As Sick As Our Secrets

by Diane Ezzard

  I lay in the bed. The realisation of how easily I could have lost my life hit me. In the past, I’d abused my body by consuming so much alcohol but now, with Jack in my life, I wanted to live. I had a life worth living, and I didn’t want it to end.

  “Can I ask you something, Jack?”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “Why do you never talk about your girlfriend?”

  “Girlfriend?” What girlfriend?” he frowned.

  “That woman who was at your bedside when you were in hospital, was that your girlfriend?” Jack frowned then started laughing. “What are you laughing at?” I asked,

  “Where’s that come from? You’re so funny sometimes, Sophie.”

  “What’s so funny?” I was confused.

  “That was Molly, my ex-wife.”

  “Oh, oh I see so what about your girlfriend?”

  “I haven’t got a girlfriend. I have enough trouble putting up with you.” He laughed, and I playfully hit his arm. I felt so stupid.

  “But I thought…”

  “Sophie, you do too much thinking and too much talking too.” At that, he moved closer towards me. He put his forefinger to my lips to hush me then began gently stroking them.

  “What am I going to do with you, Sophie?” My body was on fire. My nerve endings tingled. My heart was thumping so loud, I thought Jack could hear it.

  “I know what I’d like you to do.” I smiled and gazed into his eyes. They weren’t just twinkling they sparkled so brightly.

  He put his arm around my shoulder and drew me closer towards him then softly turned his head and kissed my lips. The embrace was slow and gentle. I wanted to last forever. I greedily put my tongue in his mouth and held him close. Our bodies became entwined, and the kiss lasted for a few minutes. I came to my senses as I heard a coughing sound behind us.

  We withdrew from our kiss, both embarrassed but giggling. The police officer stood by my bed looked the most embarrassed of the three of us.

  “I’ll come back later. I just need to go over some questions with you.”

  “That’s okay.” I grinned. Jack left the hospital sometime later, saying he’d be back to take me home when they discharged me. He walked back in an hour later carrying a massive bunch of flowers. We kissed again.

  “Thanks, partner.” I smiled. We finally left the hospital arm in arm. For all the trauma I had been through, I couldn’t have felt any happier.

  Jack was able to gain inside information from his police friends. They were pleased with his help. Trevor Darcy confessed to Cassie’s murder. He wanted to keep her quiet about his liaisons with prostitutes and she wasn’t prepared to say nothing. By killing her, he hoped he had silenced her and no one would know his secret.

  His problems started when he got involved with Randy. He earned good money transporting the girls over and the perks he received satisfied his thirst for sex. However, his desires became more and more violent. I couldn’t understand why he had killed both his housekeeper and his wife. Apparently, he said that killing the housekeeper was an accident but when his wife saw what he had done; he had to kill her as well. He was totally out of control. He told the police he enjoyed the thrill killing had given him. It became obvious he would have continued killing had he not been stopped.

  It didn’t look like Georgia would be charged in relation to any of the operation as she wasn’t aware of the details. Laura had taken an injunction out on Charlie to keep him away from her so hopefully, she would be safe now.

  I didn’t want to let go of my man now I’d got him.

  I asked him, “Why have you never made a move on me before now?”

  “I wanted to know you were strong in your recovery. There have been lots of times I’ve longed to but I had to restrain myself and do the gentlemanly thing and hold back.” I squeezed his hand thinking of all the times I’d lain awake at night longing to be with him.

  “I love you, Jack.”

  “I love you too.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Diane Ezzard is the author of the Sophie Brown series of books. Her online presence can be found at www.dezzardwriter.com.

  She comes from Bury in Manchester, the setting for the series. She now lives in South East London close to her family.

  As Sick As Our Secrets is her second novel.

  You can also connect with her

  on Facebook at: -https://www.facebook.com/dezzardwriter/

  Or Twitter at:- https://twitter.com/diane_ezzard

  By email: di.ezzard@gmail.com

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I am deeply indebted to my editor Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for her help and advice on turning my manuscript into a novel. Her in-depth critique and feedback together with the knowledge she has passed on to me has been invaluable.

  I would also like to thank Audrey Davis, the author of A Clean Sweep for the help she has previously given me on editing and proofreading. She really blew me away with the amount of time she put in to helping me.

  Special thanks also go to Bob Edwards for answering all my annoying questions and giving me advice regarding police procedures.

  I must also thank FrinaArt from Selfpubbookocovers.com for the artwork on my book cover and the suggested changes.

  Finally, I have to thank my lovely daughter Samantha Ezzard for lending an ear and discuss plot development with me.

  REVIEWS

  As a fairly new author, it is very difficult to promote my book without reviews. If you have enjoyed reading it, I would be very grateful if you would spend a few minutes leaving a review on the book’s Amazon page.

  WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE A FREE BOOK?

  Just a reminder, if you would like to sign up for my VIP club and receive a free book then just go to the sign-up page of my website:-

  http://dezzardwriter.com/mc4wp-form-preview

  I KNOW YOUR EVERY MOVE

  - Book 1 in the Sophie Brown series

  A sinister phone call, an unknown visitor. Sophie's life is about to be turned upside down

  Sophie has worked hard to free herself from the clutches of addiction and turn her life around. Practising as a counsellor, in a women's centre in Manchester, she now helps other girls in trouble.

  She forms a close relationship with Cassie, one of her clients and tries to help her escape the clutches of a violent boyfriend.

  But is Sophie being followed?

  How can she uncover the truth, when she can't trust what is real?

  The more she delves, the closer she gets to danger.

  Can she revisit her own dark past before it is too late?

  Get hooked on this dark, twist-filled suspense thriller that's in the vein of works by Rachel Abbott and Mark Edwards.

  What other readers are saying -

  Excellent. A well researched, informative, pacy novel with believable characters and insightful descriptions. Amazon verified customer

  Found this a gripping storyline, had me guessing, great read.Amazon verified customer

  Keeps you guessing right until the end. Haven't enjoyed a book as much in a long time. Unputdownable. Amazon verified customer

  Really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book Amazon verified customer