Broken Truth Read Free Page A

shopping excursions.
    Growing up in a three bedroom terraced house in Droylsden, Manchester; she was used to the endless clutter and mess found in most homes around Britain. Having shared a bedroom for most of her child and teenage life with her sister, Emma, it was normal practice to have endless storage boxes full of useless junk that was no longer required.
    As she entered the living room downstairs, she spotted Callum leaning back on the large white leather sectional staring out of the window. Taking in his appearance, she could see that he was ready and waiting to go. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone and his favourite pair of worn jeans, he looked smooth and irresistible.
    Noticing her presence, Callum turned his head. She watched him slowly drink her in, a small smile tugging at his lips. Rising from the sofa, he picked up his fitted black blazer that lay draped over the corner arm and strode quickly towards her.
    “Forgive me?” he pouted cutely whilst pushing his arms through the sleeves.
    Stretching out her arms to grab the lapels of his blazer, Charlie pulled him closer. “Don’t I always?” she giggled before pressing a kiss against his lips.
     

Two
     
    Exiting the lift on minus one, Callum placed a comforting hand on Charlie’s elbow and steered her towards the cars. As the architect and developer of one of the most prestigious skyscrapers in Manchester, life certainly came with a few perks – five whole parking bays. During the week the bays were empty apart from Charlie’s little white Audi TT RS Roadster that Callum gifted her with a few months ago. Today however, parked next to her little Audi sat a further two cars that were both Jaguars. The black on black luxury sleek saloon car she had seen a million times before, however the new sporty convertible also in black was definitely a new addition to the fleet.
    “Got yourself a new car then, Mr Ellis?” Charlie smirked with her hands on her hips. “Clearly somebody has too much money to play around with.”
    Pinching her elbow lightly, he grinned. “Why do you think I disappeared this morning? I had to go and take delivery of my shiny new baby.”
    Charlie scoffed. “New baby? You had better watch yourself, Mister. I’m not going to be too happy if you start sleeping in your car on the weekends or at home when I’m not around.”
    He shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. “Let’s get going, yeah?”
    She wasn’t sure what she had said to make him suddenly act so different, but deciding not to press the issue she just nodded.
    He followed her to the passenger side door of the car, so he could hold onto her handbag as she got inside. Placing it onto her lap once she was securely seat belted up, he closed the door and rounded the car for the driver’s seat.
    “Wow!” he exclaimed, sliding into his seat. “This is very nice!”
    Charlie smiled and shook her head. “So what is this thing called?”
    He pressed the illuminated start/stop button on the dashboard. “This is the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible. Isn’t she an absolute beaut?” he spoke animatedly as the centre console slowly began to rise revealing the automatic gearbox. Switching to reverse, she watched on with amusement as Callum began to manoeuvre the expensive vehicle out of its parking bay. “I can’t wait to open her up when we get onto the M60. I hope you don’t mind if I take the longer route to Alderley Edge, Baby?”
    Opening the window, he leant across to swipe his key fob over the electronic panel. Within seconds the large security gate had opened up to reveal the glorious midday sun.
    Revving the engine, he pulled out of the underground garage to join the bumper to bumper traffic on Deansgate. “Shit,” Charlie cursed looking at the gridlock before them. “We are really going to be late.”
    If she had to pick something, punctuality would definitely be one of her biggest pet peeves. As a stylist working in a little upmarket boutique on King