Photographs In the Mail

By Bridgitte Lesley

Lance waited anxiously for his photographs in the mail every single year. He had been receiving them for fifteen years. It was the highlight of his life. When Mandy had emigrated with her family they hadn’t realized that she was pregnant. And so young! Years had gone by and Lance could not go globetrotting to find her. The funds weren’t there. But the time had come. He was in a position to try and track Mandy and Lancaster down. As luck would have it, Mandy decided to move home. She didn’t know what was in store for her. But she had to introduce Lance to Lancaster. She would take a back seat if Lance was already married. Little did she realize that the sparks were still there. Lance had spent his life waiting. The moment they met life could carry on. They seemed to gel together perfectly as a family. Even though there were a lot of opinions the family soon realized that what Mandy had done was right. But that happened when she erupted and voiced her opinion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bridgitte Lesley
• Release date: Oct 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310779756

Bridgitte Lesley

Hello from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!Having survived an attempt at being murdered, I have plunged myself in to my writing. After my gruesome ordeal, I live life from day to day. Appreciating every minute and moment. Yes, I have the scars from an axe being driven in to my head repeatedly. I suffer from PTSD and OCD. But, I am here to tell the tale. And I have a lot to tell!I am currently revamping my older titles and will be adding a few. In a nutshell, you will find a mix of romance, adventure, lots of witty banter and a happy ever after. All round, expect a feel-good read.Thank you for reading and for your support!Bridgitte

Book preview

Photographs In the Mail

By

Bridgitte Lesley

Version 1

Published by

Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

Photographs In the Mail

Copyright © 2013 Bridgitte Lesley

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

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Photographs In the Mail

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CHAPTER 1

Lance slowly walked to the front door of his flat. He picked up his briefcase and opened the door. He stared as a woman flew past. He looked to his right and his eyes followed the beautifully built woman in her leggings and rugby T-shirt with a hoodie. He watched as she ran to the flat at the end of the corridor. She stood and slipped her key in the doorknob. As she stood she wiggled her right foot on the ball of her foot. She opened the door and slipped inside. Lance listened. Hi honey, I’m home.

Lance smiled and shook his head. How he longed for someone to say that to him. Something so small, but so welcoming. He always looked around, waiting for one face to appear. But in all the years it never had. Her image had stayed with him. Etched into his mind. Her jet black hair and beautiful big brown eyes and her exquisite figure. Every part of her was perfect. Lance sighed as he walked out of the flat. Would he ever get over his one love? His true love. His first love. Lance hadn’t even tried. He didn’t want to get over her. He wanted her. He always had. And his feelings would never change. Maybe if he met someone else. Lance shook his head. That was not going to be happening. Not the way he felt.

Lance walked out of the flat and headed to the lift. He waited a while and turned and stared at the flat’s door where the woman had disappeared to. Lance shook his head. He hadn’t seen the woman’s face. But she had a beautiful figure. He hadn’t seen her features or the color of her hair. Lance turned as the lift opened and he stepped inside. He greeted everyone and travelled down towards the basement where he parked his van. The woman, whoever she was, was working his thoughts over. It made his thoughts veer off in a different direction. What would it be like to come home to a wife? To a family. To hear those words. To sit down to a meal with his own family. He walked over to his van and unlocked his door and hopped inside. He sat for a few minutes. He smiled and shook his head. He wasn’t remotely interested in women. There was only one woman for him. Lance leaned his head against the head rest and closed his eyes. He could see her beautiful face smiling up at him, as it always did. He smiled and whispered. I know. But I can only wish. Life sure dealt us the worst hand. Why did you have to go away? Why?

Lance started the van and drove to his office. He walked in and looked up at the receptionist. Morning Sally. Sally nodded and smiled.

Mister Graham.

Lance felt a little glum. It was so unfair. Everyone had somebody. But not him. And if he couldn’t have the love of his life he didn’t want anyone. He compared everyone to her. She was his barometer. And there was no one like her. Lance walked through to his office and sat down. He took his mail and flipped through all the envelopes. He took the thick envelope out of the pack and slowly slit the envelope at the top. He felt as his hands started to shake. He felt the excitement in his stomach. He knew what was inside. It was the envelope that he had been waiting for. It was an envelope containing four photographs. He looked at each of them and smiled. Oh Lancaster. My boy. Oh Lancaster. He studied every little detail. Lance leaned into his hand as he looked at the photographs. His son had just turned fifteen. He stared at the photographs. He had never met Lancaster but every year Lancaster’s mother had sent him photographs of him on his birthday. From the day that he was born. The first photograph of him. He had one from the day that he was born. The day that he took his first steps. And his very first tooth. Lance smiled. Even Lancaster’s first day at school. He had all the photographs. And then four from his very first birthday.

