In any ordinary life (In any oridnary Book 1)

by Clare Stanley Midgley

  In any ordinary life

  Clare Stanley Midgley

  Dedicated to Colin, Emillie & Mia

  To my life line and my angels thank you for your support

  Love you.

  To Rosie – thank you so much for your patience I don’t think

  I would have ever got through the book without you.

  I can’t thank you enough

  Contents

  Chapter 1 Chapter: 37

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Authors Introduction

  Jeanie sat in her office dreaming of changes to her life. The mundane existence had dragged her down to a point that nothing except routine existed. Her father’s death had provided the perfect excuse for her to hide away.

  After a family emergency and a chance meeting with an old flame Jeanie realises love has more to offer than lies and deceit. Offering security James supplies her with a plan for escape. By this time death follows her wherever she goes and no matter how she tries to escape she feels its cold finger pressing onto every last breath.

  The embers of his cigarette looked like small clouds floating around the window gathering speed in the frosty air. James watched her intently until she turned the corner at the church, he could still smell the vague oily residue around the room. Taking the last drag he breathed the smoke out longingly as the room seemed cold and vacant and without her. Shaking his head he sat on the bed reminiscent of the events from last night. Imagining Jeanie’s soft skin pressed against his body he couldn’t help but feel pleasure and every inch of him pricked with excitement, she was the one. She had to be.

  He had walked away from a life that he had known just to be with her, his family had begged him not to go, but they didn’t know Jeanie like he did. He had walked away from long term relationship in which he had been supported avidly during medical school. There was no question of that but the only woman to truly see him was Jeanie.

  Starring at the ceiling he remembered how sex felt in his previous relationship, but that was it, it was just sex. For the first time in six years he had made love, and it felt amazing. She had never made him react the way Jeanie did, what he couldn’t shake about Jeanie was that she played on his mind. He had imagined being with so many times, her laugh, her smile she was the first and last thing he thought about. Reaching for his shirt the damp collar smelt of her, breathing it in he smiled, he felt alive, free she had liberated him and she didn’t even know.

  Putting on his jacket he made his way the small winding stairs. Her scarf hung gracefully from the hook on the back of the door. Taking it down he wrapped it around him breathing her in deeper.

  ” Good night was it. You know Doc she’s a good girl you don’t lead girls like that astray…”

  James took hold of his hand and shook it firmly,” I know Jim that’s why I’m marrying her....”

  Chapter 1

  Dreaming one day her life would change and questioning her own existence was nothing new to Jeanie. With one ear reaching out to her alarm and her thoughts in sleep her sudden awakening put everything into perspective. She was waiting for her life to start.

  Lying down on the bed and quieting her clock she started the day as she always did.

  Tired.

  Life and existence for the past ten years had revolved around work and waking up at four o’clock in the morning was nothing more than routine.

  Looking at the bleak sky and nurturing her brew her hopes began to rise with the start of a new day and as the clock ticked ahead she stepped into her normal morning habitual practices with the thought of any adventures dying in her morning coffee. As every minute passed she felt further away from the life she was dreaming about.

  The brisk November air made her shudder and as the cold crept into her veins she walked silently down the garden path. Placing her hands in her pockets she gazed at the sparkle studded road ahead and with all of her thoughts lost in the frost as she looked deep into the sky. The stars twinkled inviting her into fantasy and as the moon’s silver light lit the path ahead she followed engagingly as it lit the way ahead. As much as the moment seemed magical the reality of the harsh cold air bit hard at her cheeks and nose and as the numbness started to flood over her face it soon broke the spell.

  The rows of cottages lay asleep and as she past she longed for the close comfort of her own bed. Hiding herself in the blackness and eradicating her wishes of a desired lay in Jeanie’s tiredness soon disappeared in the efforts for keeping warm and feeling her breath plus the wet condensation on her scarf it made her quicken her pace.

  Rolling up to the gates she sighed and breathed deeply as to exhale all her thoughts, as the foggy mist appeared in the air Jeanie followed in quiet contemplation as the sparkles rose like bubbles into the sky. It was indeed the start of a beautiful morning. The factory roof looked like a Christmas card and the Nordic dangles of the icicles followed in a perfect symmetrical line and as everything matched the scene it truly seemed a magical morning.

  Catching a glimpse of her reflection in the main reception window made any moment enchantment disappear replacing it with the feeling of contempt. Throwing her head back in disgust she traced the grease and oil splattered marks from her antics with pieces of machinery and wondered when the quiet little girl would ever be seen again. As she turned sideward her reflection didn’t fare any better and her feelings regurgitated her sensation of utter repulsion. Feeling the urge she couldn’t help but comment.

