by Carol Wyer
Chloe spoke to Alex. ‘Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you… and Sean.’
‘Seems like we both had your back but ultimately, you did it. That’s the main thing. You conquered your fears.’ He kept his voice low so others couldn’t eavesdrop.
‘I never imagined I’d be in this situation. It’s surreal.’
‘Chloe, would you go out with me if I suggested somewhere different to the ball, somewhere where there are no crowds?’
‘Probably.’
He nodded earnestly. ‘I have a friend who owns a canal boat moored towards Fradeley. Maybe we could take it out for a day… find a quiet pub. If it’s a decent day we could even get a drink outside in the pub garden…’
‘I’d enjoy that.’
‘Great.’
‘But you have to understand, I’m not an easy person to get along with. William thought he could magically cure me. Every time he wanted to go out, I wasn’t able to.’
‘That was then.’
‘I have relapses.’
‘That might be the case but at least you now know what you’re capable of. Maybe you didn’t when you lived with William. Nobody here has any idea about your condition – apart from Sean. Nobody could ever guess. You act like the rest of us – well, maybe slightly mad at times. We all have secrets and pasts and fears we hide. Some of us are just better than others at hiding it. I haven’t wanted to be sociable since I split up from Jayne, my fiancée. I believed it was my fault she left me – that I was too boring, and afterwards I wanted nothing more than to hide from everyone. I didn’t much care for the world or the individuals in it.’
‘But you’re so confident and always in control.’
‘Say that to my sister and watch her laugh. She knows what a complete basket case I was before I went to Spain. She was the one to encourage me to come back here and work on the development. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d still be working abroad.’
Chloe chewed on her lip. It was all very well him unburdening himself and showing interest in her, but he’d be returning to Spain, and where would that leave her? Where would that leave them if they got close? She opened her mouth to speak and was stopped by a scurrying towards her.
‘Is it true?’ Eleanor’s eyes burned brightly. ‘William just told the presenter you are the C J Knight, author of Spank Me Harder, Vicar. Nick almost swallowed his microphone. He wants to talk to you. This is mega.’ She bounced up and down in front of them both. Behind her, Nick and the camera woman were approaching at speed. Further back, William leant against the wall of the hut, a smug smile spread across his face.
‘The bastard,’ Alex began, darkly.
‘Chloe, I wondered if you’d like to comment on the revelation that you are actually the mysterious writer behind the best-seller, Spank Me harder, Vicar?’ Nick’s face was shining with enthusiasm at having discovered such an unexpected scoop.
William knew she’d crumble. The only question was why had he told Nick? If she’d meant anything to him, he wouldn’t have said anything. Did part of him want her to revert to the frightened Chloe who put all her faith and trust in him? No, the answer was written on his face, it was nothing more than meanness. He’d not liked the fact she’d moved on without him, that she had friends and others she could place her trust in and he was being vindictive. It saddened her and angered her that he’d be so cruel. They’d shared an intimacy – an understanding and been partners – and now, he’d done this to watch her squirm and be dismayed and maybe to even horrify her new friends. She looked at him and he opened his palms to suggest he’d accidentally let it slip, but nothing he could do would convince her he was an innocent party in this.
She felt a solid presence by her side – Alex. His hand brushed against hers, sought her fingers and squeezed her hand gently. A flurry of thoughts scurried through her mind like clouds racing across a sky on a windy day: Faith’s solid belief in her as both a friend and a good writer; Jacqueline’s reminder that anyone can change if they want to and Sean starting out on a new relationship, leaving behind the old messed up Sean. Nanny Olive’s voice was in her head, quietly urging her on. Chloe pictured Laila who would never have let anyone do this to her and spoke quietly to Nick.
‘That’s right. I am the infamous C J Knight. No doubt that comes as a surprise. I don’t do interviews but if you’d like, I’ll do a one-off with you for your show. I’ve just finished the follow-up to Spank Me Harder, Vicar and I’d be happy to tell you a little about it.’
