Will and Sam gave Alfie a baby sister. He sent me a text when she was born. I sent my congratulations and deleted his number from my phone. We’ve had no contact since and I don’t anticipate we ever will.
I got my job and I’ve been a permanent member of staff for almost a year. I love it, sharing an office with Mirelle and a woman called Sally, who moved over from the general office. Jo left. She couldn’t handle the indignity of being how she termed it downgraded and does secretarial work for her husband’s company. Rumour has it that Jo realised her husband’s secretary was a leggy young brunette.
I check my reflection in the mirror and slick a little gloss across my lips. My auburn hair is swept up in an elegant chignon but with escaped tendrils curling around my face. A breeze blows in through the window.
Mirelle walks in, catching me in my white satin bra, matching pants and hold ups.
‘I hope you’re wearing more than that,’ she laughs.
She can’t stop looking at the platinum band on her hand, the emerald shining like a cats eye.
‘I’m next,’ she says.
‘You are.’
Shaun proposed on Christmas Eve. He put the ring on a collar around their cat’s neck. Apparently it took her five tries to get it. The cat kept trying to claw her. They’re hoping for a summer wedding in eighteen months’ time.
‘I suppose we could get married in winter, though,’ she says, having seemingly read my mind. ‘If you do it abroad, it’s hot anyway, isn’t it?’
‘That it is,’ I say, walking out on the veranda, taking a sip of champagne. I wouldn’t ordinarily drink but it’s a special occasion.
‘Anyway other than being in your undies, are you almost ready?’
In the distance, I see Adrian on the beach waiting.
‘I need to get dressed, and then yes I am.’
I walk towards him. He’s standing under an archway of flowers, grinning at me. As it’s so warm, he wears a short sleeved shirt. My own dress is simple, white and floaty. As the breeze flows, it blows the cloth of the gown against the small bump of my stomach. We have an extra guest at our wedding.
Adrian and I might have decided not to rush things, but the little boy inside me had other ideas. He’s obviously impulsive, like his mum.
So one year to the day of our first kiss, Adrian and I become man and wife.
We’re wished a lifetime of love and happiness.
I can’t wait.
Chapter 35
Karen
31 December 2013
What a whirlwind of a year. I’ve travelled all over.
New York.
Italy.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights where I stayed in an Ice hotel.
I went back to Paris.
Finally, I bought a small flat in Sale. It’s nice having a permanent home in between jetting around. My photography course starts in February so I’ll be doing less travelling then anyway. One whole wall of my living room is just for books. I have four sets of shelves and just keep adding to them. It’s like having my own bookstore. Whenever I want to read, I have a selection of titles to choose from.
I’ve spent a lot of time by myself. But I’m comfortable in my own skin. There’s no one worrying about me having breakdowns and I don’t have to try to please other people. I visited my daughter in the summer. The meadow looked beautiful.
Celine, the Tour Guide from Paris, passed me Mark’s phone number. He’d asked me to get in touch. I called him and he asked how I was, what had happened between Arjan and me. He apologised for being nosey. I said I didn’t mind. We spoke of various trips we both wanted to take. Last month he asked if I wanted to join him on a trip to Budapest. I told him I’d think about it.
Adrian’s mother passed away last February. I was sorry to hear that, even though we’d never particularly got on. I didn’t attend the funeral, Amber went with Adrian.
Amber.
I kept my distance for a while after I found out what had happened between her and Adrian, but then I realised that what went on between them was none of my business.
In fact, the more I thought of it, the more fated it seemed to be. They belonged together, Adrian and Amber. The woman who’d come along and slotted into my job, the woman who now had my ex-husband. I should loathe her, and yet it was like it was meant to be. She arrived so I could be free.
We’ve kept in touch, although after today I plan to fade into the background, as an ex-wife should. I’ve no wish to become Aunty Karen and I think it’s a step too far to expect us to play Happy Families when Adrian and I lost our daughter. Truly, I’m pleased for him, though, he’s a great dad. I hope his child is born healthy and strong and he doesn’t have to suffer any more loss. Over the past few years, he has suffered enough, his daughter, his wife, his mother. He deserves happiness.
He insisted that I have some of his inheritance from his mother as part of the divorce settlement. I wanted him to keep it but he said it was right and fair as we were still married at the time she died. He has always been so right and proper. I used it as a deposit for my flat, so in a way Adrian has still been caring for me, making sure I have a home to come back to.
I sent a mock-up piece of travel writing to a company who produces guides and they liked it. It doesn’t pay much but I review hotels for them. I also do mystery shopping for a hotel company, checking out the quality of service. It’s a new hobby for me.
