Our Little Lies: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a brilliant twist
Page 31
‘So that’s when he decided to confess and came to the station after I’d been arrested?’ I said, stroking her hair, maternal love surging through me.
‘I didn’t want either of you to take the blame for something I’d done,’ she’s saying. ‘But Dad was adamant, said I was young and had my life in front of me, and if I tried to confess he would do something stupid.’
So he fell on his sword. He finally did something meaningful for his family.
‘I’ll do anything for my kids,’ he’d said – and he had.
I've often wondered how I ever got involved with a man like Simon, but perhaps we aren’t so different after all. We’re both parents, and despite everything else that was wrong with us, with him, he was prepared to do anything for his kids. I lost my first little girl; I couldn’t keep Emily safe. But Sophie chose me to keep her safe. And I will. A grieving child and a grieving mother, who found each other when they needed it most, and the father paid the price so his daughter didn’t have to.
‘How do you feel now… after what happened, Sophie?’ I ask.
‘I feel like shit. I cry. Every fucking day. I hate myself for what I did… Are you going to call the police, Mum?’
She’s looking up at me, her nose running, her face wet with tears, and I think of the little girl sleeping peacefully in her lilac bedroom. I remember her soft, sweet-smelling hair on the pillow, a fluffy cat toy in her arms. Who could possibly imagine the horror that lay ahead?
‘No darling, I’m not going to call the police,’ I say, and I put my arms around her, trying to absorb all her pain and hurt, because I’m a mum and that’s what we do.
Later, in bed I’m alone with my thoughts, I wonder if Janet Cornell ever suspected that Simon’s confession was false? I’ve always had a feeling that she didn’t quite believe he’d killed Caroline. ‘I was sure it was a woman,’ she’d said at the time, putting it down to ‘copper’s instinct’. Perhaps she still thinks it was me… or she might even know it was Sophie? Perhaps Janet chose to lose the scrunchie, chose to believe Simon’s confession and let him pay for all he’s done? After all she said herself, ‘he seems to have a lot to answer for.’
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Sophie was wrong, but ultimately I don’t believe it was her fault; it was the fault of her parents. She shouldn’t have to pay for something she was forced to do because of the irresponsible, selfish behaviour of the adults around her.
Our children are shaped by us, by our behaviour towards them, other people and ourselves, and I take some responsibility for what happened. Sophie was a child caught up in an adult maelstrom from when she was very young, and the people who should have saved her weren’t there to save her. We were too busy saving ourselves.
So I’ll continue to love, nurture and protect Sophie, and I will take her secret to the grave. Our daughter did a terrible thing, but the only people who know what happened that night are me, Sophie, and Simon – and none of us will ever tell.
If you loved Our Little Lies, do also check out Sue's brilliant romantic comedies, starting with Love, Lies and Lemon Cake!
Love, Lies and Lemon Cake
Book 1 in the Love and Lies series
Available now!
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Faye Dobson has lost her sparkle. Living on film star fantasies and vague memories of a marriage that once was, she can’t help feeling that life is passing her by. She dreams of being whisked to Paris for dinner, making three wishes at the Trevi fountain and having sex under the stars. But the wrinkles are multiplying, her husband’s passion is for plumbing, and the nearest she’ll get to Rome is a take-away pizza.
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So when Faye meets Dan the gorgeous Australian surfer guy working in the local deli she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to see the world. He is blonde, tanned, ten years younger and bakes the most amazing lemon cake. Unlike her husband, Dan actually listens to Faye, his smile makes her feel fizzy inside, and when he smiles... Oh. My. God.
* * *
But is Faye being silly? What would Dan see in someone like her? Even if he did have feelings for her, could she give everything up to be with him?
* * *
A laugh-out-loud, bittersweet comedy about taking your life back before it’s too late.
Get it now!
