Blind Love

By Sue Sharkey

Blind Love

Jed Townsend is in a relationship with Jude Lawrence, yet that doesn’t stop him from chatting up and sleeping with other women. He is well aware of the effect he has on women and uses his charm to full advantage.
Jude has just discovered she is five months pregnant with Jed’s baby, but has yet to tell him. Before she can break the news of impending fatherhood, Jed arranges to meet a woman called Myra Spalding in Morecambe for a weekend of pleasure. Myra has sent him a photograph and he is smitten by her beauty.
Jed checks into a grubby hotel and awaits the arrival of the delectable Myra. He is horrified when Myra knocks on his door. She is nothing like the woman in the photograph. Myra is overweight, spotty with greasy hair and bad teeth. Jed is repulsed by her.
Scorned Myra sets out for revenge destroying other lives along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sue Sharkey
• Release date: Feb 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465746658

Sue Sharkey

Sue has been a writer for as long as memory serves. An avid reader, books of all genre spill from every book shelf in the house. Using her vivid imagination, Sue creates a spell binding read. Watch this space for more books by this author.

Book preview

Chapter One: Jed

Jed Townsend, thirty five years old and with brooding dark good looks and suave of a silver tongued gigolo was sitting at the computer in the room they called ‘The Office'. For Jude Lawrence, his partner of three years, the office was just that, an extension for her to work from home. For Jed, it was a room of escape. A lazy smile hovered around his sensuous lips, lips he liked to use as often as possible on whoever took his fancy. The phrase, ‘Thinking they’re God’s gift’ summed up Jed perfectly.

He’d bedded at least five women from the chat room that he was now indulging in. The beauty of it was the women lived in various parts of the country so it was highly unlikely Jude would discover his elicit habit. Over the past few weeks, he’d been chatting to a woman called Myra and she was by far, the most stunning of his previous conquests.

Are you coming down for dinner, Jed? You’ve been up there for hours. Jude’s angry voice snapped him back to reality.

The cursor hovered above the key in delicious anticipation. The picture of the woman on the screen showed her to be outstandingly beautiful and she appeared to like him, more than like him from the erotic message he’d just received. His groin tightened as he remembered the cyber-sex they’d indulged in last weekend while Jude was at the cinema with her best friend Lynne Gibbs.

If you’re not down here in two seconds it’s going in the bin.

Jed struggled to keep the tremor from his voice as he answered,

Coming sweetness, he sniggered at the literal meaning of the word. He right clicked the mouse and the email was sent.

He ran down the thick beige carpeted stairs and into the kitchen. Jude was sitting at the table making a pretence at eating her meal while his own sat on the worktop. Her long honey blond hair was tied back in its usual pony tail by a black ribbon. Jed could tell by the steely glint in her massive blue eyes that she was furious. He had to admit, she was a wonderful cook. It was too bad that everything else about her grated on his nerves.

This is fantastic, babe, he reached for the gravy and ignored the icy atmosphere.

Shame I had to do everything myself as usual. What the hell are you doing on that computer? You’re up there for hours every damn night. Jude wiped a tear from her cheek. She didn’t want Jed to see how upset she was. It had been a long day and she’d just got some news from the doctor that had unsettled her. She needed Jed’s support right now and as usual, he wasn’t there for her.

He noticed the tear slide down her cheek and a stab of guilt made his voice sound harsh,

I have spread sheets to do, what’s your problem?

It’s not me that has the problem. I’m sick of it, of spending hours on my own. I might as well be single. Jude shoved back her chair and scraped her barely touched meal into the bin bag, her pony tail swinging wildly.

Well, you know what to do then don’t you? Jed pushed his plate away; he’d lost his appetite. I’m going out, don’t bother waiting up.

Jed slammed the front door and headed for his local, he needed a drink. As he walked, he thought about how bad things had got between them. He knew he was mostly, maybe even totally, to blame if he was honest, which he found impossible to be. He couldn’t resist a pretty face and lived by the motto, ‘If you’ve got it flaunt it’.