Anyway, here I am back in Tenerife, almost twelve months to the day that I came last year. I’m sitting alongside Shaun as Mirelle has bridesmaid duties. I was honoured to be invited, but tomorrow I’m moving on to Fuerteventura for a couple of weeks. Tenerife has got old. I’m not really into visiting the same place twice.
I watch Amber almost float down the walkway, catch a glimpse of her dress clinging to the swollen tummy that holds a son. Am I selfish for being pleased it isn’t a girl?
I see Adrian’s massive grin as she heads towards him. They have eyes only for each other.
Rings are exchanged.
A long kiss for the bride.
We all applaud.
Doves are released.
I look at the birds flying free as the sky beats down with hues of amber and gold, echoed in my outfit of a sunny pale yellow dress and an orange pashmina.
I smile.
THE END
Enjoyed Journey? Read Underneath.
“Gripped me so hard I have bruises.”
“A gripping thriller, filled with twists and turns.”
The book that will make you look closely at those around you - including yourself.
It’s a standard grown-up situation. Lauren has a family, work, a great friend and... she’s bored. Then Bettina, her old school frenemy returns to Sheffield. She says she’s back escaping a violent husband, but best friend Monique doesn’t buy it and warns Lauren to be careful. As Lauren’s husband Niall seems to get ever more distant, her son’s new teacher, the outwardly nerdy looking Seb proves to be a hidden attraction.
Secret notes are posted, her business ruined. Slowly a vendetta threatens everything Lauren has taken for granted. It’s a race against time to discover who she can trust when her enemy threatens the life of the person Lauren loves the most. But is Bettina the enemy? How much does anyone ever really know about those around them, what’s underneath?
Extract from Underneath.
Buy link: Buy/Borrow here: http://getbook.at/underneath1
‘I’ll help Mrs Lawler with the sponge stocks,’ says the male voice to my right. Mr Kingsley has finally spoken up. ‘The kids would much rather pelt a teacher, and Mrs Lawler can collect the money and pass me towels to help me dry off.’
‘A good point,’ says Mrs Sullivan. ‘Well, that’s the roles all decided then. I suggest you take some time to consider what you need for your stalls, and we’ll reconvene at the same time next week. If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you then.’ Her tone suggests that the ‘discussion’ part of the meeting isn’t something she’s
required for and we’re all dismissed.
I turn to find Mr Kingsley hovering beside me. ‘Can you spare me ten minutes to go through what we need to do?’
‘Sure,’ I say turning round to Bettina. ‘I’ll catch you tomorrow missus, and you’d better watch out on fair day for stray flying sponges.’
‘I’ll do you proud with the book stall,’ she says in a quiet voice.
‘You’d better,’ I say to her retreating back.
‘Right, well, school’s closing. Any chance you can nip round the corner to the Queen’s Head?’ Mr Kingsley shifts from foot to foot.
‘Why not?’ I reply. I feel riled with Bettina and consider I need a drink after being roped into being hit with wet sponges all day. At this rate, I’ll be in The Priory by the end of the term.
The Queen’s Head is about a five-minute walk from school. It’s an old fashioned pub that’s been there for years and is badly in need of redecoration. The burgundy leather seating is worn but comfy, and I deposit myself on it. Mr Kingsley takes the seat opposite me on a purple and gold chair in need of some TLC.
‘What would you like to drink?’
I go to get my purse from my bag.
‘Oh, no, this is on me.’
‘Oh, okay, thanks. A whisky with ice then please, Mr Kingsley.’
He bursts out laughing, which suits him. His teeth would be flawless except for one at the front that twists just slightly.
‘Seb, please,’ he says, ‘or I just won’t answer you.’
‘Okay, Seb please,’ I josh back. ‘I still want a whisky.’
He smiles and heads to the bar.
Drink placed in front of me I watch as Seb looks around and removes his glasses. ‘Phew, that’s better.’
‘Do you wear contacts?’ I ask, taking a drink.
‘I’ll let you into a secret Mrs Lawler,’ he leans over the table towards me and whispers near my ear. ‘I don’t need glasses, they’re just for show.’
The mouthful of whisky I’ve taken splatters ungainly from my mouth. ‘It’s Lauren. Sorry, I don’t get it.’
‘Well, Lauren sorry I don’t get it,’ he deadpans back at me. ‘I’m just dressing for the job.’
‘What?’ My forehead creases. I lean back into the seat and cross my legs. Seb gets up from his seat.
‘Give me a couple of minutes,’ he says.
The brown haired man who returns to the bar from the gents’ loo bears little resemblance to the man I sat next to at the school fair meeting. His hair is tousled in very sexy waves. At a guess, I’d say it’s been wet and dried in the bathroom. Without the glasses, I see that he has the most beautiful dark brown eyes. He’s removed the pullover and undone the collar of his shirt. I suddenly get the thought that Niall would not be happy to find me sitting here with this version of Mr Kingsley.
