Page 1 of Who’s That Girl?

20 August 1997

Dear Diary,

Woke up with a terrible hangover. Last night Nessy and I went to that new pub called the Wellington. It was such a laugh! We drank a bottle of cava before we went out, as we could only afford to buy one drink each. I saw Billy Romani, the musician. God, he’s so gorgeous, but he doesn’t even know I exist …

Still loving my new job on the magazine – the people are really cool and I’m learning a lot. Next stop “Vogue”! Well, we can dream … Rang Dad from work and wished him happy birthday – he loved his card and pressie!!! Arranged to go home to visit him and Mum next weekend. I miss them!

Super-hot again. At lunchtime Nessie and I sunbathed in the park and topped up our tans. She couldn’t stop talking about Julian, her new boyfriend. They’ve only been on a few dates, but she’s already madly in love!

Well, anyway, must get ready. I’m going to a party tonight and am wearing my new miniskirt, which I found in a charity shop – well, it’s new to me. Can’t wait – it’s going to be so much fun!!!

Calendar

20 August 2007

06.00 Wake up.

06.15 Personal trainer.

07.30 Check emails.

08.00 Leave for office. En route make and return calls.

09.00 Arrive at office. Track news stories.

10.00 Write emails and touch base with Bea.

11.00 Work on tomorrow’s meeting for Larry Thompson.

12.30 Lunch meeting with journalists from Daily Standard et al.

15.00 Write press release.

16.00 Connect Johnny Bird, West End hairstylist, with new editor of Cuts magazine for a quote and interview about his new shampoo range.

17.00 Write that press release!

18.00 Work on the award application for new gym account.

19.00 Dinner with Miles.

22.00 Review schedule for next day and prepare.

23.00 Read chapter in Finding Yourself Made Easy.

24.00 Go to sleep.

Chapter One

Woosh-woooosshhh-woosh-woooooshhhh.

Ah, what total bliss. Listening to the waves gently rolling in on the deserted beach – wooosh – their white, frothy peaks caressing the empty stretch of sand, before rolling back out again. Woooossshhhhh. In and out they go. It’s like the most wonderful lullaby. Relaxing. Soothing. Calming. My mind is drifting. My body is floating. I’m in a deeply peaceful place of serenity—

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!

Argh. No, I’m not. I’m in my flat in London, it’s Monday morning, and I’m being jolted awake by the piercing sound of my alarm clock.

Heart thumping, mind racing, I roll over in bed, lift up my aromatherapy eye mask and peer anxiously at the time: 06.00. My stomach lurches. God, is that the time already? I have a personal-training session booked before work – I have to get up.