Authors: Giovanna Fletcher
‘Hello, love … I’m sorry, I must’ve dozed off,’ she explains, as she hastily glides one hand over her hair to check it’s still in place.
‘Don’t worry, Mum.’
‘But I haven’t even made a start on dinner yet,’ she says, starting to panic.
‘Mum! It’s fine. I’ll make us something. Or we can get a takeaway if you like?’ I say, trying to relax her.
‘That’s a good idea. Give us both the night off!’
‘Exactly. Chinese?’ I ask.
‘Great.’
I reach for the phone to make our usual order of sweet and sour chicken, egg fried rice and chilli shredded beef.
‘So, how was your day?’ Mum asks once I’ve placed the order and made us a cup of tea each, which we decide to drink while snuggled up together in the living room on our worn-out teal sofa.
‘Good.’ I nod.
‘Anything interesting happen?’ she quizzes with a faint smile on her face as she gives me a slight nudge with her elbow.
‘You’ve already heard!’ I shriek in surprise.
‘Oh, Soph, do you really expect news like that to stay quiet here?’
‘True, but it would’ve been nice for me to tell you myself. Who snitched?’
‘Miss Brown.’
‘Now there’s a surprise!’
‘And Mrs Williams, who’d bumped into Mrs Sleep … and then June Hearne who had just got off the phone to Molly.’
‘News really does spread like wildfire, then,’ I say as we both sit and chuckle at the absurdity of it.
‘You know, I met your dad when I was at work.’
For a moment I’m stunned into silence, Mum never brings up Dad. Ever. I clear my throat with a mouthful of tea before I can respond.
‘Really?’
‘Yes … I was working in the newsagent’s at the time. First thing in the morning he came in to buy a paper,
half an hour later he came back in to buy a bar of chocolate, five minutes later a can of Coke, then some cigarettes.’
‘I didn’t know Dad used to smoke,’ I say, shocked by this tiny nugget of new information.
‘He didn’t. Turns out that each time he came in he was trying to pluck up the courage to ask me out. He was about to ask me when he chickened out and saw the cigarettes behind me, so asked for those instead. It was after that, when he came back in for some chewing gum, I think, when he finally got round to it.’
‘What did he say to you?’
‘Oh, I can’t remember exactly …’ she admits sadly. ‘He and a group of his friends were planning on going to the cinema that weekend, so he asked if I’d like to join them.’
‘And did you?’
‘A good-looking boy like that asking me out on a date? Of course I did.’
Before she can reveal any more the doorbell goes, letting us know that dinner is here. The moment of sharing is broken as we both reach for our purses and squabble over whose turn it is to pay.
I’ve already admitted that I don’t have much experience when it comes to men and that I’ve only been on a few dates, but perhaps it’s time to reveal the full extent of my dating history. My first date came when I was nineteen and was with Mrs Sleep’s grandson James; a short, blond guy, who walked like a mini rhino with his wide
swagger and stocky build. James took me to the cinema to watch
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,
and then spent the whole film throwing popcorn at the people in front of us, and sniggering at how funny he thought it was. I managed to somehow ignore him and watch the film, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, at the end of the night, when he sloppily licked his lips and plunged towards me with his slimy pout, I couldn’t get home quick enough. The image of it in my head was enough to make me shudder for days. Mrs Sleep still asks (after all these years) when we’re going to have a second date – it doesn’t surprise me to hear James is still single.
The next date, which came a couple of years later, was encouraged by Mrs Wallis and was with laboratory assistant Russell, her grandson, who was of average height, had a pretty face and jet-black hair. He decided to take me to one of the local restaurants for dinner, which was a bad idea – it seemed we had nothing to talk to each other about. It was a disaster and full of awkward silences throughout with us both sat looking at the tablecloth or eating in silence. It could’ve been that Russell was just quiet by nature, but I had a feeling he’d simply been coaxed into taking me out by Mrs Wallis and couldn’t be bothered. He dropped me off back home after the meal, without attempting to kiss me. Thankfully. Mrs Wallis keeps me up-to-date with the goings-on in Russell’s life, and I believe he is now engaged to a fellow lab assistant. Good for him.
