查看完整版本: London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

London Eye[update to chapter 5!]

[这个贴子最后由unicorn在 2004/10/22 05:09am 第 5 次编辑]

London Eye
-----The First English Novel of unicorn


[b]CHAPTER 1: The Cafe[/b]
I stepped out the capsule of London Eye and the security went in to do the check they do everyday. This was my second day in London. The weather was still gloomy. I had no interest to walk around so I just entered a small cafe near the Dali Art Museum. It seems they just opened the shop because the wooden ground was damp. I loved the dark colour of wood when it was wet. I could imagine the refreshing smell of wood in my mind at this moment though the air was filled with the sweet smelling of hot chocolate and the delightful Latte.
I went to a place near the window and took off my coat. The thick fog on the window covered the sights on the Themes River. I could only see the shadows of people that were walking in a hurry. London, a place that would never stop, I thought.
-Bloody cold outside, ugh?
I suddenly turned around and saw a waiter smiling at me.
-Well, yeah. Kinda.
-Some drinks?
-Um, hot chocolate please.
He walked away. I caught the view of his back, a captivating man, um. The golden hair was unruly, spread on his shoulder naturally. The shoulder was broad so that I could rest myself on it. His body was strong enough to hold me tightly. The feeling of an Italian made him more adorable.
I lay back on the soft back of the sofa comfortably and closed my eyes. I always crushed on someone at the first sight. It was dangerous, but adventurous. I wanted to explore this man as I did to many men before. Well, all I did before didn’t come to a happy ending. Sometimes the opportunities were limited and sometimes I used too much time to explore rather than showed my love. I tried to grasp them however they were out of my reach. Every night when I was lying in the bed lonely I told myself I missed so many men that should be in my life.
The waiter came back with my hot chocolate. When he passed it to me a suave smile revealed on his face. He spread some cinnamon powder on the milky surface and went back to work. Wasn’t he the man I want? I asked myself with a grin and took a sip of the sweet liquid.
I hold the cup with my cupped hands and looked around. Then I noticed an announcement that was cling on the wall:
Jazz piano. Every afternoon.
Wasn’t it great? This was the best pretence for me to come back here again. So I finished my hot chocolate and went to the counter to pay. My heart began to beat when I saw he was behind the counter.
-I’m paying the bill
-Sure. That should be 2.5 pounds.
I put the money in his hand and felt the warm in the palm of his hand.
-          I’ll come back this afternoon.
-For the jazz, right?
-Yep. Who will give the show?
-Me.
-Well, that’s amazing. Then see ya.
-Good day.
I walked out the cafe. The weather changed to be nice. Every cloud had a silver lining. I laughed in the morning of London. There were still many people in queue waiting to board the London Eye. Would they go to the cafe and meet the charming man?


