‘So, what about this one?’ Strutting out of the bathroom, Roxie posed in a beautiful aquamarine swimming costume. In truth it was little more than a bikini, connected by a thin strip of material front and back that left her toned midriff on full display. Tessa looked up from her phone and pursed her lips. She was lounging on her bed in her silk pyjamas and had been acting as
Rolling over in her sleep, Sia turned into the sunlight shafting through the sheer curtains. Her dreams scattered by the sudden brightness she frowned briefly, made a murmur of sleepy discomfort, then let out a weary sigh as her eyelids fluttered open. For a moment or two she pondered trying to get back to sleep, but already her drowsiness had been chased away by the nagging doubt she had gone
Night was falling as the young couple ascended the broad drive leading to the striking building. It loomed over them with a somewhat imposing air about it, the soft buzz of conversation drifting through the open windows. Seth and Holly had seen it before, though only from a distance when they drove past the end of the drive; up close they found the very walls seemed to whisper of luxury
Marissa let out a horrified shriek and staggered away as Greg crumpled to the ground. His seemed to fold in on himself, like a bouncy castle with all the air suddenly sucked out, and when he hit the floor he landed as a pile of empty skin. Bracing herself against a chest of drawers and trying not to hyperventilate, Marissa’s eyes bulged in horror. ‘What have I done?’ she gasped.
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,
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
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,
