UnSettled: The Prequel to Settle Down Now

By Leenna Naidoo

She’s everyone’s friend. He’s her only enemy.

Robert Hart is up to no good and everyone knows that, especially Charmaine. But when a money-laundering client brings them closer together, can Charmaine prevent herself becoming another of Hart’s Fules?

Working holidaymaker, Charmaine Donnet, is happy in Edinburgh. She’s got great friends, even the one dealing with depression and inertia. She’s landed a great job at PFI and her workmates are the supportive, fun types. The only thorn in her side is Robert Hart. He’s stolen the better entry position from her, and is working on stealing every feminine heart on the second floor. But Rob could be stealing more than a few steps on the ladder and affections. Only a money laundering case will reveal the true Robert Hart and Charmaine’s real feelings for him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leenna Naidoo/Learning To Surf Publishing
• Release date: Mar 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463089668

Book preview

Unsettled

The Prequel to Settle Down Now

Leenna Naidoo

Copyright 2015/2018 Leena Naidoo

Cover design by Leennascreativebox

Stock photo from Pixabay by PhilipBarrington

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be copied, reproduced or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you would like to share this book, please direct your friends to download their own copy. Thank you for your support.

Contents

Unsettled

Foreword and Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

About Settle Down Now

Excerpt From Settle Down Now

About Leenna

More Books by Leenna

Foreword

This story was part of the original version of Settle Down Now published in 2015. It was my first experiment in writing in two voices with flashbacks, and to be honest, it could have been a lot better. But I was a newbie back then, enjoying my writing too much, and too impatient to wait to send it out into the world. All things considered, I was luckier than I should have been...

Thanks to some great advice, suggestions and encouragement (see acknowledgements), I decided to present the original Settle Down Now in two parts: this prequel and the full main story. There’s a few more details added to the characters and their motivations, so enjoy!

Acknowledgements

My immense thanks to beta-readers Elizabeth Aiko and Vida Li Sik, reviewers Melissa Rose and Katie McCoach, and to everyone who gave me feedback and spotted errors.

A very special thanks to reviewer and writer, Rachel Raleigh of RaeRaleighReads for her suggestion of splitting the two time-frames into two separate stories. I agree. This works much better!

As in the first version, thanks to: Analicia, Mum (first readers and encouragers), Critters (first chapter): Sherry, Robert, Robin, Erin, Lana (for blurb).

With fond thanks to all my friends on my travels and adventures: Ari, The Dude, Marie, Melanie, KittyKaye, Andy and the rest of the United Nations of East London Street. Not forgetting Louise from the Outback, Amanda H, Anne P, Gilly C and the rest of the worker bees. We may or may not be billionaires, but we're all richer for having been in each other's lives, however briefly.

Plus: D, Tree, Vee, the Mahmahs, Cree, Lees, Pri, the Vid Tech guys and other TV Production colleagues.

Never forgetting, Brain for always being there.

And a huge thank you to all who’ve read, reviewed and rated the original! And to you for buying this eBook!

Leenna

December 2018

Chapter One

Edinburgh, Scotland. Sometime in 2000.

I flashed my newly-minted pass at the security guard and stepped into the great hive that was the processing centre of The Prestigious Financial Institution—or The Institution as referred to by the natives of Edinburgh. Margaret Holmes, a motherly reassuring soul, was the team-leader of the little department to which I had been assigned. She was waiting for me, with a broad smile, by the big metal and glass stairwell.

Ah, there you are Charmaine. I thought I’d meet you here again. So many new people get lost for the first few days, so I like to make sure you know your way up to your desk.

"Morning, Margaret. It is all quite intimidating. Thank you!"

"Ach, it’s no bother. But we’ll just give the new lad a chance to meet us, too. He’s a wee bit late. He was supposed to be here half-an-hour ago. She looked with worry at her watch. Did you take the bus, dear? Is there a problem with the traffic?"

No. I walked, and I haven’t been here long enough to be a good judge of the traffic patterns, I half apologised.

"Ach, it will be okay, I’m sure...Oh! That might be him. Robert! Robert Hart!" She bobbed up and down like a large robin, with one half-extended arm to wave him over.

I turned around. A startling apparition approached: too tall and too gaunt; handsome features set grimly. He moved swiftly with confidence towards us trailing a little stream of water like some displaced kelpie, despite his expensive Londoner trench-coat.

You must be Margaret Holmes, he stated as he reached us.

His voice was deeper than I’d expected. Margaret took his proffered hand and seem to light up at his charming smile.

Oh, yes. That’s me. And this is...Oh, I’ve almost forgotten. Silly me! This is Charmaine Donnet. She’s new, too. I’m sure you’ll be friends.

His glance at me was brief, unfriendly, dismissive, as he took Margaret’s arm and all her attention, leaving my hello strangled on partly opened lips.

I’m really looking forward to working with you in New Business Bonds, Margaret, he began, brushing past me to lead a bemused Margaret up the stairs.

I followed like some newly bought slave, gratified to hear Margaret contradict him with a, Oh, but you’re to be in Unit Trusts. Charmaine started in New Business yesterday.

"But, I specifically asked to be in New Business," insisted Mr Kelpie Hart.

Too bad, I got here first. I trusted Margaret to resist his strange charm and to act with fairness.

Although Margaret proved to be strong and true, her superior did not. I was transferred