by Sue Shepherd
For the first time in ages, Beth was angry at Lisa. No wonder she was fascinated! She would like to tell her sister how dangerous it had been to dare poor little Charlie. I wasn’t having fever dreams, it was Lisa, practising how to get out. But then, Beth remembered what her sister had ultimately done for her, and her anger immediately subsided. ‘Charlie, I’m sorry. That was wrong of me.’
‘Are you kidding? We were just children. Don’t get upset. I’m fine. Like I told you in Australia, I lived, didn’t I? You don’t need to feel guilty about something that happened twenty-seven years ago.’
‘But it was my fault.’
‘No, it wasn’t. I could have ignored you. I could have just done a front flip and landed fine. Maybe if I’d done it when your dad was watching, he’d have just picked me up. You weren’t to know I’d get a load of water up my nose and nearly drown.’
‘I can’t help it. I always blame myself for everything.’
‘That’s just daft.’ Charlie rose to his feet and began looking around the lounge. ‘This is a nice house, by the way. You’ve done well for yourself.’
‘It was my nanna’s.’
‘Of course it was. I didn’t recognise the address. It used to be very … um … patterned.’
‘Yes, it did.’ Beth smiled. ‘It’s all mine now. She left it to me. She died years ago.’
‘Yeah, I remember.’
‘You remember?’
‘I’m sorry. She was fun. I’m no stranger to loss either.’
‘You’re not?
‘My mum. She died a couple of years ago. She had dementia for far too long. It was really tough.’
Beth could still picture the look of anguish on his mum’s face when his parents had arrived at her house to go to the hospital with him. Being a parent herself now, she understood that anguish. ‘It must have been awful losing her that way.’
‘You get through it.’
She wanted to hold him, to comfort him somehow. But she couldn’t be sure how he’d react. What about the petite woman in Sainsbury’s? Whilst she contemplated her next move, Charlie stared at the floor and mumbled, ‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course, go ahead.’
‘Well, it’s clear you’re not with your husband any more …’ Beth wondered if it was just her bare left hand that gave it away, or if she somehow had the look of a divorcee.
He continued, ‘But is there anyone else? In your life, I mean. Anyone special?’ He looked up, focusing on her face.
‘No. I … it’s just easier this way, I guess.’ Perhaps I actually am the lonely housewife I was referring to.
‘Yeah, I know what you mean.’ Taking a swig of tea, Charlie headed over to the fireplace. He purposely glossed over the photograph of Beth and James with lemon smiles, which, even now, she felt the need to display, telling herself it made Megan laugh, if nothing else.
Charlie’s eyes moved straight to the photo of himself with Beth, waiting for their buses. It had been the first thing she’d dug out of storage, and proudly put on the mantelpiece, once she’d no longer been governed by James and his jealousy.
Charlie said, ‘Would you look at these two loons.’ Then, he whispered, ‘My gorgeous Beth.’
‘Hah, hardly gorgeous!’ She blushed.
‘You were … you are.’
‘Thank you.’
‘There was always something special about you, you were … different.’
You don’t know the half of it! Fishing for compliments, she asked, ‘What is it you like about me?’
‘Well … um … you’re gentle and kind and … sensitive.’
‘You make me sound like washing powder.’
‘Yes, I do, a bit,’ Charlie snorted. ‘I don’t know how to put it into words. You know what I’m like; I’m more Shrek than Shakespeare. You were just fun. We had a great time at the Reef, didn’t we?’
What if he just liked Lisa, all along? ‘Yes, I suppose we did. Do any other times spring to mind?’ She knew she was pressing him, but she really wanted an example that actually included her.
‘Loads. My whole life is littered with times when you made me happy.’
That was better. Beth was pleased with his answer.
Out of the blue, he said, ‘But … we missed out on so many years. I never understood why you didn’t come back.’
She was shocked at his sudden change of tone. ‘I wanted to see you. I was going to come to your flat, but … there was this bus, and I was in the way and …’ She paused. ‘Anyway, I found out I was expecting …’ She gestured to a photo of her daughter on the coffee table. Megan was jumping on a trampoline; her hair was crazy and there was pure happiness on her face.
‘She’s yours?’
‘Yes, my daughter, Megan.’
‘She’s beautiful. Like you.’
‘Thank you. I agree, she does take after me. She took little from her father.’
Staring closer at the photograph, Charlie frowned. ‘How old is she?’
‘Just turned eleven. That was taken on her birthday. She had a party at Jump Central. It was her idea. A bit different from our parties, hey?’
‘Eleven!’ Charlie seemed deep in thought. ‘So, she was born in … 2006?’
‘Yes. Eighth November 2006. She’ll be at senior school next year.’ Beth smiled.
‘Are you serious? That’s all you’ve got to say?’ His jovial manner had now totally vanished.
‘What? What’s the matter?’
‘It’s like you’ve forgotten that you came to see me. I remember it like it was yesterday, and you’re acting like it never happened.’ There was pain and disappointment in his face. ‘February 2006. You told me your nanna had died the year before. How can you be so blasé?’
