Walk Quiet Run Quick

By Jacqueline Francis

From the outside, Valencia Lawson Jarrett's life looks perfect. She has a great job, lives in a posh part of London and has the love of her long-term boyfriend, Liam.

But looks can be deceiving. Beneath the surface, Val’s insecurities begin to eat away at their happiness. Does Liam really love her enough? Why, just for once, can&

• Language: English
• Publisher: Conscious Dreams Publishing
• Release date: Mar 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781912551125

Jacqueline Francis

Jacqueline Francis is an Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Personal Relationship Educator. She is passionate about helping to build self-confidence and self-worth for women and young teens and teaching the importance of setting boundaries, teaching the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to become empowered, in order to create relationship wealth.

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Walk 

Quiet

Run

Quick

by Jacqueline Francis

Romantic Thriller

Walk Quiet Run Quick by Jacqueline Francis

Second Edition

Copyright © Jacqueline Francis 2018.

Editors Wendy and Anna Yorke

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Limits of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: the author and publisher of this book have used their best efforts in preparing this material. The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to accuracy, applicability or completeness of the contents. They disclaim any warranties (expressed or implied), or merchantability for any particular purpose. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. The information presented in this publication is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. The information in this publication is not intended to replace or substitute professional advice. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability, loss, or risk that is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this work.

Printed in the United Kingdom

First Printing 2018. Published by Conscious Dreams Publishing

www.consciousdreamspublishing.com

ISBN 978-1-912551-12-5

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

What People Are Saying About This Book

About The Author

Chapter 1

The City Boy

Chapter 2

The Decision

Chapter 3

Rejection

Chapter 4

Confusion

Chapter 5

Departure

Chapter 6

The Stranger

Chapter 7

Valencia

Chapter 8

Wilful Encounter

Chapter 9

Attraction

Chapter 10

The Kiss

Chapter 11

Deception

Chapter 12

Hatred

Chapter 13

The Meet Up

Chapter 14

Fear

Chapter 15

The Lie

Chapter 16

Beaten and Broken

Chapter 17

Imprisoned

Chapter 18

Hope

Chapter 19

Escape

Chapter 20

A Survivor

Other Work by Jacqueline Francis

Dedication

To my children Melissa and Kyle

for supporting and encouraging me

to write this book.

Live life and leave a legacy.

Love you both.

Acknowledgements

To those beautiful and brave survivors who I have the privilege to support, educate and empower. Unbeknown to you, you gave me the opportunity for your voices to be heard.

Sonia Poleon, thank you for giving me the inspiration to start writing.

Daniella Blechner, my publisher and Wendy Yorke, my editor, thank you both for believing in me, and my first book.

What People Are Saying About This Book

‘Jacqueline Francis’ first book, although classed as fiction, covers its main subject matter so intently that it can almost be deemed an educational text book. It is not written with a high-octane start, but the subtle writing and portrayal of events in the life of the main character quickly has the reader in its grasp. The book opens the lid on a topic, which is often taboo and shows the frailties and imbalances found in human relationships. The strong point about Walk Quiet Run Quick, is that it makes you question many aspects of life and asking; ‘Why was this situation allowed to develop?’ But the hard-hitting reality is that the book accurately mirrors many real life scenarios. This is the reason it almost crosses the line from fiction, to Instruction Manual On Abuse. Many readers may identify with the events, or may know other people who have experienced similar situations. Other readers will see scenarios developing stealthily as the victim is trapped mentally and often physically. This book can help educate people about what signs to beware of in close associations. All ages and sections of society will find good learning in this short, but powerful first novel from Jacqueline. I look forward to her next publication.’

Sam, London, teacher

‘An excellent read! The title is quite imaginative. The storyline is one never to be scoffed at. All too often women, in particular, fail to recognise what lies behind the charm and purported opulence shown to them. I recommend that everyone reads, Walk Quiet Run Quick so the message can spread to leave at the very first sign of domestic violence, because delay can be catastrophic.’

Brereton Horne, barrister at law

‘I met Jacqueline Francis, the author at an event promoting Awareness for Domestic Violence (Youth Realities Ltd). The author is an incredible woman and I honestly recommend this book to everyone. She is the most inspiring woman I have met in a very long time. Her book is as powerful and speaks closely to home.’

