Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 3

Waking up the next morning is rough. I reach over to my bedside table to grab my phone and shut down the alarm.

'Why do I have a Take That song as my alarm tone?' I ask myself in my head, shutting the alarm off and notice the time.

08.17

I groan loudly as I realize I have to meet my trainer in Hyde Park at 9AM. I decide to check my Twitter quickly before I head for the shower. Logging in, I briefly check my notifications where I immediately see photos from various paps of our night out last night. A smile comes to my face remembering the good fun we had. I decide to send a tweet to my forever faithful fans to say good morning.

''Morning #GBarmy. Head is a little fragile and sensitive this morning, but going training now as I'm rock hard ! #Ath-er-lete'' 

Clicking 'send', I immediately know what's going to happen. The GB Army can be a filthy bunch at times.

I throw back the covers and hop out of bed. Placing my iPhone in my docking station, I select Coldplay's new album and press play, before beautiful music rings loudly throughout the room. Grabbing a towel from the rack, I swiftly pad over to the bathroom to have a quick shower before my training. I need to be fresh and awake for a good run. As I turn off the shower, I grab the towel from the side and begin to dry myself off before putting on my training gear; undies, shorts, tank top, socks and trainers. I grab a windbreaker and I'm on my way down the driveway and begin to lightly jog down the road towards Hyde Park. I see my trainer Steve limbering up by the West Entrance to the park as I reach up to him. 

''Morning Gaz'' he says before taking a sip of water followed a manly embrace to greet each other.

''Alright, mate? You good?'' I chirp back to him as I try and fight down this niggling pain in my head.

'Silly Barlow' I chuckle to myself, bringing a small smirk to my lips.

''Hope you didn't party too hard last night. Today is going to be a tough one'' he winks at me.

I raise my eyebrows at him but he just taps his nose in response. Just as I'm about to ask the obvious question, he chirps in.

''Twitter mate...and the Daily Mail''

Ah! There we go! Can't even go for a casual few drinks with a mate without being papped. The thing about it is, if I knew they were there I wouldn't mind it half as much, but when they do this shit like hiding behind walls and in bushes type thing just annoys the fuck outta me, really does!

''Anyway, less of that stuff. Shall we get started, Stevie?'' I say to him as I stand up from stretching my hamstrings properly.

''You got it. Let's go!'' and with that, we start off on our run through Hyde Park on this calm and cool November morning.

*****

''Jeepers! That was a great run'' I breath out as we come to a halt at the same point that we started on, only 3 laps later.

''Was indeed, mate'' he says handing me a bottle of water from his gear bag.

''Same again next week?'' he asks before he takes a big gulp from the bottle.

''Absolutely. See you then, mate. Take care'' I say as we part ways with a childish high five.

''Oh, and Gaz..'' he calls back to me.

''Keep up the training at home, mate. Every day try to work a different area. Crucial that you allow your body to rest if we want to get the best results'' he winks and gives me a thumbs up before hopping on his bike and heads into the flow of traffic.

Smiling to myself, I take his comments on board as I turn around and head towards the main road myself.

'Gosh, I'd love a cup of tea right now' I say to myself as I spot a Costa across the road. 

Rooting out my money clip, that I keep with me whenever I'm out for a run just to have some cash on me in case there was ever an emergency, I enter the quiet Costa on The King's Road. 

''Hiya, love'' I say softly to the girl behind the counter, who seemed a little shocked at seeing me.

I hold a finger up to my lips, also indicating to my current attire, not to make a big deal to which she nods in response. However, she every so discreetly slides a napkin along the counter with a pen and raises her eyebrow at me.

'So cute!'

Of course, I oblige. I look up to her name tag and notice that her name is Hayley. Scribbling a little note on the note as she makes the tea for me;

'Hayley, thanks for the tea ;-)

Love, Gary B xxx'

Handing over £2 for the tea along with the napkin, I wink at her as I take the tea and spin on my heels and head for the door. I pop my sunglasses on, but just as I get to the main door, I'm stopped dead in my tracks. There she is. The girl from last night. My heart breaks. Why? Because she's sitting in the corner seat, holding hands with some guy. I don't know him at all, but I'm instantly jealous.

'God Barlow, you're so childish mate' I roar at myself inside my head as my head bows a little before exhaling loudly and heading for the door.

I decide to take a slightly longer route home than usual today for some bizarre reason. It adds about an extra 15 minutes, but I just feel like I need it today. Just as I round the corner at Burlington Arcade, I decide to sit down on the wall across the street, enjoy my tea and just watch the world pass by for a few minutes. My attention is pulled from watching some random pigeons when the main door of the shopping center flies open and a girl storms out in tears. It's her. Wait, really? Is it here? Is it the mystery girl from last night?

Yep. It's her, and she's in tears.

Why is she in tears? She seemed happy as Larry a mere ten minutes ago. She flies across the road in a rage and plops down with a big sigh a few feet away from me. I really hope she's OK. I also don't want to pry but this may be the only opportunity that I get as this is the second time I've seen her since last night and I honestly may not get another one. I slide a little bit closer to her without her noticing. She has her phone in her hands and her hands are shaking so badly, I guess from her emotions. I cough a little to get her attention but to no avail. OK, here goes nothing.

''Hey, are...are you alright?''