Hear More From Sue
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Also by Sue Watson
Psychological Thrillers
Our Little Lies
* * *
Romantic Comedies
The Love and Lies Series:
Love, Lies and Lemon Cake
Love, Lies and Wedding Cake
* * *
The Ice-Cream Cafe Series:
Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice-Cream
Ella’s Ice Cream Summer
* * *
Bella’s Christmas Bake Off
Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances
Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake
Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams
The Christmas Cake Cafe
Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes
Younger Thinner Blonder
A letter from Sue
I want to say a huge thank you for choosing to read Our Little Lies. If you enjoyed it, and want to keep up to date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the following link. I’ll only send you an email when I have a new book out, your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Sign up to Sue Watson’s email list!
It’s always been an ambition of mine to write a psychological thriller and Our Little Lies was borne out of the question – if you had to fight for everything you love, how far would you go? I’m fascinated by what makes people tick, how far our actions and characters are shaped by nature or nurture and by those we meet along the way. Writing this book has allowed me to explore some of these themes and it’s been both exciting and fascinating.
I really hope you loved reading Our Little Lies as much as I loved writing it, and if you did I would be incredibly grateful if you could write a review. I really want to know what you think, and it makes such a difference helping new readers to discover one of my books for the first time.
Meanwhile, I’d love to see you on Facebook. Become a friend, like my page and please join me for a chat on Twitter.
Thanks,
Sue. x
www.suewatsonbooks.com
Love, Lies and Wedding Cake
Book 2 in the Love and Lies series
Will Faye get her happy-ever-after or will bittersweet secrets ruin the recipe for love?
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Order here!
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Since Faye met her gorgeous Aussie boyfriend Dan, they’ve travelled all over the world to meet in amazing, crazy and romantic locations. They’ve eaten gateaux in a chateau, chocolate torte in a moonlit port, and even had stöllen kisses in a sparkling Christmas market. Neither of them wanted to settle down… until now.
* * *
When Dan asks Faye to marry him and to move to Australia it throws a real spanner in the works. Faye’s daughter Emma needs her here, so moving to the other side of the world – even for a hunk like Dan – simply isn’t an option. Is it?
* * *
Faye’s been down the marriage road before and it ended up with her having Ryan Gosling fantasies while her ex-husband obsessed about the plumbing. Is that what she has to look forward to? Is she ready to end her adventure? And even if she is, how can she be sure Dan is the right man for her?
* * *
A delicious romantic comedy about secrets, second chances and following your heart. Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Jill Mansell and Sophie Kinsella.
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Order here!
Ella’s Ice Cream Summer
&nb
sp; Book 1 in the Ice-Cream Cafe Series
Ella’s life just hit rock-bottom, but can a summer by the sea mend her broken heart? When life gives you lemons… make ice-cream!
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Available now...
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Life hasn’t always been easy for single mum Ella, but she has just hit an all-time low; she’s jobless, loveless, very nearly homeless and, to make matters worse, now the owner of a pocket-sized pooch with a better wardrobe than her.
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Packing her bags (and a bigger one for the dog), Ella sets off for the seaside town of Appledore in Devon to re-live the magical summers of her youth and claim her portion of the family ice-cream business: a clapped-out ice-cream van and a complicated mess of secrets.
* * *
There she meets gorgeous and free-spirited solicitor, Ben, who sees things differently: with a little bit of TLC he has a plan to get the van – and Ella – back up and running in no time.
* * *
Ella’s Ice-Cream Summer is a heart-warming and hilarious romance that will scoop you off your feet and prove it’s never too late for a fresh start. The ideal holiday read for fans of Lucy Diamond, Abby Clements and Debbie Johnson.
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Get it here!
Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice-Cream
Book 2 in the Ice-Cream Cafe Series
Order it here!
* * *
Dani’s on a mission to get her life back on track by the end of the Summer. Running, rowing, aerobics and more, but perhaps all she needs are sweet treats and a second chance?