I rise from my seat and take a last swig of my drink. ‘I need to go.’
‘But I’ve not explained yet,’ he says.
I hesitate. ‘Okay, five more minutes then,’ I reply as I am a little intrigued. I sit back down.
‘I’ve not been very reliable in the past, so I decided to try a new tack.’ He shrugs. ‘I dressed up in my best impression of a stereotypical teacher, gelled my unruly hair down, put on a pair of fake reading glasses and went for an interview. I gave it everything I had. The head said she’d keep me on if I knuckled down and earned the respect of the other teachers. I’ve had to dress like it ever since. It works though; the other teachers love me, but it’s killing me dressing like Clark Kent.’
‘It serves you right for being fake.’ I take out my ponytail and re-fix it.
‘Hey, we’re all fakes in some way,’ he replies, his brown eyes on mine. ‘People can be completely different with others. Look at you, acting like you were interested in being part of the fair tonight.’
I shuffle in my seat.
His mouth turns up at the corner and his eyes sparkle with mischief. ‘I’d like to know what’s underneath the surface of you, Lauren Lawler.’
I look down my nose at him. ‘What you see is what you get. Anyway, now that I have your life story, what do we need to do about the fair?’
He stretches his hands behind his head. ‘Well, we turn up on the day. Get the stocks, sponges and the bucket out of the store room and we’re ready. Can you bring some towels?’
My voice turns sharp. ‘You could have said that in the school hall.’
‘But then I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of your lovely company.’
‘I’m married, Mr Kingsley.’ I place emphasis on his name.
He puts his hands up in front of me. ‘Have I stated any improper attentions towards you? No. It’s very presumptuous of you, Mrs Lawler, to imply I was angling for a shag or something.’
I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, although I’m not someone who usually blushes.
He carries on, ‘I just thought the pub would be nicer. I fancied a pint and don’t like drinking alone.’
‘Well, I need to head home now,’ I state, and get up to leave.
‘Of course, if you do fancy a ....’
‘Goodnight Mr Kingsley.’ I almost run towards the door. I turn back just before I leave to make sure he’s not following me and he winks. I’m too shell-shocked to respond and head home where the whisky bottle comes out of the cupboard for the second time that week.
Buy/Borrow here: http://getbook.at/underneath1
Also by Andie M. Long
THE ALPHA SERIES
The Alphabet Game (FREE ON ALL PLATFORMS)
iBooks: http://apple.co/1R1WETP
Amazon: http://getbook.at/alphabetgame
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1TNe5Jt
Nook: http://bit.ly/1rLVqYz
The Alphabet Game: Play It Playbook
http://getbook.at/playthealphabet
The Alphabet Wedding:
Amazon: http://getbook.at/alphabetwedding
iBooks: http://apple.co/1R5IxNi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/228bEHN
Nook: http://bit.ly/1TTICrY
The Calendar Game: Amazon: http://getbook.at/calendargame
THE BALL GAMES SERIES
Balls (Book One): Amazon: http://getbook.at/AmazonBallsOne
Snow Balls (Book Two): Amazon: http://getbook.at/AmazonSnowBalls2
New Balls Please (Book Three): Amazon: http://getbook.at/NewBallsPlease
Balls Fore (Book Four): Amazon: http://getbook.at/BallsFore
ALSO AVAILABLE
UNDERNEATH: Amazon: http://getbook.at/underneath1
QUICKIES: Amazon: http://getbook.at/Quickies
Receive this ebook for FREE by signing up to Andie’s newsletter via http://eepurl.com/-mm-9
About the Author
Andie M. Long is author of The Alpha series which includes Amazon Number One Erotic Thriller The Alphabet Game; The Ball Games series, which starts with BALLS and comes complete with a Yorkshire slang guide, Drama/suspense Underneath and short story and poetry collection Quickies.
She lives in Sheffield with her son and long suffering partner.
When not being partner, mother, employee or writer she can usually be found on Facebook or with her head in a book.
Andie will be signing in Liverpool 2017 and York 2018.
FOLLOW ANDIE:
Andie’s Tiara Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1462270007406687/ (not a street team, just a place to hang and have fun).
Mailing List: (get a free ebook of Quickies on sign-up): http://eepurl.com/-mm-9
WEBSITE: www.andiemlongwriter.com
EMAIL: [email protected]
FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/andiemlongwriter
TWITTER: @andiemichelle
BOOKBUB:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/andie-m-long
INSTAGRAM: andiemlongwriter (meet Barbie Andie!)
AMAZON: Follow to get info of new releases: http://viewauthor.at/andiemlongamazonpage
PINTEREST: https://uk.pinterest.com/nutcutlet/
/>
Andie M. Long, Journey to the Centre of Myself
Journey to the Centre of Myself Page 24