‘I came to see you?’
‘Beth, this is really unlike you. Did you not think I deserved a chance?’
‘I did think about you, after I got your letter to say you were back in England. I told you I did. I thought of you often. But then I found out I was pregnant, and it seemed only right to stay with James. I’m sorry …’
‘You’re sorry?’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s it? You’re sorry!’
‘I just said so, didn’t I?’
‘You’re sorry that you stayed with James. Even though he wasn’t the father?’
Seventy-five
Beth had no idea what Charlie was talking about. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Did it never occur to you that maybe your husband wasn’t the father of your baby? Did you never think to at least let me know she existed?’
Her mind was whirring. ‘You said I came to see you in 2006, and we talked about my nanna?’
‘Yes. Not just her. We talked about loads of stuff. How unhappy you were. How you wanted to make a break from your husband. I promised to support you if you decided to leave. To be honest, I didn’t think it was a conversation you’d forget! Even given your apparently appalling memory.’
‘I wouldn’t. I didn’t …’
‘It seemed like you’d made up your mind to leave him. But then … nothing. No contact. I thought after we’d made love that I meant something to you.’
‘It must’ve been the night I took the sleeping pills …’
‘You tried to kill yourself?’
‘No, no, nothing like that.’ Beth shook her head. ‘I’ve just realised what must’ve happened.’
‘Every time I spoke to Michelle, she told me you were still with James. I figured you’d changed your mind. In the end, I stopped waiting for you to come back.’
‘I really am sorry if I made you think I was leaving him.’
‘What else was I supposed to think?’
She thought she was helping. Beth remembered how much Lisa had wanted her to be with Charlie. She hadn’t stopped championing him, right up until the moment she’d died. A thought struck her. ‘Please tell me I didn’t drive over to your place?’
‘You’re seriously asking me tha
t question?’
‘Charlie … did I drive?’
‘No, you came on the bus. It stops right outside my flat. Your car wasn’t working. Christ, Beth!’
‘I know. I’m sorry. My memory is …’ She wondered whether to try blaming the fall she’d had. Anything rather than sound like she simply didn’t care.
‘Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?’
‘The baby? Megan, you mean?’
‘Yes, I had a right to know.’
‘You think she’s yours?’
‘Don’t you?’
‘I never knew anyone but James could be her dad.’
‘Well your knowledge of biology is a bit shit then.’
‘I didn’t …’
‘You said it yourself, she takes after you. Nothing from him.’
‘Yes. But that doesn’t mean anything.’
Charlie took his wallet from his back pocket. ‘Like I say, my mum’s gone now. God rest her soul. I carry this everywhere.’ He took out a photograph from one of the compartments. ‘This is me with my parents, when I was about eight. We were at Butlins. Best holiday of my life.’ The photograph had clearly been folded in order to fit inside his wallet. The fold mark ran all the way down his poor dad’s face, but little Charlie was still remarkably clear. ‘Do you remember that face, Beth? Look at the shape of my nose, my eyes – even the ears for God’s sake. Remind you of anyone?’ He handed the photograph to Beth.
She studied the picture. ‘Wow!’ The hair was different, but there was no denying the resemblance. She glanced from the photograph in her hand to the one on the coffee table. Stroking her finger gently across the little boy’s face, she whispered, ‘How could I have forgotten what you looked like? This could be Megan.’
‘Exactly. I thought it as soon as I saw her. She’s you and she’s me.’
‘I’m sorry. It was never my intention to … I honestly never knew.’
He sighed. ‘I supposed it was just the one time. You assumed she was James’s.’
‘Something like that.’ How could she even begin to tell him she didn’t know she’d made love to him that day? ‘All these years, you should have known her.’
‘Can I know her now?’
‘Yes, of course. I want you to.’
‘Thanks. I’ll leave it to you to explain to her who I am.’
Beth nodded, still struggling to understand it herself. So, it was Lisa who managed to get me the one thing I wanted most of all! She must have spotted the likeness. No wonder she was so determined that I get back in touch with Charlie.
Remembering the tiny baby in the white sleep suit, Beth asked Charlie, ‘You had a child of your own, though, didn’t you?’
‘No. No children for me.’
‘But …?’
‘What?’
Should she confess to seeing him that time in the supermarket? She might appear rude not to have stopped and said hello. She pondered her choices. In the end, she concluded there was no other way of asking about the petite brunette with the baby. ‘I saw you, a couple of years back, in Sainsbury’s.’
‘You should’ve come over.’
‘I didn’t want to bother you. You were with a woman and a baby.’
‘Was I?’
‘Yeah. The baby was tiny. New-born.’
‘Oh right. Was the woman small?’
‘Yes.’
‘Was she moaning at me?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid she was.’
‘My friend, Cheryl. She has a young lad, Ryan. She’s a single mum, I help her out where I can. Mostly I drive her places.’
‘Oh, thank goodness.’ Beth smiled. ‘That you help her out.’ she added.