She had never forgotten to send them. Lance sighed and he felt a stray tear slip down his cheek. He held his hands over his face. For so many years he had received photographs. He had been madly in love with Mandy. He still was. He had slept with her once. A night which he remembered in detail. She had become a woman in his arms. He had lost his virginity to her. He had been her first. His one and only.

Soon after the family had left and moved abroad. She had written and told him about their son. But he had never made the effort to track them down. For years he didn’t have the money to do anything about finding them. Lance closed his eyes. He wiped the tears away. He was in a position to go and see his son. But he didn’t know where to start looking. Judith his secretary walked in and looked at the photographs.

He is growing into quite a man, your Lancaster, isn’t he? Lance nodded. Judith put her hand on his shoulder.

Oh Lance. Why don’t you try and find them? Lance shook his head.

They won’t want to know me. I didn’t try then. Why would they even consider seeing me now? Judith shook her head.

Mandy would understand. She makes an effort every year Lance. She never forgets. And she knew you didn’t have the money way back then. You were both very young. Judith picked up the envelope.

You wouldn’t have to look very far Lance. They are in town. Lance took the envelope and stared at the post mark.

No! Judith nodded.

Yes. You have lost fifteen years. Don’t you think that is enough? Lance sighed and nodded.

But what if he has a father? What if she got married? Judith shook her head.

What if Lance! What if? If you carry on like that your whole life is going to fly you by. Lance nodded.

How would I trace her? Judith shook her head.

Relatives? Start with every relative you can think of. And then we take it from there. Lance nodded and smiled.

I wanted to marry her.

And if she is single? Now? Would you still consider that? Lance nodded and smiled.

I would. Judith nodded.

How old would she be? Lance smiled.

Thirty one. She was sixteen when she had Lancaster. Judith stared at Lance.

Lance. Do you realize you could marry her and still have the family that you always wanted? Lance nodded and smiled.

Yeah. Judith looked at Lance.

Lance we have to find her! What on earth are you waiting for! Lance took the photographs and held them in his hands. Judith stared.

He is the spitting image of you Lance. Lance nodded and smiled.

He is.

Lance sat in front of his laptop and started doing a search on the internet. He typed in every relatives name that he could think of. Not one was successful. Lance grinned as he found one. It was her brother. He wrote the number down and dialed. He waited for a while. Eventually someone picked up.

Hi, this is Lance Graham. Could I speak to Chad please?

I am so sorry. Chad doesn’t live here anymore.

Oh. Lance was suddenly quiet. He felt as his heart plummeted deep down into his stomach.

But I can give you his cell phone number. That might help. Lance grabbed his notepad and wrote it down as the woman read the number.

Thank you so much!

And who am I speaking to?

Lance Graham.

Oh gosh! His brother in law! I am so glad I could help.

Thank you. Lance put the phone down. He whispered. His brother in law? Okay. Now that was a strange thing to say.

Lance took a deep breath and dialed the number.

Chad?

Yes. This is Chad.

Chad, it’s Lance Graham. Do you remember me?

Hell Lance. It is Mandy’s Lance isn’t it? How the devil are you? Lance smiled as he spoke.

Well. Very well. I am phoning about your sister. Mandy. Is she back in town? Chad chuckled.

Yeah. Mandy. She’s back in town.

Can I ask you a few questions Chad?

Yeah. Shoot!

Is she married?

Mandy? Chad roared with laughter.

Mandy is married all right. Going on fifteen years now. Calls herself Mandy Graham. Strange that. Never met the bloke. They have a son. Lancaster. I can give you her cell phone number. But that is about all. I haven’t seen her in a while. Years in fact. Lance grabbed his notepad. He listened as Chad went through the numbers on his phone.

Hell, I don’t have her number. Lance silently groaned.

But I can give you little Lancs’ number. Her son. Would that help?

Yeah, I can give him a call. That’s a start. Chad rattled the number off and Lance wrote it down.

What do you call him?

Lancs. Or Graham. Crazy kid that. Full of beans. Just like Mandy. Lance smiled.

His father?

No, hell, that is a good question. Honestly I don’t know. Never met the man. Lancaster, we just call him Lancs Graham. Mandy’s married surname. Lance nodded.

You’ve been a great help. Where are you by the way? Chad chuckled.

Just pulling in to town. We need to get together some time. Lance chuckled.

We have to. Lance cut the call. They had always been good friends. Chad and himself. Until they all moved and had lost touch. He wondered about the comments that Chad had made.

Judith walked through and looked at Lance.

You found her? Lance. Talk to me! Lance covered his eyes and the tears flowed. Lance nodded. Judith held Lance in her arms.

Oh Lance. What is wrong? Lance shook his head and looked up at Judith.

I have Lancaster’s number. They call him Lancs, or Graham. Judith stared.

