All That Mullarkey

by Sue Moorcroft

  But when she re-entered her room he hadn’t moved an inch. In fact, as soon as she appeared, he carried on as if she’d never left. ‘So you’d like me to live somewhere else?’

  She nodded, tugging her towelling dressing-gown belt and searching for her brush.

  ‘If you want me to, I’ll go. Just explain why.’

  She sat on the bottom of the bed, scraping her hairbrush moodily on the duvet cover. ‘I don’t like the idea of being friends who share a daughter and, occasionally, a bed. It’s a compromise. Half-hearted.’

  Through the silence that followed, the lilac blossom on the quilt cover melted and blurred as her eyes filled. She concentrated very hard on not letting the tears fall. When Justin snatched back the covers and lurched to his feet, walking naked across the bed before jumping down to land beside her, she looked away and concentrated harder. She would not cry!

  The gentleness of his arms around her almost tempted her to sag against the comfort of his chest, the bed-warm, man smell of his skin, but she would not cry. His voice was a deep, sympathetic rumble. ‘Suppose I want to be couply?’

  The tears began to fall. ‘You shouldn’t say things like that!’ The sleeve of her dressing gown had to do to wipe her eyes. ‘It’s all wrong. Drew said I had a husband and a child –’

  ‘Ex-husband. And my child.’

  ‘Exactly. You’re here out of some misplaced sense of responsibility, and because you’re mad about Shona. Not me! I’m bad for you.’

  He pulled her round to face him. ‘What misplaced responsibility?’

  She scrubbed her eyes with her other sleeve and sniffed unattractively. ‘Because of Shona. But your responsibility’s to her, not me.’

  ‘I know I’m responsible for her. Why are you bad for me?’

  She sniffed again, digging in her pocket for a tissue. ‘All that stuff. You know, you said it. And Drew says it.’

  ‘What stuff? When? What does Drew say?’

  She risked a glance through lashes spiky with tears. ‘You said I wasn’t straight with you, we had too much bad history. And Drew thinks I’m after someone to look after me. And, anyway,’ she added, turning to face him properly, inspired by a flash of insight. ‘You only kept in touch once you found out about Shona.’

  His eyes flashed. She noticed that, if he frowned horribly enough, one eyebrow did a little curl above the bridge of his nose.

  ‘Listen,’ he said very clearly, as if talking to some drunken imbecile. He grasped her hands and squeezed them too hard. ‘I did say some of that stuff when I first found out about Shona. My brain was all to hell in a handcart. Suddenly there was this little person on the planet that I’d helped put there – you’d had ages to get your head round it but I’d had a few hours. I was jet-lagged, I’d had to throw those jokers out of the flat. I wasn’t at my best.

  ‘I had some jumbled idea of giving myself space while I got back on an even keel. Truthfully, it was just an awful lot of bollocks.’ His lips pressed momentarily on her hair. ‘Look at me.’

  Slowly, she peeped.

  He smiled.

  Her heart did that funny, blossomy thing, making the back of her neck prickle.

  He murmured, ‘When I came to see you – I didn’t know Shona existed.’ He kissed her nose. ‘I came back to see you.’ Another kiss. ‘Because mad and bad as I thought you were, I couldn’t forget you. And I thought it was worth a little drive to Middledip to find out what your husband situation was.’

  ‘Really?’ She tipped her head back.

  ‘Truly.’ He nibbled her throat.

  ‘Positive?’ She sniffed.

  He blew gently between her breasts. ‘Why do you think I’ve been hanging around like some loser with a crush? I do love Shona, but Cleo …’ He raised his mouth to hover over hers. ‘I’ve loved you since you climbed off that jet-ski, fully dressed, soaked to the skin, and laughing.’

  Epilogue

  She was home before him, letting Shona run in first, following on with the mother’s burden of toys, jacket and backpack as well as her own bag of pens, badges and handouts that she’d need for work the next day. The house was warm and welcoming in the sunshine and much fresher now she’d gone through almost every room with the magnolia paint.

  She’d been dying to come home all day. It had been a real Monday kind of long day, the weekend still fresh in her mind and the working week repellent. Probably because she’d spent the weekend in a cloud of happiness. So much happiness her legs felt weak. So much sex her life had gone funny.

  Briskly, she dumped her burdens in the kitchen and began putting the finishing touches to the evening meal, answering Shona’s stream of words and nearly-words until she heard the front door open. Instantly, she was deserted as Shona trundled energetically into the hall. ‘Jussin!’

  ‘Sho-naaaaa!’

  A fit of giggles and a happy shriek, then Shona reappeared upside down over Justin’s shoulder.

