The Girl He Left Behind Read Free

All business now, she said, ‘Here’s the latest draft of the new book. I’ll have another100 pages ready for you to look at by the end of next week. Is there anything you wanted to discuss with me?’
    ‘Umm Nisha, don’t take this personally but I did want to talk to you about your heroine.’
    ‘Is she too wimpy for you?’ She asked with a knowing smirk.
    ‘Well yes. Couldn’t the woman try rescuing herself for once instead of squealing for the guy? She seems to be in need of his strong macho shoulder to cry on rather incessantly.’
    ‘Sia, women like being rescued and men like rescuing them.’
    ‘When was the last time you waited to be rescued?’ Sia countered.
    ‘It’s all about the fantasy darling. I thought you knew that. We’re perfectly capable of rescuing ourselves but it makes you a little tingly to think of a strong, gorgeous man swooping in to solve all your problems. Doesn’t it?’
    ‘I think the last time I felt tingly, was just before I passed out from a peanut allergy.’ Ruthlessly squashing the memory of a soft, gentle kiss in the dark of a movie theatre, Sia forced her lips to curve in some semblance of a smile.
    Noting the imperceptible tightening in Sia’s expression that wasn’t completely masked by her smile, Nisha murmured, ‘Ahh, now there’s a romantic moment. Maybe I can work that into the story somewhere.’ Using her fingers to make air quotes, she said, ‘Tingling all over, Shruti raised her face for his kiss only to find the floor coming up to greet her pursed lips.’
    Pleased with the burst of laughter that escaped Sia, she smiled, ‘Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I’ll think about it and maybe give her one strong woman of the times moment.’
    As she got up to leave, she turned around to ask ‘Are you okay?’ Concern showed in her eyes. ‘You don’t seem your usual self.’
    ‘Yeah, I’m fine. Just need to sort something out in my head. I’ll be okay. See you in a couple of weeks, Nisha.’ She hugged her and walked her out of the building.
    Christ, she needed coffee, gallons of it. It wasn’t like her to be tightly wound so early in the day. Her work day was only half over and she still had Minty’s bachelorette to get through in the evening. It didn’t matter if her life was a mess right now. She was going to doll up and enjoy Minty’s hen night even if it killed her. Which with the luck she was having today, it probably would, she thought glumly.

Chapter 2
    Making contact with anyone was a bad idea. Trying to forget his morning’s encounter with Sia, Ryan slowly got out of the car and walked towards the dilapidated house he’d grown up in. There was nothing to gain here but pain and validation of the fact that his parents had never wanted him. He was and always would be the wrinkle in their otherwise smooth life. There was no welcome waiting for him behind that door, yet he watched as his hand lifted to ring the bell. He stared impassively as the door opened a fraction of an inch and his mother’s wary face peeked out.
    ‘Ma.’
    The shock in her eyes faded quickly into fear. ‘What do you want?’
    Squashing the quick flare of hurt, he said ‘May I come in?’
    Gripping the door harder, she shook her head quickly. ‘He’s not home now but if he found out, he would never forgive me.’
    ‘What difference does it make? He never did forgive you.’ Suddenly impatient with himself for even trying, he turned to leave.
    ‘Thank you.’ Her quiet words stopped him before he’d taken two steps. Turning to face her, he waited in silence.
    ‘Thank you for the money you’ve sent over the years. It was helpful.’
    ‘I don’t want or need your thanks.’ For a moment, emotion leaked through his rigid control. ‘I’m your son, ma, YOUR son!’
    ‘You’re his son too.’
    ‘No, I’m not!’ His vehemence, after all these years, surprised even himself. ‘He’s not my father.’
    ‘He put a roof over your head, fed you and clothed you.