It wasn’t as though Jude was unattractive, she was gorgeous, and once upon a time, the very sight of her slim size eight body, encased in tight jeans and a figure hugging tee shirt would make blood rush to his favourite vein.

His mates often told him how lucky he was and Jed knew they were right. Jude didn’t even realise how beautiful she was with her enormous deep blue eyes and long, glossy blonde hair. Her body was amazing too. Slim and toned from her classes at the gym she was perfect in every way, but Jed grew bored easily. He didn’t even know how he felt about her anymore. Despite his numerous flings with other women, he always went back to Jude in the end, determined to stay faithful. The longest he’d lasted was four months. He’d felt so virtuous until a young stunner started working in his office.

Now he was addicted to sex on the Internet. Myra in particular was growing more important in his life. Jed kicked an empty can across the pavement in frustration, scaring a cat perched on a nearby wall. He was beginning to lose control of his life and he didn’t like it.

Hi Jed said the landlord as he approached the bar, Your usual?

Please, Dave.

Dave passed a pint of Carling over to Jed saying, You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind, mate.

Women, sighed Jed with feeling.

Jed took his lager over to a quiet table in the corner of the pub and let his mind sort through the chaos of his life. Mentally, he drew a line between Jude and Myra. He didn’t know if he still loved Jude but Myra was fresh and new, she could be the next chapter in his life. After several pints Jed decided to go home, drink had blurred the edges and he made a decision, he would meet Myra, she lived almost two hundred miles away, so no one would see him. He had nothing to lose and if he didn’t get on with her, he would go back to Jude as usual. It was best to keep his options open; he chuckled as everything seemed a lot clearer in his befuddled brain.

The following morning he packed a small case with a few clothes and the obligatory toiletries. He’d sent another email to Myra, letting her know he was on his way to Morecambe and would phone her when he got there. He couldn’t wait to ravage her delectable body.

Where are you going? You didn’t tell me you had to go away for the weekend, Jude’s voice held a wealth of hurt.

I didn’t know myself until last night; you can have your mates around, have a party.

I don’t want my mates around. Why don’t I come and keep you company? She needed to share her news with him as soon as possible.

No! Besides, we could do with a break from each other. I’m sick of us fighting all the time. He closed his case and sealed it with the zipper.

I’ll phone you when I get there. He tried to kiss her cheek, but she turned her head and he caught the lobe of her ear with his lips. Jed shrugged, showing his indifference and making it easier on his conscience to betray her. He opened the front door,

See you Monday.

Don’t bother I might not be here when you get back. Jude turned her back on him and walked into the lounge.

Please yourself, he slammed the door behind him.

Freedom, he said aloud. He’d managed to get hold of his boss the night before and booked a few days holiday from some time they owed him. He threw his case in the boot, ran his fingers through his collar length dark hair and then jumped into the driver’s seat. He took the picture of Myra out of the glove department and studied the image. She was a stunner with glossy black hair, flawless skin and green, almond shaped eyes. He’d been amazed that she’d agreed to meet him at such short notice and had booked a hotel near to where she lived. He put the picture back in the glove compartment and drove off, hoping the motorway wouldn’t be too congested on a Saturday morning.

The traffic was fairly heavy and despite the toll road it took him over three hours to reach Morecambe and another half-hour to find the hotel. His heart sank when he reached his destination. The hotel, if it could be classed as such, was situated along a gloomy side street and had a derelict air about it. Seagulls screeched and dived, scavenging in the built up piles of rubbish lining the pavement.

It could do with at least two coats of paint, Jed muttered as he carried his small case up the steps. He opened the shabby door that led into the reception area and rang the bell. A slovenly dressed woman appeared from the back office. She wore a grease-stained apron and her dirty grey hair was tied back in a sparse ponytail, a cigarette dripped ash as it hung out of the side of her mouth.

