Gathered in the lounge of the Klein cabin, the lake’s guests whispered amongst. Huddled in their little pockets they had the surreal feeling they knew the rest of the people around them, like the names were on the tips of their tongues yet elusive all the same. Brandi, Johnny and Elena had been the first to arrive, and had taken up their spot on the centre sofa facing the fireplace,
Hearing Richard’s familiar step on the stairs, Jessica looked up from her book. ‘Find anyone?’ she asked. Her husband shook his head. ‘Nope. I heard the shower going in Paige’s room but other than that we’re on our own.’ ‘I take it they didn’t bother leaving a note?’ ‘Nah, but you know what they’re like. They’ve probably all gone over to Nancy’s for a night on Josh’s Switch. Rather her
‘You want one or two?’ Trevor shouted, leaning heavily against the Riveras’ fridge. ‘What do you think?’ Andrew replied. ‘I’ll bring three,’ Trevor chuckled and snatched up half a dozen beers. After stumbling back to the cabin in the evening gloom they had decided to raid the cabin’s fridge, which was fortunately stocked with plenty of booze. Staggering back into the lounge, Trevor dumped his haul onto the coffee table
Dumping her backpack down, Elliott staggered over to the armchair, yawning as she went. Welcomed by the warm cushions she groaned with relief: it felt like she was melting into a mountain of feathers. Tugging off her socks and shoes her groan took on an orgasmic note. After a thirty-mile hike nothing could quite compare to setting your feet free again. Her movement was laboured, every aching muscle protesting to
Now this was what Melissa called relaxation. Reclining in a luxurious bath, a crisp white in her hand, the verdant foothills literally outside her window, she could think of nothing to improve the experience. To one side, her phone nestled between scented candles playing soothing ocean waves. Beside the bath lay a stack of fashion magazines and her favourite romance novel, the cover of which was well worn. For the
‘Oh for fuck’s sake! Can nobody do their fucking job right?’ Slamming a fist on the table, Vernon upset his coffee cup, which jumped off the edge and landed with a thud at his feet. Cheeks flushed and teeth grinding, he barely noticed. Instead he battered his laptop keyboard with furious strokes that set the entire table trembling. Jesus, he hated people. If he could go back to the days
‘Ow, ow, ow,’ Nancy winced. ‘Sorry,’ Darren replied, shifting her weight so he could push the door open. With Nancy leaning heavily on him they hobbled awkwardly into the cabin. ‘You want the lounge or the bedroom?’ ‘The lounge. No way I’m tackling stairs with this foot.’ Nodding, Darren assisted her into the lounge. Easing her down onto the sofa he raised her injured foot onto the large pouffe over
Jogging through the stunning scenery a broad beam painted Christy’s lips. She hadn’t felt this good in months. The fresh air, the balmy breeze, the pleasant shade of the canopy arching over the path: she couldn’t imagine a better place to start running again. She had packed her running clothes half-expecting to unpack them guiltily the following week, unused and forgotten. As luck would have it, however, she had woken
Crossing one of the many burbling streams that snaked down the mountainside to feed the glittering lake below via a well-worn bridge, Josh, Ashley and Spencer continued to pick their way down the slopes. Mother Nature narrated their progress with a chorus of birdsong and the mournful creaking of old trees in the wind. The trails they navigated were well-used and they wondered how many others had passed this way
TRIGGER WARNING: This story includes brief references to suicidal thoughts. Reader discretion is advised. Watching Annabelle innocently admire the forest’s natural beauty from her spot on the ridge below, Lauren felt the deep rage, which usually swirled endlessly in the pit of her stomach, simply fade away. Relieved by the lifted burden, she descended the slope with a contented smile to join the youngest of the Klein family. ‘She’s beautiful,
