Turn Back Time

By Robin Tilley

27 Year old Miranda was finally done with men. Angry that she has wasted 10 years on a man that she thought she would marry and have children with. Her life was different now. Her youngest sister had recently come to live with her after their mother had died. Wanting to forget their pain, the 2 sisters partied most nights at the local country bar.
Single and independent Miranda did not want a man in her life. That is until the chance meeting with Mick Hampton. Mick Hampton, gunner, paratrooper, lived for his military career, rugby and his children. Miserable in his marriage of 10 years, he was committed for better or worse. Why then, after a chance meeting with Miranda had she captured his heart? Both living on opposite sides of the world and neither wanting to know the other. Yet, what was the harm of one drink?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Tilley
• Release date: Aug 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781773700557

Book preview

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Dedication.

This book is dedicated to my English Husband who provided inspiration for the unfolding of this story, and to all the characters in this book real or imagined. This journey could not have happened if you hadn’t been a part of it.

Introduction

Trapped in different worlds that they have chosen to create. Mick and Miranda struggle to live the lives they know they were meant to live. Come with them on this journey of love, separation, hopeless-ness and desire. Only to find that you can’t turn back time……or can you?

Table of Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

One

T-shirt, blue jean jacket, spare combat jacket, trousers. Mick announced these last items as he placed them neatly folded in his kit bag. He closed the clips on the bag and tossed it toward the bedroom door. He then removed his wedding ring as he always did before any military mission. He placed the ring in a small box, opened his dresser drawer and tucked the small box in the corner. He sat at the end of his bed and pulled on his military boots. Sergeant Mick Hampton was excited to be going back to Canada. He had been to Canada two years before. As he laced up his boots, he reflected on his military career and how it had taken him to many places around the world: Australia, Belize, Kenya, to name a few. He had never felt in any of those places like he did when he was in Canada. Somehow, he felt a strong connection to that continent across the ocean from his birthplace here in the United Kingdom.

Daddy. His thoughts were interrupted by his young son’s voice.

Mick smiled down at 4-year-old Connor. He bent down and caught the lad under his arms and swung him up high and then hugged him tight.

Connor hugged him back with a mighty, Ugg.

This made Mick laugh as the lad always pretended he was a big strong man like his daddy. Though Mick was excited for this next journey to Canada, he always missed his children with a terrible ache.

Every time he returned home after weeks or months away, his children were shy with him and he had to win their hearts all over, only to have him turn around in a few weeks to be gone again. That was the life of a military man.

His wife, Candi, entered the room in a way that commanded attention. Candi was strikingly beautiful. She had long, black, silky hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She had the most intense blue eyes he had ever seen. Even after 10 years of marriage, these blue eyes always pierced his soul and he squirmed a bit.

You done packing yet? Candi dryly asked. Your driver is here.

Mick kissed Connor on the cheek and handed the lad over to his mother’s waiting arms. Mick bent down and kissed his other two children who were standing behind their mother. He picked up his kit bag and walked out the door to the waiting military issued Land Rover. He loaded his kit in the boot and was about to get in when he turned around to look at his family who had followed him out and were now standing in the garden watching him. He took two big strides back to them and bent to kiss his children goodbye one more time. He stood up and looked into those piercing, blue eyes. His wife didn’t offer him a kiss goodbye and neither did he. This was how their goodbyes had been for the last few years. These two people, neither wanted to be with the other, but neither was willing to leave. They both believed staying together for the children was the best option, though it was never spoken about.

Behave for your mom, kids, I’ll bring you back something from Canada!

Bye, Daddy, bring us a polar bear back! his oldest son Jack asked hopefully.

How ‘bout a penguin? Mick laughed and played along. His driver gave a slight honk on the horn. Reckon Daddy’s got to go now. Remember, be good or no polar bear.

He shut the Land Rover door with an audible slam. He held up his hand to his family, and with a half-hearted smile waved goodbye. The Rover lurched forward as the driver put it in gear. A small cloud of dust followed as the vehicle bounced down the dirt road away from the waving children.

