Katie, A New Chapter

By Lisa M Billingham

Katie (23) is dreaming of a better life for herself. She’s a single shy girl, embarrassed about her appearance and lacking confidence. She has no family and, following the death of her grandmother, she has to move away from her home town. Late for an interview, her last hope for work in the area throws her mind and emotions into turmoil.

She attends a mediumship service at the local church with her friend, despite not being interested. Katie is amazed at the service. Although the room is full of people, she feels like the speaker is talking to her. Compelled to find out more, maybe Katie can find out what the butterflies are trying to tell her, she begins attending a circle to help her heal her past.

Breaking out of her shell and stepping out of her comfort zone, she embarks on a life-changing journey of self-discovery.

Categories

Inspirational fiction
Religion & spirituality
Personal Transformation

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa M Billingham
• Release date: Jun 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781838292911

Lisa M Billingham

Lisa is a 47-year-old fun-loving, caring individual with a wide range of life experiences. She is a self-published author, intuitive reader, wellbeing coach, crystal therapist & Public Speaker.Diagnosed with stress, anxiety and depression in 2011 and struggling to find a way through without prescription medication is where her journey began.The personal growth work she has carried out has helped her recover from all that life has thrown at her.Her outlook on life has done a 360-degree turn as she can now see how self-love and positivity are the keys to a happy, successful and fulfilled life. She believes her soul purpose is to be of service to others and now helps those in similar situations to tell their story through creative writing.Forced into lockdown in 2020, she saw the perfect opportunity to write her first novel based loosely on her life experiences.She enjoys reading, writing, swimming. Loves dolphins. She is teetotal and a naturist. She is also learning Spanish.

Book preview

PREFACE

Katie lets her book fall into the white sand as she gazes out across the vast blue ocean, watching the waves curl their way up and down the beach. Rocks and boulders, their edges worn smooth by the endless movement of the waves break the surface to her right. At this time of day, the sun is just perfect and she is enjoying the feel of it on her naked skin. A little smile touches her lips at that thought. Whoever would have thought that frumpy Katie Chester would be lying naked on a beach? The same Katie who always wears black trousers and grey high-necked jumpers. That particular memory pushes at a corner of her mind taunting her, reminding her that her body isn’t good enough to be seen naked, let alone on a beach. Taking a gentle breath, she pushes that thought away. She is now a slim size ten and she feels a world away from that frumpy, overdressed girl she once was. Life has been far too stressful lately and she closes her eyes letting the warmth of the sun kiss every part of her naked body until she wants to purr like a contented cat. This is a world away from the dull, grey, and damp days back home.

Something catches her attention and she opens her eyes, frowning, she looks along the beach. Her gaze is immediately drawn to the muscular figure of a handsome stranger standing a few feet away. Using her hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun she can’t help but notice that he too is naked. Attempting to avert her eyes from his freely swinging member, she looks away, embarrassed, hoping he hasn’t noticed, then she spots a large knife strapped to his calf. ‘How odd,’ she muses. His piercing blue eyes demand her attention. As she takes it all in, he waves her over. There was no hesitation on her part as she swings her feet off the sunbed and into the sand, warm between her toes. Standing up, she walks over to him. She knows that he is watching her and she revels in the feeling of being admired. As she approaches him, he holds out his hand, taking it, she feels his firm grip as his strong fingers wrap around hers.

Swim with me, Katie, his voice sends little tingles down her spine as they walk together to the sea. The waves feel cool as they curl over her hot skin, sending goose bumps down her body as they wade into deeper water.

Katie gently kicks off as they paddle slowly through the clear water heading towards the rock that she had seen earlier. The waves gently push at her as she gracefully moves through the water still feeling the warmth of the sun on her back. As they reach the rocks, he is first out of the water, turning to offer his help to Katie who grasps his hand. She notes the strength in his body as he pulls her from the powerful grip of the ocean. He holds her hand as they make their way across the rugged rock formation, the promise of a little piece of heaven on the other side.

Wait! Katie sees something moving at the edge of the water.

‘Help me…’ the words whisper through her mind.

As she gets nearer, she sees, the beautiful brown and mahogany colours of a turtle’s shell peeping through the water. It looks straight at her, its black eyes begging her for help. She could swear tears were forming there. Without a care for her safety, she dives straight back into the water only vaguely aware that her handsome stranger is close behind.

