Journey to the Centre of Myself (33 page)
Read Journey to the Centre of Myself Online
Authors: Andie M. Long
Extract from
Underneath
.
Buy link: Buy/Borrow here:
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‘I’ll help Mrs Lawler with the sponge stocks,’ says the male voice to my right. Mr Kingsley has finally spoken up. ‘The kids would much rather pelt a teacher, and Mrs Lawler can collect the money and pass me towels to help me dry off.’
‘A good point,’ says Mrs Sullivan. ‘Well, that’s the roles all decided then. I suggest you take some time to consider what you need for your stalls, and we’ll reconvene at the same time next week. If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you then.’ Her tone suggests that the ‘discussion’ part of the meeting isn’t something she’s required for and we’re all dismissed.
I turn to find Mr Kingsley hovering beside me. ‘Can you spare me ten minutes to go through what we need to do?’
‘Sure,’ I say turning round to Bettina. ‘I’ll catch you tomorrow missus, and you’d better watch out on fair day for stray flying sponges.’
‘I’ll do you proud with the book stall,’ she says in a quiet voice.
‘You’d better,’ I say to her retreating back.
‘Right, well, school’s closing. Any chance you can nip round the corner to the Queen’s Head?’ Mr Kingsley shifts from foot to foot.
‘Why not?’ I reply. I feel riled with Bettina and consider I need a drink after being roped into being hit with wet sponges all day. At this rate, I’ll be in The Priory by the end of the term.
The Queen’s Head is about a five-minute walk from school. It’s an old fashioned pub that’s been there for years and is badly in need of redecoration. The burgundy leather seating is worn but comfy, and I deposit myself on it. Mr Kingsley takes the seat opposite me on a purple and gold chair in need of some TLC.
‘What would you like to drink?’
I go to get my purse from my bag.
‘Oh, no, this is on me.’
‘Oh, okay, thanks. A whisky with ice then please, Mr Kingsley.’
He bursts out laughing, which suits him. His teeth would be flawless except for one at the front that twists just slightly.
‘Seb, please,’ he says, ‘or I just won’t answer you.’
‘Okay, Seb please,’ I josh back. ‘I still want a whisky.’
He smiles and heads to the bar.
Drink placed in front of me I watch as Seb looks around and removes his glasses. ‘Phew, that’s better.’
‘Do you wear contacts?’ I ask, taking a drink.
‘I’ll let you into a secret Mrs Lawler,’ he leans over the table towards me and whispers near my ear. ‘I don’t need glasses, they’re just for show.’
The mouthful of whisky I’ve taken splatters ungainly from my mouth. ‘It’s Lauren. Sorry, I don’t get it.’
‘Well, Lauren sorry I don’t get it,’ he deadpans back at me. ‘I’m just dressing for the job.’
‘What?’ My forehead creases. I lean back into the seat and cross my legs. Seb gets up from his seat.
‘Give me a couple of minutes,’ he says.
The brown haired man who returns to the bar from the gents’ loo bears little resemblance to the man I sat next to at the school fair meeting. His hair is tousled in very sexy waves. At a guess, I’d say it’s been wet and dried in the bathroom. Without the glasses, I see that he has the most beautiful dark brown eyes. He’s removed the pullover and undone the collar of his shirt. I suddenly get the thought that Niall would not be happy to find me sitting here with this version of Mr Kingsley.
I rise from my seat and take a last swig of my drink. ‘I need to go.’
‘But I’ve not explained yet,’ he says.
I hesitate. ‘Okay, five more minutes then,’ I reply as I am a little intrigued. I sit back down.
‘I’ve not been very reliable in the past, so I decided to try a new tack.’ He shrugs. ‘I dressed up in my best impression of a stereotypical teacher, gelled my unruly hair down, put on a pair of fake reading glasses and went for an interview. I gave it everything I had. The head said she’d keep me on if I knuckled down and earned the respect of the other teachers. I’ve had to dress like it ever since. It works though; the other teachers love me, but it’s killing me dressing like Clark Kent.’
‘It serves you right for being fake.’ I take out my ponytail and re-fix it.
‘Hey, we’re all fakes in some way,’ he replies, his brown eyes on mine. ‘People can be completely different with others. Look at you, acting like you were interested in being part of the fair tonight.’
I shuffle in my seat.
His mouth turns up at the corner and his eyes sparkle with mischief. ‘I’d like to know what’s underneath the surface of you, Lauren Lawler.’
I look down my nose at him. ‘What you see is what you get. Anyway, now that I have your life story, what do we need to do about the fair?’
He stretches his hands behind his head. ‘Well, we turn up on the day. Get the stocks, sponges and the bucket out of the store room and we’re ready. Can you bring some towels?’
My voice turns sharp. ‘You could have said that in the school hall.’
‘But then I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of your lovely company.’
‘I’m married, Mr Kingsley.’ I place emphasis on his name.
He puts his hands up in front of me. ‘Have I stated any improper attentions towards you? No. It’s very presumptuous of you, Mrs Lawler, to imply I was angling for a shag or something.’
I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, although I’m not someone who usually blushes.
He carries on, ‘I just thought the pub would be nicer. I fancied a pint and don’t like drinking alone.’
‘Well, I need to head home now,’ I state, and get up to leave.
‘Of course, if you do fancy a ....’
‘Goodnight Mr Kingsley.’ I almost run towards the door. I turn back just before I leave to make sure he’s not following me and he winks. I’m too shell-shocked to respond and head home where the whisky bottle comes out of the cupboard for the second time that week.
Buy/Borrow here:
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Also by Andie M. Long
THE ALPHA SERIES
The Alphabet Game (FREE ON ALL PLATFORMS)
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The Alphabet Game: Play It Playbook
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The Alphabet Wedding:
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The Calendar Game:
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THE BALL GAMES SERIES
Balls (Book One):
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Snow Balls (Book Two):
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New Balls Please (Book Three):
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Balls Fore (Book Four):
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ALSO AVAILABLE
UNDERNEATH:
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QUICKIES:
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About the Author
Andie M. Long is author of The Alpha series which includes
Amazon Number One Erotic Thriller
The Alphabet Game; The Ball Games series, which starts with BALLS and comes complete with a Yorkshire slang guide, Drama/suspense Underneath and short story and poetry collection Quickies.
She lives in Sheffield with her son and long suffering partner.
When not being partner, mother, employee or writer she can usually be found on Facebook or with her head in a book.
Andie will be signing in Liverpool 2017 and York 2018.
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