After those two experiences with dating I wasn’t keen on going on any more – especially ones that were set up by the guys’ grandmas. However, it was walking down the hill one day on a delivery, juggling with a load of boxed cakes that were threatening to topple over, that Shane came to the rescue. He kindly grabbed half the load and continued with me to my destination, which was a couple of minutes down the road. As a thank you I agreed to have coffee with him straight away afterwards. Perhaps because there was no build-up to it and no mention of the word ‘date’, that led me to be relaxed in his company – or perhaps I let him in because he was so sweet to me and softly spoken – his face rounded and trustworthy. We started to see more of each other as the months went by.
Looking back now I know I saw him more as a friend than anything else – he was the first person my age who I’d enjoyed spending time with in years. It was that fondness for him which led me not to grumble when he started to call me his girlfriend, or when he kissed me … or when he placed his hand under my top to unhook my bra and cup my breast … or when, at night-time, he’d led me into the park on numerous occasions, where he’d guide me under one of the giant willow trees and we’d have sex in the darkness. No, I didn’t object to any of that. It was when he started to say that he loved me that it all got too much. He was the second man to ever tell me he loved me. A fact I couldn’t cope with at the time. Molly and Mum thought I was mad when I
suddenly ended things with Shane for no real reason. He was devastated but moved on quickly. Within months he was engaged and is now married with twin boys and has moved away from Rosefont Hill. Even now I wish I had been braver with my feelings.
This means that, like any single girl out there, my love life has been unsuccessful in many respects. Cringeworthy dates followed by a relationship that failed because the poor guy loved me can hardly be classed as victorious. So, although I’m on a high after the day’s events, later when I get into bed the reality of the situation starts to sink in. I’m about to go on a date with someone quite special, someone who I think I really like, and I don’t want to screw it up like I’ve been known to in the past.
Predicting another sleepless night, I decide to grab my laptop to do a little bit of pre-date research. I’m sure this will get me slightly more prepared to spend time in Billy’s company, and what harm can it do? As I type his name into Google, glamorous pictures of him on the red carpet and in magazine shoots appear. His infectious smile and glistening eyes make me feel giddy as butterflies dance around in my tummy. I let out a laugh as I feel myself grinning back at his image on the screen like an idiot (he certainly has something of a ‘Jude Law Effect’ about him).
My eyes wander down the page as I find a list of all the films he has been in on
imdb.com
. It’s huge! Honestly, it’s no wonder Molly recognized him the first day we saw him. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t recognize him
too as I’ve seen a couple of these films – albeit the ones from earlier in his career where he had smaller roles.
Continuing to inspect the Google search results, I find a link to his page on
Wikipedia
, which I click on without hesitation.
Billy Buskin
William Andrew Buskin is an English actor and model. Born in Surrey, Billy started his acting career with a small part in
Eastenders
and later took on many projects as a child actor. At nineteen years old, a chance meeting with Hollywood producer Alfred Higgins led to him securing the lead role in the film trilogy
Halo
, based on the best-selling book by Matilda Sutton, playing Sid Quest.Early Life
Buskin was born in Surrey, England. His father Clive is a plumber. His mother Julie was a sales assistant, but stopped working when she had Billy and his siblings. Billy is the middle child and has older twin sisters and a younger brother and sister.
Wow! Big family. As the section on his upbringing and family life is quite bare I’m guessing he must be quite a private person when it comes to his home life, which is admirable as not a lot of celebs are. I keep scrolling down the page, skimming over details of his career since
Halo
.
I stop flicking through when I get to a section called ‘Personal Life’. I pause before reading on; even though I know I should end there, close my laptop, and never look at the page again. There it is. Billy Buskin’s dating history. I’m too intrigued to look away now. I take a few deep breaths before reading on.
