Changes

By Jacqueline Pouliot

A new lesbian romance from Jacqueline Pouliot!
Fleeing a sterile relationship and a dysfunctional family, Claire Jordan leaves London for San Francisco where she discovers the truth about herself and discovers love!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326532611

Book preview

Changes

Changes

By Jacqueline Pouliot

Jacqueline Pouliot

CARMENICA DIAZ

writing as

JACQUELINE POULIOT

Carmenica Diaz writes erotic fiction that is either hard and nasty or soft and tender, depending on her moods.

Search "Carmenica Diaz" to find her adults only website.

EPUB Edition

Copyright © 2016 Lulu Press

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-326-53261-1

Changes.

"I still don't know what I was waiting for

And my time was running wild

A million dead-end streets

and every time I thought I'd got it made

It seemed the taste was not so sweet

So I turned myself to face me

But I've never caught a glimpse

Of how the others must see the faker

I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

(Turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-Changes"

(Written by the late & very much missed David Bowie)

Lunch in the Country.

Claire Jordan parked her car and walked purposefully towards the front door of her mother’s cottage. She had driven from London with steely determination, knowing she had run out of time and could no longer procrastinate.

Today was the day! The day for changes!

Opening the door, Claire stepped inside the house, finding her mother, Dolores Jordan, in the kitchen, putting the last touches to lunch.

‘You’ve finally arrived,’ her mother said without looking up.

‘And good afternoon to you, mother,’ Claire said, putting her handbag down. ‘I had a lovely long drive from London, thank you for asking.’

‘No need to be sarcastic with me, young lady!’

‘That wasn’t sarcasm, mother. That was fact! Is Rowena here?’

‘She’s in the garden with Steve and Toby. Is Tom coming?’

‘No, he isn’t.’ Claire walked outside into the back garden. Her sister, Rowena, was watching her husband Steve, pushing their four year old son, Toby, on a tricycle.

‘Hi,’ Rowena said. ‘Mum’s angry with you again.’

‘Wait until lunch is over,’ Claire said breezily as she bent to kiss her sister’s cheek. ‘Mother will probably have a heart attack then.’

‘Oh? Anything you want to share?’

‘I’d rather get it all out over lunch,’ Claire said.

‘Don’t you trust me?’ Rowena pouted.

‘As I said, rather get it all over with at lunch,’ Claire said evenly.

Rowena frowned at her sister. ‘Everything okay?’

‘Probably not but it will get better. That’s what I tell myself, anyway.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘Nothing; just thinking about changes.’

Claire held her hand over her wineglass to prevent Steve topping it up. She hadn’t touched the wine but Steve automatically tried to add more. Steve sat back down at the table.

‘I have one or two announcements,’ Claire said. She hid her hands in her lap so the others around the table would not be able to see the trembling.

‘Have you and Tom set the date? It’s about time…’ Mrs Jordan declared.

‘No,’ Claire interrupted. ‘Tom and I have broken our engagement.’ Claire heard Rowena gasp but she carried on. ‘We will not be getting married.’

The faces around the table showed their shock. Only little Toby continued to eat.

‘Why?’ Rowena asked at last.

‘That’s personal,’ Claire said briskly. ‘I have returned the ring and Tom has informed his family and friends. I am telling you now.’

‘Did Tom do something to you?’ Rowena demanded.

‘No. Tom has been lovely.’

‘This is outrageous!’ Mrs Jordan said. ‘You and Tom were the perfect couple…’

‘Save your breath, mother,’ Claire said flatly. ‘It’s over!’

‘But…perhaps you’ll think things over…let time heal any differences…’ Rowena said.

‘Not necessary. I will not be marrying Tom.’ Claire looked around the table. ‘This is my life and I will live it the way I want!’

‘I have told all my friends! I will look like a fool! I will not stand for this!’ Mrs Jordan, threw her napkin onto her plate and stood up.

‘It seems you are already standing, mother,’ Claire said coldly. ‘Before you rush off to throw a tantrum or to sulk in the kitchen, I have one more announcement. I've taken a job in San Francisco...'

'San Francisco? In America?' Steve asked, shocked.

'Yes.' Claire said, sipping some water. ‘I felt like a change of scenery.’ There, it’s all out. Now, all I have to do is get out of here!

Mrs Jordan slowly sank into her seat. 'What job?'

'The firm had two secondments open. One in New York, which was obviously the prestige position, and the other in California.'

'Why do they need British lawyers in America?' Rowena asked, still stunned.

'You seem to have forgotten I specialise in EU Corporation law,' Claire said stiffly. ‘American companies opening branches in Europe require legal advice.’

'And you chose San Francisco?' Steve asked.

'No. I applied for both jobs but I didn't get the New York job. The firm went with Allan Martin...'

'Oh. He beat you again, eh?' Mrs Jordan said nastily.

'You could choose to look at it that way,' Claire said coolly.

‘He was always the better tennis player and, it seems, the better lawyer…he grew up in this village and you could have married him if you showed any interest…’ Mrs Jordan snapped but Claire ignored her.

'Well, I don't know what to say... ' Rowena said.