[b]CHAPTER 2: Notting Hill[/b]
I brought a tube ticket for zone1 and zone 2 so that I can travel in the centre of London as I like in the entire day. The first place I went to was Notting Hill. I left all my stuffs in the inn where I lived. It was a home like place and was situated in Earl’s Court, which was on the edge of central London. The tube was just around the corner. I went there and started my first-day tour in London.
Notting Hill was the place I dreamed a lot. I adored the story between Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. I went there just to see if I could find their food steps on the streets and the small bookstore in which their love began. On my way out of the tube, I heard the song I loved most, When You Say Nothing At All.
  A tube artist was standing there, holding a guitar. There were many people sang songs in London tube. Their voices were nice, and so were this one, but never better than Ronan Keating, the original singer of the song. It was amazing to hear it in Notting Hill so I just took out 1 pound and gave it to the man. I stood there for a little while and finished the song. The lyric was so romantic that I will never forget.
[b]it';s amazing how you can speak right to my heart
without saying a word you can light up the dark
try as i may i can never explain
what i hear when you don';t say a thing
all day long i can hear people talking out loud
but when you hold me near
you drown the crowd
try as they may they can never define
what';s been said between your heart and mine
the smile on your face lets me know that you need me
there';s a truth in your eyes saying you';ll never leave me
the touch of your hand says you';ll catch me wherever i fall
you say it best when you say nothing at all.[/b]
Ronan Keating’s voice was so irresistible that could melt every girl’s heart. It was easy for everyone to addict into the movie when they heard the melody and saw Julia and Hugh were walking on the street arm in arm.
I was alone under the grey sky and walking on the grey street. The buildings were much the same. European style cottages were painted white and grey. A small cinema was closed and seemed not many people went there because it was old and dirty. I went into a drugstore and asked the direction to the places in movie. The old owner told me the way with strong French accent.
-Can you see the fork road? Take the left one. And I was an extra in that film.
-Really?
-Well, just kidding.
-Oh. Thanks, anyway.
I bought a chocolate bar for I thought the old man really helped me a lot and started my journey again.
It was a peace and quite road. If no one mentioned about it to me, I would not confirm it as the place where the popular movie was once shoot. The cold cold morning wind touched my skin tenderly and covered me in it. I suddenly felt that I was in the story. Anna’s high-heel shoes made lovely sounds when they knocked on the ground. William had a big smile on his face when he turned his face to the super star. They were sweet in their hearts.
I pushed a door of a little bookstore that seemed like the one in the film. I saw the script for the film and decided to buy it in just a second. The shopkeeper was a bald middle-age man. Not every bookseller was as tempting as Hugh Grant, I told myself.
Sitting by the window in a Starbucks, I hold a cup of blue mountain and opened the first page of the book. I read a few lines and found can’t concentrate on it anymore so I shut it and put it into my bag. I couldn';t find the strong feeling that once I had in the movie. It was just a souvenir that I would put it on the bookcase and told my friend about it but never read it anymore. I finished the blue mountain sip by sip. A woman outside was answering the phone and writing something rapidly on a notepaper. Her handwriting was so illegible that I can’t read. Also this may lead to some private issues so I just sat there and watched some luxurious cars passing by. Finally, I picked up my stuffs and left Notting Hill.  
I didn’t go to many places that afternoon. Just went to the Kensington Palace when once Princess Diana was lived. I took a photo with the royal guard who called Ashley. He said now his photos travelled around the world because almost every tourists took photo with him.
-And you know? Many years later when they see the pictures, they will ask, “ Who’s this idiot?” Well, that’s me!
I laughed. This was the British humour and I liked it.      

[b]CHAPTER 3: Jolly Good Show, Old Chap[/b]
Walking on one of the thousands of bridges on The River Thames, I wrapped myself in the warm coat tightly. The warmth I received from the cup of hot chocolate escaped my body rapidly. The old cold morning wind kept blowing and blowing and all the pedestrians got a flushing face.
The Big Ben was just about to strike 11 when my mobile suddenly rang. I looked at the number tha revealed on the screen. I was an unknown number.
-Hello?
-Hello. Miss Squire. This is the Travel Inn Hotel. Can we talk for a few minutes?
-Oh. Sorry. I';m engaged right now.
I knew I was lying. I wandered around the city without having a destination in my mind. I was those one who least likely to be busy. I was just strange and uncomfortable to talk on such a noisy street.
-Sorry to trouble. But do you have a free time today? There';s really some business I need to talk with you.
-Yep.I';ll be back to the hotel to refresh after lunch.
-Wonderful! What will the mutual time be?
-1 o';clock.
The receptionist and a man who had a manager tag on the collar arrived at my room on time. I welcomed them and didn';t know if I need to offer them a cup of tea. But they spoke first.
-Miss Squire, this is the Hotel Manager Mr Barrymore. We come here to discuss a special case with you.
I nodded. I began to wonder if I won a lottery and they were coming here to offer me the 1 million pounds prize. Later I discovered I got the ';prize';in another way.
-Miss Squire, you see. There is always things that are unexpected.said Mr Barrymore.
  A VIP will come to our hotel tonight and he wished to live on this floor. So for security and privacy consideration we are asking you if you can change a room. We are sorry that if this will bring you any trouble so as we offer our apology we will give you free room for 1 week.
-No problem.
The manager didn';t expect I would agree so soon. When he finally realized this he revealed a satisfying smile. He ordered a maid to help me packing and gave me the new key: Room 509
I rushed out of the hotel and decided to run to the Earl';s Court Station. I checked my watch again. 13:50. The show would begin in just 10 minutes! I turned left at the corner and saw a luxury black car coming down the street. I took a glance on the man sitting inside. It cannot be...!
Walking back to the hotel, I saw the man getting off the car. Short curly blonde hair, deep and grey eyes, sharp and handsome face, tidy and gentle Dunhill suits, I cried,
-Jolly good show, old chap!
He looked around and saw me, hesitated but finally recognized me. Big smile as before, he waved at me. I walked to him and he replied
-Um. Not bad.
We were not playing a spy game, but that was our own words that we would always remember.