‘She’s a good friend. Although she is bossy.’
‘You never wanted her to be more than a friend?’
‘No way. She’s not my type.’
‘What is your type?’
‘Surely you don’t need me to spell it out?’
Beth’s heart began to hammer in her chest. ‘Is it … me?’
‘Of course. I told you before, back in Australia. I thought it was clear. I loved being there with you. Remember when those fishes were just swimming around us. So close we could almost touch them?’
Beth thought of her sister. Poor Lisa. Taking a step towards Charlie, she asked, ‘What you said to that guy in the hostel … have you honestly loved me since you were nine?’
‘Um … eight, actually. I think I fell in love with you just after Butlins!’
‘Wow.’
‘It was always you, Beth.’ He also took a step, closing the gap between them. Circling her waist with his arms, he said, ‘Thanks for being my friend.’
She smiled, remembering the funny little boy who hadn’t wanted to leave her behind. ‘It really was always me?’ she whispered.
‘Yep. You’ve got some catching up to do, Beth Campbell.’
‘I think I have.’ She took his bushy face in her hands. ‘And you, Charlie Morris, have got some shaving to do!’
She kissed him.
Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret? by Sue Shepherd
The top ten bestselling romantic comedy
Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret? is a romantic comedy about three very different people, each with a secret, whose lives collide in unexpected ways.
Steph is a harassed mum who’s considering an affair with her children’s sexy headmaster. Penny is trying to deal with a crush on her boss, OCD and a sad secret from her childhood. And Mike is a vicar who is being blackmailed for his secret, although it’s not all that it seems!
Meanwhile, all three are being watched over by their own guardian angels, who try to push them in the right direction and help move their lives along ‒ but not always successfully …
Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret? is genuinely laugh out loud funny, but also deals in a sensitive way with serious problems that any of us could face in life. Sue Shepherd’s debut novel is bold, it doesn’t pull any punches, and it has bucket loads of heart.
Read Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret? by Sue Shepherd from Amazon UK now
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Love Them and Leave Them by Sue Shepherd
‘I really enjoyed the whole concept of this novel. Being able to see someone’s life in parallel worlds and how one decision can cause such a difference in someone’s life.’ Sarah Hardy
‘… a lovely novel that may get you thinking ‘what if’ … in your own life.’ Rachel’s Random Reads
‘A truly brilliant read ‒ unique, funny and thought provoking.’ Laura Bambrey Books
Six years ago, Jessica’s dad made a split-second decision that changed her life forever …
Now, twenty-something Jessica has a successful career, loving boyfriend, Nick, and a keen eye on her dream home.
But in a parallel world, Jessica’s dad made another choice and everything turned out differently …
Now, twenty-something Jessie is stuck in a job with no prospects, with an unreliable boyfriend, Chris; her dreams never fulfilled.
Can Jessie gain the confidence to get her life back on track? And will Jessica lose everything she cares about because of one stupid mistake?
Whichever decision Jessica’s dad makes, the same people are destined to come into her life, sometimes in delightfully different ways. And before they can look forward to the future, they will all have to deal with the mistakes of the past.
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A Tale of Two Sisters by Gabrielle Mullarkey
From the author of Hush Hush
Bottom line ‒ you don’t steal your sister’s boyfriend
Katie’s sister Flick is a mean girl. Whatever Kat
ie has, Flick wants for herself. And she’ll take it just to prove she can. That’s why she stole Katie’s boyfriend, Steve, then dumped him two weeks later.
Now Katie is with Jack, and Flick is with Dan, so there’s no need for more sibling rivalry … but love and life between sisters is never that simple. If Katie and Dan hadn’t drunk too much that night, and if Flick didn’t make Katie so mad, maybe it would never have happened … if only Katie could remember exactly what had happened …
A Tale of Two Sisters is a witty, heart-warming tale of romance, jealousy, the family we love, and the family we love to hate.
Praise for Gabrielle Mullarkey:
‘Readers love Gabrielle’s fiction for its range – whether atmospheric mood pieces or contemporary slices of life, all revolve around imaginatively twisty plots packed with sassy dialogue, characters you feel you know and ‘I didn’t see that coming!’ moments.’ best
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The Wedding Party by Sophie King
From the bestselling author of The School Run
The romantic comedy about family, friends and getting married. Shortlisted for Love Story of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
When Monique and Geoff decide to tie the knot they soon discover that love second time around brings special challenges. And not just for them. There are ups and downs for family, friends, the wedding planner, and even the vicar as the big day approaches.
’An absorbing, feel-good novel ‒ I really enjoyed it.’ Penny Vincenzi
Geoff’s ex-wife can’t accept that he has moved on. Could a chance meeting help Helen come to the right decision about her future?
Their daughter, Becky, doesn’t approve of her dad’s bride-to-be. But as she juggles motherhood and a high-powered career, will she realise it’s her own marriage that needs most attention?
Janie was sacked from her last job as a wedding planner for being so disorganised. Is she really the right choice to help the happy couple get hitched without a hitch?