Wags To Riches (36 page)

   “Oh Gail don’t worry about that!  The fact is you’ve passed!”  Adam says.  “I knew you would!”

   “I can’t wait to tell everybody!” I say, going to the phone.  “I’m going to ring my mum first and tell her”. 

   “When you ring Gina and Sharon, invite them and the lads out for dinner tonight as we ought to celebrate this properly!” Adam said, his eyes twinkling, “Don’t you think?”

   “Definitely!” I say grinning.  I’m so happy I think I could burst!  I can drive!

* * * *

We have a fantastic night with Tony, Sharon, Gina and Tim.  Everyone was so pleased for me and I’m - well - I’m just euphoric.  I can’t believe I’ve actually done it – I’ve actually passed my driving test!  All these years of thinking I couldn’t do it and I didn’t get the driving gene and all that other rubbish I used to tell myself and now I’ve passed!  I can drive any car I want now!  Hey, I think to myself when I wake up the next morning, wonder if Adam will let me drive his Bentley?

   “Morning gorgeous!” Adam says smiling and gives me a kiss before getting out of bed.  “Would you like a cup of tea?”

   “Yes please!” I say, smiling sleepily at him.  Adam gets out of bed and goes downstairs, returning a short while later with two large mugs of tea.  “Thanks!” I say, taking hold of the proffered mug.

Adam goes over to the window and looks outside.  “What’s the weather like today?” I ask him.

   “Oh – it’s nice and sunny” Adam says, turning away from the window.  “Did you enjoy last night then?” he asks.

   “Oh yes – it was brilliant” I say as Adam looks out of the window again.

   “What’s up?” I ask.

   “Nothing – why?” he replies smiling.

   “Well why do you keep looking out of the window then?” I ask, puzzled.

   “No reason” Adam says smiling.  “Oh there’s been a delivery for you downstairs” he says, “I couldn’t bring it up as it’s a bit big”.

   “For me?” I say frowning.  “I ordered a diamond necklace off
Bid TV
the other day but I don’t remember ordering anything that bulky recently”.  I only bought that because it was an absolute bargain and I was trying to take my mind off my driving test.  I don’t normally shop for diamond necklaces on Tuesday afternoons. 

   “Well, you can see it if you look out of the window” Adam says grinning.

Feeling totally mystified, I get up and look out the window.  There’s only a brand new black Audi R8 with a massive red ribbon round it parked outside!  “Oh my God!  Adam!” I say, gaping at the car.

   “Do you like it?” he asks, smiling.

   “Like it?  I love it!  Is that for me?” I say completely stunned and Adam nods. 

   “Well – I know how much you liked that one you saw in my magazine so I decided to get you one” Adam says.

 
“Wow!  Oh Adam thank you so much!  I don’t know what to say!” I squeal, feeling absolutely thrilled to bits.  I throw my arms around him and give him a big kiss.  “I must go and have a look at it!” I say excitedly and quickly put on my dressing gown and slippers before running downstairs to look at the car, Adam close behind me.

I open the front door and gasp.  “Is this why you were on the phone such a lot yesterday?” I ask and he nods.  “Oh gosh!” I say, walking out to it, feeling completely overwhelmed, “Isn’t it beautiful?”  I hurriedly unfasten the huge satin bow and turn to Adam.  “This is fantastic – thank you!” I say.

   “Here’s your key” Adam says, handing me a chunky piece of black plastic, about the size of a packet of ten cigarettes.

   “What’s this?” I ask, looking at it.

   “It’s your key!” Adam says again, smiling, “Press the button on it and the key will flick out”.

I press the button and the key flicks out, just as Adam said it would.  “Wow!” I say impressed, looking at the key, “That’s fantastic! – Oh let me open the door and get inside!”  I open the door and clamber in.  “Look at the dashboard!” I say, “Look at that gear stick!  It’s fantastic!  It looks like an old fashioned microphone like what Elvis had!  Wow!”

   Adam leans into the car and smiles as he listens to me enthusing about the car.  “What do all these buttons do?” I ask him.  “Oh my God – look – it’s even got a Bang & Olufsen stereo!  Fantastic!”

   “I went for the sat nav and heated seats option too” Adam says smiling and I beam up at him in wonder.