Lauran, domestic abuse advocate

‘Amazing debut novel by a new author. I stumbled across this little gem when I was stuck in a book hangover. I wanted something different from the normal romance books I had been reading. It is a quick read, which I love and provides an important message about domestic violence. It is a book I recommend to everyone I know! I loved it and I hope Jacqueline writes another book soon!’

Nadine, Middlesex

‘Walk Quiet Run Quick is a gripping story of passion and survival, of finding the strength to move forward, without looking back.’

John, London

About The Author

Jacqueline Francis is an author and poet, teacher and educator. She graduated from the University of Westminster in 2003 and the University of Greenwich in 2005, attaining her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Jacqueline has more than ten years’ experience as a teacher. Her enthusiasm took her to Canada in 2011, where she lived, studied and taught English to foreign students. On her return to the United Kingdom in 2012, she restructured her Property Management business, which she started 14 years ago and continues to manage today providing social temporary housing. In 2015, she had her first poems published in Contrasting Visions. In 2017, she was a contributing author in an anthology, Blind Spot with her chapter, Green Eyes. This unique story highlights her experience of being ostracised and rejected. It highlights sibling envy and jealousy, which did not originate from her childhood, nor from the competiveness of her parents, as many people suggest. In the story, Jacqueline underlines the emotional turmoil of anger, sadness and her grief of being rejected and left out in the cold. She describes how she managed to release herself from the shackles of these damaging emotions to live her life. In fact, to walk in her truth, empowered and living the life she has created.

She intends to launch Walk Quiet Run Quick in educational institutions, to promote awareness about unhealthy teenager and young adult relationships. She wants to help other people who have been affected by abuse, to change their mindsets from victim to survivor, as well as to eradicate self-limiting beliefs and demonstrate how people can live the joyful life they deserve.

Jacqueline champions domestic abuse and is on course to becoming an Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor.

She is excited about the prospect of Walk Quiet Run Quick being turned into a television drama or short film, illustrating that abuse does not discriminate and there is light at the end of the tunnel for taking back control of life.

Jacqueline grew up in Harlesden in North West London and continues to live in London.

Chapter 1

.........................................................................

The City Boy

The heavens opened with an almighty roar of thunder. The skyline stood as silhouettes against thunderclouds. Val stood in her converted bedroom, which had been transformed into an ergonomic office, peering out of the window, clandestine to passers-by and to that man in the street below. He didn’t have any protection, unlike most of his fellow pedestrians. She watched him combing back his strawberry blonde hair off his brow with his fingers as the rain began to bucket down in torrents without mercy. He quickened his pace to a jog, turning up the collar of his city boy suit, which was covered by a mélange of wet patches. He gradually disappeared from view among the rainbow of umbrellas.

Val viewed the rain with animosity when it battered itself against the window, trying to seek refuge without invitation. On such days, her allies were her king size bed, swaddling her in a duck feather duvet or a beach somewhere in the Caribbean, the waves washing gently up against her sun lounger while she soaked up the sun, safeguarded in SPF30 sun cream.

She worked from home. It afforded her the luxury of looking out for him to walk by. It was normally during the morning rush hour where she spied him through the gaps of the wooden blinds. She found pleasure knowing he was unaware he was under surveillance when he passed, upright, self-confident and with purpose in his steps. His shoulders were broad, similar to a rugby player. She saw from the outline of his jacket that he was probably the type of man who spent at least five days a week in a gym after work. Sculpting his physique lifting weights, so he could produce thick tree trunk arms and broad shoulders. Val noticed his dress sense was on point too. He always wore a matching shirt and tie, which contrasted with whatever colour suit he was wearing that day. Val was a woman of fashion and she loved to give praise to an attractive man if it was due. She had often wondered what he did for a living, a lawyer, a solicitor, or perhaps he was a consultant of some sort. She wouldn’t really know unless she plucked up the courage one day to ask.

Unbeknown to Val, it was sooner rather than later when she was first to meet that man. It was at the Flight Club in Moorgate, a place she visited regularly with her co-workers. Even though it was a darts bar, no one was really interested in playing the game, at least not with the group of people she was with, anyway. It was more the ambience of the place that brought them back on a regular basis. For a Thursday night, the club was packed with mostly office workers enjoying an evening out after a hectic day. Everyone seemed