Look! she tugs at an old orange fishing net that is wrapped in endless knots trapping this beautiful creature.

He joins her in the water and somehow, between them, they manage to get the turtle out of the water and onto the rocks. Katie sits holding it on her bare legs where it remains still.

How could anyone do something like this? she whispers. The net is sharp and hard on her fingers as she tries to work it free from where it is wrapped around the turtle’s shell and flippers. There was no way that it would have been able to swim. It almost breaks Katie’s heart to think that this gentle creature would probably have died if they hadn’t come along. It still might unless they can somehow get it free. With tears burning in her eyes and barely able to see, she pulls angrily at the stubborn net.

Here, let me.

Again, she looks into blue eyes that seem to see into her soul. His sharp knife easily cuts through the net as they work together in a comfortable silence.

Katie holds her breath as his long fingers pull away the last of the net before he gently checks the turtle for any injuries. She has no idea what they were going to do if it needs any treatment – she doesn’t even know if there are any vets out here…

All clear.

Finally, she can breathe and the turtle, as if it knows that it is now free, turns to the sea. It is almost as if it were asking to go free.

Let’s get you back where you belong, he lifts the turtle easily off Katie’s legs, returning it home. Katie stands alongside him, as he places the turtle in the water. For several long seconds, it lets the waves wash over it and then heads for deeper waters.

Katie was only vaguely aware that her handsome stranger had his arm around her but then she rests her head on his shoulder. Suddenly the turtle breaks the surface of the water, and Katie could have sworn it looked straight at her as if to say thank you.

Beautiful, Katie whispers feeling that today, they have both achieved something rather special.

Ready for another swim? he asks smiling down at her.

Katie nods thinking that maybe they would see their turtle friend. This time the cool of the water is welcoming after sitting out in the hot sun. Together they calmly swim until they reach another outcrop of rocks where they get out. Feeling weary, Katie finds a large, smooth rock and stretches out letting the sun warm her body. She can hear the sounds of the waves lapping as her breathing falls into the same rhythm. She is only vaguely aware of her handsome stranger lying down next to her, cocooning her in the warmth of his aura.

Tension that she didn’t know she had, slowly slips away as she gazes up into the sky. A huge cloud in the shape of a teddy bear catches her attention as suddenly she rises to meet it, the cloud wrapping itself around her. It feels safe here. Nothing matters on the cloud.

Lying back, she can see the setting of the sun as beautiful pinks, reds, and oranges are painted across the sky. Turning, she is surprised to feel the warmth of the man’s body as he lies next to her. He turns to face her as he takes her hand and gently places something in it, closing her fingers over it. Puzzled, she opens her hand to see a large silver key lying on her palm. She quickly closes her eyes against the burn of the tears…

* * *

In the distance, she can see a beautiful old cottage. It is white with black beams and a thatched roof and she feels sure that the garden would be full of colourful flowers.

A gentle breeze whispers through her hair as she walks along the winding stone path. She knows it will take her to the cottage and that thought adds a new lightness in her heart. Pausing at the black wrought iron gate, she can see that the walls of the cottage have been white-washed and a huge mural of a colourful butterfly greets her. Reaching over, she pushes the catch on the gate expecting it to squeak but it glides open smoothly. Closing it behind her she continues along the path to the heavy wooden oak door, mesmerised by the intricate pattern and the unique figure of eight door knocker.

‘I’ve seen this door somewhere before …’ she thinks, ‘but where?’

Her attention is abruptly diverted by something weighing heavy in her hand. She looks down and sees the familiar silver key. Frowning she looks at it and then on impulse tries it in the lock. It fits perfectly but as she turns it, a feeling of trepidation washes over her. Slowly, she pushes and the door allows her access. Taking a deep breath, she steps inside and looks around. It is as if the owners have just left for work one day and have never returned. A colourful sofa and a mismatched armchair are the centrepieces of the lounge. Slowly she moves through the rooms, running her finger through the layer of dust on the wooden shelves in the kitchen. Matching mugs and plates line the dresser by the back door but it is clear that no-one has been in here for a long time. Oddly, she feels comfortable here as a memory dances at the edge of her mind eluding capture. Leaving the small kitchen, Katie walks passed a well-worn dining table feeling sure that she could smell the delicious aroma of a Sunday roast cooking. Stopping by a window, she looks out onto a huge expanse of green fields where a herd of black and white Friesian cows roam freely. A smile touches her lips as she realises that she would be happy to live here, not somewhere like this, but here. In this house. Maybe then she could feel as happy and free as the cows in the field. Reality intrudes along with a fear that the owners may come back, so reluctantly, she walks through into the lounge. Taking one last look around, she notices a framed photo on the fireplace. Intrigued she picks it up only to have all the breath stolen out of her body as she looks at it. It’s a photograph of her and the handsome stranger from the beach and they look so happy.

