The Partnership (Callaghan Green Series Book 10)

by Annie Dyer

  “Because I’m single and available when he gets called into work. I’m like a little sister. He hooked up with some woman in Leeds last weekend,” Rayah said, her words tight and her nose wrinkled.

  “The man has needs,” Keren said. “I still think you should offer to assist him with them. Think about how you’ll feel if he meets someone and it’s serious. The worst that can happen is that he says no, and you know Jake and that lot won’t interfere.”

  Rayah shrugged. “I wasn’t like this when he was married. I loved Grace – and they were so perfect together.” She shook her head. “Let’s not talk about Jonny. Let’s talk about your love life.”

  “And that will be a very short conversation, because it died a long time ago. In fact, its gravestone is now covered in moss.”

  “You shouldn’t refer to your vagina like that. Moss does not become it,” Rayah said. “And besides, it won’t have healed up and it won’t be eating grass. You just need to find it some penile action.”

  “And they let you teach the young of this community,” Keren said. “There is no hope.”

  “Have you tried that new dating website? The one I sent you the link to?” Rayah said, completely ignoring the insult. She was used to it. She’d been considered a terrorist herself since being old enough to point.

  Keren muttered something under her breath about wastes of time. “The men on there aren’t what I’m looking for?”

  “What are you looking for?” Rayah said. “Besides someone to knock the moss off your falula.”

  “Falula? Where the hell do you get these words?” Keren said, leaning back against the counter. “I want someone who doesn’t look as if they’re, well, desperate to see what a naked woman looks like. And let’s face it, most men on dating websites are there for a reason, at least they are when they get into their thirties. You know, they’ve been divorced or they’ve never had the confidence to speak to a woman or…”

  “They live in remote communities and it’s difficult to meet new people,” Rayah inserted. “I get what you’re saying. Maybe we need to go out more in Leeds and Manchester.”

  “Ray, I’m not likely to meet anyone serious in a bar. We’ve been trying that now for years. Where do most people meet their partner?” Keren said, feeling more and more resolute as to what she was going to need to do.

  Rayah shrugged. “You live in Severton. So here it would be at a barn dance or in primary school. Or potentially on the young farmers’ pram push.”

  “But in the city, it’s at work. Or someone connected with work.” And the pram push was an excuse for farmers to resort back to being children and create vehicles to push each other round in while drunk. Not the best for finding a potential partner.

  Rayah sat up straight and proceeded to knock over Keren’s recipe book holder. “You’re thinking of moving again, aren’t you?”

  Keren didn’t say anything, instead she topped up Rayah’s glass with more prosecco.

  “Key, you can’t leave. This is your home… You love it here,” Rayah said, using exactly the same tone as she had to persuade Keren to go with Connor Roberts to the after-prom party so Rayah could tag along with his brother.

  “I do love it here, Ray. But I’m thirty-two. Time’s ticking by if I want to meet someone and have a family. And if that’s not going to happen, I’d like to specialise in children’s dentistry,” Keren said. “There’s a post opening up in Manchester, working with kids with complex physical disabilities. I’d love to do something like that and there’s nothing to keep me here.”

  Rayah pouted.

  “I know,” Keren said. “But it isn’t going to change us. We coped through university being at opposite ends of the country. I have to at least consider this.”

  “Have you applied?” Rayah said accusingly.

  Keren shook her head. “No. It isn’t advertised yet. I know the person in post at the moment is moving to Australia with his wife, but there’s no time frame on it yet.”

  Rayah hopped off the worktop and strutted into the lounge with her glass. “I can’t have you leave Severton,” she said. “So I guess I need to find you a reason to stay.”

  “That sounds ominous,” Keren said.

  Then Rayah’s mouth curved into a smile wide enough to swallow a bus. “Would you let me set you up?”

  “No,” Keren shook her head. “We’ve tried that. Twice. Both went horribly wrong. Embarrassingly so.”

  “This won’t. Honestly. He’s just moved to Severton and he’s joined Scott’s band,” Rayah said, sounding as if she’d just discovered the solution to end world poverty.

  “I can’t see myself in a relationship with a musician,” she said, trying to hide under a blanket on the sofa and hoping Rayah would go away. “Too unreliable.”

  “He’s an accountant. I suspect he’ll be reliable.”

  “If he’s an accountant, he’ll be boring.”

  “He’s joined the search and rescue team.”

  “That doesn’t mean he’ll be interesting.”

  “He plays guitar…” Rayah was at her most persuasive.

  “So does Scott.”

  “But Olly is the right age, he’s had a couple of long term relationships. He’s intelligent and good with money…”

  “You can’t assume that just because he’s an accountant…”

  “He’s just bought the Jacksons’ place on Moorcroft. He’s good with money,” Rayah said, now looking as if she had not only discovered the solution for world peace, but had also worked out how to stop global warming. “And he’s hot. Let me set you up for a drink with him. Just a drink.”

  Keren began to flinch. “Why can’t you just ask him to join us all for drinks on Friday and then if we click, I can ask him out?”

