Tangled up in the messy bedsheets, Kaitlyn smiled blithely as she stared out over the bay. Location of the island’s only harbour, it was fringed by little pockets of buildings that clustered near the water as though they might become lost and forgotten if they ventured into the rolling, forested hills inland. As the last blushes of dawn melted away beneath the heat of the morning sun, the islanders were
Emma knew this was wrong: her husband-to-be was waiting expectantly in the church just outside, her whole family too. Today was supposed to be the best day of her life, yet somehow it had turned into a nightmare. This wasn’t her. She was loving, and faithful, and she adored her fiancé with all her heart. She would never cheat! She had to stop. But to her horror she realised she
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
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
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,
With the sun throbbing down and Andrew acting as a human drain, it was a wonder there were any cold beers left in the cooler by the time noon broke by the lake. Nevertheless, by some miracle the mismatched group of sunbathers and swimmers still had ample booze to fuel their day and, not long after noon, Glenn took up one of the frigid bottles, popped the cap and took