Puzzled, Katie carefully replaces it in the same spot before heading outside. Pulling the door closed, she walks a few steps down the stone path before stopping and looking back over her shoulder. For some reason, she is reluctant to leave …

It’s time to make your way back now, her handsome stranger is beckoning her again. With one last look at the cottage, she heads down the path back to her cloud.

It is the warmth of the sun that wakes her as feelings of confusion wash over her. Where has her cottage gone? Now she is back on the flat rock with the waves lapping at her feet. Stretching, she dives into the cool water and starts to swim ashore when suddenly a silver-grey dolphin breaks the surface next to her. He swims over to her and she knows that he wants to play. He brushes against her, pushing her out of the water so she laughs as she dives back in. She runs her hand along his smooth skin feeling both honoured and privileged to be able to swim with this magnificent creature. Another dolphin appears and for a time they all swim together. Brushing up against her, both of the dolphins kiss her cheek and then whistling to themselves they swim out to sea. Katie watches them, wondering what it must be like to be free and wild, to swim in the expanse of the ocean. Part of her wishes that she could follow them.

Turning away, Katie heads back towards the beach wondering where her handsome stranger is. She looks back at the rocks but there is no-one there. Maybe he has already gone back to the beach… part of her hopes that she will see him again.

The beach is just as she left it as she returns to her sunbed where she sits down and picks up her book to continue reading. A deep rumbling pulls her attention away from the page. What was that? Angry grey clouds are building up in the sky and the wind is whipping sand into her face as she quickly closes her book. Thunder rumbles again, this time closer. How quickly the weather has changed from glorious sunshine to dark and threatening in just a few minutes.

Not wanting to get caught in a storm, she quickly throws her sundress on and drops her book into her bag. She hesitates only enough to look around for her handsome stranger but the beach is strangely deserted, disappointed she walks as quickly as the sand will allow her towards her hotel. A flash of lightning pierces the dark sky so she quickens her pace, letting herself into her room. Out of breath she walks to the balcony, noticing that less than half-an-hour has passed since she started reading her book. ‘What was all that about?’

Stepping back inside her room, she grabs her journal and a pen before returning to the balcony. The storm is still threatening as she sits at the table and begins to write down what has happened. It all seems so very real and she doesn’t want to forget...

March 1991

The Interview

Saturday, 9th March

Oh shit! Now I’m going to be late, and today of all days, my first interview in months. Untangling her limbs from the damp quilt Katie almost falls out of bed, her heart racing with panic. Grabbing the alarm clock in a temper, she looks at it in disgust through bleary sleep-filled eyes.

Bloody stupid thing! she screams at it as she throws it up against the bedroom wall. Why me? Why now? Can my life get any worse?

Staggering out of bed, she stubs her little toe on the large cardboard box that props open the wardrobe door as she stumbles to the bathroom.

Jesus! That bloody hurt! The pain stops her in her tracks as the tears start to roll down her cheeks. Today was not getting off to a good start.

Finally making it to the bathroom, still, in a state of tired confusion and still feeling disorientated, she forces herself to wash. Wincing as the cold water touches her lumpy, sore skin, the left-over signs of her teenage acne. Why is there no hot water again? Shivering as she turns to leave the bathroom, she catches a glimpse of herself in the cracked mirror hanging forlornly on the back of the door, horrified at her frizzy long brown hair and overweight form. Grabbing a scrunchie from the shelf above the sink she scrapes her hair back and ties it up.

Dressing quickly in black trousers and a thick cowl necked grey jumper, stopping to grab her watch from the floor and her bag from the hook behind the front door, she hotfoots it out into the warm morning sun, racing across the square to her destination pausing only to check the time. A feeling of relief washes over her as she realises that she is only two minutes late. I never thought I’d make it.

