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INTIMATE STRANGERS 1
Last Updated:
2023-03-23 01:07:15
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 2
‘Great. Kerrien it is. And please call me Ashton. Can’t all live under one roof and be starchy and formal, can we Kate?’ His sister said nothing but the glare spoke volumes. There was definitely a problem here that Kerrien needed to sort out, if she was to make a success of this new job. After all, she had taken a huge gamble, travelling round the world, leaving everything she had known. When Mum had died, there seemed to be nothing to keep her there, in the little English Midlands town where she had lived all her life. Mum’s illness had always made it impossible for her to move away before. Memories of her father, who had left them when she was only eighteen months old, were non-existent. Her mother had coped single-handedly. When Kerrien had seen the job advertisement in a specialist magazine, the idea of a completely fresh start had seemed appealing. Not really expecting to hear any more, she had been pleased to get an interview at the rather exclusive agency. She was even more s
Last Updated : 2023-03-23YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 3
Despite her long sleep during the evening, Kerrien slept soundly that first night in her new home. She awoke early to the sound of a strange hammering noise. It was not quite that, but she couldn’t decide what else it could be. Looking out of the window, she saw the noisy creature. It was a kookaburra, a beautiful bird sitting in the tree outside her window, making its strange noise. She smiled and went for a shower. She dressed in a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt that had, in truth, seen better days. They would have to do until she could get to some shops and replace them. She went through the house towards the kitchen. Kate was already there, preparing breakfast and, seemingly, lunch as well. ‘Good morning,’ Kerrien said brightly. She was going to remain cheerful, whatever disapproving looks were sent in her direction. ‘Oh and thank you for the delicious meal last night. I did enjoy it and it was very kind of you to leave it for me.’ ‘Well, don’t think it’s going to become a habit
Last Updated : 2023-03-23YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 4
Hand in hand, they wandered back to the car and he helped her in. He drove her home in almost total silence. When they arrived, he leaned over and kissed her again, gently but very thoroughly. ‘Call me when you’re free and we'll do a spot of sightseeing. I only need short notice. Dad is pretty cool about time off.’ Brett worked in the family electrical business and, as with most things, seemed to be very free and easy — about their lives. As she was getting out of Brett’s car, she noticed a light go on in Kate’s room. Obviously, she had been looking to see who was outside. She turned back and leaned over to plant another kiss on Brett’s cheek. He looked surprised. ‘That one was for Kate’s benefit,’ she chuckled. She awoke early the next morning and collected the children for breakfast before Ashton himself was ready. The two children sat quietly at the table munching their cereal. Kerrien had put the coffee on and was making toast when Kate came through. ‘Conscience pricking is it
Last Updated : 2023-03-25YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 5
A couple of days later, once she had settled the children for their afternoon nap, Kerrien left the house to meet Brett. They had agreed it would be best to meet a little distance from the house to avoid any further problems with Kate. She stood waiting at the roadside for him to pick her up. She felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of seeing him again. She was longing to see the city centre and hoped to do some shopping. She desperately needed some new clothes and knew she could afford to splash out a little now that her money had all been transferred from the UK. ‘Hi,’ Brett called out, as he drew up beside her. ‘Sorry I kept you waiting. Traffic was awful.’ Kerrien climbed into the car beside him and sat awkwardly, unsure of whether he expected her to lean over and kiss him. That degree of informality was not really in her nature but she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. She needn’t have worried. He touched her hand and gave it a slight squeeze. ‘Good to see you
Last Updated : 2023-03-30YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 6
He was not pleased. He promised to call during the next week, just to make sure she was all right. Ashton was most apologetic and promised to make it up to her as soon as he could. In fact, he only had one call during the morning and he was away for just over an hour. The rest of the time, he joined in the games with the - children. They loved every minute of the precious time their father spent with them, especially away from the watching, disapproving eyes of their aunt. Even Ashton seemed more relaxed with her out of the way. ‘Now I feel even worse,’ Ashton said as they all sat down together for an early tea. ‘I’ve done you out of a day off, being taken somewhere really nice, I don’t doubt, and I’ve hardly been out all day. Still, I must say, I’ve really enjoyed myself.’ ‘And me, Daddy,’ piped Ben. ‘I’ve really enjoyed yourself as well.’ They all laughed. ‘I’ve never played swimming cricket before, have you, Daddy?’ Jodie asked. ‘It’s a strange old British custom,’ he laughed.