[b]CHAPTER 4:The Ball After the Show[/b]
My friends said I was mad when I decided to join the drama club. The truth that made them think so was that I got reading difficulty. Actually it was not really serious as I took English Language and Literature and always got A on course works and so did the tests. But an actress should be very sensitive with words and sentences while I need a long time to remember just a few lines of Shakespeare’s work.
What surprised my friends was that I survived in the drama club and would soon be the heroine of the school’s coming soon play. I was lucky that it was not a Shakespeare’s work yet an adaptation from a really modern novel “Girl With A Pearl Earring” though the stage of the story was set in the 17th Century.
The girl I played was a maid in the painter Vermeer’s house called Griet. Griet and her master had appreciation on each other but unspoken. It was such a long play so we had three girls played Griet at different part. My part was almost at the end of the show. Griet sat there silently while Vermeer was painting her. I didn’t need to remember lots of words and that was why the teacher instructed me to take this part. But that day the teacher told me,
“Ella, you must remember, act without words is harder than you could imagine. The eye contact between Griet and Vermeer is very important. Think about how to express the love while sitting still. No words, just eyes and not too many emotions on your face. You need to talk about this with Matthew.”
As the teacher said, I practiced millions of times in front of a mirror and always had lunch with Matthew so that we could talk about the play. This made many girls in my school had green eyes on me.
-Ella! You don’t know that! Jesus! Matthew is the most popular boy in the school! Every girl worships him cuz he is the heaven!
I shook my head. I asked my friend Joanna why there were so many girls showed unfriendly faces to me and I didn’t expect such a response.
-Jo, you see. I didn’t mean to do so. I don’t admire him and ….
-I know, I know, but they don’t believe that. Don’t worry. Everything will back to normal after the play.
I got changed and tool a deep breath. Hope the play would go well and those rumours could disappear after the show just as Joanna said.
I walked to the stage. Matthew had already sat there. I should call him Vermeer or Master at that moment.
“Here you are, Griet.” Wearing a blue cloak, he held out the pearl to me.
“I want to you to do it.” I said in a bold voice. He raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak, but did not say anything. He stepped up to my chair, reached over and gently touched my earlobe. I gasped as if I had been holding my breath under water.
He rubbed the swollen lobe between his thumb and finger, and then pulled it taut. With his other hand he inserted the earring wire in the hole and pushed it through. I acted as if a pain like fire jolted through me and brought tears to my eyes. He did not remove his hand. His fingers brushed against my neck and along my jaw. He traced the side of my face up to my cheek, then blotted the tears that spilled from my eyes with his thumb. He ran his thumb over my lower lip. I licked it and tasted salt.
I closed my eyes and then he removed hi fingers. When I open them again he had gone back to his easel and taken up his palette.
We looked at each other and he painted until finally he said, “It’s done.” His voice muffled. I began to cry silently. Without looking at him, I got up and went into the back. This scene had come to an end. I heard people clapping their hands. Matthew came to me and said, “It’s amzing! You are excellent! There were real tears coming out of your eyes.”
“Jolly good show, old chap!” I smiled, saying the words from an old play we learnt together.
“Um. Not bad.”
There was a ball held in the school bar after the show. Many people came to my and congratulated me. I went to he bartender and asked for a pint of bear.
-Whisky. For the girl and me.
I looked up. I saw Matthew stood beside me but alone.
-For whom?
-You. He said in a bossy tone.
-I’ll have beer. Whisky is too strong for a gril.
-Come on, Ella. It’s your day. You should have fun. Whisky, two. He turned his eyes to the bartender.
I laughed. “You are not my master now.” I demanded him. He didn’t reply; just keep his eyes on the bartender who was preparing the whisky. I noticed his Dunhill suits that night. Well tailored and fit his perfect body well.
The bartender handed us the Whisky. We cheered and both took a sip.
-You Versace dress fits you well.
-So does your Dunhill suits.
He grinned. I had never realized his smile was so gorgeous and his teeth were whiter than white.
“You know, Ella. I joined the club on purpose.” He stopped and seemed to find words to continue.
“Well, me too.” I told him. He looked up and showed interest, so I continued. “I always dream to be an actress and that’s why.”
He lowered his head and shook it. “I don’t mean that. I mean for someone.” I raised my eyebows. He hesitate for a long time, finally said something,
“And it’s you.”
I didn’t know how to response, just keep drinking my whisky until he suddenly grasped my hands,
“Ella, you are a special girl. Confident and charming. You are always smiling. And it seems you are not like other girls…”
“I am not like other girls. I had never crushed on you, but out there in the dancing pool. You see, lots of eyes are focusing on you. They all fancy you.” I said in a smooth voice that I didn’t want to hurt him. But there was something I didn’t tell him, he was really handsome and a good person indeed.
He was down by my words, but he suddenly held my cheeks by his palms. I saw his face was getting closer and closer. I had wanted to escape but I couldn’t move. I saw his eyelash, I felt his breath and I was enchanted by his lips. Why shouldn';t I resist this? It’s the alcohol, I told myself and closed my eyes.
“Ella, what the f##k are you doing here?!” I heard Joanna’s voice. I opened my eyes and wiped my mouth. Matthew and I were embarrassed. I didn’t dare to meet Joanna’s eyes.
“Ella, you know what the girls are talking? They said Matthew and you were kissing. I said impossible. But what did I see just now? I will be glad that you can date Matthew if you don’t have a boyfriend, but the truth is you do. He is studying in France and once he told me when he back he will propose to you as soon as possible. Ella, and see what are you doing here? ”
I blushed and wept. “Jo, you are right. It’s my fault. Mat, please, forget tonight. I am truly sorry.” Then I ran out the pub.


