by Dawson, H A
She glanced at Sam. ‘Did you read if she pushed Josephine?’
‘She couldn’t remember doing it - she was distraught, still grieving.’
‘I think any mother would take the blame if her child died,’ she said, ‘It’s only natural. It would have taken nothing more than an innocent comment from Jack, or even stony silence, for Catherine to assume more guilt.’
He grinned. An innocent comment? You’re not defending Jack, are you?’
Grimacing, she said she wasn’t and reached across for the diary and flicked through the pages; her actions were nothing more than routine, a blind act to steady her mind.
Sam flung his arm out. ‘Wow, what’s that?’
‘What?’
He took the diary from her hand. ‘I saw something near the back.’
‘The pages are blank.’
He sifted through the blank sheets and stopped at another entry. She leaned across and scanned the writing. Jack had written it.
He said: ‘I understand the wickedness of my ways. I hope you will forgive me. My actions were unintentional. We should try to repair our marriage, and seek help if necessary. I do love you Catherine, but before you make a decision, I should tell you that Edward’s death was not your fault. I took a pillow, and-.’
Sam turned the page. It was blank. He turned over more sheets; there was nothing but empty space. He shook his head and looked to Michaela.
She was gleeful. ‘I knew Catherine was innocent. I just knew it.’
Chapter 34
Six Months Later
Michaela traced Sam’s firm buttocks in her mind as he leaned over and straightened the lace cloth at the rear of the table. Smiling, she noted how the material pressed upon each cheek. It was an irresistible sight, and she crept forwards, tiptoeing to avoid making any sound, and tweaked the flesh. He yelped and jerked, then lunged towards her. Fleet of foot, she bobbed and weaved, screaming and giggling. He thrust his arms around her waist and eased her into his arms. Her head tilted back, she guffawed and peeled herself free.
A small furry sensation tickled her leg and squeaked. She lifted the twelve-week-old kitten from the floor and held it chest. Sophie had large round eyes, oversized ears, and had soft fluffy white fur. Her pads were cool on her palm, her body was warm, and her tail, which was about fifteen centimetres long, was erect like a flagpole. Michaela pressed her lips onto the kitten’s head.
‘She is so adorable,’ she said.
More than me?’
Definitely more than you.’
She placed the kitten upon her shoulder. Sophie stood firm and nuzzled into her skin, her tiny cold nose pressing onto the side of her neck. She meowed a high-pitched elongated cry, and stared at the floor.
‘Go on then, off you go.’
The kitten raced out of the room, hurrying across the carpeted floor and onto the tiled hallway. She lost her footing. She skidded. She fought for grip.
‘She is so funny,’ she said.
He grinned. ‘Shouldn’t we be placing the food onto the table?’
‘Yes. There are sandwiches and nibbles on trays. I think we should leave the desserts in the fridge, though.’
She followed him through to the new kitchen and reached for the food. It was clean, spacious, and pristine. The dirt and grime, cracked broken cupboards, and exposed dusty brickwork was a distant memory. It had been worth the wait.
They placed trays of sandwiches at opposing sides of the table, and the quiches and other small bites in the centre. Stepping back, she admired the table adorned with flowers and petals, and gazed at the wider scene. The fire was burning in the cast iron stove, emitting considerable warmth in an orange glow. There were heavy curtains across the windows, the pastel walls had a blue trim, and a dark blue carpet covered the floor. Pictures and photographs hung on the walls, and a cabinet displayed glass ornaments.
‘I think we did a good job in here,’ she said.
‘Yes, it’s not too bad. We should get a couple more rooms done over the summer.’
‘Now that we’re making progress, the dust and debris from the hall and landing doesn’t seem so bad.’
‘We should leave it like that then,’ he said.
She grinned. Fine by me! I hardly notice the grit between my toes in the morning.’
His eyes searched the room. ‘I think Alan will like what we have done. I’m not sure about Janice though. I think the artistically decorated fireplace with the tiles might be a bit extreme for her.’
Michaela was thoughtful. ‘I think you’re right. Our friends from the city will like it, though. I can’t wait to see them next week Sammy. It’s been far too long.’
He placed his arm around her waist. ‘We should get as many people over as we can,’ he rested his hand on her growing belly, ‘before this little one arrives.’
‘Twenty-two more weeks and we’ll be parents.’
‘Have you thought of a name yet?’
‘Catherine if it is a girl.’
Or Bloomer for a boy.’
She laughed. ‘How did you know?’
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H A Dawson- Catalogue
Girl on a Train
Luke Adams investigates Book 1. Client:- Megan Armstrong
Megan is a tolerant woman, from this vindictive mental abuse she has reached the limits of her endurance. Now she makes good her bid for freedom. She is determined to have a new life on her own terms, despite the consequences. The arrival at the destination she has chosen for her new beginning has an unnerving resonance within her psyche. The effects are physical, her stressed mental state and the hallucinations are smothering her resolve. What can she do, there is neither recognition of the vague faces, nor any recollection of the violence that ensues.
