she could have helped it. You know that.” Steve sips his beer,
“Mate, 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 then end up alone in the end anyway.”
“JJ, 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. If you’re not careful, you’ll scare her off before you’ve even started.” He shakes his head as though he’s genuinely worried that 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 the hotel. I’ve booked for nine nights before I head up north. 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’ me, and I return the gesture. After checking my details, she smiles and she hands me a room key, then 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 might as well make the most of my money while I have it, writing travel guides doesn’t pay exceptionally well, but the BBC series on South America that I made last year certainly did. I’m not really a splurger. I travel on Gold Square expenses and save most of the money I make so I can afford to go crazy every now and again.
Technically, I’m in Thailand to work, but it would be rude to not spend at least one day doing nothing, so I get my trunks on and it’s time to chill out. For the hell of it, I decide to take Miss 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. I 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…Miss 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 expected from a ‘romance’ novel. 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 actually, and I can’t help but think that I underestimated Rosetta Alvez. Of course, I know it’ll all work out in the end. Sandford will get his promotion and Tara will defeat Cassidy and 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 iPad 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.
***
Rosie
“Alvez, you rocked my freaking world last night!” Pippa declares from under her pillow and I smile.
“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 on a stripper pole in one night were long