An Acute Attraction (16 page)

                     There is one winner to come out of all this should building a new estate be on the cards, and that is the local authority. They must be seeing money signs for how much the land will sell for. I don’t bring this up in the conversation with Erin; as we both dislike talking about politics, it gets one’s hackles up. So I opt for the safer option and change the subject slightly.

                    “How are the gang? Do you get to see much of them?” Erin moved on to pastures new and now works for social services, whilst others were fortunate to be employed by the upper school.

                    “Not really. I saw Lisa in town a couple of weeks ago, she’s looking well. Dan is in remission again by the way.” We both know what fantastic news that is. This is the second time Dan, who was the deputy head at the school, has had a tough long battle against Cancer. It’s at that point we take a moment to dive in to our delicious lunch and are no doubt reflecting on the past and thinking the same thoughts of how lucky we really are. Erin breaks the brief spell of solitude. When she momentarily pauses in between breaths, I get the impression that she is unsure as to whether say the words or not.

                     “Lisa did ask about you and the boys. She and well pretty near enough everyone, read in the press about what happened. It was reported here, Cambridge and all over East Anglia. I doubt very much if there is anyone left that didn’t read it or if there is, well then they probably found out from word of mouth.”

                       Since leaving and it coming out what He had done, I hadn’t heard from anyone I had worked with except for Erin. At the time though, I didn’t notice as there was too much other heavy stuff going on around me. My thoughts were solely on the children; their safety, wellbeing and happiness. The news that my now ex-husband had been sent to prison for a very long time, was what made the front page of the papers and the main gossip of the town. It probably made a lot of friends uncomfortable, as they knew Him also. Several years down the line however, it is us that are living the lives we want while he is kept in confinement. I have spent my time, a long time at that, going through the guilt and thinking I failed dramatically at being a mother. However that was then and this is now, I don’t think that way any longer, haven’t for a while; new beginnings and all that.

                      “I expect it is hard for anyone to talk about it, what can you say? It’s one of those situations where there are no words really. Any words that are said about Him would only be wasted ones; he’s not worth a single breath.”

                       Sitting forward to show that line of conversation is over; I finish my cuppa and start to make a move. “Come on Mrs, let’s go and do some retail therapy. I’m all good, the boys are all good and right now life is all good, very good in fact.” 

                      As we roam the busy streets arm in arm, I am unaware of the figure that is shadowing us from behind.

Epilogue

                   “Emelie you dare to approach Isabel again, then I cannot and will not account for my actions. I couldn’t give a shit about anyone or anything else, but God help me if you involve her anymore…” Mark couldn’t hold back the rage that was inflamed within him.

                   On the other end of the phone Dr Emiliana Acerbi stood relaxed gazing out of her hotel window, watching the students and tourists alike going about their business. The cold, calculated smile she wore did nothing to help Marc’s aggravated anger. He knew exactly what she was and that her heart of stone would never feel any emotion other than the selfish need and want for wealth and fame.

                   “I cannot promise you anything Marc until the money Stefano requested is safely with us. I know you just as well as you know me, therefore I do know you care about everyone you love, that includes your father and Isabel. So until that money is delivered here and we are out of the country I should be careful Marc. I can’t control everything Stefano does and he is growing ever more impatient.” 

Acknowledgements

I am forever grateful to each and every person that has played a part in my writing and publishing this book. I’m sorry I can’t mention you all individually.

First and foremost I have to acknowledge my boys as, if it wasn’t for their patience and love I wouldn’t have been able to write a
single word. In between my everyday job and the writing, time has been precious, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dad, you were one of two rocks that has helped when we really needed it. I know mum will be smiling down on us. Love you.

My beautiful BFF and soul sister, Beverley Hartshorne. It has been a pleasure to have known you all of your 30 something years. You have been my second rock and muse. I love you and here’s to the next 30 years of being my wine buddy.

A huge thank you has to go out to my wonderful, tal
ented brother John Walters, who designed the front cover for me. You can find more of John’s work here at;
www.artof
johnwalters.com

My passion for reading and books is what drove me to doing this. So a humongous shout out to the following authors and writers;

  Sylvain Reynard; a truly remarkable author and writer of words. Thank you for giving me so much pleasure with my reading and for the support you have graciously offered. Gabriel will always be my number one, although Marc is a very close second. You can find his website here;
www.sylvainreynard.com

To Cameron Lincoln; a
n awesome guy who I got to know via Twitter. You have been a truly fantastic friend. You can find his website here;
www.cameronlincoln.wordpress.com

My second mus
e, E. I want to thank you hugely for the support you have given me. You have been my encylopedia for medical knowledge and you’ve had to put up with so much from me, which I will be eternally grateful for.  You helped me to make Marc in more ways than one. I wish the best of luck in your writing.

Stella Knightl
ey is a brilliant author. She was the one that encouraged me to take the plunge and to extend on my original blog. It’s thanks to you that I found the courage to do it. I am forever grateful. You can find all of her books on ‘
Goodreads’
.

I would also like to thank Serena Ket
t at
‘Compare our men, book whores’
on Facebook who drove forward on promoting my book cover and publication.

And last but not least the readers, friends and supporters at home, work, Twitter and Facebook. You are all blooming brilliant.