Can I help you, she asked, before sniffing and wiping her nose with the back of her hand.

Jed Townsend, I phoned this morning.

The woman ran a grimy finger down the page of a dog-eared register.

Ah, yes. Two nights wasn’t it? You’re in room 6, top of the stairs, first on the right. She passed him a key and disappeared into the back office. Jed shrugged his shoulders and climbed the steep flight of stairs. His heart sank when he entered his room. A strong musty smell assailed his nostrils with an underlying stench that reminded him of sweaty cheese. For a fleeting moment he thought of his smart semi and Jude cooking a delicious meal in their spotless kitchen.

Oh well, it’s only a couple of nights, he sighed.

After a quick shower, he dressed in a pair of his favourite black jeans and a white Ralph Laurent shirt. He grabbed his mobile, pasted a smile on his face and with hands that shook with anticipation, called Myra on the number she’d given him

Hi Myra, he grinned when she eventually answered. He frowned at her response, she didn’t sound very pleased to hear his voice. Look, I’ve travelled all this way to see you. Last night you were keen to see me, what the hell’s going on! Jed listened in silence and tapped his foot on the floor. Okay, meet me at the hotel in two hours. It’s the Black Swan on Eagle Street. I’m in room 6. He tossed the mobile onto the bed. The trip was turning into a bloody disaster.

He decided to take a walk and a breath of sea air to clear his head. The aroma of freshly ground coffee drifted from the doorway of a small café near the beach, tempting him inside to order a latte; his stomach was too churned up to face food. He’d eat later with the delectable Myra. A man with sandy brown hair smiled at him and reluctantly, Jed smiled back. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk with strangers.

Can I help you? The young waitress was very pretty and Jed turned on his brand of charm.

One large latte please, he smiled the ‘Jed’ smile and was amused when her cheeks turned bright red.

Certainly sir. Anything else?

You’re quite tempting yourself, he grinned.

The sandy haired man watched the exchange with a frown, Are you okay Lottie, pet?

Yes Uncle Marty, I’m fine. She gave Jed a small smile, I’ll be back soon.

Look forward to it, Jed swept his eyes over the young girl’s body."

Her hands shook when she placed the hot drink in front of him, minutes later. She was disappointed to find him looking out of the window, lost in deep thought. He looked up briefly, gave her a small but heart stopping smile, Thanks sweetheart, how much do I owe you?

Two pounds forty, you can pay on the way out, she turned her back on him, knowing he was way out of her league.

Jed was exhausted when he returned to his room an hour later. He lay back on the lumpy bed and closed his eyes, worn out from the long drive. His stomach grumbled from lack of food. He hadn’t eaten for several hours and wished he‘d had something with his coffee; the young girl was certainly very tempting.

Jed was on the verge of drifting off when he heard a loud knock on the door. He jumped off the bed and rubbed his eyes, feeling groggy as he opened the door, and then gawped at the woman standing at the threshold.

Chapter two: Myra

Myra bit her already short nails to the quick as she realised the enormity of what she’d done. Her friends had been telling her for weeks to either come clean or not respond. They could see how obsessed she’d grown towards Jed, this mysterious stranger Myra had been chatting to every night.

It will end in tears, sighed Paula.

No, it won‘t, replied Myra, I’ll never meet him, so what harm is it?

What about that cyber-sex you’ve been indulging in? Mark my words; I have a bad feeling about this.

Myra snorted, Don’t be so old fashioned. Anyway, it’s not as if I can get pregnant online.

It’s only because I care about you. Why don’t you come out with me and Anne later, meet a real bloke instead of a cyber-one.

Anne had been pestering her too, in fact she felt as though they were ganging up on her. It was all right for them, she thought nastily. Paula was beautiful with her auburn hair and green eyes. She didn’t know what it was like to be the ugly one. Anne, her only friend since childhood, had been in a relationship with Greg since she was sixteen; the rosy glow of their relationship hadn’t worn off, it made Myra sick to her stomach.