Personal Life
Whilst working on
Halo
, Billy started a three-month relationship with Brazilian model Ariane Salvador, whom he met at the MTV Movie Awards. The relationship ended abruptly when she left him for veteran actor Hugo Miles, 47 years her senior, although she later regretted her actions, saying in an interview, ‘Billy is the guy I should’ve married, but I was young and foolish.’ Despite being devastated over the break-up, Billy soon found comfort from his new
Halo
co-star Heidi Black, and they became a couple off-screen as well as on. Once filming was complete on the trilogy, however, the relationship appeared rocky, with continuous reports of the couple arguing, splitting up and getting back together. They decided to take a clean break from each other but have reportedly remained friends ever since.Although Billy has not had an official ‘girlfriend’ for the past few years he has been linked to numerous actresses and models including Sarah Atkins, Ruth Yates, Makaela Truce and Betty Sugar, to name but a few.
His serial dating has caught the attention of numerous tabloid papers – especially the
Daily Dawn
, which has crowned him their Womanizer of the Year for the past four years.
Needless to say, I can’t stop myself from clicking on the names and letting photos of one dazzling woman after another appear on my screen. Ariane Salvador has the body of a goddess, Heidi Black is a beautiful blonde with a very curvaceous body, Sarah Atkins has the most perfect skin I’ve ever seen …
The number of girls that he has dated, had flings with, or simply been linked to is extensive and it feels as though every hot, desirable woman in showbiz is on that list. Obviously, it could all be a load of rubbish, just speculation and gossip with no truth behind it. But it shows me one thing. These are the women who have filled Billy Buskin’s life and who surround him on a daily basis. They’re beautiful, glamorous and spellbinding. What could I possibly have to offer him that they don’t? After depressing myself by clicking on more images of these beautiful women, I eventually close my laptop and stare at the ceiling for the rest of the night, not managing to sleep a wink. My earlier excitement has left me and given way to anxiety and trepidation.
The following day I’m an absolute wreck at work. I burn three cakes and drop two plates before Molly eventually pulls me to one side.
‘Darling girl, what on earth is the matter?’ she asks softly.
‘What do you mean?’ I say, as I struggle to keep my tears at bay and from blubbing loudly.
‘Oh, Soph. You’ve not been yourself all day. It’s not like you to be careless or clumsy.’
‘I know, it’s just …’
‘You’re worried about your date?’
‘Oh, Mol!’ I sob. ‘I’m just normal. I’m just boring old me!’
‘Oh, petal,’ she coos, as she puts her arms around me and holds me tight. ‘Don’t be like that.’ She lets out a soft chuckle. ‘Have you thought that maybe that’s what he likes about you? Huh? Maybe boring old you is exactly what caught his attention and attracted him. Because – face it, duck – he has been mesmerized by you from the moment he laid eyes on you.’
‘But I’m just me! What will I have to talk to him about? What could we possibly have in common?’
‘Sweetpea, there’s more to him than just being this Hollywood Adonis or whatever … he is a real human being, you know. And for once, will you stop selling yourself short! He might have all these fans, or whatever, but they don’t actually know him – they just have this fantasy version of him in their heads. Whereas you are adored by every single person who knows you and that is saying far more.’ Molly then pulls me away from her and forces me to have eye contact with her. ‘You
know what else, little lady? He’s blooming lucky to be going on a date with you – he should be thanking his lucky stars. Because you are the most special girl in the world, and I have never been so proud to know someone.’
Needless to say, I sob harder.
When my alarm goes off at eight o’clock the following morning I wake up in a panic, realizing I’ve not picked a date outfit yet – what a thoughtless omission! I have absolutely no clue what Billy has planned for today as he wanted to surprise me, although with hardly anything to do in Rosefont Hill it will be interesting to see what he has come up with.
As I don’t know where we’ll be going or what we’ll be doing, I have no idea what will be appropriate to wear. Should I glam myself up in a pretty dress? Or should I go with my skinny jeans and boots for comfort in case we’re doing something adventurous? I dart around the room picking up floral dresses and colourful skirts before discarding them immediately for being too flouncy. Clothes of all shapes and colours fly through the air as I anxiously root around for the perfect get-up.