[b]CHAPTER 5: Long Talk[/b]
‘You know that night you got me into such an embarrassing situation.’
With a bottle of ICE in both of our hands we talked about that night, the night I went away because I didn’t dare to face my own fault.
‘I was thinking to run behind you and get everything clear. But some girls just came and said something really upset me. Then my mind was all blank. They ushered me to the dance pool and we danced. But basically I got no clue of who I was dancing with and why I was dancing and…’
‘What did they say?’ I was just being interested.
‘Things like how posh your boyfriend was, how much he loved you and how impossible that I could take his place. And they said they will be happy to be my girlfriend if I wish.’
‘Well, you knew that what they said about my boyfriend and me were totally crap and all they want you to know is they are available.’ I took a sip of my ICE. God, I really love this drink.
‘Until you told me just now, I didn’t know.’
‘You believe people so easily. How can you be so successful on your business?’
‘They are two different things.’

Time has passed for 10 years since the day I ran away. I am 26 and he is 28. Something did change but something will always stay the same.
He is now the senior manager of business travel plc which is in charge of Travel Inn and other business trip hotel all around the UK. This is predictable. I know him so well. He was one of those ambitious guys in my school and those motivated ones.
My life has changed, too. I broke up with my boyfriend 4 years ago. He didn’t keep his promise as he told Jo before. The day he came back was not our engage day but instead he said he got a new girl in France. ‘Our love is just not strong enough to cross the long distance.’ I pointed at his noise and demanded, ‘Don’t make people laugh at you! You mean English Channel is a long distance?’ Then I stepped back and again, ran away.
As every time I ran away the world around me is still acting in its own way. The way Mat says things is still not change. Determined and wise.
  
