Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  “Shouldn’t you be busy being a senior accountant?” she questioned with a grin.

  “I am. I have my juniors do all the work while I go to lunch with my girlfriend. Isn’t that how Americans work? Delegating, right?”

  Andrea let out a laugh and shook her head. “Shall we take the kangaroo to the diner or what? Isn’t that how you get around in Australia?” Andrea bit down on her lip as she tried to stifle a laugh.

  “Yes. And every family owns a pet koala that they call Blinky Bill. Now come here!” Noel placed both hands on Andrea’s cheeks and press his lips on hers. Andrea laughed against his mouth until he felt her lips kiss him back.

  “Get a room!” someone hollered, and Andrea laughed against his lips before pulling back and shaking her head.

  “Let’s go get lunch before we get a lecture from HR,” she said as she took her handbag off the floor and rested it on her desk. Andrea was beautiful, with her light blue eyes and dark, chestnut-brown hair. She had the kindest heart, but every time he looked at her there was guilt settling in his stomach. He had sat there at a dispute with a client of theirs, and she had handled herself well. She was strong and so sure of herself.

  Unlike…

  “Wait! Before we go eat,” Noel said.

  They had been together for six months, and it was time. Noel reached into his pocket and felt it. He fished it out and held it out to Andrea, her eyes went wide with surprise, and her lips formed an “O.”

  “Noel,” she breathed out.

  “Move in with me, Andrea,” he said with a hopeful smile.

  “You want us to live together?” she asked as she stared at the ribbon tied through the keyhole.

  “Yes. I want you to move in with me. That crease on your forehead isn’t helping my nerves.”

  “Oh, sorry.” She laughed and took the key from him, holding it in her hand. Noel watched as a smile broke on her face and Andrea’s cheeks started to redden.

  “As long as you keep our fridge stocked with beer and leave the toilet seat down, then it’s a deal. But just know the moment I see marsupials hopping around the apartment you’re on the couch. Got it?” That smile on her face made his heart jump.

  “Deal. But keep your cacti collection on the top shelf. I don’t want my marsupials getting hurt,” Noel played as he curled his arms around her waist and stepped closer. Andrea wrapped her arms around his neck, and those light blue eyes sparkled.

  “I don’t have a cacti collection. I have one cactus. Just one!”

  Noel placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

  “Well, then it’s not going to take you long to move in then, is it?” She removed her hands from his neck and he stepped back. Andrea placed the key in her handbag and looked up at Noel.

  “Lets go get lunch before I regret saying yes to you.”

  Setting down her icing bag, Clara looked at her batch of cupcakes. Her new marshmallow icing had become a bakery favourite, and she found herself having to make extra batches every Thursday. She stepped back and breathed out in relief. In six months, Clara had deferred her business degree and started culinary school. She couldn’t deal with the lectures and tutorials anymore. Cooking and baking kept her happy and at peace. Danny was ecstatic. He finally had an apprentice in Clara.

  “Someone yummy just walked through the front door looking for you,” Josie said as she walked into the kitchen. Clara’s hand reached behind her back and untied her apron. She put her icing stained apron on the counter and walked towards the front of the store. She was surprised to see Liam standing there with a bouquet of lavenders.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you had a day of meetings?” Clara asked as she smiled at the sight of the flowers. Just like their first date.

  “I came to kidnap you.” Liam shrugged.

  “It’s not kidnapping if the boss knows!” Josie yelled from the kitchen.

  “I asked Danny last week if I could borrow you for the afternoon. I want to take you somewhere.” Clara squinted her eyes at him.

  “Where?”

  “You won’t let me make this a surprise, will you?”

  Clara shook her head and Liam sighed. She walked around the counter and let out a laugh at his deflated sigh. Liam pulled her in and placed a kiss on her cheek, Clara taking the lavenders and smelling them.

  “I’m taking you to see the Penguin Parade,” Liam said. Clara looked up and stared at him in surprise.

  “The Penguin Parade?”

  Liam broke into a beautiful smiled. “You’ve never been?”

  “Can’t say that I have.” She shrugged.

  “That’s perfect then. Well, there wasn’t a toucan parade in town, so I had to choose penguins.” She was sure this was Liam’s way of apologising for being away the last few weeks. It was hard for him now that his family’s company was taking over and investing into some big companies in Asia. Clara was excited. She had heard of the Penguin Parade, but she had never been to Philip Island to go see. She heard that little penguins waddled out of the water and walked up the beach and settled into their nests. It had been one of the things she had always wanted to see for herself, but between culinary school and the bakery she just never had the time.