After trying on everything in my wardrobe at least three times it dawns on me that Billy has only ever seen me in an apron and covered in flour – so whatever I choose to wear will be a big improvement! Therefore I decide to stick to my usual jeans and boots combo, but team them with a cute little pink blouse to dress it up slightly. At least I’ll be comfortable this way
and not pulling at a skirt hem or tugging up my tights all day.
After showering, I blow-dry my hair into some nice bouncy waves, pluck my eyebrows into something more agreeable-looking and carefully apply some make-up in the mirror (oh yes, today definitely calls for some foundation, bronzer and a touch of mascara).
As I finish with my make-up my head goes all dizzy and light, forcing me to stop and sit on the toilet seat with my head in my hands. I know it’s the nerves creeping up on me once again and so I try to breathe through it. Just as I start to feel calmer there’s a knock on the bathroom door.
‘You OK, Soph?’ asks Mum.
‘Yeah …’ I say as I lift myself up off the loo seat and unlock the door, flashing her a nervous smile.
‘You look beautiful!’
‘Thanks …’ I say, biting my lip.
‘Oh no! Look at that face!’ she laughs as she wiggles my nose between her fingers.
‘I’m just a bit nervous …’
‘There’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s only a date.’
‘I know …’
‘Well, then! Just go and have fun,’ she says, as she nudges me playfully on the arm.
With one last look in the mirror I give Mum a kiss goodbye, run into my room to grab my bag and coat and fly out of the door.
Billy’s already standing outside the shop when I turn from the path onto the High Street. He has his hands behind his back, a purple rucksack slung over one shoulder and a huge grin on his face, looking gorgeous. I’m pleased to notice that he is also in casual clothes, wearing faded jeans and a burnt orange hoodie with a white zipper running up it. Interestingly, though, he’s also wearing a pair of black wellington boots.
When I eventually join him at the top of the hill, he leans forward and gives me a kiss on the cheek, which instantly causes my insides to leap and dance around.
‘You look beautiful,’ he whispers in my ear.
I smile back, nerves getting the better of me as I feel my cheeks already turning pink.
‘Right,’ he says, his tone changing to a more commandeering one. ‘These are for you,’ he smiles, handing me a pair of pink and blue floral wellington boots he’s been hiding behind his back.
‘What are these for?’ I ask, nervously laughing, taking them from him.
‘Well, I know it’s not been raining lately, but I thought it would be best to be prepared, we don’t want to end up knee deep in a muddy puddle now, do we? I’ve popped some socks in there, too.’
I stare at him, flabbergasted. This is not what I was expecting at all. ‘I’ve heard of girls being given flowers on first dates, chocolates even, but never wellies!’
‘I’ve already given you flowers,’ he says, raising his eyebrows. ‘Quick, quick. Pop them on.’
‘Hold on. How on earth did you know my size?’ I quiz, eyeing him suspiciously. ‘Are you stalking me?’
‘Gosh, my cover’s been blown already!’ he smirks.
I lean against the shop wall and change into them in silence while Billy watches me and pops my discarded boots into his rucksack. Once I’m in my new footwear, and have stomped around a bit, Billy grabs my hand. ‘Come on,’ he says, as he pulls me along the road.
We turn the corner where I discover two large horses tied to a tree, waiting for us.
‘Meet Tony and Connie,’ he says.
‘Wow!’ blurts from my mouth before I can stop it as I take in the horses. The one Billy pointed out as Tony has a dark brown coat with a diamond-shaped white patch on his forehead and white socks; he’s busy munching on some leaves from Mrs Wallis’s garden. Connie, however, with her grey coat and black mane, is looking straight at us.
‘I hope you don’t have a fear of horses or anything.’
‘No, no. I used to ride all the time actually, but I haven’t been on a horse in years!’
‘It wasn’t a big fall or anything that stopped you from riding, was it?’ he asks anxiously.
‘Funny you should say that. I fell off and broke my wrist when I was ten. Back then I wanted to be a show jumper, but the fall meant that I couldn’t go out for months. By the time my wrist had recovered I’d moved on to some new dream.’