The idea had come to her when one of her work colleagues had brought some photos into work.

I’ve got a modelling contract, Val had trilled, I’m going to be the face of Juno, the new skin care and perfume range.

Myra watched the performance with a scowl on her chubby face. She wasn’t jealous, she told the little voice in her head. She knew that if she went on a sensible diet and cut down on junk food, she could have a figure like Val and her skin would clear up. Her hand glided involuntary over a crop of raised yellow heads along her chin. Alright, so her eyes were small, a lot smaller than Val’s massive green ones, and maybe her nose was bigger than Val’s cute little button, but Myra convinced herself that all things considered, she didn’t look too different from the model. So when she found the photograph Val had dropped under her desk, it seemed fate had played a part in her little charade.

Myra had sneaked the photo into her handbag when the other girls had gone to lunch and as soon as she’d reached home had scanned it onto her computer. It hadn’t taken long for a flock of admirers to bombard her with e-mails. She loved the game of pretence, for the first time in her life she could be whoever she wanted to be, hidden behind the glamour of Val’s profile she’d created to cast her net for potential suitors. Jed had caught her eye from the beginning. She could sense his charm and charisma over cyber space and the photo he’d posted, made her body weak with desire. She wanted this man, even if it was just to indulge in flirty messages and obscene innuendo.

He’d enjoyed it as much as she had, and the things they’d said to each other were growing dirtier and more erotic by the day. At night she fantasised what they would do together, a different setting every night, but each one ended the same way with him crying her name out loud while he pounded into her submissive body. But now they’d arranged to meet and she was frantic. He would see her for what she really was. Myra confided in Anne and Paula, who both begged her to tell Jed the truth, but she couldn’t and in the end had fooled herself into believing that he would love her for who she really was. He had to; she wouldn’t be able to survive otherwise.

Chapter Three: Jude

Jude picked up a magazine and idly flicked through the glossy pages full of celeb gossip. She was feeling restless and couldn’t settle. She had enough problems herself without reading about the woes of the rich and famous. Her relationship with Jed was at rock bottom and had been for months. She could sense the distance he’d put between them, he’d made no effort to communicate let alone take her out once in a while.

They’d had such plans when they bought the house on Longfellow Road. With its enormous bay windows and neat front garden, Jude had been excited by what they could do to imprint their personal stamp on it. They’d worked as a team, taking one room at a time, carefully choosing the décor together. She assumed Jed had shared the same dream.

In the beginning, Jude had thought it amusing when shop assistants flirted with him and he playfully responded to their wiles. She was comfortable in her own skin; they didn’t pose a threat to her secure little world. At first at any rate. It began to grow tedious when Jed gave the assistants more attention than herself. Practically ignoring her if the young girl happened to be particularly beautiful, or even pretending they weren’t together when he sneakily gave out his mobile number.

Jude guessed he’d been unfaithful, although she tried to kid herself that she might be wrong. More recently, she guessed he was up to something on the Internet, he’d never been one for inputting spread sheets before, always delegating to an underling in his office. She wished she could change the locks and keep him out of her life for good. The thought flashed angrily into her head, but at the moment that just wasn’t possible. In the meantime, she’d find out exactly what the rat had been up to. She threw the magazine onto the glass and chrome coffee table and with her legs trembling with nerves, climbed the stairs.

As soon as she entered the office, she could smell Jed’s aftershave, even though his person wasn’t there, his essence was. Even his well-toned backside had left its imprint on the soft, black leather swivel chair. She powered up the computer and slid into the seat. She didn’t realise how easy it was going to be. Jed had forgotten to log off. It was as though he wanted her to discover his dirty little secret.

Flash back images from her past suddenly floated into her mind, and she gasped audibly from the pain of remembering. The feeling of betrayal was powerful as she was cast back in time to when she was eight years old.

