*SET DURING I'M A CELEBRITY AND AFTERWARDS*
Calla Thomas wasn't expecting to be asked to join eleven other celebrities in the jungle, but despite her worries, she accepted, and it may have been the best decision of her life...
This is completed and...
The taxi journey home is silent and still, the music from my Spotify playlist thrumming out of the speakers.
I sway from side to side as Franz Ferdinand starts to play and I scroll through my notifications.
One message. From Joel.
Just found my car, took bloody ages. Are you on your way home? x J
Yeah, about two hours away, the driver must hate me because of my 'weird' music. x
Alright, I'll call you when I get home :) x J
I lock my phone and stare out of the window, the traffic to Birmingham isn't that bad, and the driver already told me to shout if I need to stop at the services.
Since the flight I've only been bombarded by paparazzi once and Ola has called twice already, Carol has added me to a ton of group chats on Instagram and my parents called, which was a shock.
"Mind if we stop? I need petrol." The driver calls back.
"Yeah, sure." I mutter as we pull into the services.
After going to toilet, buying some Krispie Kremes and a drink from Costa, I amble back to the taxi, the driver isn't here yet, so I lean on the cool metal and pull out my phone, to see a million messages from Ola.
Check the link Calla!
Sure enough, there is a link attached below in Ola's hurried message, I click it.
Fuck. An article. About me.
I can feel my breathing getting short. Fists clenched, I take a deep breath and read the article:
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Twenty six year old Calla Thomas is returning from the Australian jungle this evening after partaking in the ITV show 'I'm a Celebrity'. This Birmingham sensation shocked many with her sharp wit and good looks during the show, and has introduced herself into the acting world with a bang.
After many cancelled sitcoms, period dramas and currently a small part in 'Doctor Who', this young actress has finally gained the recognition she deserves in her field.
Thomas is envied by women all across the country, jealous of her friendship with fellow campmate and top class comedian, Joel Dommett. The two jungle jesters seem to have bonded throughout their time together, and will both be appearing on Graham Norton's sofa in a few Fridays to come.
If you miss Thomas, then you can head straight over to your Netflix or dusty DVD cabinet and watch the last few series of 'Downtown Abbey' or catch up on the many BBC comedies she has starred in alongside comedians such as Jack Whitehall and Lee Mack. Possibly, you might be craving further information on Miss Thomas, and if required, you can find the links to all her social media down below.
Welcome back to civilisation Calla!
I cringe at the seriously old photograph used and shudder when I catch a glimpse at the long caramel locks and the old lady jumper.
I'm glad the article is positive, I've read many that slag me off mercilessly, but I would rather there were no articles on me altogether. And how the author found that picture, I have no clue. I'm sure my ex took it!
Wait. Shit.
I look at the author: Harrison Dudley.
Harrison is my ex. The ex that dumped me a few days before Christmas. The ex that made me feel like complete shit. The ex who I forgot to mention, was a budding journalist.
My phone buzzes in my palm. Joel.
Home now, saw the article, absolutely brilliant :) x J
Not so brilliant, I'll call you when I get home. x
The taxi driver ambles towards me and clambers back into the car, as do I. I grimace as we pull out of the services for another two hours of driving.
I twist the key in the lock, pull my suitcase to my side, and swing open the door of my flat. Home.
It's just as I left it. The tidy kitchen diner greets you, my slightly dated sofas huddle around a tea stained coffee table. The pristine kitchen (mainly because I haven't been here to destroy it) gleams and glistens. I pull through my suitcase and shut the door, setting the case by the coat rack which is smothered with jackets and scarves.
I nearly trip over my muddy burgundy converse as I amble through the kitchen diner and into my bedroom, the door of the spare bedroom slammed shut.
I collapse onto my double bed which sits opposite the old wardrobe, my desk and laptop sit towards the right directly by the window.
I pull my red knitted blanket around my shoulders and huddle down into the pillows.
I close my eyes, ready to sleep, when I remember that I told Joel I would call him when I got home.
I fumble for my phone and bring it to my ear, pressing 1 which is my speed dial for Joel.
He picks up almost immediately. "Calla?"
"Hey Joel." I mutter tiredly, my eyes shut.
"What's going on?" He whispers, he must be exhausted, I can hear it in his voice.
"The article." I begin. "My ex wrote it."
Silence.
"Fuck. The one who dumped you before Christmas?"
"The one who dumped me before Christmas." I confer, the ticking of the old clock behind me rattling my brain.
"Don't overthink it, he was probably commissioned to write it." Joel reassures me. There's a brief silence before he speaks again, "I miss you."
"It's been six hours." I chuckle.
Joel laughs, "I know."
"Joel, I don't mean to sound rude, but I'm exhausted and definitely afraid of falling asleep on the phone, and I stink and need a bath."
"No worries honey, I'll speak to you tomorrow."
I hang up and allow the pillows to cradle my head as I slip away into a dreamy state, completely forgetting about my much needed bath.