‘So you’re not going to be worried getting on this
one?’ he asks, grabbing hold of Tony’s reins, letting me know that Connie is my ride.
‘Absolutely not!’ I declare, as I excitedly mount Connie with a huge leap. I’ll admit, I’m quite chuffed with the way I just hop on up like an old pro, with only minimal grunting sounds. I adjust the stirrups and then sit and watch as Billy attempts to mount his horse – without success. First he tries to hoist one leg up but it can’t quite reach the stirrup and then he tries to pull the horse towards the fence so that he can climb on from there – but the horse isn’t having any of it. Each time Tony decides to go with him to the fence, he cheekily walks forward a few paces by the time Billy’s perched on it, ready to mount.
‘I’ve been doing this perfectly all week and now I’ve got company I can’t get on the blasted thing. TONY!’ he shouts as once again the horse fails to do what he asks.
‘Calm down, cowboy,’ I joke as I jump off my horse to go and help him. I grab Tony and guide him back to the fence, holding him tightly by the reins so that he won’t wander off as Billy jumps on. ‘There … finally!’ I say, grinning at Billy before handing back the reins and mounting Connie again with ease.
‘What an awful start!’ he says.
‘Oh, shush you. It’s good to know you’re not good at everything, Mr Big Shot!’
‘Believe me – there are many things that I’m utterly crap at!’
‘Good! Now, where are we going?’
For the next hour we hack through the local woods, which are covered in a thick purple blanket of bluebells. It’s beautiful. I find it thrilling to be back on a horse again after so long and I enjoy getting Connie to alternate between a trot and a canter, much to Billy’s dismay, as his horse just wants to copy whatever my horse is doing. It’s clear that although he is comfortable to sit on top of a horse, he isn’t an experienced rider. I decide to ease the pace, though, when I can hear him struggling to catch his breath and turn to see him bouncing up and down painfully on the horse’s back.
‘Sorry,’ I shout. ‘Got a bit carried away there!’
‘No, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,’ he calls back breathlessly, with a contagious grin on his face. He is ridiculously handsome, even in this haggard state.
‘Would you like to stop for a bit? We could get off and walk if you like?’
‘Actually, I think there’s a big lake if you carry on going down this path.’
‘I know the one.’
‘Of course. Well, let’s keep going until we get down there and then we can stop for a bit.’
‘OK, sounds like a plan. You can lead the way this time,’ I say, forcing Connie to stop so that we can let Billy and Tony through, much to her annoyance.
We ride at a leisurely pace down to the lake, stopping under a large oak tree, which we tie the two horses to.
‘Are you getting peckish?’ Billy asks, wiping his hands on his jeans.
‘Actually, I’m starving,’ I admit.
I was feeling sick with nerves this morning and running around in a panic trying to get ready, and forgot to eat before I left. Now that food has been mentioned, I realize I’m famished!
‘Me too. I was too anxious to eat this morning.’
‘Really? Why?’
‘I had a date with a gorgeous girl planned.’
‘Haaa! I’m so glad they give you lines to say in these films you’re in, otherwise you’d be in trouble,’ I say with a giggle.
‘Thanks. Anyway, back to the subject of food … Close your eyes.’
‘What? Why?’ I laugh.
‘Please?’ he begs.
I smirk and roll my eyes, doing as he asks, instantly feeling very exposed and vulnerable at the unknown. My cheeks start burning as his warm hands engulf mine and he slowly leads me further into the woods. Excitement and nerves cause my skin to feel tingly and sensitive. I have to fight all urges to open my eyes to see where he is taking me. Somehow I manage to keep them closed as I listen to the sticks and leaves as they crackle beneath my feet while Billy guides me with ease.
‘OK …’ he says, placing a hand on my shoulder to tell me we’ve reached our destination. ‘You can look now.’