Chapter Thirty
Saturday, 17th March
Faith’s squeal of elation almost deafened Chloe. ‘The interview will be broadcast on Monday evening on the Nick Hanson Special. That gives me enough time to send out press releases and so on. We must capitalise on this. Chloe, I am so proud of you, hun. Honestly, and I can’t wait to see you again. You sure next weekend is okay?’
‘It’ll be great to see you and Greg.’
‘Yeah, he’s a diamond. You’ll love him. Lord above, I can’t believe you gave an interview, let alone to the Nick Hanson. He’s a legend. I know he sticks mostly to regional stuff nowadays but in his time, he’s interviewed the great and mighty.’
‘He was charming and easy to talk to. He didn’t probe into my personal life too much, kept it mostly about books, and asked what else I have planned. Now it’s out it in the open, it doesn’t seem such a big deal except almost all the singletons have asked me to sign their copies. Sean’s going to order extra copies for his bookshop and I’ll pre-sign them. I’d still rather not do full-on book signings yet.’
‘You said yet.’ There was no disguising the keen look on Faith’s face, like a child anticipating the arrival of Father Christmas and a sackful of toys.
‘Maybe. We’ll have to see. I might do one at Sean’s shop.’
‘We’ll talk about it all when I come up there.’
‘I have to go now. I’ve got a visitor.’
Faith blew her a kiss. ‘Can’t tell you how happy I am for you and I know this next book will outsell the first.’
‘You read it already? I only emailed it yesterday.’
‘I wasn’t going to wait, was I? It’s got best-seller scrawled across it. The publishers will be very happy with it. You better start thinking up ideas for your next one.’
Faith waved merrily, her bracelets catching the light and sparkling like stars, and then disappeared from view. Chloe stared at the screen long after her friend had gone. There was no visitor but she was mentally exhausted and needed some time alone. This morning she’d been a frightened, sick individual who’d planned on skipping the singleton event and here she was at the end of the day, a brand-new person. She was still somebody who would balk at the idea of mixing with crowds of people and have bad moments, but she’d found a strategy that worked for her and a group of supportive friends to help her when she wobbled. The memory of everyone congratulating her and telling her how much they’d enjoyed the book filled her with warmth greater than the fleece blanket she snuggled under to watch television. These people had genuinely enjoyed her work and were eager to bring their copies for signing – even Rob, who admitted he’d read it three times. William had been nowhere to be seen. She still didn’t know what had made him tell Nick and as far as she was concerned she didn’t want to know.
After the Taskmaster event, she hadn’t returned with her neighbours, instead, once everyone had departed, she’d conducted the interview in private inside the hut where Alex had tried to sort out blue sweets whilst wearing boxing gloves, and afterwards, Nick had ordered a taxi to drive her home.
She pushed her chair away from the desk and threw back her head in a lengthy yawn. Tiredness seeped into every fibre of her body. Probably a reaction to the stress of the day – a day that had changed her life.
* * *
The next morning, Chloe was eating a bacon sandwich when Alex tapped on her window. Ronnie hurled himself against the glass door tail wagging. She tempted him away with the re
mains of her breakfast and wiping crumbs from the corners of her mouth, opened the door.
‘Horse trekking,’ he said.
‘Sorry?’
‘We could go horse trekking after our canal boat experience. There’s a riding school nearby that offers quiet horses for pedestrian-type rambles away from the madding crowds.’
‘You better come in. I’ve been doing some thinking.’
‘That sounds ominous. Morning, Ronnie. Is that ketchup on your chin?’ Ronnie tore across for a tummy rub.
‘Why are you asking me out?’
‘Because I really like you and I think we’d enjoy each other’s company,’ he replied. His words were cagey and creases appeared on his forehead. ‘I thought you felt the same way.’
‘I do, but there doesn’t seem much point in getting too heavily involved when you’re leaving soon.’