   “Wow!” I say in amazement and look round at everything again.  “Thank you so much Adam” I say and my eyes fill with happy tears.  “I can’t believe you bought me this!  Thank you!” I say and reach up to hug him, trying to stop snivelling because my nose will go red and smiling at the same time.  I just can’t think straight at the minute.

   “All your insurance is sorted – I’ve done all that as well” Adam says, “So we can take it for a spin if you like after breakfast”.

   “I want to drive it now!” I say laughing.  “I’m going to take it for a spin now!”

   “Now?” Adam asks.

   “Yeah – just round the fountain” I say.  “I know I’ve got my slippers on, but I’ll be fine.  Come on, get in!”

   “What are you like?” he says laughing as he goes round to the other side of the car and gets in.  I put the key in the ignition and turn it.  The dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree.

   “Look at that!  Did you see that?” I say as the needles on the speedometer and the rev counter go all the way round and back again.  “It’s like something from NASA!  Can you hear that engine?  Wow!” I say and Adam laughs.  “Right, let’s try and go round the fountain” I say, carefully putting the car into first gear and slowly moving off.  I drive round the fountain about three times and then reluctantly stop the car.  “I suppose I’d better go and get dressed and then I can take it for a proper spin” I say, turning to Adam.  “Thank you so much Adam – it’s wonderful!”

   Adam smiles at me.  “I’m glad you like it Gail!” he says, “You deserve a nice car after putting all that hard work in to pass your test.  There’s some paperwork as well you might want to take a look at in the glove box”.

I reach over and open the compartment and inside are only two plane tickets to Rome for next weekend!!

   “Sorry about the short notice” Adam says grinning.  “I thought we could go to celebrate you passing your test before the season starts”. 

I let out a massive scream and nearly squash Adam in a massive hug before kissing him.  “ROME!  Oh my God Adam!  I don’t know what to say!” I squeal delightedly, looking first at him, then at the tickets.  “This is too much – first the car and now this!”

   “No it’s not – you deserve it!” Adam says and smiles at me.  “I know we were talking about going on holiday, but I don’t think we’ll be able to go to Mick’s villa in Spain till September as there isn’t a week until then when we don’t have any matches on.  But, in the meantime, I thought it would be nice to have a romantic weekend away before the season starts.  It’s also a thank you for all the effort you put into organising my birthday party” he adds as I look at the tickets.  “You’ve always wanted to go to Rome haven’t you?” he asks smiling and I nod my head, my eyes shining.  “What do you say?”

   I look at him and then back at the tickets and then at him once more.

   “Yes please!” I squeal.  Oh my God!  Rome!  I’m going to Rome! I think I might just burst with happiness!
 
“You are so lovely Adam” I say, putting my arms round his neck, “I don’t know what to say!”

   “Don’t say anything then and kiss me instead” Adam replies as he moves closer to me.

“Bloody hell!  It’s hot isn’t it?” I say to Adam as we step out of the aeroplane.  It’s midday and the Italian sun is beating down.  We both immediately put on our sunglasses and then Adam reaches for my hand as we walk to the shuttle bus that will take us to the terminal building.  “Have you been here before Adam?” I ask as we step onto the bus and go to stand near one of the windows.

   “Not on this particular bus, no” Adam says grinning at me.

   “You know what I mean!” I say, smiling and smacking him lightly on the arm.  “Have you ever been to Rome before?”

   “You know what I mean!” I say smiling and smacking him lightly on the arm.  “Have you ever been here –
to Rome
- before?”

   “We played here last year” Adam replies, “but it was literally – plane – hotel - match, then back home.  We didn’t have any time to look round or anything, so it will be nice to do some sightseeing” he says, adjusting the bag strap on his shoulder.  The bus is filling up rapidly, so Adam and I shuffle closer together.

“Isn’t it hot on here?” I say to Adam, pulling at my new white gypsy top I’d treated myself to for the holiday.  “I wish I’d put a skirt on instead of jeans.  Mind you, it was so cold at the airport this morning, I was glad I’d got jeans on!”

   “I know – it was cold this morning,” Adam agrees.  “It certainly isn’t now though!” he adds lifting his bag off his shoulder.  “Just hold my bag a moment would you?” he asks, holding it out to me, “I’ve got to take my jacket off”.