Let go of daddy, her mother April, had coaxed, trying to prise the little fingers from the fabric of his expensive trousers.

No mummy, she had cried. Daddy can’t leave. Jude had been hysterical.

I have to go darling, her father had tugged his leg away. I will come for you next weekend.

No daddy. No daddy. Please don’t go.

But he had gone. And he hadn’t come to see her that weekend. Jude blamed her mother for a very long time. Every argument had ended with the young Jude screaming at her, It’s your fault daddy’s gone. I hate you.

When Jude was ten, she’d gone to stay with her father for two weeks in a little cottage he had rented on the Dorset coast. She’d been so excited, even though her mother had been quiet while she’d packed her little case.

I’ll miss you baby, she’d gathered Jude close to her chest and clung on tight.

I’ll be okay, Jude had retorted, pushing herself free. I’m going to stay with my dad.

She remembered skipping out to his waiting car, taking it for granted that she would sit up front with her beloved dad. But a dark haired woman was sitting in her seat.

Who is this lady? Jude had asked. No one had told her that her valuable time with him would be shared by an intruder.

This is Lindy, her father had said. Be nice to her.

The holiday was a disaster. Jude had been barely tolerated. She’d tagged along like a lost puppy behind her father and the woman called Lindy as they walked arm in arm along the seafront, giggling like school kids. Jude hated her. The feeling were mutual, Lindy didn’t hide the fact that she couldn’t abide children.

I want to go home, Jude had cried three days before they were due back.

We are staying until Friday, her dad had shouted. The cottage is paid until the end of the week. Why are you behaving like a spoiled brat?

Jude had been bitterly hurt by this statement. How could she be spoiled? Her dad hadn’t bought her anything except the odd ice cream. She missed her mum and for the first time, realised that she’d blamed her mother unfairly.

Over the following years, Jude saw what a womaniser her father was. Lindy was replaced by Cindy, then Candy and then she lost count. She didn’t care anymore. The teenage Jude knew how much he’d hurt her mother and when she was sixteen made the decision never to see him again.

When her mother had met Steve while out on a rare girls’ night out, Jude had been thrilled. Steve was charming, handsome and adored her mother. Within six months of meeting, Steve and April were married. They had been ecstatic when April discovered she was pregnant ten months later. Pammie was the icing on the cake and Jude loved her little sister. They shared the same natural blonde hair, inherited from their mother.

When Steve was offered a job in America, they’d begged Jude to go with them, but Jude was happy in her job, just starting out and making her mark in the firm.

I’ll come over as often as I can, she’d told them at the airport. Pammie had been devastated at the separation from her big sister, but over the years, they’d kept in touch as much as possible. Pammie planned to come over to England on her own as soon as she turned eighteen.

Jude shook her head to clear the evocative memories. She needed to concentrate on what Jed had been up to. She knew deep in her heart that if Jed had been unfaithful, she would never be able to forgive him. She couldn’t and wouldn’t go through the pain and heartbreak of betrayal again.

First she checked his mailbox and discovered several e-mails from some woman called Myra. Jude laughed derisively when she saw the photo, recognising the face of an up and coming model. The fool, she thought. She put her hands protectively on her stomach, her eyes misting over. Her unborn child might grow up fatherless, a life of hard work and struggle ahead of her. For a few more moments she let self-pity take over until the harsh ring of the phone snapped her out of it. Jude leaned over and snatched the receiver out of the cradle.

Hello she barked into the mouthpiece. It was her best friend, Lynne Gibbs.

Sorry Lynne, I didn’t mean to shout, I’m having a bad time. Yes come round, it will be good to see you; I’ll put the kettle on. Okay, see you in ten minutes.

Jude hung up and went into the kitchen. As she filled the kettle she wondered whether to confide in her closest friend. She’d known Lynne since junior school and they’d always told each other everything.

