rug, the mounted wide screen television and the strategically placed plants and pictures around the room.

“Thanks, hon. It took us a while to get it just right. Luckily, the landlord is really easy going so we’ve had a free reign – and a large part of his budget too.” She winked at Elizabeth as she spun around, showcasing the flat. Elizabeth’s bedroom was at the back of the flat, with a bathroom in the middle, separating her room from Amber’s.

“Come on, let’s get your stuff out of the car and get you settled.”

Amber and Elizabeth raced down the stairs, with John following behind, laughing at their extreme enthusiasm and zest for life. Yes, he and Sally would both miss their daughter very much, but it was plain to see how happy she would be here. More than anything – after everything she had been through recently – he couldn’t ask for more.

A couple of hours later, Elizabeth bade a tearful goodbye to her dad. “Drive safely, Dad.” She looked up at him, stepping out of his arms, her eyes misty. “I’ll call you in a week to let you know how I’ve settled in.”

“Yes, please do, darling. Your mum and I will be thinking of you.” He smiled at his only daughter and took her hand, pressing a stuffed envelope into it and closing her fingers over it.

“What’s this?” She looked at her hand, peering into the envelope and seeing a stack of notes. “Oh, Dad. You’re the best,” she said fiercely, hugging him again. “But seriously, I don’t need this, I’m—”

“Nonsense, just keep this money for emergencies or to help you get on your feet before you get your first pay cheque.”

“Okay... if you insist.” She smiled cheekily at him and gave him another kiss goodbye. “Thank you so much. Love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. See you in a few weeks.”

S
oon after John departed
, Jessica came over and the three girls fell onto the couch.

“I can’t believe you’re finally here, Beth,” Jessica said, grinning at her. “This is so perfect. We are literally going to have the best summer ever.”

“Wait.” Amber got up and went to the small kitchen area where she opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of champagne. She opened it with a flourish and a cheer from the girls as they toasted her arrival.

“To Beth,” said Jessica, holding up her flute, “May you have an amazing summer here with us. May you meet the man of your dreams—”

Beth held up a hand. “Errr, I thought I had, until I realised he was shagging everyone else,” she said bitterly. However, even though she had been very badly hurt by his betrayal, strangely enough, she wasn’t missing him like she thought she would. She was beginning to believe that it was for the best that they’d broken up and gone their separate ways.

“Yes, him,” Amber sneered, her blue eyes flashing with disdain. “What a loser.” She twirled her long brown hair around her finger and sat back on the sofa, looking thoughtful. “You know, there was always something about him that I didn’t like. Hmmm, anyway, his massive loss, the douche.”

“So,” Jessica tactfully changed the subject, holding her glass up high. “To Beth, may you meet a total amazeballs hunk who finally gets you to pop your cherry. Preferably someone who sweeps you off your feet and introduces you to the most amazing orgasmic sex…” The girls broke up, laughing and clinked glasses, even though Elizabeth tried to look offended.

“I don’t think I’m too bothered about meeting a new man, you know,” Elizabeth said a few moments later, sipping on her champagne. “All I’ve ever wanted was a love like my parents and look where that’s got me. Cheated on, because I didn’t sleep with him.” She looked away, suddenly feeling emotional.

“Oh, Beth, hon,” said Amber, rubbing her arm. “I agree. The love your parents share is amazing, but sweetie, it’s just not like that anymore.” She took her friend’s hand sympathetically. “It’s so shitty what Stuart did, and there’s no excuse, but you might need to let go of your fairy-tale. Perhaps you should just forget about wanting that perfect relationship and instead just have some fun.” She bent her head to look at Elizabeth’s downcast face.

“Beth,” Jessica came closer and put her arm around her. “It’s okay to want the same thing as your parents...but this holding onto your virginity thing? Hon, I wish there were men out there that would wait, but like Amber says, it just doesn’t happen anymore.” She hugged Elizabeth and then said, “Besides, what if you did meet someone that was happy to wait and then you discovered, after you two got married, that the sex was terrible?” She made a horror-like face, which made both Elizabeth and Amber laugh.

“I know, I know,” Beth sighed. “You’re right. I guess I’ve always thought sex and love are the same thing. Is it so bad that I want the fairy-tale? Urggghhh!” She grabbed a cushion, leaned back against the sofa and dramatically covered her face.

“It’s not like you won’t have guys queuing for you, Beth,” Amber said, extracting the cushion from her. “I mean, look at you.” She swept her hands over Elizabeth. “You have an amazing figure, and I secretly hate you,” she said, winking. “And look at your gorgeous long hair – god, remember when I tried to dye my hair to match the same blonde colour of yours?” She burst out laughing at the memory. “My brown hair did not come out like that,” she said, picking up the ends of Elizabeth’s hair. “And your eyes, honestly, if only you would wear a little more make-up, honey. I could make those emeralds pop out of your head.”

“Okay, enough.” Elizabeth held up her hands up in mock surrender. “I get it, I’ll make more of an effort with my make-up, especially now I’m a London girl,” she said, teasing and poking Amber in her side.

“Speaking about being a London girl, tell us more about your new job.” Jessica curled her legs under her, waiting for the details.

“Well, it’s only a temp to perm role as a marketing assistant, more likely to be a temp role for at least four weeks,” Beth explained. “It’s a private equity firm near London Bridge.” She took a sip of her champagne. “It’s funny. I received a call from the agency on Monday and they said the job description has somewhat changed.”

“How so?” Jessica sipped from her glass, leaning forward.

“Well, I was supposed to be solely based in the marketing team, but apparently the big cheese CEO is over from New York for two or three months overseeing a big investment. Apparently, I may have to help him out for a few days a week, until he can ship over his secretary.”

“Oooh, that’s interesting,” Amber contemplated, coming closer. “He must be also be the owner, perhaps, to have his secretary brought over for a just a few months? Do you know anything about him?”

“No, nothing much at all. And yes, you’re right, I do recall her saying that he was also the owner as well as CEO. He’s meant to be quite a hard-nosed, workaholic from what she said, but apparently I’m not to worry too much as it will probably just be a few diary movements. His secretary will still be handling most of his affairs.”

“Well, that’s good,” Jess piped in. “Hopefully, he can’t be too demanding of you if it’s just for a few days a week. And it may be fun to break up your week with some other tasks too.”

“Yes, I don’t mind,” Elizabeth agreed. “I just want to get settled into a role permanently, so hopefully it will all go well. Besides, naturally, I’ll impress him with my all-encompassing Goddess skills, so that he won’t know what he has done without me until now.” The girls burst out giggling and then drained the rest of their champagne.

“Right, no doubt about that” said Jessica, stretching and standing up. She looked at her friend, a sly smile on her face. “Adam’s out with his friends all day – some cricket match they’re watching, so let’s celebrate properly by introducing Beth to our local bars.”

“Yay, perfect!” Amber clapped her hands in glee. “I can feel the cocktails calling us.” She stood up, pulling Elizabeth up with her at the same time. “Oh Beth, this is so perfect. I’m so happy you’ve finally joined me and Jess in London.” She pulled her along towards their bedroom. “Come on, let’s raid your clothes to see what we can work with.”