   “Of course” I reply, taking hold of the bag as Adam slips off his coat.  Underneath he is wearing a fitted black T-shirt that shows off his muscular arms.

   “Thanks Gail” he says, taking the bag from me.  “What?” he asks, noticing me looking at him.

   “Nothing” I reply airily.  “If you must know,” I say grinning, “I was just thinking that T-shirt shows off your muscles”.

   “Oh thanks Gail - you’ve made me blush now!” Adam replies laughing and moves even closer to me as a party of five men squash themselves next to us and I end up with some bloke’s armpit in my face as they reach up to hold onto one of the overhead rails.  Ugh!  I think, moving my head away hastily.

   “It’s cosy on here isn’t it mate?” the bloke in question says to Adam.

   “Certainly is” Adam replies.  “Never mind – it won’t be for long”.

   “Good!” I growl and Adam, noticing my predicament, moves to switch places with me.  I stand in front of him pressed up against his chest, as the bus is now full to bursting.  He smiles at me as the doors close and the driver starts the engine.

   “Do you know - I can see straight down your top” he murmurs into my hair.

   “Oh can you now?” I say casually, looking up at him.

   “Uh-huh – it’s quite distracting” Adam goes on and smiles his sexy lopsided smile at me.

   “Stop looking then!” I whisper back, smiling as I slide my hand into one of the back pockets on his jeans.

The bus moves off and after a few moments, we arrive at the terminal building.  After going through passport control, we go to wait for their suitcases.  “I hope they don’t take too long” I say to Adam “I am boiling hot and my shoes are killing me”. 

   “Well - you will wear heels” Adam says, rolling his eyes.  “I told you to put trainers on or something, but you wouldn’t listen!”

   “I know I know!” I say, “I know silver strappy sandals with four inch heels aren’t the most practical footwear for travelling in Adam, but as Gina said they do go beautifully with these jeans”.

Adam shakes his head and laughs.  “Oh great here’s our case” he says and lifts it off the carousel.  “Why you had to bring so much stuff I don’t know!”

   “Er – excuse me Adam Finchley!  It’s not just my stuff you know” I say defensively as Adam hides a smile.  “Now let’s go and find our taxi because I have got to sit down and take the weight off my feet pretty soon”.

   “Do you want me to give you a fireman’s lift?” Adam says, “I don’t mind you know”.

   “I’d rather you didn’t” I say and laugh as we walk through the front of the airport to find our taxi.  Why did I put these shoes on?  It seemed a great idea this morning, but now my feet feel like they’re on fire and wrapped in cheese wire.  The shoes do look nice though.

   Just then, Adam sees a man holding up a hastily written card with his name on.  “There’s ours Gailey” Adam says.  We walk over to the man and follow him to the taxi.  The air conditioning is on full blast and we climb in thankfully out of the scorching heat.

   “I am so looking forward to seeing Rome for the first time!” I say to Adam as I settle back into my seat.  “And I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing journey in this lovely cool taxi”. 

Famous last words.  The taxi driver drives like a bloody maniac!  He’s doing at least eighty miles an hour all the way, is constantly weaving in and out of lanes and to top it all off, has his mobile phone clamped to his ear and proceeds to shout in Italian for the entire bloody journey!  Nothing though, can take away the thrill of seeing the colosseum for the very first time.  It’s amazing!  It’s huge!  And it’s in the centre of a massive roundabout!  I look up at it out of the taxi window as we zoom past, just marvelling at this fantastic structure, and then beam at Adam.  He grins back at me and squeezes my hand.  I can’t believe I’m here!  I can’t believe I’m in Rome!

   I can’t believe we are still in one piece either as the taxi driver still doesn’t slow down now we are in the city centre and we hurtle down narrow cobbled streets, only just missing numerous parked cars and several pedestrians.  I have to put my hands over my eyes at one point as we nearly hit some people sat a table outside a restaurant and even the unflappable Adam takes a sharp intake of breath.  “Bloody hell!” he mutters, “That was close!”  I move my hands away from my eyes and turn to look out the back window, just to check that those people are okay and they are still quite happily eating lunch, as though nothing has happened.  I shake my head and hold Adam’s hand tightly as the driver decides to take a sharp left turn without slowing down one bit.