* * *
Twenty years ago, Dani fled Appledore with a broken-heart and a suitcase full of shattered dreams. Only now is she brave enough to put her past behind her and return for a summer selling homemade ice-cream and getting fit by doing sit-ups by the sea.
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But the new-look cafe is filled with old memories of Jude, her teenage sweetheart-turned-sour. She thinks of him every time she swirls warm sauce onto a “chocolate-bockaglory” and even with the help of Chris, her gorgeous personal trainer, the urge to break her diet is everywhere she turns.
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When Jude makes an appearance at the cafe on the eve of Dani’s birthday party, history threatens to repeat itself. Is Dani strong enough to say no? And is the love she’s been longing for much closer than she thinks?
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Get it now.
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A truly delicious, laugh out loud beach read that’s guaranteed to melt your heart. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Jenny Colgan and Debbie Johnson.
Bella’s Christmas Bake Off
Get it here!
* * *
Two best friends. One big lie. The best bake off EVER.
* * *
Bella Bradley is the queen of television baking – a national treasure. Her Christmas specials have been topping the ratings for years and her marriage to Peter ‘Silver Fox’ Bradley is the stuff of Hello magazine specials.
* * *
But this year things are going to be different.
* * *
For Amy Lane, Bella’s best friend from school, life hasn’t held quite the same sparkle. And when Amy’s husband walks out three weeks from Christmas, it seems their lives are further apart than ever.
* * *
Amy has watched Bella’s rise to fame fondly, despite the fact Bella was always a terrible cook. But when she realises that Bella’s latest Christmas book is made up entirely of Amy’s mother’s recipes, the gloves are off…
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After winning a competition to appear on Bella’s TV show, Amy is going to make sure that for Bella and her viewers, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember…
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A hilarious, heart-breaking and feel good read about best friends, baking and the magic of Christmas.
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Buy now!
Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances
Get it here!
* * *
Escape to Devon for blustery walks along the beach, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and proof that miracles really do happen, especially at Christmas.
* * *
A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe’s heart is still in pieces as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…
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It seems Gianni’s new seaside restaurant is in trouble and Chloe must go to Appledore to save the business – and him. Equally famous for his experimental culinary extravaganzas and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way!
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As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But will it be enough to save their marriage?
* * *
Chloe came to Appledore in search of her Christmas sparkle, but when the snow clears, will she finally find the way back to her husband’s heart?
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Order now…
* * *
A laugh-out-loud festive treat that will give you the tingle of freshly-hung tinsel. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Abby Clements and Debbie Johnson.
Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake
Available now!
* * *
A truly heart-warming and hilarious read about sisters, love and finding the courage to be yourself – one snowflake at a time.
* * *
For Tamsin Angel, Christmas is always the biggest and best… chic parties and a little showbiz sparkle are a must. This year though, things aren’t going quite as planned…
* * *
With bailiffs suddenly at the door and her husband nowhere to be found, it looks like Christmas just got downsized. Moving into her sister’s flat, she wonders whether things will ever be the same again.
* * *
After losing her husband on Christmas Eve, Sam Angel has rebuilt her life around her son Jacob and her new business – The White Angel Bakery. She’s also found herself a very handsome, loving boyfriend, but is struggling to let go of the past.
* * *
Thrown together with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, Sam and Tamsin might just learn a little more about each other – and themselves. But when disaster strikes at the bakery, will they be able to save the day in time for Christmas?
* * *
Order it here…
Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams
A laugh-out-loud, uplifting comedy about finding the courage to be yourself, the importance of dreams, and learning to grab life by the glitter balls.
* * *
Get it here…
* * *
Dance like nobody’s watching. Love like you’ll never get hurt…
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Laura Watkin’s heart isn’t broken, she’s just forgotten how to use it.
After years on her own, the highlight of single mum Laura’s week is watching Strictly Come Dancing with a glass of Pinot Grigio and a large helping of imagination.
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