  “I’ve got your jacket in the car. Ready to go?” Liam asked. Clara couldn’t contain her excitement and she nodded her head.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Josie!” she yelled out and took Liam’s hand.

  The cold July air made Clara shiver against Liam’s body. They walked out of the visitor’s centre and watched as a little penguin waddled across the footpath. Park rangers were on either side of the path to make sure the penguin made it to its nest safely.

  Liam had been surprisingly quiet, but Clara suspected that he was still tired from his late nights of work. Last night she had to beg him to return to bed when she found him locked away in his study. The floodlights turned on as the sun slowly started to set. Liam took Clara’s hand and walked her towards the railing that overlooked the beach. She removed her hand from Liam and placed her hands on the railing, looking out. She could see a few penguins waddle towards their nests and saw people already sitting on the steps ready to watch the parade begin. It wasn't quite dark enough for the penguins to come out, but Clara was eager to see them.

  “Come on, Liam. Let’s go down there and see them,” Clara said as she took a few steps towards the path that led to the beach. She stopped and turned around to see Liam just staring out at the sunset.

  “Liam, are you okay?” she asked worriedly. Clara stood next to him and placed her hand on his arm. Liam turned to face her with a content smile on his face that made her heart race. He turned properly and took both of Clara’s hands in his.

  Liam closed his eyes and let one of her hands go. The tension on his face confused her and sent her nerves on high alert. She feared the worst. When he opened his eyes, the colour of hazel twinkled back at her. Clara watched as Liam took a deep breath in and out before he squeezed her hand and slowly bent on one knee.

  Oh my God, is he…

  Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out a light blue Tiffany and Co. ring box. He let go of Clara’s other hand and opened the box. Inside sat an oval-shaped engagement ring. One large diamond sat in the middle surrounded by smaller diamonds. Clara’s breath left her, and her heart stopped. She couldn’t move her hand to cover her mouth. All she knew was she had tears brimming in her eyes before a violent and an all too familiar squeeze took hold of her heart.

  “Clara Lawrence, will you marry me?”

  Noel walked over to the counter to see the back of an elderly man behind it. The man turned and smiled at him. Noel approached the counter and placed the cactus plant on it. His eyes fell down to see the elderly man holding a bouquet of orange tulips. All air fled Noel’s lungs as he stared at the tulips. All memories of Clara and her favourite flower started flooding his every thought. The pain in him was intolerable, and could bring him to his knees. He looked up to see the old man move his mouth, but Noel c
ouldn’t hear a single word the old man said.

  Noel fumbled in his jacket pocket and took out his wallet. Opening it and taking out his credit card, he handed it to the man. Noel breathed in heavily a few times before he looked down. The corners of a picture could be seen, and Noel felt his hands tighten their grip on his wallet. The man gave Noel back his credit card. Noel took one more look at the tulips before taking the cactus plant and leaving the store. Once inside his car, Noel placed Andrea’s cactus on the floor. Noel took out his wallet and opened it. He removed the credit card and placed it in another slot.

  Noel looked at the picture with its dog-ear ends poking out from the slot. He ran his thumb over it and paused. It had been more than six months since he last looked at this picture, but Noel wanted to see. He didn’t care that it would open up the wounds he tried desperately to stitch shut. His heartbeat picked up, his palms sweat, and his hands shook. He took out the picture, and his heart collapsed at the sight of it. If he hadn’t already prepared himself, he’d cry over it.

  Noel sat there and ran his thumb over her beautiful face and then her long brown curls. His eyes burned slightly and that was when Noel put the picture back in its slot and placed the credit card in front of it. For Noel, the picture served as a heartbreaking memory of her. No matter how much he tried to forget her, Clara Lawrence would always break his heart over and over again.

  There are a lot of people I need to thank and well, not a lot of time—or space! I don’t think this would ever be enough but it’s a start. I wouldn’t be where I am without these people and I will never stop loving them, they are my family.

  Mum and Dad—I couldn’t ask for better parents. You’ve taught me right from wrong, you’ve taught me to dream and to believe. You’ve taught me that when all fails, just be a good person. I love you both, always.