‘I am?’
‘Your dad told Eleanor you were only remaining until the development was finished and then you’d be returning to Spain, and he told me you’ve had your house valued for sale.’
He ran a hand through his thick hair. ‘Ah, yes…’
‘So you see, I don’t want to get involved with somebody who’s going to be leaving so soon.’
‘That was the original plan. When I first came back, I didn’t want to be here. I only returned because Dad needed me to project manage and because Ashleigh asked me to help him out. Age is against him now. He’s got health issues and this will be his last development. I’d planned to return to Spain as soon as it was finished, that’s absolutely true, and I also figured I’d make some money by buying one of the houses on site which was guaranteed to rise in value once the development was complete, and then sell it on for a profit to fund a new life in Spain. But I don’t want to do that now. The reason I had for leaving doesn’t matter anymore. This place – this area – it harboured happy and bitter memories of Jayne. I haven’t shared a lot with you, but she was more than a fiancée. She dumped me on the actual morning of our wedding. I was devastated and embarrassed and confused and a million other things I can’t even begin to express. At the time, running away seemed the easiest option – out of sight and all that. Coming back was bloody hard for me, really hard, but I’m not the same man. What happened happened and I’m not hurting any more. I’ve exorcised those demons and I’m okay living here, in fact, I love living here.’
‘But the valuation you’ve had done on the house? Surely that was for selling purposes?’
‘No. It was Dad who organised it. He wanted to get an idea of what to ask for the houses we haven’t yet sold.’
‘And you have no plans to leave?’
He shook his head. ‘None. In fact, I have a very good reason to stay here – I met you.’
‘You know what you’re getting into if you go out with me?’
‘I think so. If you tell me all about it, I’ll be wiser. It doesn’t put me off, if that’s what you’re worried about.’ He cocked his head to one side. ‘So, do you fancy coming horse-trekking? We can find loads of other stuff to do if you don’t want to try that.’
She looked at Ronnie, sitting peacefully at Alex’s feet.
‘Horse-trekking sounds perfect,’ she said.
Epilogue
Saturday, 15th December
‘Ronnie, drop that!’
‘What’s he snaffled now?’ asked Alex, trying hard not to laugh at the dog with mushroom paste down his chin.
‘One of Eleanor’s special vol-au-vents that have a splash of brandy in the mixture. Evidently, I didn’t put them out of the greedy mutt’s reach.’
He kept his gaze on her, looking her up and down. ‘You look dazzling. A very sexy author. A very sexy and successful author.’
She ran her hand down the front of the black dress, across her slightly swelling stomach and gave a warm smile. No one would be able to tell but she and Alex knew the reason she’d requested his assistance to zip up the dress. Tonight’s gathering wasn’t merely a celebration of their recent engagement, it was to make an announcement – a special announcement.’
‘Everything under control?’ She gave Ronnie a crisp and sent him to his bed.
‘Apart from Ronnie, yes. Don’t fret. Everyone’s coming. Faith rang to say she’s about half an hour away and… there are our first guests now. Want to bet who it is?’
‘Got to be Eleanor and Fairfax,’ she replied.
‘I’m guessing Sean and Jacqueline. They’re always early to everything.’
‘You’re on. Loser does the washing up.’
‘The dishwasher does the washing up. The loser gets to load it.’ He strode away and hearing Eleanor’s voice, she gave a wry smile. A whirlwind of orange pursued by an overjoyed dog rushed in.
‘You look divine!’ Eleanor gushed. The cobalt blue hair had been replaced by a vibrant orange, the same colour as the swirls on the red evening dress she wore. She drew Chloe into an embrace.
‘I hear you’ve sold another three franchises,’ said Chloe once she’d been released from the cloud of Chanel N° 5 perfume.
