Someone was ringing the bell, and she didn't want to go and see who it was. She just wanted to hide at that moment. Painfully, she hopped along the cold floor of the hall and peered nervously round the front door.
It was Mark, and it was hard to say who was the more surprised of the two as they faced each other across the step, he with a battered and bloody face, clutching what looked remarkably like a bunch of flowers behind his back, and she in a state of undress with all blood down the front of her nightie.
"Time of the month?" he said finally, thinking he had her sussed.
"No," she said indignantly. "The cat's annoyed because I'm out of food. She scratched me."
"That's serious," he said.
"The wound?"
"No, being out of food for the cat. Are you going to ask me in, or what?"
"I suppose so," she sighed, reluctant, but he was her boss after all."
"These are for you," he said, handing her a bunch of droopy unwrapped flowers.
"Have you robbed a grave?" she said, embarrassed, knowing it was unlikely that he'd bought them.
"There's grattitude for you! They're off me' allotment. Have you got a vase?"
"No, I never buy flowers. They're a waste of money when there's people starving."
"Of course, I forgot your charities. Well these cost you nothing, and fortunately you can't send them to Africa, so enjoy them! Look at the colours, and just be glad that right at this moment.. I was going to say you knew where your next meal was coming from, but maybe you don't ...What a bloody mess," he said, looking round the room.
"Which are my sentiments exactly. How did you get in that state?" she said, wincing at the dried blood on his lower lip, the half closed eye and the swollen nose. The bruises were beginning to come out already.
GUILT TRIP Copyright 2006 Patricia Harper UK Author.
Visit my storefront at
www.lulu.com/patriciaharper
HELLO TO ANYONE OUT THERE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN WRITING AND PUBLISHING FICTION, ANYTHING TO DO WITH BOOKS AND THEIR PROMOTION...
ABOUT ME....
- PATRICIA HARPER UK AUTHOR
- I live in Redditch, Worcestershire, in the UNITED KINGDOM with my husband Tony. I have two children, a daughter in law,and two grandchildren. I have had many short stories and articles published in British National Newspapers and Magazines. Three of my short stories were broadcast by the B.B.C. They were "Love on the 69 bus" read by the late Edgar Harrison who was Dan Archer in the long running British radio serial, "The Archers" Next came "Swansong" read by Richard Pasco of The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford on Avon. "Plain and Fancy" was read by Dora Bryan, the famous actress who has starred in many films and stage plays. All three were produced at Pebble Mill Studios in Birmingham by David Shute. I have won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in various literary competitions.
GUILT TRIP By Patricia Harper
A reproachful look from a famine victim sends divorcee Susan Clayfield on a "Guilt Trip" which will lead her towards the loss of her job, her health and her home as she struggles to help her various charities, mainly for African victime of famine. Her work has suffered and she has been given three months to improve her appearance and general performance at "Epitome," the Insurance Company she works for. She has been moved from Customer Services to Accounts where she will work under the eccentric Mark Farriday. A bizarre trip to Italy with her new boss brings about a tour of Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. After an accident they are forced to spend a night on the volcano, and Susan realises her feelings have grown towards him. But he is besotted with Sally, a tart with muscular thighs. Back home, Susan's debts have spiralled out of control and her home is now at risk. Can she pull back from the brink to save it?
www.lulu.com/patriciaharper
A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE By Patricia Harper
Sarah Morgan arrives on her estranged husband Kevin's doorstep pregnant and homeless, asking him to give her temporary shelter while she finds a roof over her head. Her lover has deserted her and she is desperate. At first he refuses, but says if she would be prepared to work for nothing he would let her and the baby live rent-free over a shop he is opening. The shop is in a seedy, run down part of the city with a high level of immigration, and they are beset by serious problems due to the decay and poor state of the premises. Sarah is terrified of living alone over the shop with Emily, her daughter, but has nowhere to go. She is very much demeaned by Kevin's new love, Julie, but initially helped by Robert, the son of a local electrician. After a seance over the shop one night, a supernatural presence brings terror to Sarah. Stress and squalor eventually take their toll on her health and she is driven to the edge of a breakdown. Will no one come to save her, and will Emily be taken into care? www.lulu.com/patriciaharper
SILLY LILY By Patricia Harper
Growing up after a war, Lillian or "Silly Lily," as the other kids call her, is not allowed to mix with the other kids as her mother thinks they are "common," until one day her father falls seriously ill and in a situation where there is no one else to take care of her she is allowed to enter the homes of two other girls, and starts to learn about life..
Although the book starts in childhood, it continues on into her life, first job, first boyfriend, and her difficulty inequating the romantic stuff of books with the basic, more normal facts of life. She loves then loses a man as awkward as herself, but gets a second chance at happiness...
www.lulu.com/patriciaharper
Saturday, 6 January 2007
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