I open my eyes and gasp in shock as I take in what’s in front of me. Masses of twinkling fairy lights spiral up the thick trunks of a circle of trees, with thousands
more hanging from their tall branches and dangling down, making a starry sky above us. A huge, thick, black sheet encompasses the whole lot, which seals it off from the outside world, and allows the lights to sparkle more in its darkness. Beneath the canopy of stars, a blue-and-purple-checked picnic blanket has been laid out, surrounded by a ring of bluebells, with tubs full of food, glasses and bottles arranged on top, along with a bunch of scattered fluffy cushions. The whole thing is like a den or a fort you might make as a child to play in, but it’s far more magical. It’s breathtaking.
I stare opened mouthed at the display in front of me. No one has ever gone to this much effort for me before. Ever. I’m so overwhelmed by it that I can feel tears threatening to burst out of me, so I have to tense my jaw to keep them at bay.
Billy, who has been stood beside me, watching as I take in the space around us, squeezes my hand – probably because I’ve been stood gawping at it all and not vocalized a reaction yet.
‘Wow!’ I manage to say, my eyes brimming with tears.
‘Two “wow”s in one date, hey? I believe that’s a good sign …’
‘It really is. How did you do all this?’
‘Ahh, now that would be telling. Come on, let’s sit down,’ he says, guiding me by the hand to the blanket, where we both struggle to pull off our muddied wellies before parking ourselves on top and getting comfortable.
Billy picks up one of the bottles, unscrews it, pours its contents into two goblet glasses and hands me one.
‘I figured we’d be thirsty after the hack, so I thought orange and cranberry juice would be nice, rather than wine or something.’
‘That’s my favourite drink!’ I say in surprise, taking a gulp.
‘Who knew?’ he says with a smirk.
It’s only as we start opening the tubs of food and I find one containing scones that things start to become clearer.
‘Scones?’
‘Yep,’ Billy says, keeping occupied with a tub of ham sandwiches.
‘They look delicious.’
‘Mmmm … yummy.’
He continues to avoid my gaze by opening another tub, this one containing a tomato salad – so I poke him jokingly in the ribs.
‘Ouch,’ he laughs.
‘Did you make these yourself? Or did you have a little helper?’
‘I did make them myself actually, but under the supervision of a more experienced cook!’
‘Molly!’
‘How on earth did you guess that?’ he asks in a high-pitched squeal.
‘How on earth did she keep this a secret?’
‘She said she’s found it very difficult!’
‘I’ll bet! Are you aware how much of a gossip she is?
This would’ve killed her,’ I laugh. ‘So when did you do all this?’
Billy lets out a huge sigh, gutted that his cover has been blown and knowing that I won’t give up until he gives me all the answers I crave.
‘I guess I can tell you now … this morning. I met Molly in the shop at eight and she helped me make it all. She was great – especially when it came to all your favourite foods.’
‘But who put up all this, then?’ I ask, looking around at the enchanted forest that has been erected around us.
‘A few crew members from the film helped out. I came down here with them before I went to sort out the food.’
‘Sounds like you’ve had a very busy morning.’
‘I have, but I wanted to make a good impression.’
‘Well, you’ve certainly managed to do that.’
‘Good.’
We both sit there beaming and giggling at each other as we start to tuck into the food in front of us.
I have never felt so relaxed and giddy all at once. Billy has a way of making me feel comfortable and safe in his company, but at the same time my body churns out a mass of desire and longing. He is electrifyingly charismatic … breathtakingly so.
Once we’ve stuffed our faces with all we can manage, we lie back on the blanket with our heads together on one of the pillows and gaze up at the lights twinkling above us. I’m acutely aware of the fact that our
shoulders are slightly touching, allowing me to feel the heat coming from Billy’s body, which sends shivers of nervous apprehension running through me.
‘What’s your favourite book?’ I ask after a moment of silence.
‘Oh dear.’
‘What?’ I ask.
‘Well, I could lie and make something up, but the truth is I’ve never read a book from cover to cover in my life.’
‘Ever?’
‘Nope.’
‘Blimey.’
‘I know. Gosh, I feel like I’ve just been busted,’ he says, bringing his hands up to his face in embarrassment. ‘What’s yours?’
‘
Jane Eyre
,’ I declare, without hesitation.
‘Jane who?’
‘It’s a classic.’
‘I’ll read it some time.’