  Dennis, Leslie and Emily—I hate that I love you three, kidding! You three are annoying but unfortunately I can’t get rid of you all. Thank you for being the most amazing (infuriating) siblings ever! Thank you for having to live with me and deal with my crazy. Thank you for running the house while I wrote this book! Love you, you crazy kids!

  Alex Rosa and Jaycee Ford—Word can’t describe how thankful I am for you ladies in my life. The best authors I know. All our late night conversations about boys, romance novels, love and everything else has meant the absolute world. Thank you for being by my side through it all! Thank you for hearing all my doubts and keeping me level headed. Thank you for guiding me, being my source of inspiration, my role models and most importantly, my friends. I couldn’t do this without you both. I can’t be me without you. We’re the best when we’re a trio. I can’t wait to see you both in the US!

  Zorica, Hayley, Jessica, and Aimee—Through all of high school and university, we’ve been together. Thank you for the good times, thank you for your love and support. And thank you for your patience with me. Through thick and thin, we’ll always have each other. One day soon we’ll be married and have children, God help our husbands and children!

  Elif, Huda and Sandy—My Ulehs. You’ve made university tolerable and memorable. Thank you for your undying support. When I look back on my university years, I’m never going to stop laughing and being thankful for the times we’ve shared. Thank you for being some of the firsts to read my work.

  Mary, Marcelina, Courtney, Ashleigh and Canan— My first believers. My darling co-workers. Thank you for being more. Thank you for your friendship and all your love and support. Forever appreciative.

  MWWIM—Ladies, thank you for your wisdom, your love and your support. Your support has been invaluable. Thank you for everything. Always.

  The countless readers who read my book online. Words can’t express how amazed I am that you contributed to the millions of reads Thirty-Eight Days reached. I would have never published without your desire for my writing. I am what I am because of you. Thank you, with all my heart, thank you. You helped me realise how much I wanted to write. My darling, Lenatics, you bring such joy in my life. You are all my everything. Special mentions to Danielle and Michal, thank you for beta reading anything and everything I write.

  Overall, thank you to every single person that has had an influence and supported me, my countless family members, friends and all the amazing authors I’ve met along the way. You’ve made this experience and publishing an absolute dream (oh! And special mention to the home ent/photo lab boys! Thanks for putting up with me—I did promise this mention!).

  And to you, reading this, thank you for taking the risk and reading my book. I know I haven’t ended it the way you may have liked but I promise, the second book is worth the wait. No words can express how thankful I am for your time. I am your biggest fan! Thank you.

  Remember, if anything, love is never easy.

  The truth is, Len Webster is a romance-loving Melburnian with dreams of finding her version of ‘The One’. She calls Australia home, but secretly wishes a man with a beautiful accent would whisk her away. She’s been called a hopeless romantic and a firm believer of happily ever afters, which she doesn’t object to.

  When Len isn’t acting as the voice of her characters, you can find her drowning in business textbooks as she slaves over her Bachelor degree. She spends more time than she should daydreaming of her next Europe adventure or swooning over Mr. Darcy.

  Len can be found sitting at her University library, earphones in, and writing instead of studying. If she could, she would own a cupcake bakery just for an endless supply of red velvet cupcakes. Her best friends are a hot cup of tea, a warm jumper and her Macbook, ready to write to her heart’s content.

  Connect with Len

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/lennwebster

  Twitter: @lennwebster

  Instagram: @lennwebster

  Website: www.lenwebster.com

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7502135.Len_Webster

  Table of Contents

  Prologue. 7

  Chapter One. 11

  Chapter Two. 17

  Chapter Three. 24

  Chapter Four. 33

  Chapter Five. 39

  Chapter Six. 45

  Chapter Seven. 50

  Chapter Eight 56

  Chapter Nine. 63

  Chapter Ten. 69

  Chapter Eleven. 71

  Chapter Twelve. 81

  Chapter Thirteen. 92

  Chapter Fourteen. 103

  Chapter Fifteen. 111

  Chapter Sixteen. 122

  Chapter Seventeen. 130

  Chapter Eighteen. 139

  Chapter Nineteen. 152

  Chapter Twenty. 166

  Chapter Twenty-one. 178

  Chapter Twenty-two. 186

  Chapter Twenty-three. 196

  Chapter Twenty-four. 205

  Chapter Twenty-Five. 213

  Chapter Twenty-six. 219

  Chapter Twenty-seven. 224

  Acknowledgements. 229

  About the Author. 231