This was so bitter sweet for him, leaving his children behind again. Alberta, Canada was calling his name, though, and he felt a restless energy through his whole body. His first time he had been to Alberta, two years before, had been a jumps course. He remembered how it felt every day to be under the wide open blue skies, the endless prairies; he had never felt so alive. The military exercises had been gruelling then, but this time around would see he and his men pushed to their limits. This thought sent a wave of excitement through his massive body and a twitch through his large biceps. Mick was a tall man, 6 ft. 2ish he liked to say when asked how tall he was. At 28-years-old, he was at his peak in fitness. The military had made him this way. Thirty mile hikes with full kit, jumping from airplanes, playing rugby for the army team. Twelve years of rugby championships in a row. With his wavy, jet black hair and equally black moustache, his shy smile and his golden brown eyes, he was a sight for any woman who laid eyes on him. Though, he never considered himself a ladies’ man. He lived for the military, rugby, and his children. He had never known his birth mother and was brought up by this father and step mother. His first memories were when he was about 4 years old with his dad leading him by the hand. He didn’t understand this memory or why it was so vivid; he always felt sad when he thought about it. Somehow, he was always in trouble as a youth. Not that he was a bad kid, he was very active and full of adventure, being in places he shouldn’t be. He joined the military when he was barely 16 years old at the urging of his father, stepmother and social worker. It was probably the best decision as the military would guide and mould the young man. His young life had had no direction and, without the military, he surely would have found himself in trouble with the law or in jail in the coming years. His father hadn’t taken much interest in his life and when he asked his father questions about his mother he was told she was in a mental hospital and didn’t want to know him. The empty, lonely feelings from his childhood followed him from the dark shadows, tagging along like an unwelcomed foe.

The Land Rover passed another military jeep full of Canadian military men there for exercise. The men in the two vehicles raised a hand to each other as they passed. Mick’s driver slowed and they pulled up alongside the coach that would take Mick and his men to the Tristar airplane. This was where he stopped being Mick Hampton, family man, and eased into his role of Sergeant Hampton, gunner, para trooper, rugby champion. He was at the top of his game and the top of the world. He and his men boarded the coach for the short ride to the military airport. There was a lot of excitement and banter among them. Mick allowed this with his men, knowing that when it came to any conflict, he was there for them and they were there for him. The military was his real family.

Mick’s wife Candi squinted those blue eyes as she watched her husband’s departure as the Land Rover sped down the dusty road, then gathered her children together and ushered them into the house.

Her oldest son, nine year old Jack, protested. Mom, I want to watch him till he’s gone. He always wanted to wave goodbye until his dad was out of site. Somehow, he thought this gesture would ensure his dad’s safety and that he would return to them.

Candi grabbed Jack’s arm. Come on, then, in you go. She guided him back inside. She gave them each a snack and set them on the floor in front of the telly for Saturday morning cartoons. With an audible sigh, she herself sat on the settee, tucking her feet up under her bum. She munched on crisps she had in a bowl and pretended to watch cartoons with her children.

So, she thought, this is what my life has become after 10 years being married to Mick.

Candi’s thoughts reflected to when they had met.

She had worked in the military mess at the bar. One afternoon a group of young men had come in after a day hike.

Mick Hampton, Mama. He introduced himself with a slight bow.

Candi at your service, sir. What’s your fancy, then? she replied.

With a wink Mick ordered a beer.

Mick came into the mess seemingly daily after that only to see Candi.

Candi didn’t know that her piercing blue eyes left Mick nervous or that he found them strangely intriguing and alluring. She did know that Mick noticed other lads in the mess and the attention they gave her. Candi flirted with them all in a shameless way. A part of him did not like her; he thought she was uppity, and that she could have any man she wanted. He was only 19 years old himself, but he was extremely competitive. Even though he didn’t want her, he set out to win her.