‘I know. Who’d have imagined it? A year ago I was tearing my hair out, convinced I’d made a complete bollocks of everything and now I’m one of the premier singles event organisers in the UK… although I miss the ambiance of the early days. I get much less time with the singletons these days so I don’t have that affinity I had with everyone when we started out. Oh yes, I meant to tell you: Fairfax ran into your ex-husband the other day. He’s back with that Swedish model, Lilly. That’s the fourth time they’ve split up and got back together. Apparently, she’s been giving him a right runaround and those rumours about her with the Manchester United footballer were true. Anyway, Fairfax said William’s looking much older – his hair’s beginning to recede. Must be the stress of keeping up with his young girlfriend.’ She threw back her head and barked a laugh. Fairfax arrived into the kitchen holding a bottle of vintage champagne.
‘Come up for air, Eleanor. Sorry, Chloe, she’s been absolutely dying to tell you the news for a while. This is for you. Congratulations on being the number one best-selling author for the second month in a row. Over three million copies sold! That’s pretty damn good going. How many countries are your books out in now?’
‘Twenty-two but we’ve more interest coming in.’
Ronnie began barking at the arrival of more guests. ‘All the singletons coming?’ asked Eleanor.
‘Yes, except none of them can be called single now: Rob and Neats, Jacqueline and Sean, and Tim and Kaisha. Fairfax, would you open the wine please? Alex has taken his eye off his hosting duties.’
Fairfax lifted the corkscrew and waved it at her. ‘You could have knocked me down with a feather when Ed announced he was moving in with Danielle. How he’ll cope living with teenagers is a mystery.’
‘I’m sure he’ll manage. He’s such a calming influence.’
‘He’ll need to be. Her bunch are wild. Still, it seems to have given him a new lease of life.’
As the kitchen gradually filled with the people who’d helped transform her life, Chloe caught Alex’s eye. He winked at her and her veins fizzed with love. Ronnie suddenly sat up and with a whimper raced for the door.
‘I’ll get it,’ said Chloe, following the dog. Faith was on the doorstep, standing next to a slim, handsome man who held a huge teddy bear in his arms. Faith flung her arms around her friend and after hugging her tightly, pulled away to dab at a tear.
‘I’m not one to blub, but I’ve been an emotional wreck ever since you told me you were expecting. I’ve been nagging Greg to drive faster all the way here so we wouldn’t be late.’
Greg kissed Chloe on both cheeks and passed her the bear with quiet congratulations. He helped Faith out of her coat and hung it on the peg by the door. Faith gave him a blissful look then asked Chloe. ‘How are you getting on with the next book?’
Chloe gave a cheeky grin. ‘Let’s just say I’m really enjoying the research.’
Faith
laughed loudly. ‘I’m sure you have plenty of fodder for it. Okay, where’s this party? You know, I never thought I’d ever say that to you. Fancy you holding a party. I take my hat off to you, hun. It’s been quite a year, Chloe Piper.’
‘Chloe Piper soon to be Mrs Chloe Collins.’
‘I still favour C J Knight. It has a magical, lucrative ring to it,’ said Faith, following Chloe into the kitchen.
Chloe caught the look in Alex’s eye as she walked into the kitchen, the bear in her arms, and relished the bubbling of warmth that rose from deep inside. She caressed the bear’s silky soft fur and sent silent thanks to the universe that she had everything she could wish for and her world was complete. She may struggle from time to time but the year had taught her one valuable lesson. If you wanted to change – really wanted to change – you could.
She glanced across at the Christmas tree decorated with baubles and the little reindeer called Piper she’d bought the year before when she’d visited the Christmas Farm with Eleanor and Fairfax. On the mantelpiece was a photograph of a fine-looking woman with olive-green eyes and a small smile on her face. Chloe’s eyes alighted on the picture and she blew it a kiss and whispered. ‘You were right Nanny Olive: I am stronger than I thought.’
First published in the United Kingdom in 2019 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
57 Shepherds Lane
Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU
United Kingdom
Copyright © Carol Wyer, 2019
The moral right of Carol Wyer to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
