Kaitlyn's Curiosity: Village of Shadows, #3

By Sue Perkins

Afraid her daughter is heading for trouble due to the company she keeps, Kaitlyn's mother sends her to Deden to look after Uncle Clive who suffers from dementia.

Her arrival in the pouring rain sets a dismal start to Kaitlyn's new life. Deden is a strange village with inhabitants who all
have secrets in their pasts.

Kaitlyn and Uncle Clive settle into a peaceful co-existence, but the home help is not happy at Kaitlyn's arrival and
tries to make trouble. 

 Noah, Clive's social worker, sorts out the problem but is this handsome man more interested in the niece more than the uncle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caishel Books
• Release date: Dec 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393396284

Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins grew up in Devon, England and emigrated to New Zealand with her family. Sue and her husband live at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Her interests include writing, reading, genealogy and aqua jogging. Sue’s first romance novel was released in May 2007, quickly followed by a fantasy trilogy, more romance books, young adult and middle grade novels. Visit Sue Perkins webpage to discover more of Sue’s books, including her fantasy romance novels and middle grade level fantasy books. Her aim is to write a full length epic fantasy novel. The outline is complete, and Sue hopes to finish it by the end of 2018.

Book preview

Village of Shadows

Miri's Inheritance - Book One

Jayden's Innocence - Book Two

Other Romance Books By Sue Perkins

Romantic Memories

Romantic Mysteries

Three Hearts

Broken Heart - Novelette

Recipe for Romance

Blitz

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Fantasy Romance

Dragon World Series

Dragon Flame – Book One

Dragon Clans – Book Two

Dragon Ice – Book Three

Adri's Story

Copyright 2019 Sue Perkins

All Rights Reserved

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Cover Artist: Sue Perkins

Cat Graphic Image: Copyright: anp/123rf.com

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Except for use in any review, no part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author Sue Perkins.

These books are works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

www.CaishelBooks.com

Dedication and Acknowledgment

To all lovers of romance and intrigue

Chapter One

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The taxi stopped but the world outside the cab was awash with rain. Darkness surrounded the cab, no streetlights, no lights from houses. Kaitlyn shivered.

Are you sure this is the right address?

Yes, I’m sure. The taxi driver seemed put out by her question. Its Deden. Don’t come here often, but everyone knows where the end of beyond is. The fare’s prepaid so you can get out now. I’ll spring the boot open.

The taxi driver appeared to have no intention of getting wet so Kaitlyn dragged her backpack from the seat beside her, then opened the door and climbed out. Within seconds the rain soaked her clothes. Trudging round to the back of the cab she lifted her case from the boot and reached out to shut the lid but stopped.

If he can’t do his job and help me with my bags, why should I shut the boot?

She looked at the cottage next to the road and saw the number on the gate.

At least he dropped me at the right number.

Get a move on. I haven’t got all night you know.

The taxi driver sounded impatient so Kaitlyn opened the gate, picked up her bags and trudged through the puddles to the front door of the cottage. The man in the cab climbed out and went round to shut the boot then said a few choice words to her. Kaitlyn didn’t turn round, but she grinned as the driver’s door slammed and he drove off with a roar of the engine.

Kaitlyn struggled with her bags as she knocked on the door. After a minute or two she knew her uncle had either not heard her, or didn’t want to open the door. She banged a loud tattoo and waited again. This time she heard a chain rattling before the door opened a crack.

Who is it? The voice sounded old and nervous.

It’s your niece, Kaitlyn. Rob’s daughter. I’m here to help you for a few weeks.

Rob?

Your younger brother, Rob.

Wait.

A face appeared in the gap and Kaitlyn gasped. She knew her uncle had been older than her father when he died, but the similarity was incredible. Her uncle held up a torch and shone it straight in her eyes.

Hey, turn that off.

Just like her father. Her uncle muttered to himself. He shut the door and Kaitlyn heard a rattle of the chain being removed before he opened the door wide. Come in. Come in.

Kaitlyn dragged her case and backpack inside and her uncle quickly shut the door again and reattached the chain.

Why did you say you were here? he asked as she threw herself down on the settee.

Mum rang you, remember? You both agreed she’d send me to help you as you hadn’t been well.

Uncle Clive looked confused, but he tottered across to the kitchen area and filled the kettle.

Would you like a cup of tea?

Yes please. Could you show me where I’ll be sleeping so I can get out of these wet clothes?

Her uncle nodded and led the way to a door in the far wall of the lounge. He opened it then waved at the middle door.

Bathroom, then my bedroom. I’ll make the tea.

Kaitlyn smiled her thanks and shut the bedroom door behind her. Her uncle had remembered her arrival as he had made the bed with clean sheets and laid out towels for her use. She quickly stripped off her wet clothes and dried herself with the towel on the bed, then put on sweatpants and sweatshirt, plus furry slippers. Mum had warned her Uncle Clive would have lapses of memory so she guessed her sudden appearance had thrown him outside his comfort zone.

Warm and dry she returned to the lounge to find Uncle Clive had put two steaming mugs and a plate of biscuits on the coffee table.

Here we are, he beamed at her. You must forgive me I can’t remember your name.

Kaitlyn. She took a sip of her tea. Thanks this is just what I needed.

I didn’t understand what your mother said, Uncle Clive confessed. I know I’ve not been well, and to be honest my memory is not what it used to be, but why did she think I needed you to help me?

Mum’s crafty. It wasn’t only for you. She wanted to get me away from the friends I’d made at college. She reckoned they were leading me astray. Kaitlyn helped herself to another biscuit.

Did your mother have it right?

Kaitlyn thought for a moment. Flashes of memory where she and her friends had shoplifted, tried cannabis and had a wild party at the house of another girl.

I guess Mum had a point. I hadn’t gone really astray, but I was on the road to being a ‘bad girl’ as Mum would put it.

Then we can help one another. Uncle Clive smiled at her. We’ll work things out tomorrow. Do you need a meal?

No thanks. I had something on the train so I’m fine until the morning.

Then I suggest we get to bed and start fresh in the morning. Don’t worry if you hear noises in the night, it will be me using the bathroom.

Kaitlyn smiled and gave him a kiss on