Read Tripping on Love for Free Online Page B

couldn’t avoid. Given the chance to reflect on my travel expenditure over the years, I would likely come to the conclusion that I could have owned my dream sports car outright. Ronnie's proposal was more than generous. It would allow me to kill two birds with one stone and for the first time I wouldn’t be footing the expenses.
    'Yes, I'd happily combine a visit. It'll be a good opportunity.'
    'Brilliant' Ronnie said , pleased with himself. 'We can discuss details later today.'
    Samantha grinned at me and walked back towards her own desk. I smiled to myself; there could also be a possibility of convincing Ronnie to allow me to write the review for submission. I had always had a secret desire to become an aspiring writer and what better way to harness my creativity than getting a suntan thrown in for free? Already things were looking up and it was only nine o’clock.
    I spent much of the morning and afternoon using free time to surf the internet for suitable business and sunbathing attire. My new pinched waist khaki suit certainly wouldn’t be making the To Take list.  From experience, I knew that late spring in Marbella meant tight white jeans and oversized sunglasses. It was time to invest in myself. After all, I had to blend into my surroundings if I was now to be an international business traveller.
    It was as I was shutting down my computer and getting ready to leave, that I heard the unmistakable sound of my mobile text service. Rummaging through my bag, my heart was pounding with excitement as I hastily opened the text.
    'Hun, just to let you know I won’t be home tonight - unexpected date with HUGO! Mel x'
    My heart sank in disappointment.   Mel had been hankering after our next door neighbour Hugo since he’d moved into the area two months prior.
    We knew he was a keen guitar player, often hearing him strumming at obscene hours. What Mel saw in him I didn’t understand, but the flirtation between the pair had been building over the past week. He’d obviously worked up the courage to finally ask her out. Although knowing Mel, she’d probably knocked on his door and invited herself in.  
    If only I knew where Edward lived, I could have tried the same strategy myself.
     

CHAPTER EIGHT
    I spent the fifteen minute tube journey daydreaming of Edward and I, until I was rebuked by a vicious elbow courtesy of a stocky gentleman, fighting his way to a recently vacated seat.  
    My love life was a complete disaster. For the last four months I’d been happy enough in my own little world of singledom. Yet Carl’s party and meeting Edward had reminded me just how rewarding being in a relationship could be. With no one on the horizon to plan ahead with, my future seemed destined towards growing old and mangy, alone.
    The supermarket food shop loomed in my thoughts, it couldn’t be put off any longer. My shelf in the fridge was looking particularly bare and unless I was willing to dine on the lonesome, shrivelled cherry tomato and a quarter jar of pickled beetroot, it had to be tackled.
    As I hurried from the tube station into the light rain that was just beginning to fall, I thought of a heart warming, creamy Italian recipe that Mel often made. I could afford to gain a little extra weight and the evening was laid out in front of me with nothing better to do than focus on self pitying thoughts. Cooking myself something indulgent would be the ideal distraction and a good excuse to buy a complimentary bottle of wine.
    By the time I reached the supermarket entrance doors, I was wet and frozen to the core. The thought of having to boil pasta, c hop garlic or simmer white wine was long gone, discarded as too ambitious. Passing the leafy vegetable section, I headed for the aisle of refrigerated ready meals. Why spend an hour cooking and an hour cleaning up after myself, if it was already done for me? Albeit in modified atmosphere packaging and a considerably smaller portion than I would have chosen.
    I was deciding whether