  Cleo’s heart missed a beat as Justin yanked Cleo to him for a kiss, his lips hot and hard on hers, while Shona continued to squeal with pleasure from behind his back. ‘Do you know I’ve got to adopt Shona if I want normal parental rights?’

  Wrong-footed by his plunging into such an unexpected conversation, Cleo broke away to shuffle the cutlery onto the table. ‘I think I did know that. I’d forgotten. But you can do that, can’t you? It’s only sensible.’

  ‘It’s not sensible, it’s stupid because she’s my daughter. I thought it might be good if we all had the same name and when I looked into it I found out all this other legal stuff. It’s unreal!’ He swivelled Shona right side up.

  Cleo stared at him. A flush of shock began to creep up her body. She said, faintly, ‘But we don’t have the same name.’

  ‘Ah.’ He put Shona down. Very slowly he leaned forward and kissed Cleo’s eyelids. ‘I think it’ll be better if we’re all Mullarkey, for Shona’s sake. What do you think?’

  She turned to stir the sauce, letting her hair slide down and cover her face. ‘I’ll tell you when I know what you’re actually asking.’ She turned to drain the carrots, hoping that he’d think that it was the steam that was making her face so red.

  Silence.

  She flicked a glance behind her as she returned the carrots to the hob. And then stopped dead! ‘Oh Justin!’ she wailed, almost dropping the pan. ‘That wall’s only just been painted.’

  Guiltily, he examined the pen in his hand. ‘It’s one of those for a whiteboard, isn’t it? It’ll wipe off?’

  She began to laugh. ‘It’s for a flip chart! It’s called a marker.’

  ‘Oh.’

  On the wall, black on the fresh cream wall, it said: I love you. I want to marry you. Love Justin.

  Slowly, he picked up a cloth and wiped at the corner of the final ‘n’. It didn’t come off.

  He grinned. ‘That’s fine. It’s permanent.’

  About the Author

  Sue Moorcroft is an accomplished writer of novels, serials, short stories and articles, as well as a creative writing tutor and a competition judge.

  Her other novels include Starting Over, Want to Know a Secret?, Love & Freedom and prior to Choc Lit - Uphill All the Way. Her novel Dream a Little Dream will be published by Choc Lit in November 2012.

  She is also the commissioning editor and a contributor to Loves Me, Loves Me Not, an anthology of short stories celebrating the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 50th anniversary and the author of Love Writing – How to Make Money Writing Romantic or Erotic Fiction.

  www.suemoorcroft.com

  www.suemoorcroft.wordpress.com

  www.twitter.com/suemoorcroft

  More Choc Lit from Sue

  Starting Over

  New home, new friends, new love. Can starting over be that simple?

  Tess Riddell reckons her beloved Freelander is more reliable than any man - especially her ex-fiancé, Olly Gray. She’s moving on from her old life and into the perfect cottage in the country.

  Miles
Rattenbury’s passions? Old cars and new women! Romance? He’s into fun rather than commitment.

  When Tess crashes the Freelander into his breakdown truck, they find that they’re nearly neighbours – yet worlds apart. Despite her overprotective parents and a suddenly attentive Olly, she discovers the joys of village life and even forms an unlikely friendship with Miles. Then, just as their relationship develops into something deeper, an old flame comes looking for him …

  Is their love strong enough to overcome the past? Or will it take more than either of them is prepared to give?

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Starting-Over-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQ74

  Want to Know a Secret?

  Money, love and family. Which matters most?

  When Diane Jenner’s husband is hurt in a helicopter crash, she discovers a secret that changes her life. And it’s all about money, the kind of money the Jenners have never had.

  James North has money, and he knows it doesn’t buy happiness. He’s been a rock for his wayward wife and troubled daughter – but that doesn’t stop him wanting Diane.

  James and Diane have something in common: they always put family first. Which means that what happens in the back of James’s Mercedes is a really, really bad idea.

  Or is it?

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Want-Know-Secret-ebook/dp/B004D5000S

  Love & Freedom

  Shortlisted for the Festival of Romance Award for Best Romantic Read 2011.

  New start, new love.

  That’s what Honor Sontag needs after her life falls apart, leaving her reputation in tatters and her head all over the place. So she flees her native America and heads for Brighton, England.

  Honor’s hoping for a much-deserved break and the chance to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. What she gets is an entanglement with a mysterious male whose family seems to have a finger in every pot in town.

  Martyn Mayfair has sworn off women with strings attached, but is irresistibly drawn to Honor, the American who keeps popping up in his life. All he wants is an uncomplicated relationship built on honesty, but Honor’s past threatens to undermine everything. When secrets about her mother start to spill out …

  Honor has to make an agonising choice. Will she live up to her dutiful name and please others? Or will she choose freedom?