But Jude felt a failure and an idiot; her confidence had gone down the pan along with her relationship. This should be one of the happiest moments in her life not the worst. She took a packet of luxury double chocolate chip cookies out of the cupboard and emptied the lot onto a plate. By the time Lynne arrived, the tea was made and the table set for two.

These are delicious, but I shouldn’t eat them. I started my diet yesterday. Lynne took a big bite out of the biscuit, revealing her total lack of willpower.

You’re always on a diet, and you’ve got a lovely figure, Jude sat opposite her friend at the round kitchen table and flicked a gaze over Lynne’s curves. She’d alternated between a size 10 and 12 since giving birth to the twins. Flab didn’t get a chance to build on her trim waist; she was too busy running around after the children. Jude took a sip of hot tea and put her mug on a coaster.

Okay, out with it. I’ve known you for too long Jude. Something’s wrong, I can tell. Lynne finished the biscuit and wiped her mouth on a serviette. She studied her friends pale face, feeling concern at her melancholy mood.

Jed’s having an affair. There, she’d said it. She’d tossed it out into the open.

Oh God Are you sure? I’m sorry love. I never did like the arrogant……

I know you don’t, said Jude before Lynne could finish her sentence. She wondered why Lynne hadn’t asked the question, ‘How do you know?’ But...

But? enquired Lynne.

I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby.

Lynne hopped off her stool and hugged her friend tight.

What are you going to do? You know that I’ll be there for you whatever you decide.

I don’t know, I really don’t. But I’m too far gone for a termination, even if I wanted one, which I could never do. The doctor said I’m at least twenty five weeks. I even find myself thinking it would be better if Jed doesn’t come back. Let’s face it, he isn’t much help around the place.

Do you still love him? You’ve been together a long time.

I don’t know how I feel. One minute I’m angry, then upset and betrayed. How could he do this to me Lynne?

Because he’s a dirt bag. You would be better off without him, baby or no baby.

Why is it always easier to say that when you’re not involved? He hasn’t always been such a swine.

Do you want me to stay for a few days? Lynne quickly changed the subject. It wouldn’t help Jude to know that he’d been seen cheating on more than one occasion. Harry had warned her to keep quiet, that it was none of their business and that Jude would find out for herself one day. That day had finally come.

Thanks Lynne, but I’ll be okay. You have enough on your plate as it is. Harry and the kids need you at home.

Spoil sport, I was hoping you would say ‘yes’ so I could have a holiday. Lynne laughed, only half joking.

That’s not such a bad idea, said Jude. I could book a few days off work and take off somewhere to sort my mind out.

Fancy some company? I could do with a break. Lynne’s three-year-old twins, Robin and Rosie, were a double bundle of mischief.

Okay, you can stop me getting too bogged down with self-pity.

Great! I’ll go home now and pack a bag. I’ll pick you up around seven in the morning. Harry won’t mind, bless him, and Eileen will help out with the kids. Jude grinned at that, Eileen, Harry’s mum, doted on the small family.

Lynne rinsed her cup under the tap,

See you tomorrow. she hugged Jude and went out the door. Jude envied her friend’s exuberance.

She tidied the kitchen and went upstairs to sort clothes out for her trip. Jed had taken the small weekender so that left the bigger one they normally used for longer trips. She hauled it onto the bed, fighting back tears as she removed the flight tag. The last time this case had been used was when they’d gone to California, it seemed such a long time ago now, but had only been last year. Jude chucked the tag in the bin and began to pack.

Chapter Four: Jed

Yes? Can I help you? he expected to see stunning Myra on the other side of the door, not this overweight, spotty woman dressed in a pair of cheap denim jeans and matching jacket.

Hello Jed. I know I look different from the picture I sent you, but it’s still me. Can I come in? Myra pushed at the door and walked into the shabby room, looking as though she belonged there.

"I don’t understand! Why