Last Updated : 2023-03-30YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 7
Kerrien tidied round the house, humming tunelessly to herself. The children were playing quietly on the veranda, totally absorbed in their game. She was glad of this time alone, a space to think. In fact, she seemed to have spent most of the night thinking but had reached no conclusion about her feelings. She put down the half-peeled potato and stared through the window. On the surface, there should be no contest between the two men who seemed to be showing interest in her. Brett was young, good-looking, obviously available and his family seemed to run a successful business. Ashton was older and had two children already. Nor was he quite so devastatingly good-looking as the younger man but he had such hidden depths. His life must have seemed impossible for so long that it was little wonder he had forgotten how to enjoy himself. She sighed and went back to her potato peeling. She had been in such a reverie that she’d not heard the car draw up and Kate made her jump as she walked into t
Last Updated : 2023-03-30YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 8
As soon as Kate had left, Kerrien put the children to bed for a short nap and she dialled Brett’s number. ‘Good to hear from you,’ he said disarmingly. ‘Look, I can’t really talk now. [ll see you this evening, if that’s OK.’ ‘I can’t. I mean, everyone’s away so I can’t go out. Besides, I . . .’ But she got no further, as Brett interrupted her. ‘Right. I'll be over about eight. I'll get a take-out shall I? We can eat at your place and Ill help you baby-sit. Have to go now Bye. See you later.’ And he was gone. Kerrien stared helplessly at the receiver. She supposed it didn’t matter. Kate would probably be out till late, which would give her plenty of time to give Brett his marching orders. She hoped she could carry it off without losing his friendship. After all, his mother, Margaret, had been her first friend in Australia and she would like to keep in touch, for a while, anyhow. She felt restless as the children slept. It was hot, humid and very oppressive. There could be a thunde
Last Updated : 2023-03-30YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 9
The oppressive night gave way to a cooler dawn. Kerrien watched the strip of sky through her window, waiting for the day to arrive, so that she could get up. She had no doubt that Kate would want to spread her gossip to Ashton at the first opportunity. She also knew that whatever she said in her own defence, . Kate’s interpretation of what she saw would never change. She dressed and went through to the kitchen, desperate for some coffee to ease her burning, dry throat. The remains of last night’s meal lay on the table and she bundled it into the waste bin. In his haste to leave, Brett had forgotten it. Automatically, she wiped down the surface while waiting for the coffee to brew. ‘I'll go and wake the children,’ she said as Kate came into the kitchen. ‘I'd rather you left them. I don’t want you to go near them now.’ ‘Whatever do you mean? That’s what I’m here for ... to look after the children.’‘Precisely. And what happens the moment my back’s turned? You bring in some beach bum
Last Updated : 2023-04-01
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 23
‘G’day Kerrien, my darling girl, had a nice time?’ She was nodding and smiling encouragingly but Kerrien could say nothing. ‘Lovely day, thank you. It’s good of you to feed me again,’ she added. “Come on in. Make yourself at home,” she urged. ‘Must use the bathroom, if I may,’ Kerrien asked. Brett shoved his mother out of the room and Kerrien could hear the whispered voices rising and falling. ‘For heaven’s sake boy, do I get the champagne out or not?'*I don’t know Mum, she hasn’t given me an answer yet.” Kerrien listened in growing discomfort. She was beginning to feel coerced, trapped. If she said yes, it was going to be for all the wrong reasons. If she said no, she might just be acting foolishly out of some misplaced sense of romanticism. She went slowly back to the family room, where Brett was waiting for her. ‘Do I get my answer yet?’ he asked. The blue eyes were shuttered and she could read nothing from them. “Yes Brett, yes I will marry you.’ She wondered why she didn
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 22
Sleep was impossible and Kerrien paced her room for much of the night. Ashton was evidently going through some personal crisis which seemed to exclude both herself and the children. What was he talking about with her and Brett? News? Excited? He could only think that they were getting engaged. She wondered where he had got that idea. It was the very last thing she would have wanted him to think, when all the time she desperately wanted jum. She also wished that his future with Martine was less certain. Double wedding indeed! Ashton said little the next morning before rushing off to work. She caught him staring at her a couple of times, as if looking for some clue in her face. If he believed something special had recently happened to her, he did not voice his thoughts. ‘I won’t be home for lunch and don’t wait dinner for me tonight. I may be out. Have you decided when you’re going out at the weekend?’ he asked. ‘Saturday, if that’s OK,’ she replied. ‘I'll organize things before I go
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 21
‘I haven’t felt this way about anyone before,’ Brett said. She drew a quick gulp of air and her reeling senses came back to earth. ‘And you’ve had plenty to choose from, I suppose.’ The harsh words hit him like a slap across the face. “I’ve never tried to pretend anything different,” he defended, a hurt expression in his eyes. “Look, you may be innocent or try to give the impression of being innocent but I know a true response when I feel it. Yes, OK, call it experience. Tell me, do you intend going through your entire life celibate and end up a sour spinster?’ ‘I think I'd better go,’ she said, bristling at his accusation. ‘Kerrien, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. I want you Kerrien, on whatever terms you insist on making. Think about it. I can offer you everything you’ve always wanted.’ His face looked almost child-like in its pleading, like Ben or Jodie begging for just a few minutes longer, before going to bed. She almost smiled at the thought. They may want to stay up longer, Br