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00564A0RS

  And to be released in November 2012

  Dream a Little Dream

  What would you give to make your dreams come true?

  Liza Reece has a dream. Working as a reflexologist for a troubled holistic centre isn’t enough. When the opportunity arises to take over the Centre she jumps at it. Problem is, she needs funds, and fast, as she’s not the only one interested.

  Dominic Christy has dreams of his own. Diagnosed as suffering from a rare sleep disorder, dumped by his live-in girlfriend and discharged from the job he adored as an Air Traffic Controller, he’s single-minded in his aims. He has money, and plans for the Centre that don’t include Liza and her team.

  But dreams have a way of shifting and changing and Dominic’s growing fascination with Liza threatens to reshape his. And then it’s time to wake up to the truth …

  More from Choc Lit

  If you’ve enjoyed Sue’s heroes, you’ll enjoy the rest of our selection. Here’s a sample:

  Turning the Tide

  Christine Stovell

  All’s fair in love and war?

  Depends on who’s making the rules.

  Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father’s boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater.

  So when property developer Matthew Corrigan wants to turn the boat yard into an upmarket housing complex for his exotic new restaurant, it’s like declaring war.

  And the odds seem to be stacked in Matthew’s favour. He’s got the colourful locals on board, his hard-to-please girlfriend is warming to the idea and he has the means to force Harry’s hand.

  Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself.

  Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next …

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turning-The-Tide-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQOC

  Highland Storms

  Christina Courtenay

  Winner of the 2012 RoNA Best Historical Romantic Novel Category Award

  Who can you trust?

  Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross needs a fresh start. So he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over the family estate.

  But there’s trouble afoot at Rosyth in 1754 and Brice finds himself unwelcome. The estate’s in ruin and money is disappearing. He discovers an ally in Marsaili Buchanan, the beautiful redheaded housekeeper, but can he trust her?

  Marsaili is determined to build a good life. She works hard at being a housekeeper and harder still at avoiding men who want to take advantage of her. But she’s irresistibly drawn to the new clan chief, even though he’s made it plain he doesn’t want to be shackled to anyone.

  And the young laird has more than romance on his mind. His investigations are stirring up an enemy. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants – including Marsaili – even if that means destroying Brice’s life forever …

  Sequel to Trade Winds

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highland-Storms-ChocLit-ebook/dp/B00629ZK0I

  The Importance of being Emma

  Juliet Archer

  Darcy & Friends Series

  Winner of The Big Red Reads Fiction Award 2011 and short listed for the 2009 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance.

  Mark Knightley – handsome, clever, rich – is used to women falling at his feet. Except Emma Woodhouse, who’s like part of the family – and the furniture. When their relationship changes dramatically, is it an ending or a new beginning?

  Emma’s grown into a stunningly attractive young woman, full of ideas for modernising her family business.

  Then Mark gets involved and the sparks begin to fly. It’s just like the old days, except that now he’s seeing her through totally new eyes.

  While Mark struggles to keep his feelings in check, Emma remains immune to the Knightley charm. She’s never forgotten that embarrassing moment when he discovered her teenage crush on him. He’s still pouring scorn on all her projects, especially her beautifully orchestrated campaign to find Mr Right for her ditzy PA. And finally, when the mysterious Flynn Churchill – the man of her dreams – turns up, how could she have eyes for anyone else?

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Importance-Being-Emma-ebook/dp/B003ZSHNWW

  The Silver Locket

  Margaret James

  Winner of Catanetworks Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles 2010

  If life is cheap, how much is love worth?

  It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?

  The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.

  But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.

  What value will she put on his love?

  First novel in the trilogy, followed by The Golden Chain (May 2011) and The Penny Bangle (May 2012
)

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B004D4ZYTQ

  Please Don’t Stop the Music

  Jane Lovering

  Winner of the RONA Best Novel of the Year 2012

  Winner of the RONA Best Romantic Comedy of the Year 2012

  How much can you hide?

  Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. Trouble is, her jewellery business looks set to fail – until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop and things start looking up, on all fronts.

  But Ben has secrets too. When Jemima finds out he used to be the front man of hugely successful Indie rock band Willow Down, she wants to know more. Why did he desert the band on their US tour? Why is he now a semi-recluse?

  And the curiosity is mutual – which means that her own secret is no longer safe …

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Please-Dont-Stop-Music-ebook/dp/B004LROOFK

  The UnTied Kingdom

  Kate Johnson

  Shortlisted for the RONA Best Contemporary Novel 2012

  The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles– or was it?

  When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.

  Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The general wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.

  She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.

  And Harker is falling in love with her.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-UnTied-Kingdom-ebook/dp/B004URV5SA

  Never Coming Home