  “Because that’ll make it sound like I’m interested. And he’ll hear you and Scott bickering. If Scott can speak by then. Go on, let me set you up.” Rayah beamed at her.

  Keren held her head in her hands and shook her head.

  “Even if I say no, you’re going to do it anyway.”

  Carry on reading here! Stirred

  CHANDELIER

  September – Present day

  I am still on my knees when the gunshot ruptures the noise outside.

  It doesn’t occur to me to stand, to move away from Ben, to conceal what sin we’ve just prayed at the altar of. Mainly because Isaac’s hand is still holding my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp as if he’s praising me for what I’ve just done.

  If we were at war, I would’ve taken cover. Proper war, like what we were taught in history lessons, not this continual threat that’s an axe over our heads. But I’m in my hotel room, protected, two men my bomb shelter.

  But this isn’t a bomb.

  There are screams outside. Shouting. The sharp screech of tyres against the asphalt. Nothing unusual for a big city, but this isn’t a usual day and something in the air has changed, switched. Particles have stilled, the city has become a paused movie, waiting for the thunder. Then there’s a knock at my door from the adjoining room next door and my name is being said.

  It isn’t a prayer. It’s agitated, just like it was said when I was a small child and then a teenager, sneaking in from parties where I should never had been. The voice of the man who has been my guardian since I was a tiny child.

  Isaac’s hand leaves my head and Ben yanks up his trousers. He’s in a suit today, trying to blend into this world that I know he hates because he is the desert or the arctic or the seas, not a rally in a northern English city with the royalty he’s never understood.

  “Blair, we need to get you safe.” Franklyn sounds just the same as he did when I was fifteen and we had an intruder. He doesn’t even blink at what was going on in the room.

  Isaac’s hands pull me up off my knees and he guides me out of our bedroom through rooms and suites and corridors, Ben next to me, the three of us and Franklyn who’s still not judging. There are hotel rooms, all empty, all booked out for the few peopl
e staying in this large building swept for bombs and bugs, every member of staff screened along with their grandmothers and relations they never knew existed. I’ve been here before as a child with my parents, then for a tour of the university – where I was never going to go – and again as a woman without my parents knowing. Just Franklyn. It’s an old building, historic. It’s seen much more than what I’ve just done, lived more than I ever will. He opens a door to a room I never knew existed, one that is windowless but with the door open, the noise from outside can still be heard, even if it’s just a cacophony of whispers.

  I can feel the roar from outside and it feels red, a commotion that I don’t know the reason for, and then a door closes and the silence becomes overwhelming.

  “What’s happened?”

  Franklyn shakes his head, his glasses balancing on the end of his long nose. He is ageless, never changing. If I believed in such things, I’d imagine he was an eternal creature.

  Isaac is at the door, looking at Ben. He might be trying to communicate something, but even though we’ve just shared an act that is more intimate than most, I know they haven’t developed the art of telepathy yet. I’m not sure if they ever will.

  “I won’t let anything happen to her.” Ben is quiet, his words a muted cold blue. Any closeness that there was minutes ago has evaporated, water in the sun.

  Butterflies on the breeze.

  “I can send…”

  “I’m not a thing.” My voice is calm, steel that will never move. A tone I taught myself when I needed something other than my chime.

  Ben turns me to him, his hands on my hips now. “That was a gunshot.”

  “Could’ve been friendly fire.”

  We all know it wasn’t.

  There’s nothing friendly about today. Or this place. We shouldn’t have come. Should’ve let Lennox come here alone with his entourage and speak his pretty words to people who thinks he’s either a god or a devil.

  I turn to Isaac, seeing his hands in his pockets. I’ve known him three months. Known Ben fifteen years. Known myself even less.

  I don’t know this girl who gets on her knees for one man, while another holds her hair and whispers sweet dirty words to her.

  “Where’s my brother? What was his schedule?”

  There’s no real reason for Isaac to know, except that he knows everything.

  “He gave his speech in the square and then he was heading into the Town Hall.” It’s Ben who answers. He will have memorized the itinerary.

  But I’m not thinking about how he recalls everything he’s read, can recall details that the average human wouldn’t even have noticed. I’m thinking about my brother with his enthusiasm and vigour and passion; his desire to somehow unify our country with this one through trade agreements and free movement of people. Desires that others don’t share. Desires that others will kill to extinguish.

  Before I can say my brother’s name there’s a piercing ring and Franklyn moves to the corner of the lightless room with his phone in his hand. We all watch him, the bare bulb making us all appear as strangers.

  Franklyn says nothing, but when he looks up at me I know.

  The bullet fired found a new home.

  My brother is dead.

  My brother is dead and I am now the heir to a tarnished crown.

  Everything has changed.

  Continue reading Chandelier

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND A NOTE

  When I started writing Jackson and Vanessa’s story - Engagement Rate - back in August 2017, Seph’s HEA was already mapped out. Writing his book has been an event that I didn’t want to end, because him finding his home with Georgia meant that the Callaghan series had ended, the final child had their happiness and all the stories had been told.