'I really wanted the New York job. I think I have only my career to focus on now,' Claire said softly.  'Anyway,' she said, pulling herself together. 'I'm going to San Francisco. It's the ideal time to make the break... '

‘Break from Tom?’ Mrs Jordan snapped.

‘Yes,’ Claire said. ‘And from you.’

Mrs Jordan was clearly shocked by that and, face pale, sat back in her chair.

‘I need a break from all of you,’ Claire said more calmly than she felt. ‘I am tired, mother, of you trying to run my life. I am tired of constantly fighting all of you. A break will be good for all of us.’

'I see,' Rowena said quietly after a pause. She was, clearly hurt but Claire didn’t say or do anything to comfort her sister.

'When do you go?' Steve asked.

'Tuesday.'

Tuesday!’ Rowena exclaimed. ‘The day after tomorrow?'

'Yes.' Claire sipped the water.

They were all stunned so Claire stood up. She carried her plate and cutlery into the kitchen.

Her hands were still trembling and she had not managed to eat anything substantial.

Rowena appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, wine glass in her hand.

‘You’re going away, just like that?’ Rowena said.

‘I don’t want to fight, Rowena,’ Claire said

‘I can understand you want a break from Mum,’ Rowena carried on. ‘But, me? What have I ever done to you?’

‘You support mother, Rowena,’ Claire said evenly. ‘You always have…’

‘Someone has to keep the bloody peace!’

‘Perhaps that's the way you saw it but I was constantly expected to surrender, to quash my feelings and ambitions for everyone else!’ Claire snapped. ‘To be the model daughter and to conform to whatever mother demanded! Well, not anymore.’

‘This is just like you!’ Rowena snapped. ‘You plan everything…’

Claire picked up her handbag. ‘I am not going to argue, Rowena,’ Claire sighed. ‘I am through with all of that. I’m going.’

‘Going? Now?’

‘Yes.’ Claire walked into the dining room and kissed Toby. ‘Goodbye, gorgeous Toby! I’ll send you a present from America.’

Toby’s eyes lit up and he happily accepted a hug from his aunt.

Claire nodded to Steve and her mother. ‘Goodbye. I’ll send you all my details when I get settled.’

Mrs Jordan stood up and waved a finger at Claire. ‘Don’t you dare walk out that door, young lady! I control your father’s estate and I can stop his inheritance so you won’t see anything when you are thirty! I will disown you if you…’

‘It goes both ways, mother,’ Claire said with a bleak smile. ‘I can disown you! In fact, it’s probably better if I do. That way, you won’t get an opportunity to poison any of my future children! And, as far as Dad’s money is concerned, if you think you actually control it, give it to Rowena! I will happily give it away to be free of you!’

With some satisfaction, Claire saw her mother’s jaw drop.

Claire turned to her sister. ‘Do you want my new address details or would you prefer to have nothing to do with me as well?’ Claire said stiffly.

Rowena half shrugged. ‘Send your details,’ she mumbled.

‘I will,’ Claire said, relieved.

Kissing her sisters cheek, she walked out of the house and into the bright blue day!

Claire didn’t cry. She didn’t even feel like crying! Instead, she felt a brief surge of mild elation. Above all, she felt free!

When she turned onto the motorway for London, her mobile rang and she answered it on the hands-free.

‘Did I get the timing right?’ The voice was warm, masculine and mellow. Claire smiled at the sound of it.

‘As usual, Uncle Jazz, you are spot on! I’ve just turned onto the motorway.’

Jasper Jordan had a special spot in Claire’s heart. He was her father’s younger brother. Even though Dolores had banished him from the house when Claire’s father died, Claire’s mother could not stop her brother-in-law from seeing and supporting his nieces.

Jasper, or, Jazz as Claire called him, was an airline pilot. She had called him the previous week to tell him of her plans. He had been in New York and, as usual, been incredibly supportive, telling Claire she was doing the right thing.

He also did not ask why she had broken the engagement to Tom. Claire was grateful for that.

‘Ah, making an escape,’ Jazz chuckled. ‘Are you bruised and bloody?’

‘I’m fine. It was a little bloody but I’m shot of it!’

‘Good girl! Any threats?’

‘I am disowned and will not get any of Dad’s inheritance.’

‘That’s rubbish! I’m the executor of Floyd’s estate…’

‘I know, Jazz. I just let her say it. I am sick of arguing. Hey, where are you?’ Claire asked, changing the subject.

‘Heathrow. I’m taking off in two hours.’

‘Where to?’

‘Bangkok and back. You’ll be gone by the time I get back. By the way, I have arranged an upgrade for you on your flight to San Francisco.’

‘You shouldn’t have, Jazz. The firm pays…’

‘I cannot have my favourite niece flying economy! It’s not right! It’s only Business Class, after all.’

‘Thanks, Jazz,’ Claire said. ‘Though, don’t let Rowena hear you say I am your favourite niece.’

‘It’s the truth, darling,’ Jazz said lightly. ‘You know I don’t lie!’

‘No, I know that but perhaps you should consider a small white lie for Rowena’s sake. I’ll text you my details when I’ve settled in San Francisco.’

‘You’d better or I will hunt you down and give you a good talking to! You are doing