One Big Lie
Luke Adams Investigates book 2. Client :- Leanne Stark
Decades have past since Leanne's grandmother inherited a vast house after a fatal shooting. These events have remained a tight secret, never broached nor discussed. Leanne grows up believing her mother is dead, that is, until her grandmother dies. She is confounded by the protracted deception, and a gnawing sense of betrayal. The consequences of her grandmother's actions span generations; the locals struggle with the emerging truth; greed, death, and revenge linger. Desperate for consolation Leanne sets herself a quest to uncover this mysterious past. For professional backup, she engages the successful team of Luke Adams and Imogen Morrison.
Silent Screams
Luke Adams Investigates book 3. Client :- Brittany Handley
Brittany lives on edge, her life is shortening at a terrifying pace she urgently needs a kidney transplant. Michelle her mother is due for release from prison, but why has she avoided any contact with Brittany. The pressure's mounting, close to it's limits, amidst some very suspicious behaviour from hospital staff. Is there some unscrupulous scheming in these hospital corridors?
Naive Retribution
Luke Adams investigates book 4. Client :- Jade Horton
Jade's experiences amounted to nothing when a new torment crashed into her comfortable life. Someone knew her intimately, but she hadn't any clues to this person's identity. It seemed impossible for a stranger to gather such extensive knowledge of her life history, it was the threat of a stalker that reinforced her anxieties.
Jade's past has been turbulent, she suffers from a form of amnesia, she wishes her memory would unlock and solve all the issues that have accumulated through the years. She's petrified of every situation she can not control, and now her existence is in the "path of a stampeding herd of elephants"
Jade had attended school with Luke Adams, now she seeks his help, Imogen
Morrison proves herself to be indispensable in a case that puts pressure on everyone connected with Jade. People may resort to extreme measures to gain attention even "torture" no one could have predicted the impact.
"The more you contrive to conceal, the greater the possibility it will be revealed"
More about my novels
H A Dawson - Catalogue
Dark Places
This is an individual novel, separate from any of my series
A heart wrenching mystery recounting the married life of Catherine, an isolated woman from the early 20th century, burdened by an indifferent husband, child deaths, accusations, a disbelieving family, with the only moral support stemming from her modern thinking sister. Eventually she crumbles, someone has to accept the consequences, there are always those in denial.
100 years later Michaela moves into Catherine's house, she is related and the stories and rumours have a bearing on her behaviour. She is a determined woman but is rattled by the locals comments and their speculation.
The entire situation convinces Michaela of Catherine's innocence, absorbing her in unearthing facts of Catherine's demise. Her investigation and delving for evidence disturbs certain people who have secrets of their own.
Back Road Everyday Luke Adams - Book 1.
A psychological suspense, with a taste of social activity! Watch your friends closely, can you guarantee they won't take exception to a seemingly casual remark? It may instigate a barrel full of woes if they feel you insulted them intentionally. Stacy has always assumed she knows her friends and they are trustworthy. Inadvertently and unknowingly she stirs up someone's sensitivities, at her peril.
H A Dawson integrates a thriller into an ordinary incident, but warnings like this should never go unheeded.
Guilt Trap Everyday Luke Adams - Book 2.
A psychological suspense with some community spirit. Life has a habit of nipping you from behind with unexpected, unwanted surprises when you're at your most vulnerable, even if you're brimming with pride. Maddie has had a troubled childhood with her widowed father who was excessive with his demands and discipline, this led her to vent her frustrations on others with some embarrassing results. Those involved may not hesitate to exert their revenge in an inopportune fashion. Maddie's a calamity and the more she pools her resources, the worse matters turn nasty.
H A Dawson creates a thriller from an insignificant event, depicting how people attempt to destroy the lives of others whether justified or not.
H A Dawson
I did not read many full length books until my early twenties, when I met my life partner who is an avid reader as he started reading "grown up books" at seven years of age.
Being introduced to different genres and new authors, I discovered I had missed out on a fascinating source of material that engages, angers, excites and intrigues, my enthusiasm has not waned since. I enjoy true and fictional stories about people, places, animals, social history, high adventure and speculative fiction.
I have trekked to some remote places in the world, living at a basic level and not having any luxuries for weeks. One of the best experiences was sleeping under the stars, then patience rewarded me with a glimpse of those elusive creatures that are only active at dawn and dusk. My periods of relaxation were filled by reading the small pile of books I packed in my rucksack, these days they are replaced by an ereader.
I live in a quiet region of the U.K where daily life is shared with a menagerie of dogs, cats, chickens, bees and nature's creatures that need care due to injury. The solitude provides an excellent environment for story development and writing without interruptions.
Writing has been a major part of my life for 10 years, I am fascinated by human and animal psychology, people have an unreliable nature which is responsible for conflict, suffering and many of our vices.
I enjoy the craft of storytelling, with the characters operating under duress, wreaking havoc, behaving in a disagreable manner. By the end of the story the reasons for some of the emotional reactions become clear. I do not portray the main characters as good or bad, there's a grey shroud that clings to many people and it creates a more engaging and realistic tale.
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