Our Story
All the way back in March 2003 whilst I was at Drama school in my final year, I along with my girlfriends were looking through the 'Spotlight' Graduate book where every single drama student graduating that year, photograph appears including myself. We examined the pages checking out all the cute guys and there happened to be one very sexy guy who came top of our 'Hot List' -"Leon from LAMDA."
The following week I was auditioning to play at young bride in a TV drama. I walk into the casting room and who should be sat on the window ledge waiting to read for the groom but the one and only 'Leon from LAMDA!' No sooner had I walked in Leon eyes lit up and he wasted no time in trying to charm me and introduced himself as Leon. I stupidly chirped in "From LAMDA?"
Leon looked quite puzzelled or perhaps alarmed how I knew this information. I went red and sheepishly explained the 'Hot- list' placing all blame on my good friend Liv, (Sorry Liv!) saying she had a huge crush on him since seeing his picture when in fact it was me. Anyhow we flirted away so much so the producer in the following room could overhear our conversation and suggested 'We get a room!'
Neither of us got the job.
Fast forward several years later October 2007. I have just left my role on 'Heartbeat' after 3 and a half years and sod's law who should join as I leave...Leon! Having not seen each other since the audition room senario we now are collected in the same car to be driven to a press launch of the latest series. Im shocked but a little excited to see him. He smoothly tells me I look beautiful with my red lipstick and how he very much enjoyed seeing me run towards the car like a french film star, what a charmer! He spent the entire day following me round telling me I was his dream woman and how my boyfriend must be the luckiest man on the planet! He also tried to invite himself along to my life drawing art class as he's suddenly developed a new passion for art!.... telling me he would max out his 5 credit cards to see me naked ( he since has on my sparkly engagement ring!)
We say our goodbyes, I think he is a bit arrogant and cocky but he makes me laugh and I can't help but sneek glimpes at him when he not looking as he's so gorgeous and hope maybe I may bump into him again......
June 6th 2008
My then boyfriend breaks up with me out of the blue, unbeknown to me that It was the best decision ever made as there is someone very special about to walk into my life.
Cue....
I'm running late for a Spec Savers audition and carrying about 2000 bags when I crash into someone, who should that be but the lovely Leon! I automatically go red like a cherry tomato, he's wearing a sexy fitted suit and I'm dresses as a yummy mummy in floral and Birkenstocks! We chit chat and he asks about my art class and invites himself along to the next one, we swap numbers and say goodbye.
August 16th 2008 Leon invites me to his 30th birthday party I haven't seen him since June. I turn up and he introduces me as Vanessa, "who I'm a little bit in love with" apparently since I walked into that first audition 5years earlier'. He persuades me to let him kiss me...I mull it over and decide I guess I should......well it is his birthday!
October 2008 After conflicting filming schedules he leaves me singing voice-mails every single day, we chat on the phone for hours every night, he tells me he's going to marry me and I'm having his children, I laugh, a month later he comes over for homemade lasagne and never leaves....
October 16th 2008 - Leon tells me he loves me for the first time, my heart leaps, I reply politely...'thank you'.
He tells me he loves me for a 2nd time a week later at St Pancras International as he heads off to Paris to film, my legs buckle and I realise I'm in love with him too.
1 YEAR LATER
October 16th 2009- We are meant to be going up to Manchester for the weekend for a family christening however the day before Leon tells me there has been a mix up with dates and he has to go to Paris to work, I'm gutted but I understand he has to go. He offers to take me for breakfast at St Pancras station before he leaves on Eurostar and then I can jump on train up north. Also knowing its a year to the day he told me he loved me I want to spend as much time as i can with him before he disappears off.
We have breakfast and Leon is being very lovey with me and keeps kissing me...I have no complaints, just so wish i was going with him to Paris, we'd hardly seen each other that week & I missed him. He says he has to go but why don't we have a quick glass of champagne to celebrate our little year anniversary at the champagne bar on the balcony, It's 10am I think its awfully early but hey, we walk upstairs and he throws our bags down (I'm concerned they will fall over or get stolen so attempt to prop them neatly against a wall) whilst all the time Leon is trying to kiss me. All of a sudden he drops to his knees, My tummy jumps!
"What are you doing? " I ask.
"Looking for my passport" he replies
I sigh, the next think he whips out a ring and asks me to do the honour in marrying him. He cries, I laugh..... hysterically, infact I can't stop, I can hardly breathe and can't look at him or the ring, Ive never been in so much shock! It all sort of happened in slow motion
I say yes eventually, I may self combust with happiness at any moment. Still laughing we head to the champagne bar I insist on just a glass, Leon gets a bottle. I knock back most of it, it does not touch me I'm still in shock. I still think Leon is off to Paris...alone, he pulls out another business class ticket & informs me he has packed me a bag including evening dress and shoes!
I'm then whisked off in a daze to Paris for the most amazing weekend of my life with the most romantic incredible gorgeous man on the planet & nothing is going to wipe the smile off my face, as I'm floating on cloud nine and feel truly lucky.
My stablisers had finally come off! I just needed to find where the engine now was to start it.
Leon got over excited at going on a train for the first time.
Sadly the wind changed just at this very moment.