Oh Lance. Call him. Just ask for her number. Lance took his hanky and wiped his tears. He composed himself and picked up the phone and looked at his watch. He dialed the number. He smiled as he listened to the message. Yo! What’s up duuuuuude! There was suddenly a roar of laughter. The message continued. Surf is up! You can catch me on e-mail. Mail me. The message suddenly ended. Lance chuckled. He handed the phone to Judith. She dialed the number and chuckled. Judith started to laugh. Lance smiled and shook his head.

My son. Judith hugged Lance. The tears started pouring down Lance’s cheeks. He whispered.

My son. Judith hugged Lance again.

Try him a little later. Lance wiped his tears and nodded. Judith giggled.

Oh my gosh! He sounds just like you! He even laughs like you! Lance grinned and shook his head.

CHAPTER 2

Lance carried on working throughout the day. He picked up his briefcase and packed the photographs away. He drove straight home. He hopped into the lift and waited as it slowly moved to his floor. He walked to his flat and put his key into the lock. He smiled as he took a whiff down the passage. He closed his eyes and smiled. He whispered to himself. Roast chicken. He opened his door and walked inside. He put his briefcase down on the kitchen counter and took the photographs out. He walked over to the lounge and took out his photo album. He placed the photographs carefully in to the photo album. He paged through the album and looked at every single photograph. Lance wiped away the tears. He was so emotional. He barely whispered. Oh Mandy. I love you my darling. Come back to me. Come back to me. Please. Lance walked over to the kitchen and took out one of his frozen meals and popped it in the microwave. He sighed. The roast chicken really did smell good. He took his lasagna out of the microwave and stared at it. It didn’t look anything like lasagna. Lance started eating his meal. He slowly drank his coffee. Lance took his cell phone and dialed Lancaster’s’ number again. He waited a while.

Lance listened to the deep gravelly voice.

Graham. Lance stammered.

Uhm. Hi. Uhhhhm. Hi! This is Lance. Could you give me your mothers number please?

What is this in connection with?

I am an old friend. It was quiet on the other end. Lance waited.

How old?

You mean age or do you mean the friendship?

The friendship.

Sixteen years.

It was quiet for a while.

Your name again?

Lance.

Lance who?

Lance Graham.

Dad! My father? Dad! Lance chuckled. He suddenly felt the huge tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat. He could almost not talk.

Yes son. This is your father.

Holy, holy, holy! Oh hell! Oh shoot!

Lancaster.

Yes Sir. I mean yes Dad.

Son. Do you have your mothers number? Lancaster started to whisper.

I have to meet you first. Lance nodded.

Okay. When can I meet you?

Five bells tomorrow morning. On the beach. You know the clock. Meet me there. Okay? Lance smiled.

Okay.

Lancaster cut the call. Lance stared into space. He whispered to himself. He knows me! And he wants to meet me? Lance beamed from ear to ear. Lance paced up and down. He was shaking like a leaf. Lance sat down on the settee. There were so many questions going through his head. Why at five?

Lancaster sat in his bedroom and the tears started to flow. He held his hands over his face. He lay on his bed and sobbed. This was the day he had waited for. Forever. Lancaster wiped his tears and smiled. Oh Dad. I can’t wait. I just can’t wait!

Lance almost jumped out of his skin as the phone started ringing. He picked it up.

Graham.

Hey Lance. Chad. I found her number. Do you still want it?

Yeah! Lance smiled as he wrote the number down.

Chad. Thanks for this.

Any time.

Lance cut the call and stared at the number. He wasn’t going to call Mandy. He would first meet with Lancaster. Lance beamed. He held the paper in his hand. Lance dialed the number. He could not help himself. He listened as her message came on. It was the softest, gentlest voice he had ever heard. Her voice almost caressed his body. Lance listened. This is Doctor Amanda Graham speaking. Unfortunately I can’t take your call right now as I am in consultation. Please be so kind as to leave your name and number after the beep. Thank you. Lance cut the call. He groaned and smiled. Oh Mandy. Oh Mandy. Lance held the phone in his hands and closed his eyes. Oh Mandy.

Lance looked at the phone as it rang. He quickly answered.

Lance. This is your mother speaking. Lance smiled.

Hi Mum.

Just a quick call son. I haven’t spoken to you in a while. You remember you have just had a birthday go by. Lance smiled.

Yes.

Did you get photographs?

I did.

And?

Awesome. He is growing into a really good looking boy.

He is going to be a man soon. Lance smiled.

Mum. You are not going to believe this. I am going to meet with him tomorrow. Laura shrieked and whispered.

What? Tomorrow?

Yes. They are in town. I finally tracked her down. Or rather, Mandy came home.

Oh Lance. Now is your chance my boy. Now is your chance. So you have obviously spoken to Mandy?

"Uhm. No. I contacted Chad and he gave me Lancaster’s number. And