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 20
‘I thought you had something vital to tell me,’ Ashton said at lunch. ‘Something that couldn’t wait a moment longer.’ ‘Perhaps I’ve got things in perspective a little better,’ Kerrien replied, twisting her fingers together in her anxiety. ‘What I have to talk about is important but something has come up that I must deal with and quickly. I have to see Brett and the sooner the better.’ He stared at her, peering into her eyes as if he could read something in them, as if he could somehow see into her mind to know what she was thinking. She was an enigma to him. One minute bursting with some news she needed to discuss urgently with him and the next, planning an evening out with her boy-friend. He had no doubt as to the reason for her sudden need to meet Brett. She had to give him an answer to the vital question and having made her decision, she obviously couldn’t wait to tell him. ‘Look, I know it isn’t really my evening off but things have been hectic lately and I am still owed some t
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 19
Kerrien sipped a cup of hot chocolate in the cafeteria, her hands wrapped round the comforting mug. She hoped that Kate and her friend didn’t have the same idea. Kerrien had no prejudices about people’s right to choose their sexual partners but somehow, Kate’s whole attitude to life suddenly seemed to have become clearer. All these nasty, sometimes spiteful . remarks were probably made because Kate didn’t know how to cope with the cards that life had dealt her. She did genuinely seem fond of the children but perhaps felt that Ashton would be less than understanding if he knew that his sister loved another woman. It took some getting used to but Kerrien was convinced that she was not mistaken. The way the two women had looked at and spoken to each other showed quite clearly that they shared a deep relationship. It may also explain why Kate was so resentful of Kerrien. Her easy going manner with people was something of a contrast with Kate’s own more restrained nature. She wondered if
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 18
“So what do you say Kerrien? Will you stay with us, for as long as you can?’ His deep, soft eyes were pleading with her. She felt again that urge to wrap her arms round him and hug him better but she knew that any physical contact with him would spell disaster to her own strength of purpose. ‘Think of the children,’ he added, knowing this was his trurmp card. She genuinely loved them and would never let them suffer. Besides, it would mean that she would still be around in his life and that meant a great deal more than he cared to admit. ‘I need to think about it. I’ll stay for a while, certainly. At least until you have made whatever arrangements you plan to make. Don’t worry.’ Her heart was near breaking as she spoke. She desperately wanted to be gone once Martine was living here. She couldn’t bear to see the other woman doing all the things she wanted to be doing, having the exclusive love of the wonderful man she herself loved so much. If he should ever find out how she felt, she
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 17
Once Ashton had left for work, Kerrien decided that she simply couldn’t face another evening staying at home. She dialled Brett’s number and swallowing her stubborn pride, asked if he was free that evening. She was taking a slight risk that she wouldn’t have to babysit but as she hadn’t taken any time off for ages, it was not unreasonable to expect a free evening. His response was very positive. If he had made other plans, it was not obvious. He suggested a movie and then a meal out. It sounded exactly what she needed to take her mind off things here. When Kate eventually turned up, sometime after eleven, Kerrien had started the lunch preparations. She made some coffee for them both. Kate seemed edgy and moody. Things were evidently not going as well as she would have liked. But, she obviously controlled her wandering thoughts and agreed to mind the children for the evening, if Ashton was out. The woman seemed subdued and uncommunicative, so Kerrien left her alone and went to play wi
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 16
The next few days were difficult. Kate bad only one topic of conversation — the wedding — and seemed totally unaware of the discomfort of those around her. The children were silent and withdrawn, reminiscent of the time when Kerrien had first arrived in Australia. Kerrien herself was thoroughly sick of hearing about the fabulous designer wedding dress Martine was planning, and whether Ben should be dressed in green or cream velvet. Either was equally revolting, or so Kerrien thought and she instinctively knew that Ben would agree! 'I think you should start looking around for another job,” Kate suggested brightly one morning. 'I see. Your idea or Ashton’s?’ Kerrien asked. ‘It must be obvious even to you that this situation can’t go on. Once they’re married, I expect they will be starting a new family and Martine is sure to want someone of her own choice, to look after the new baby as well as Ashton’s two. Besides, Ben will be at school and you surely wouldn’t want to be hanging arou
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 15
It was nearly lunch-time when Kerrien returned from her trip to drop Brett home. A quick hallo to Margaret and a coffee before she had left, made her later than she intended. She’d then taken a couple of wrong turnings, her mind pre-occupied. The journey took longer and longer, it seemed. There was strange feeling of unreality about everything, as if she was in the middle some sort of dream that would end when she awoke. The house was quiet and Ashton’s car was missing from its usual place. He must have gone to work, even though she’d thought he wasn’t on duty this weekend. Perhaps he had gone out — to be with his fiancée she thought miserably. She had to keep experimenting with the words, so that she would get used to it. How could he want to marry someone who was so negative towards those two lovely children? It was obvious to anyone with half a mind, that Martine couldn’t care less about them. It was equally clear that the children also felt the same way about their father’s fiancé
