Something Missing (The True Love Series Book 1) Read online

  SOMETHING MISSING

  THE TRUE LOVE SERIES

  HAZEL ROBINSON

  Copyright © 2014 Hazel Robinson. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Hazel Robinson

  Visit my website at www.hazelrobinsonauthor.com

  ISBN- 97817953568612

  Acknowledgement

  I want to say a huge thank you to my husband and children for all their support and understanding in my writing. you are always by my side in everything I do, and I love you all to the moon and back.

  Big thank you also goes to Ariana, my beta reader, plotting partner and go to-girl for everything - Love you!

  And thank you to each one you that has read and enjoyed Something Missing.

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  THE END

  PROLOGUE

  His touch was so gentle, yet Susan felt it burning deep under her skin. As he caressed her stomach, she couldn’t stop herself wanting him. He had completely taken over her body. The only thing she could see was the pure blue sparkle in his eyes; it was like staring at the ocean. She needed to give herself to him. He ran her hands over his shoulders and down his back, pulling him close.

  There was no more pain and no sorrow. He set her free.

  Susan’s eyes flew open and she clutched at her chest gasping for breath. Sweat dripped down her forehead. As the nights went on, the dreams became increasingly vivid. They’d started with her decision to move to Winchelsea, and she was now beginning to wonder if it was omen. She had no idea who the man in her dream was, but the effect of the dreams was that she could feel his touch, even when awake. His kiss left its mark on her body.

  Everything about him felt so real. Whoever he was, he made her feel something she could never have imagined, something she never thought she would feel. He filled the gap where something had been missing.

  CHAPTER 1

  Little ten-year-old Susan Birch stood on the grass clutching her teddy bear. Beth`s arm was wrapped around her shoulder as tears rolled down her face. Susan recognized some of the faces looking at her but some she had never met before. They each came and gave her a cuddle saying how sorry they were about her grandmother; they told her that she had been a magnificent woman. They all had a story to tell.

  As the coffin was lowered into the ground, Susan threw in the pink rose she had picked from her grandmother’s garden that morning. Turning to Beth, she couldn’t control her tears. Beth had been around Susan for most of her life; she had been her mum’s best friend and so Susan had spent most of her days in Beth’s house playing with her son, Max.

  “Max why don’t you go for a walk with Suzy?” Beth whispered cautiously.

  The small boy took Susan's hand and led her off down the path whilst Beth turned to the unfamiliar women dressed in a suit.

  “Let’s sneak to the beach.” Max laughed, dragging Susan behind him.

  They stopped when they reached the sand and kicked off their shoes. Running as fast as they could, they chased each other around the beach. They had been best friends since before they could walk; they had done everything together, but now all that had changed. Max flopped to the floor, dragging Susan with him.

  “I’ve missed you, Suzy.” His elbow nudged in to her side.

  Susan sat playing with the bottom of her black dress. She had lost her grandmother last week and social services came to pick her up the next day because she had no other family. They had brought her back today for the funeral, but she would have to go back to the home when they came to collect her.

  “"I've missed you too, Max; I wish I could stay here. I asked them but they won’t let me.” Small tears trickled down her cheeks. “They said I could come and visit if I want to, and I can write to you.”

  “I hate grown-ups! I asked my mum if you could stay with us, but she said they wouldn’t let you. It's not fair!” Max unfastened his tie and threw it across the beach.

  Susan tucked her knees up and wrapped her arms around herself. “I hate the children’s home; all the other kids call me names and make fun of me.”

  Max curled his arm around her. “Let’s run away! They can’t make you go back if they can’t find us. I won’t let them.”

  “Max! Susan! Where are you?” a voice echoed from afar.

  “Come on, Suzy! Let’s just run away!” He stood up, grabbing hold of her hand.

  “Max we can't; we’ll get into trouble.” Susan sunk her heels into the sand and let go of his hand.

  “I. DONT. CARE!” Max stood and shouted at her.

  “Max!” The voice shouted again. It was getting closer.

  He grabbed her hand again. “Come on, before they find us.” But, before they could go anywhere, Beth came down the steps followed be the suited women from the funeral.

  “There you both are. We’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Beth saw the tears in her son’s eyes and softened her voice, “It’s time to go now, son.” She held her hand out for him. “Susan has to go now – they have a long journey back.”

  Max stood in front of Susan guarding her. “No, she doesn’t want to go back. They are mean to her! She wants to stay with us!”

  Beth turned to the women and asked, “Can you give us a moment please?”

  Tutting, the women nodded. “I’ll wait in my car but please be quick as we have to beat the rush-hour traffic.”

  Beth took hold of Max and Susan's hand; a tear fell from her eyes. “Max, listen – Susan has to go now. There is nothing we can do; I have tried. You must be grown up about this, son. She isn’t going back to the home, they’ve found her a family to live with.”

