Chapter I
Beta read by the amazing Renee
Tuesday 20th December 2004
7:50 pmHere I am, slouched in front of the television, with a beer clutched in one hand, and the remote control grasped in the other. The fifty-inch wide screen that I recently purchased is flickering absent-mindedly in the background on mute. Unfortunately, I would have put more pride into it, if it wasn’t playing some crap film that I would never dream of watching.
The smell of vegetable lasagne has crept its way from the kitchen and filled my nostrils pleasantly, and every now and again, I keep letting out an exhausted yawn.
‘Its nice to be back here.’ I can’t help but think, finally picking myself off the leather settee and walking through to the kitchen. ‘Its really lovely to be back home.’ And to be truthful, it generally is.
It has been so long since I have even set foot on British turf. My job does not allow me to stay in one place for too long. I can never linger because I am forever flying to a new destination. I accept it however, because I know that’s what comes with being an actor, yet it never stops me from missing my home and family.
One of the reasons I have taken a break from filming was to come back here. In order to relax for a change rather than be constantly on the go. Acting and flying is not always a good combination for me and I am glad to be back here…glad to be home.
My mother it seems took great delight when acknowledging my return to London. My sister informed me, that on numerous occasions my mother has joked that she doesn’t have a son anymore as he has disappeared off the face of the earth. I’m not amused, but who am I to talk? Her last threat was that if I didn’t come home for Christmas, she would pluck a random young man off the street and name him Orlando.
I didn’t come home for Christmas.
Yes, I know. I can hear you saying,
‘gosh what a terrible son,’ but it wasn’t entirely my fault. I was filming of course, in the Caribbean at that particular moment in time and I hadn’t received permission to fly home, no matter how much I tried. My mother did not speak to me for weeks on end but I heard nothing of a new son, which I admit was rather a relief.
Sighing slightly, I wander over to the fancy oven, observing the lasagne for a good 60 seconds, before realising it was meant to have come out 10 minutes ago. After looking closely at the food, I discover much to my relief, that it’s only slightly burnt around the edges. I find a knife to serve it up just as the door bangs loudly and a stream of curse words hit my ears grumpily.
‘Raining still?’ I call down the hallway.
‘Pissing it down.’ A voice calls back angrily, ‘and all for your bloody wine.’<br>
I grimace at her choice of words and then say, ‘you did offer.’<br>
Immediately I regret it as my girlfriend Kate squelches into the room. Her blonde hair is hanging in thick, clumpy strands from her head, and her normally beautiful eyes have misted over cloudily.
Boy, she is not happy.
‘Orlando Bloom, I did not offer, you begged me to, that is entirely different.’ She glares at me, ringing her hair exasperatedly, and the water that’s drained from her locks, hits the floor with a splat.
I can’t help but notice as she peels away my jacket, which she insisted on wearing, saying that she looks extremely attractive, wet. I run a hand through my curls, smiling at her. Just smiling. Happy that I have her with me, and that she loves me like I love her.
I make my way over to her, helping her remove her jumper, which seems to have collected every single tear that slithered away from the heavens.
‘I must say,’ I tell her, planting a soft kiss on her lips. ‘I don’t mind you wet. In fact, I don’t care what state you’re in, to me you are always beautiful.’<br>
I wrap my arms around her, knowing she is still not entirely pleased with me but even I cannot help but notice that her body relaxes ever so slightly at my touch. Her eyes are still looking at me with the expression, ‘don’t even try to make me forgive you,’ but we both know she will. She can never suffice staying angry with me for long.
I bury my face in her neck and am greeted with the faint smell of perfume that she must have put on this morning. Again I kiss her, but this time on her collarbone and I can feel her softening to my touch.
‘I love you Kate.’ I whisper quietly, placing yet another lingering kiss on her neck and then just by her ear.
Finally, I feel her arms wrap around me pulling me closer to her damp body. I sigh with relief, as I feel her tender lips on my cheek.
‘I love you too Orlando.’<br>
The embrace lasts for a minute or so, as we are both lost in each other and only each other. I smell the fruity essence of her hair and hold her close just thinking about us.
‘Well I’m glad about that,’ I state finally.
Kate lets out a muffled laugh and then pulls away from me, looking me in the eye, with a twinkle in her own.
‘You should be. However, if you make me go out in that lovely English weather again, I might have to rethink all this love business.’ She says it teasingly, gathering the sodden items that she had removed from her body earlier into her arms.
‘I’ll dish up,’ I inform her, deciding to ignore the comment. ‘You go and get changed into something dry, ok?’ She nods in agreement, slipping me a sweet smile before disappearing out of the kitchen.
I chuckle softly as I hear her put on the radio, humming along to the track that’s playing. Knowing she won’t be long, I hurriedly serve the food onto two plates. I dive around the kitchen in search of the cutlery drawer for a few seconds, before realizing that it had been situated right where I had started. I make a note to myself that I should really get to know this apartment better, seeing as I am actually going to be staying in it for once.
I bought the flat two years ago when I thought I would be able to come back frequently but again, that was before my job became more demanding. It is a nice building. The walls are all plain white at the moment, but it manages to give it an airy and spacious feel that I warm too. It is also well furnished, thanks to my mother and sister Samantha, who persuaded me to hand over the money and let them get on with it.
I pick up the bottle of wine that Kate placed on the marble counter when she came in. My gaze wonders to the window by the sink. The rain is hurling itself at the glass as if it’s committed a terrible crime and then slowly slides down the pane, leaving a trail behind it. A clip of thunder suddenly booms down on the world, and a whip of lightning slashes itself across the pitch-black sky.
‘Lovely English weather huh?’ Kate says as she wonders towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me towards her.
I smile to myself as I continue to peer out of the window.
‘Yes,’ I finally reply, ‘but then what should we expect for December?’<br>
Although she heard what I had said, Kate let the question pass. I feel her arms slip away from my stomach and I know too well, that she is examining the two plates piled high with steaming lasagne. Her tongue will flick out any minute now and lick her lips as if trying to capture the taste. But then again, I only know this because:
a) she does it before every meal,
and
b) I can see her reflection through the window.
‘I’m starving.’ She announces, shooting me a hopeful look as I continue to stare absent-mindedly out the glass. She gives me a few seconds to take in what she is saying before whining again. ‘Orlando, please can we eat? If we wait any longer we will be here until Christmas.’<br>
Deciding that it was probably best not to neglect my girlfriend after a two-year relationship, I turn around.
‘Christmas?’ I ask, shaking my head in order to throw off the trance I have just been caught in.
Kate shoots me a weird look, as if asking me where I have been for goodness knows how long.
‘Yes Orlando, that’s right. Christmas. The reason we have come to England, to celebrate with your family? The thing we must have discussed for over a month? Because you weren’t here last year as you were filming Pirates?’<br>
My mind appears to fly off in a daze. Memories flood back and stab into my heart with a quick, painful thrust. I take a step backwards, holding my head so tight it appears I might be afraid of it dropping off.
‘Orlando? Baby, are you feeling ok?’ A distant Kate asks, prattling into my unwanted thoughts.
I try to scream no, but my body seems to have taken over itself. I hear a male voice ring into the warm air.
‘Yes. Fine love.’
‘Are you sure? You look a bit off colour.’<br>
‘Fine.’ I tell her through gritted teeth, but I accompany it with a dazzling smile, hoping she will leave me be.
‘Good. Let’s eat then.’<br>
‘Yes…lets.’<br>