Wall of Silence

by Tracy Buchanan

  An engine roars and we all look up to see Ryan’s Land Rover roll up, Maddy waving from the passenger seat.

  I jump up and run to her, not caring that the scarf I’m wearing around my neck has escaped and drifted off with the sea breeze. Maddy jumps out of the truck and we rush into each other’s arms.

  Best friends. Sisters.

  Ryan raises a hand in greeting. I smile and lead them down to the beach.

  Mum’s face lights up when she sees Ryan, and Lewis smiles shyly at Maddy as Grace wraps her arms around Maddy’s waist. Maddy’s hair is back to its old colour again and we all look so alike, like a family. A crooked one, like Joel’s tree back home, scarred and hunched over, but our branches are still reaching for the sky, feeding off life, not blighted by poison any more.

  ‘Your scarf!’ Grace shouts, noticing as it floats away across the sea.

  We all watch as it bounces over the waves. Lewis pulls his T-shirt off and runs to the edge of the sea, diving in.

  ‘It doesn’t matter!’ I shout after him.

  But he goes in anyway, swimming after it until he gets to it, grabbing it and holding it aloft in celebration, because that’s what we do, don’t we, risk our lives for those we love?

  No more need to risk any lives here, though, just laughter and the smell of the sea.

  Life is good. Life is sweet.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Hello,

  I hope you’re reading this letter with a bit of a tear in your eye and a smile. That was how I felt when I wrote that ending, not just because I was saying goodbye to Melissa, Lilly, Lewis and Grace, four characters that have dominated my life the past few months, but also because this novel represents a first for me.

  As those of you who have read my six previous books will know, this is the first time I’ve moved away from my usual beach location. Well, apart from the end . . . I had to get one beach in somehow, didn’t I? Forests have always held a fascination for me – in fact, one wall of my writing study is even dominated by a woodland scene! I’ve always wanted to write something based in a forest, but it wasn’t until the community of Forest Grove came to me that I felt able to finally fulfil that wish.

  Did you enjoy the setting and the story? If so, I would be so grateful for a review on Amazon. It really means the world. I do actually read my reviews. In fact, I take into account what’s said in them to help with subsequent books.

  If you want to keep up to date with my news and my other books, including future novels, I’d recommend your first port of call be Facebook. Head on over to my author page www.facebook.com/TracyBuchananAuthor, but if you really want the inside scoop from me and other authors, join The Reading Snug group. Just do a search for it in Facebook and request to join.

  If social media isn’t your thing, then come to my website at www.tracy-buchanan.com and contact me there. I love hearing from you guys!

  Thanks,

  Tracy

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thanks, as ever, go to my awesome agent, Caroline Hardman. I am also deeply grateful to Sammia Hamer at my new publishers, Lake Union, for bringing me on board and helping me make this novel the best it can be. Speaking of which, heaps of thanks go to Ian Pindar, who helped me tame this novel, and the rest of the Lake Union team too, from the copyeditors and proofreaders to the publicity team.

  I’d also like to thank Sam Matthewman for his help in understanding what it’s like to be a coma patient.

  Thanks to my family and friends, my ever-enthusiastic cheerleaders, as well. Too many to list here, but among them are, as always, my husband and my mum for their unwavering pride and support, my friends for their escape room and fun dinner distractions, and my fellow authors, especially members of the Savvy Writers’ Snug, who never fail to be on hand for any questions I might ask. Thank you to my daughter, Scarlett, for inspiring me every day with her sass and creativity – many of her qualities shine through in Lewis, Lilly and Grace, especially Grace!

  Finally, a big shout-out to my readers. Thanks for continuing to buy my books and leave such lovely reviews. You guys rock!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2018 Nic Robertson-Smith

  Tracy Buchanan is a bestselling author whose books have been published around the world, including chart toppers My Sister’s Secret and No Turning Back. She lives in the UK with her husband, their daughter and a very spoilt Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Bronte.

  Before becoming a full-time author, Tracy worked as a travel journalist, visiting and writing about countries around the world. She has also produced content for the BBC and the Open University, and rubbed shoulders with celebrities while working for a London PR firm.

  When she isn’t spending time with her family and friends, Tracy now spends her days writing with her dog on her lap or taking walks in forests.

  For more information about Tracy, please visit www.facebook.com/TracyBuchananAuthor and www.tracy-buchanan.com.