  Max tucked himself under Beth’s arm as tears streamed down his face. “I don’t want her to go, mum.”

  Susan loosened her grip from Beth’s hand. “It’s okay, Max, I have to go.” She wrapped her arms around him, and she cried too.

  Beth knelt on the floor in front of Susan and held her face between her hands.

  “Everything is going to be okay, Susan. I want you to be brave. No more crying, okay?”

  The suited women came walking back down the steps with her arms crossed over her chest. She didn’t look happy. “We need to leave now, Susan. Say goodbye!”

  Susan nodded to the women and began walking. Max ran over, wrapping his arms around her, neither one wanted to let go. They had a terrible sense that they might never see each other again.

  The women grabbed Susan’s arm roughly; she was getting increasingly impatient with the display of emotion. “Come on Susan, now!”

 
; Max refused to let go. In the end Beth had to pull him away as he screamed, “No! Please don’t go, Susan. Please. Get off me! You can’t take her away!” He screamed at his mum and pulled away hard, “LET GO OF ME!”

  Beth couldn’t hold onto him, her grip loosened, and he ran after them. “Wait! Susan!” When he reached them, Susan turned and kissed him on the lips. It felt wet and sloppy but in a good way. Max’s cheeks went red. “Goodbye, Max,” she said, running up the steps. Max stood still. This was his first kiss, and it was to say goodbye.

  Beth came up behind him. “Come on, son, let’s get you home.” She held his hand and walked him up the steps. When they reached the top, the car was driving away; Susan sat in the back waving.

  On the drive, the social services lady informed her that her foster mother was a lady called Mrs. Johnson.

  “She’s a very nice lady who has done fostering before. She has two daughters about the same age as you.”

  Susan wasn’t convinced but was relieved when they pulled up to the house to see Mrs. Johnson standing on the door with two girls who smiled and waved in welcome. Mrs. Johnson looked friendly and Susan breathed out a sigh of relief. As she walked up the garden path, both daughters gave a polite hello and beckoned her into the house. Mrs. Johnson followed behind, talking to the social services lady.

  “Susan, would you like to see your new room?” Mrs. Johnson knelt in front of her and gave her a sympathetic smile.

  Susan twisted her hair around her fingers and shook her head. “Please could you ring Beth? I said that you would ring when I got here so Max would know that I was alright.”

  Mrs. Johnson stood up and smiled tightly. “You can ring them tomorrow, sweetie. It’s teatime now and we don’t want to disturb them. Why don’t you go with Nicola and Rose to see your new room?”

  Susan nodded and followed the girls up the stairs and into the bedroom. The whole room was pink; the curtains, the carpet, even the beds where made up in all different shades. In the corner of the room was a small chest of drawers next to a small bed; the kind of junior bed that you have when you’re small.

  "This is your bed!" one of the girls pointed to it in a snotty manner.

  This is all our stuff. Don’t play with any of our stuff unless we say so!” The other pointed to the mountain of toys that had been boxed and stacked. Then they both walked out of the room, leaving Susan to unpack her small bag of belongings.

  She hadn’t brought much with her, just clothes and a few photos. Sitting on the bed, her legs tucked under, she fell into a fit of tears; she had nothing left, no family, no friends and, most of all, no Max. She didn’t have many friends back home but at least she’d always had Max to play with and to make her laugh. Here she didn’t have anyone. Lying down on the bed she began to drift off to sleep. She was emotionally exhausted. Through her foggy sleep, she heard the bedroom door shut and then the zip of her bag opening.

  “Is this your boyfriend?” Rose bounced on the end of the bed, waving a photo of Max in front of her.

  “Give that back now!” Susan shouted, springing up from the bed.

  Rose jumped off the bed and passed the photo to Nicola, who ran over the other end of the room.

  “Whit-woo! Kiss. Kiss. Kiss!” She laughed as she kissed the photo. “Susan has a boyfriend!”

  Susan ran across the room and threw herself on Nicola, who went flying onto her back. “You’re going to pay for that one, reject! I’m telling my mum.” Nicola rushed downstairs with Rose hot on her tail.

  Picking up the crumpled photo, Susan sat down behind the door and cried. When Mrs. Johnson tried opening the door, Susan pushed against it.

  “Susan, you let me in this room right now, young lady!” Mrs. Johnson pushed as hard as she could against the door, sending Susan flying across the floor. “What do you think you are doing pushing Nicola over like that? They were only trying to be nice to you.” Her hands were on her hips and she looked hard.

  “But she went into my bag and took something of mine,” Susan protested. “They were teasing me and calling me names.” Susan began to sob.

  “We were just helping her unpack, mum, and then she flew at me and banged my head.” Nicola looked up at Mrs. Johnson and fluttered her eyelashes.

  “Yeah, mum, that’s right – we just wanted to help her.” Rose added from the doorway.