  “Look at the state of you. If you walked down the street like this anywhere else in the world they would think you where homeless.” Jeanie often talked to herself starting as a habit created by an incredibly large family. With the amount of people vying for attention it made difficult to get a respected answer never mind common sense and having to rely on oneself for advice and talking to her reflection had become a normal morning occurrence.

  Now demoralised Jeanie knew she always had a way of making herself feel unremarkable even treating herself as if she was nothing more spectacular than a drawing pin, but what she didn’t realise or appreciated was the glow she had inside which everyone warmed to. She captivated even the impatient listener and her ability to pull everyone into a conversation and entice their imagination was the main reason why so many staff had stayed true.

  Her father’s sudden death had impacted her life more than she cared to admit and in more ways she couldn’t get away from the fact that she was her father’s daughter. The mirror had never reflected it however; inside both were joined at the core. She missed him more these days especially now the dark nights had started to draw in. Jeanie had always been close to him even starting the business with him but his contradictory standards always confused her greatly especially when one minute he would say ru
n for freedom and the next saying I can’t manage the company without you. Jeanie was in the middle, she was always caught in the middle and after his death her fate had been sealed and looking through the glass wasn’t going to change that.

  Gathering herself together she opened the door to the downstairs reception and she could already hear Eric bellowing his orders. Jeanie cringed at these mornings and had regularly scorned Eric for his nonchalant attitude towards her staff.

  Climbing to the platform she mischievously put her head around the door waiting for her next scolding for being late for fourth time this week.

  “Good morning to you. You grumpy old bastard!” Slinging his head around he quickly slammed shut the window.

  “And what time do you call this fucking place doesn’t run itself?” Jeanie knew his bark was worse than his bite and she also knew he was digging for a reaction. Taking off her coat she walked to her desk purposely avoiding looking directly at him. Looking at the papers Jeanie never rose to his commands knowing it would frustrate him more. As Eric hit his boiling point she smiled under her scarf and with the muffled reply gave chase to his temper, “around 4:30am why?”

  Ignoring her comment he walked towards the door with his mumblings getting louder as he made his way around the gantry.

  “Number seven has thrown a piston you cocky little shit and don’t give me any grief today as I’m ready for you!”

  Mornings wouldn’t be the same without him and he had made her feel like a daughter even providing her with that security after her father’s death. Eric supported her through her dark days and missing her dad was easy especially when his name was in huge letters down the side of the building. Thriving on the sarcasm and non specific morning’s banter with him was no different to any other day.

  Sitting down in her dad’s chair her feelings of emptiness began to rise again and as she starred out of the office window she sighed heavily wanting at least some direction instead of the catalyst of routine which set out in front of her. The wind howled around the building as it started to snow and she wished for her dad. Gazing out over the frost covered hills made it seem as if time had stood still and feeling like an onlooker in her own life the world seemed to spin without anyone really knowing her existence. She had almost become a passer-by in her own life.

  As the darkness engulfed the morning the emptiness seemed to echo her responsibility. However hearing a loud bang and Eric’s voice jolted her straight back to reality

  “Shit number seven!”

  Jumping out of her seat she made her way down the steps to the shop floor and as she walked past the rows of lockers and down the side of the building the roar of a fully fledged working plant was at her feet and in her control. She didn’t feel in control.

  The petrol heater in the back masked the noise of Eric still shouting behind her and with the warmth hitting her face she tried to forget about the emptiness that rested inside.

  Just another day!

  Disappearing under the press she pacified her feelings of escape but all she could think about was her nice warm bed and the sound of her seven sisters snoring and nattering in the background. Jeanie thought about them a lot and regularly worried mainly about how she was going to feed them.

  The cold floor and the smell of oil filled her senses and as she climbed underneath the resentment at the situation flooded back into mind.

  “Yep it’s ok for me to get covered in shit but no Jeanie comes to work and looks like a tramp and smells like one too. ” As she twisted the bolts she bit down hard grinding her teeth as she forced the metal the turn and as they dropped out one by one she couldn’t help but think of her family.

  Jeanie loved her family unconditionally and the only reason she had kept going for this long was because she cared about them so much. Having two older and five younger sisters often made Jeanie feel out of place especially when none of the others had even taken a remote interest in the business. The difference was they where all incredibly beautiful and she knew she stuck out like a sore thumb. Stepping into her fathers shoes had been a difficult role to play and tinkering with the piston didn’t put her mind at ease either.

  Jeanie’s thoughts wavered to her main concern Ivy. Her older sister had become her confident but being heavily pregnant and ill made Jeanie’s life even more complicated. A baby in the house was good news but all she could concentrate on was that it was another mouth to feed.