  Seph was a reader favourite from the start, and I joked with my fabulous admin team - Jenny, Jen, Sarah, Emily, Melonie, Lauren and Laura - about adding an extra day onto the release date every time someone messaged or asked ‘when’s Seph’s book out’. I think we were on August 3 2032 by one point!

  Writing a favourite character’s story isn’t easy, so I hope if you’re a Seph fan, that this book has done him justice and given you everything you wanted for him. There’s more to learn about his future, and Georgia’s - you’ll no doubt see snippets of them in the second part of this series, which focuses on the Green siblings. In fact, Lainey Green has her story over in Severton - Sweetened - so you won’t have long to wait, unless you’re reading this after you’ve read that…

  Along with a big series comes inaccuracies: I’m a bugger for getting names confused or forgetting I’ve named a character one thing then changing it. Writing the Callaghan Green series has told me that every character has a story, so no matter how small their part is initially, at some point I’ll know their past, present and future and be itching to write it. Georgia’s sister, Olivia, does get her own HEA - keep you eye out for it.

  I apologies for those inaccuracies and continuity errors; they are mine and I own every one of them. Consider it an endearing quirk!

  There are many, many people to thank. My beta readers and admin team: Laura, Sarah, Jen, Melonie, Emily and Lauren. These are the ladies who get the ‘did such and such have a girlfriend and what were they called?’ and they always have the answer. Ladies, this book would never have been written on time without you.

  A big, big shout out to Jenny S. You’ve been with me from the start in my group, have introduced me to many other wonderful people and been an amazing sounding board. And for organising the ARCs - you’re amazing and thank you for all that you do. I never say that enough because I’m English and far too reserved, so I’m putting it here.

  To Eliza Ames, editor and most of all friend. How long have we been sharing words? Probably getting on for too long now. At some point we’ll meet in person. Thank you for everything, including making sure you work at the speed of light so I’m never on the last minute. You are Wonder Woman, and I’ve never known anyone as resourceful as you.

  Nathalie B and Debbie H - your eagle eyes are amazing for catching those little typos. I’m ever so grateful for your time.

  Najla Qamber for designing the amazing covers, being so organised and working out what I want when I don’t know myself!

  And Emery Rose and Jessica Ames. Being there from the beginning to chat books, writing, procrastinating and everything else. You’ve been an oasis in the desert at times.

  LJ Evans - you are one of the most supportive and kindest people I’ve met. You’re books are fabulous and one day, ads will work for us both like magic.

  The members of Annie’s London Lovers who have cheered on the Callaghans and the Severton crew. I hope you’re eager for the next set of brainchildren my imagination comes out with! You are an amazing support and ensure that I don’t feel like a fool, being the only one involved with these characters.

  Lastly, but probably not least, depending whether he’s unloaded the dishwasher, my husband.

  The medal’s on its way.

  And then there’s you, dear reader, for being part of the Callaghan Green family so far. I hope you’ve enjoyed it, and I hope you carry on with this little jaunt into escapism with me.

  Annie Dyer,

  January 2021

  About the Author

  Annie Dyer lives in Manchester, England. She spends her time finding ways to procrastinate from tidying up, usually through creating characters. Staple foods include chocolate, Pad Thai and whatever hasn’t gone off in the fridge.

  You can find out more about Annie’s upcoming books and the inspiration behind them through her newsletter and Facebook group, Annie’s London Lovers.

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/AnniesLondonLovers

  Visit her website to sign up for the newsletter and received access to bonus epilogues!

  https://www.writeranniedyer.com

  Also by Annie Dyer

  The Callaghan Green Series

  In Suggested Reading order (can be read as stand-al
ones)

  Engagement Rate

  What happens when a hook up leaves you hooked? Jackson Callaghan is the broody workaholic who isn’t looking for love until he meets his new marketing executive? Meet the Callaghans in this first-in-series, steamy office romance.

  White Knight

  If you’re in the mood for a second chance romance with an older brother’s best friend twist, then look no further. Claire Callaghan guards her heart as well as her secrets, but Killian O’Hara may just be the man to take her heart for himself.

  Compromising Agreements

  Grumpy, bossy Maxwell Callaghan meets his match in this steamy enemies-lovers story. Mistaking Victoria Davies as being a quiet secretary is only Max’s first mistake, but can she be the one to make this brooding Callaghan brother smile?

  Between Cases

  Could there be anything better than a book boyfriend who owns a bookstore? Payton Callaghan isn’t sure; although giving up relationships when she might’ve just met The One is a dilemma she’s facing in BETWEEN CASES, a meet-cute that’ll have you swooning over Owen Anders.

  Changing Spaces

  Love a best friend’s younger sister romance? Meet Eli, partner in the Callaghan Green law firm and Ava’s Callaghan’s steamy one-night stand that she just can’t seem to keep as just one night. Independent, strong-willed and intelligent, can Eli be the man Ava wants?

  Heat

  Feeling hungry? Get a taste of this single dad, hot chef romance in HEAT. Simone Wood is a restaurant owner who loves to dance, she’s just never found the right partner until her head chef Jack starts to teach her his rhythm. Problem is, someone’s not happy with Simone, and their dance could be over before they’ve learned the steps.

  Mythical Creatures