  Mrs. Johnson stood looking between the girls and Susan. “Okay you two, down stairs.” When the girls had gone, Mrs. Johnson turned her full attention to Susan.

  “Susan, we don’t expect behavior like that in this house. I know that things haven’t been easy for you, but that is no excuse for poor behavior and bad manners; you will stop in this room until you feel ready to apologize to Nicola. Do you understand?”

  Susan nodded. The door slammed shut and she dived onto the bed in tears hugging the photo she had managed to rescue. When she couldn't cry anymore, she sat up and looked at the photo. It was of her and Max together in the garden. Beth had taken it a few months ago, before her world had collapsed. They stood with their arms wrapped around each other, sticking their tongues out at the camera. They were always so cheeky when they were together.

  She sat on the floor and started to unpack her bag. At the bottom was a framed photo of her grandmother. She took off the back and slid in the picture of her and Max; she didn’t want to face any more teasing and she was worried that the sisters might be vindictive enough to damage it. If they couldn’t see it, then they couldn’t tease her about it.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and considered going down the stairs to apologize and get it all over with, but pride wouldn’t let her and so instead she climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep with the photo frame clutched in her hand like a security blanket. Her last waking thought was how lonely her life was going to be from this point forward.

  “Susan, Susan, wake up.”

  Susan could hear the voice but ignoring it, she turned over and pulled herself back the covers and into sleep.

  “Susan, get your lazy backside out of that bed.”

  Susan shook herself out of her dream and opened one eye cautiously. Sitting up on the end of the bed was her roommate, Polly, holding out a cup of coffee. They had lived together for almost six years. Polly had helped Susan re-build her life and given her not just a place to live but given her a home.

  “Another one of your crazy dreams?” she asked.

  “No, this was different, Pol; it was more like a memory.” Susan ran her fingers through her hair and sat up, taking the cup from Polly. “It was strange – it felt so real.”

  Polly pulled the cover away and climbed in beside her. “What do you mean? Like you were remembering something?”

  “Yeah, from when I was little. You know before all the shit happened. It was like a memory from when I was back in Winchelsea, before I left. Well, more like when I left.” Susan jumped out of the bed and walked over to her dressing table. She reached for the framed photo of her grandmother. “I bet when I open the back of this, there is another photo – one that I’d forgotten I had,” she said, fiddling with the stiff metal grippers.

  Polly took the frame from her in confusion and attempted to loosen the stubborn grips. “What do you mean a photo? What of?”

  Giving up, she handed it back to Susan who finally managed to pull open the back. “I mean, I hid this picture when I was about ten; when I first moved in to my first foster home. The other girls teased me about it, so I hid it. But I’d forgotten all about it until the dream I just had.”

  Polly took the photo and inspected it. “Who is it?”

  Susan stood up and walked over to the wardrobe, “Me and Max.”

  “Who’s Max?”

  “Someone I’d given up hope of ever seeing again.” Susan threw her clothes on the bed and started to dress.

  “Okay, I have known you what, six years? And you have never mentioned anyone by that name, and yet you own just two photographs
and he’s on one of them so he must have been pretty significant.”

  Susan took the photo from Polly and threw it into the bag she’d pulled out from under the bed.

  “It’s a long story, Pol – one from a long time ago. And like I said, I’d forgotten about it until last night.”

  “How could you have just forgotten something like that?”

  “There’s a lot I’ve forgotten – and probably for a very good reason – to protect myself. Just leave it, please, Polly.”

  “No way! How long have you been having these weird memory dreams? Why haven’t you said something before? Something is going on with you?”

  Susan watched her reflection in the wardrobe mirror for a moment. “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I’ve had them for a couple of weeks, since I decided to make a return visit to Winchelsea. Last night felt so real; it was like reliving a moment in time.” Picking up her toothbrush from the sink, she threw it into her bag. “Are you leaving today?” Susan nodded.

  Polly looked hurt. She went up to Susan and laid her hand on her shoulder. “Who is he?”

  Susan breathed in deeply; even now the emotions were raw. “A long time ago he was my best friend; we were inseparable. From the age of like, two, we never went anywhere without each other. When my grandmother died, he protected me from the pain. But after the funeral they came to take me away. Max wanted me to run away with him, but I said no. We were just children. There was no way that we could have made it on our own.” A tear trickled down her cheek and she wiped it away with the back of her hand, embarrassed to be so emotional.

  Polly threw her arms around Susan and held her in a hug. “Then what happened?”

  “His mum came with the social worker. Max started shouting at them, begging them not to take me away. I told him we would still see each other. I kissed him goodbye and left in the car. That was the last time I ever saw him.”

  “How old were you when this happened?” Polly had known that Susan had had a difficult childhood, but she had never pried too far, fearful of pushing Susan away. She guessed that she would tell her in her own time – and now seemed to be that time.