Candi knew that Mick was interested in her and that she kept him a bit off balance. She knew she could wrap him around her baby finger. She saw his jealous glances at the other lads when she flirted with them. This suited her fine. She had found the man that would get her out of her father’s home. She believed that Mick would provide for her better than any other man might. She saw his commitment to the military and to his mates; it was like he craved a family, carved acceptance. She knew it wouldn’t take much from her to get him to be the man she wanted. Someone to always provide, so she would never have to worry about being on the street like her mother predicted every week. She didn’t love him but believed over time she might grow to have affection for him. She turned all her attention to him over the next few weeks; it was proving easier than she had first thought. Within two months they were engaged, at her suggestion, had a ring on her finger, and her plan was almost done. Mick was scheduled to be posted to Germany for one year. Candi thought it best if they married before he was posted. Their first son was born nine months after the marriage. While Candi was in labour, she looked at Mick and directed at him between clenched teeth in total anger. I hope you’re happy; this pain is because of you. To prove this point, an intense and painful contraction rushed over her body and she screamed as it held her tight.

Mick had watched helplessly as his young wife, drenched in sweat, cried out in pain. Mick felt guilty for causing his wife this agony.

She saw the look of guilt on his face and knew she had bound him further to this union. She was proud of herself. Two more contractions and a new life was born. The doctor declared that it was a boy. The nurse reached over and took the baby to be weighed, measured and washed. Other nurses were tending to Candi.

Mick, not knowing what else to do, headed for the swinging doors that lead to the hall. He walked over to the only window in the hall and pressed his forehead against the cool glass. He stood in silence at what he had just witnessed. He had created a child; he and Candi had created a child. Tears were flowing freely as he took in the enormity of the event. He had never been so happy in his life.

Later, as Mick held his child Jack for the first time, new tears filled his eyes. Candi knew she had made the correct choice. Her future was secure, sealed by the birth of his son.

Mick leaned over the hospital bed to kiss his wife and thank her for this gift. He was so excited to have a son that he did not realize she had turned her head slightly to the side so that his kiss landed more on her cheek and less on her lips.

Two more children were to bless this union in the years that followed. Connor arrived two years after Jack, and Sara, two years after Connor. Candi saw her family as a hardship. She felt more alone as the years passed. It had nothing to do with her husband being away for weeks or months on end. She welcomed the time he was away, so she could socialize with friends and have fun. She realized now at 27 with three small children, in her haste to secure a future for herself and escape her fathers home, she had trapped herself instead.

A loud knock at the door brought Candi back to the world. She slid her legs from under her and her feet were tingling and asleep. She brushed the crumbs from her silky blue blouse that matched her eyes, and limped to the door.

Before she reached it, her friend Cat was already inside. Hiya, kiddos, she said loudly.

The three small children barely looked up from their cartoons and said hi back. Is he gone then? Cat quipped as she looked around in mock interest for Mick’s whereabouts. She didn’t wait for an answer; she had seen Mick in the Land Rover being carried off to another adventure, no less.

I hope you can get a child minder for tonight, Love? Cat went on. I have big plans for us this evening. A Canadian regiment arrived yesterday. I met some of them at the mess last night. I adore a Canadian accent, don’t you? They want to meet up tonight. They asked if I could bring some friends. I already lined up Trish and Sal. You game?

Of course, Candi was game. She was already on the phone, calling the teenager next door, to come over and child mind.

Candi felt tonight was going to be a good night. She was ready to break loose and party after being trapped for the last six weeks that Mick had been back. Yes, she was ready to break loose, like all the other times her husband finally left. Life, again, for awhile, was good. Come on, Cat. Let’s go look in my closet for something sexy for me to wear tonight. I’m thinking some Canadian boys could use some fun so far from home. At that, they both laughed at the prospects that lay ahead.

Mick sat and looked out the airplane window as it took off for Canada. He thought about last night with his wife after the children had gone to bed. He always tried to be a loving husband even when there was no love to be had. He had tried to hug Candi and tell her that he would miss her and the children. She stiffened at his touch, then turned toward the bedroom and said, Let’s get it over with. I know that’s what you want.

Yes, it was what he had wanted but not like this. Any lovemaking, if he could still call it that, came at a price. If he did everything she wanted of him and made sure she always had money to spend on anything she wanted, then she was happy. He always felt like she was somehow paying him back