  Ivy had rejoined the family over a month ago and had moved in temporarily whilst George her husband was away. Jeanie understood completely that coming from such a large family and living nearly a hundred miles away must have made Ivy feel isolated. Having her home felt like more pressure and she knew she had to make the plant work. Ivy had become the defining muse she needed to focus her efforts on and the business had to make money or else all of them would be destitute.

  The oil dripped down her face and along her brow causing her hair to act like a sponge soaking up the small puddle which was now beginning to take shape. Whilst Ivy played on her mind she continued to feel uneasy knowing something would happen soon if not tonight.

  Ivy had become more than a big sister and she was afraid of loosing the only confident she’d had. Ivy knew she would do anything for them and in her efforts to make her sister feel welcome Jeanie had given up her room and bed awaiting the imminent arrival.

  Trying to forget and trying hard to concentrate she ploughed ahead there was nothing else she could do after all she couldn’t have the baby for her. The only thing she knew was routine and today couldn’t be any different.

  Chapter 2

  At home Ivy lay in bed unable to sleep and as waves tightened in her stomach she could feel the storm brewing inside. Moving towards the door she stopped suddenly almost paralysed in fear feeling unable to shout for help as the pains came and went. The doctor had to visited regularly putting Ivy on bed rest but she knew tonight was different.

  The wind howled stronger and the panic washed over her along with the pains inside. Falling to floor with the last gasp she screamed, “MUM!” The house erupted in a sound of stomping footsteps and the transition from asleep to awake had been made in seconds and as her family gathered around.

  They knew the baby was coming.

  Getting her to stand her waters broke and before she knew it she was on the way to hospital with eight people in tow. Ivy was given a side room with windows onto the corridor. The room was cold and dark and as the doctor appeared masked and gowned Ivy froze and panicked more.

  Looking over to her mum with a sense of helplessness Irene drew close to hold her daughters hand. “Mum I need Jeanie I can’t do this without Jeanie mum get her now. I can’t.” As Ivy screamed again Irene had no choice. Sticking her head out of the door she shouted with intent.

  “Get Jeanie now!”

  Jeanie by this time was covered from head to foot with oil and her arms and back ached as the piston was heavy and cumbersome. Hearing Eric bellowing again from the office had started to draw on her patience and her temper. Pissed off, tired and covered in shit Jeanie shouted back not able to understand what his problem was.

  “What the Fuck is wrong with you today?”

  “You never listen do you I said get to the hospital now Ivy’s in labour and there’s something wrong.” Eric was more flustered than usual and as he threw his clipboard at her as he ran down the gantry. Jeanie didn’t need a second chance and as she ran out of the side door she didn’t stop to catch her breath.

  I knew it I told her last night she looked like shit

  Knowing she had to get there and fast she started to flag down anything which could get her there quicker than her own feet. Waving her hands rapidly a van slowed down and stopped just in front of her.

  “What’s up Jea?” pausing and panting rapidly Jeanie tried to catch her breath, “I need to get to the Hospital...”

  “Hop in I’m on my way over to that side anyway.”

  Jeanie looked like a cat on hot bricks and a
s they reached the hospital she didn’t have time to say thank you, she was out before the van had stopped. Instead she waved in gratitude and barged her way through the double doors.

  Running down the grey walled corridor her sisters sat in anticipation of her arrival. Jeanie still trying to gather breath bellowed in announcement, “Where is she?”

  “Second one down.” Rose bleated with tears falling rapidly.

  Not one for waiting she barged her way through and went straight to Ivy’s side, “What’s all this about?”

  The panic was evident on both Ivy and Irene’s face, “I can’t do this Jeanie she’s stuck, for fuck sake she’s stuck!” tears rolled down Ivy’s cheek as the chaos began to unfold in the delivery room. Seeing Irene in the same state Jeanie spoke firmly to her mother.

  “Calm down you’re not helping. Either stay and be calm or get the fuck out and I will deal with this. Doctor tell me what we have to do!”

  “Just help.” Her mum put out of sorts by her comments hesitantly moved to one side and speaking through gritted teeth the small amount of venom rolled off her tongue. Irene silently saw her daughter take control and as panic still gripped Ivy’s face Jeanie’s presence brought her a small sense of relief. As she took control she listened intently as the gowned man began to speak.

  “This baby needed to come out now do you understand.” Jeanie bowed down to Ivy’s ear and placed her hand on her head.

  “Listen this baby has had enough and she needs to come out now grab hold of me sit up and push with everything you have and don’t stop until I say so got it.”

  The screams of labour could be heard down the ward and holding onto Ivy she looked intently into her eyes always encouraging her sister. Ivy trusted her so implicitly that the pair worked in conjunction Jeanie to calm and Ivy to push. Ivy didn’t want to think anymore, squeezing her sisters hand she continued to coax her lovingly.

  “Come on I know you can do it you tell me enough.” As the baby appeared Ivy fell back into the bed.