‘So how are your boyfriend and you now? Got the engage ring or even married now?’
I shook my head.
‘Oh! Poor girl. I am sorry.’
And he squeezed my left hand.  
‘Thank you. I am fine with that now.’ I have never been really sad about things. I just ran away and escape. When I come back to the real world I’m back to the normal self.      
“So how about you? ”
“Me?” He raised his eyebrows, finished his drink, “This drink is just too girly. Can you get me a glass of gin tonic please?” He said to the bartender. He caught my gaze and sighed, “Well, you know, business’s been nuts. Had two girlfriends. Didn’t last long. I’m still young. Too young to be settled, you know.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been travelling these days. Try to do some interesting things. Try to finish my book. Try to know more about people. Generally people. I just still don’t think I got it. All these days. I don’t know. I mean, you, me and everyone else. It’s still a mystery right? We haven’t talked for like ages. And now we met, we sat down in a bar. Try to find a topic to talk. The first thing in mind is relationship. People talk about relationship everyday. People experience relationship everyday but no one actually understands it. We are just guessing. We try to find a solution to our own mystery…but it just doesn’t feel right. It just doesn’t feel like the answer we are looking for. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
“Relationship is a luxury for me at the moment. I got papers to read got decisions to make got meetings to attend……”
“But relationship doesn’t mean sticking together 24/7, does it? At least in some cases it doesn’t right? ”
He finished his gin tonic and he didn’t talk for a long time. I looked at my watch. It was four o’clock already. We’ve been sitting there drinking and talking for 2 hours. I missed the Jazz and he got work to do.
“Hey. It’s old friends’ reunion. Don’t be this depressed.” I pushed him gently one the shoulder.
“It’s you who started this relationship philosophy shit okay?” He grinned.
“Don’t you have a meeting at 5? Better get ready. We’ll catch up later yeah?”
“Make sure you do that!”
“Make sure you spare some time for me on your full schedule!”

---------------------
finally, update.

[[i] 本帖最后由 unicorn 于 2006-5-2 03:41 AM 编辑 [/i]]

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

haha~~ it's that your real experience??? that's so interesting~~~ I haven't been to London and play yet... I just came straight to Wales and see my mum. I will have a lot of chances to play around when I go to university~~~~
How's your school going?? when will you come???
It's very nice~~~~ Thanks a lot~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

absolutely not the real experience. but it is true there was a good-looking man in that cafe.
gtg now.
bed time!!!!!

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

see ya~~~ I had two classmates that looked really really handsome~~~ I'm not sure if the man you met is the same~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

actually there are many handsome men in UK.
but i don't have the luck to have a handsome classmate, girl school. damn

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

haha~~~ don't worry~~ you will have a lot of chances in the future~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

<font color=BLUE title='感谢 JUNEYEAH 与 unicorn 对魔法世界的支持 !'>JUNEYEAH 赠与 unicorn </font> <font color=red><b>25</b></font> <font color=BLUE title='感谢 JUNEYEAH 与 unicorn 对魔法世界的支持 !'>金加隆以示鼓励。</font>
在[第六周推荐]中入选  奖励25金加隆 ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

great!!!!!!! i like it!!!!!!

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

thank u, scar

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

It is really nice for the both chapters~~~ Although I don't know a lot about Notting Hill~~~
Will you continue writing?? Can't wait to see more~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

<font color=BLUE title='感谢 JUNEYEAH 与 unicorn 对魔法世界的支持 !'>JUNEYEAH 赠与 unicorn </font> <font color=red><b>25</b></font> <font color=BLUE title='感谢 JUNEYEAH 与 unicorn 对魔法世界的支持 !'>金加隆以示鼓励。</font>
在[第七周推荐]中入选  奖励25金加隆 ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

顶~
just updated

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

Wow ho!! really really nice~~~ Can';t wait to see more~~ ^_^ So interesting~~~ ^_^
Please update chapter 4 quickly~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

u know, i write this in order to survive thost physics and chemistry classes

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

Hehe ~~ really??? Don';t you like Physics and Chemistry?? I think Physics is interesting since I chose it in school~~

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

u mean the school THERE!!!
not the school HERE!!!!

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

哈哈哈！第三章终于出来了！谢谢谢谢！！！！！！

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

don';t laugh, babe~~~

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

[quote]u mean the school THERE!!!
not the school HERE!!!!
[/quote]
Yeah... I know what is your feeling like now... I will do the same if I';m in China~~ Hehe~~~ Hope you can come to UK soon and enjoy the lessons here~~ ^_^

London Eye[just update to chapter 4]

[quote][b]下面引用由[u]unicorn[/u]在 [i]2004/06/12 10:17pm[/i] 发表的内容：[/b]
don';t laugh, babe~~~
[/quote]
er... I';m not laughing~~~~~
I was so excited~~~~~
Don';t worry, I';m ok, just update quickly, I';m really looking forward to it~~~~ lol