The Bully

Chapter Eleven

"Blackpool?" I said, rolling my eyes. Terry grinned at me.

"You wanted to get into directing, Angelina," he said and I sighed.

"Yeah I was thinking Hollywood maybe not Blackpool."

"Well there's a great product coming out from there. You're bored of the magazine and this is a great opportunity. You'd be assistant director so could learn from an old hack. Plus it's wrestling and I think that's what you're really interested in." I shrugged. I did enjoy the wrestling stories that we covered and had managed to put the past out of my head for the most part. At least that's what I told myself. Terry grinned. "And seems to me you've got itchy feet anyway. You've headed out on all the furthest afield assignments since you started here. Apart from Canada. I'd have thought the homeland would have called you or are you running from a dark past?" He laughed as he said this and I rolled my eyes, not answering.

"Ok, I'll check it out but I might not be what they're looking for."

"Well they rang to ask if you'd be available so you've basically been head hunted," he replied and I couldn't stop the grin that formed on my face. Dotty was pleased for me but a bit sad I was going away again. I kissed her cheek.

"It's only Blackpool, just a short plane journey away," I said and she sighed.

"Aye that's as maybe but as soon as you're surrounded by all those handsome young men you'll soon forget your poor old godmother."

"So come visit. Sure some of those handsome young men would fancy their own Mrs Robinson," I teased and she laughed.

"I'd not know what to do with them if they did, lassie," she replied. Within a week I was moving into a rented house and ready to start my new gig at the Winter Gardens  as assistant director to Blackpool's Best of Wrestling which was to be televised and featured some amazingly talented wrestlers. Because of my experience I was able to bring a lot of knowledge with me which was appreciated by the director whose experience was in films. Jeff was a sweetheart and made my job easier. He happily let me take the lead and though he was paid significantly more than me I took it on the chin because the experience was amazing.

"Lina!" I looked up and smiled automatically.

"Hey William. How are you tonight?" The tall blonde Englishman smiled at me broadly.

"Very well pet, very well. I'd be better if you'd join me for a drink though."

"You know I don't drink so quit with the puppy eyes." William grinned and shrugged.

"Can't blame a bloke for trying. And you can drink whatever takes your fancy. I know a great bar that does virgin cocktails."

"What the fuck is a virgin cocktail?" I asked and he looked at me appalled.

"I swear your language has become worse since you started working here," he said, shaking his head. "Non alcoholic cocktails is the answer though."

"Cool. Sorry, I'll try not to cuss so much. It's being surrounded by you lot and your potty mouths all day everyday." William looked offended. "Well obviously except you."

"Obviously," he agreed. He held out his arm and I grinned as I took it. William was a good friend; he'd looked after me from the day I arrived, but friendship was all it was. He looked out for me and because he was six foot three and stacked the others tended to back away if he so much as breathed in their direction. He led the way to the bar and then found me a table to wait at while he got the drinks in. I laughed at the bright blue cocktails with tiny umbrellas he brought back, especially when he grabbed his and began to sip it through the straw.