Standing at the small black wooden door just long enough to catch her breath she looks up at the sign above and laughs cynically. Trust me to apply for a job at ‘The Black Dog’ public house. There it was again. That sly little black dog that follows you around and lurks in the background waiting to pounce. When you think it’s gone away back it comes again. If it was cute and cuddly it wouldn't be so bad, but it isn’t, it’s like an all-consuming permanent black cloud, like something out of a mystery video game.

Taking a deep breath, she rubs her sweaty, shaking hands down her trousers. Oh well, here we go again, all I can do is my best, even if it means I have to beg. Katie desperately hopes that it won’t come to begging this time. Still fighting back the tears she manages to pull herself together just long enough to get through the ordeal. What am I doing here, he’s never going to give me a job, look at me?

The bitch inside her head, the one that keeps telling her she’s not good enough was admonishing her again. You’ll never amount to anything. Look at you, face like a smacked arse. Couldn’t even be bothered with make-up but you have to work so you may as well knock and get on with it. You’ll probably have to beg, but that’s about all you’re good for...

Taking a deep breath to try to steady her already frayed nerves, she pushes the bitch’s thoughts away. Before she can lose her nerve completely, she gently knocks on the door.

Oh god please don’t let me mess this one up.

Strange, no reply. He must be expecting her… knocking again, louder this time and after what feels like an eternity, she hears the echo of footsteps walking towards her.

Coming! Hold your ‘orses! a voice shouts from inside.

The door opens and blocking the doorway with his rotund frame is the proprietor.

Katie, I presume? bellows the gruff raspy voice.

Yes sir.

Well, come in then, come in. I’m Jack, he introduces himself. Moving out of the doorway to allow her to pass, he surreptitiously eyes her up and down. Mmm, odd-looking girl.

Katie tentatively enters. Looking around her, mesmerised by the old-fashioned décor and the abundance of model aeroplanes which seem remarkably out of place. It’s smaller than she remembers it to be, small but perfectly formed and very cosy. Lost in thought she reminisces of the times her grandad used to walk her here, her little legs struggling to keep up with his enormous strides, her, perching on the huge green wooden flower pot outside the window of the bar while he played dominoes with his mates inside and drank dark ale till the early hours.

Don’t tell your mother, he used to say when they made their way back home. Every Saturday without fail he’d be here. Those were the days, carefree and colourful.

Would you like a drink lass? mmm, strange, she looks lost in her own little world, I don’t have time for this.

Drink or what lass? gruffer and louder this time.

Oh, I’m so sorry, I was thinking about when I used to come here with my Grand...

Never mind that, I’m a busy man, let’s get on with this, orange juice do ya?

Taken aback, Katie can only nod her head and quietly whisper. Yes please.

Well go and get ‘em then, I’ll have a pint of best ale, he says as he lifts the flap and opens the door to allow Katie access behind the bar.

Funny interview this, Katie thinks to herself, trying to avert her gaze from his large overweight frame and his beady brown eyes staring over his round-rimmed glasses at her chest.

So, lass, what you been a-doin’ then?

He perches himself on the edge of a barstool, watching her pull his pint.

What do you mean, sir?

Shaking his head in disbelief, is this girl for real or what? For work girl, what you been doin?

Katie, already nervous, on the edge and out of her comfort zone is even more flustered by his abrupt manner and is tempted to walk out already, but she feels at home in this tiny little lounge with the new addition of the open fire, lovely in the winter she thinks.

Well, speak girl, what’s the matter? Cat got your tongue ‘as it? he almost shouts.

Taking another deep breath, Katie with her head bowed down, blurts out, "I was working in my grandmother’s pub The Frog & Snail in Rose Bush but she passed away last year so I’ve just moved here and now I really need a job."

Katie can feel the tears welling in her eyes, how very awkward, she thinks as she looks up, probably overdone it there, he doesn’t look terribly impressed.

Sipping the pint she hands him, he looks at her over the top of his rounded spectacles, eyeing her up and down. Again. Mmm, bit pasty looking and spotty but there’s something about her, can’t quite put my finger on it and she doesn’t half pull a decent pint to be fair to her.

Katie, subconsciously holding her breath and trying to pull her long dark hair around her face to hide her angry red spots, before realising she’d tied it up this morning, prays, please don’t let this be another rejection. There are no other jobs advertised within 10 miles, I have to get this one.

Jack breaks the uncomfortable silence, OK lass, I’m willing to give you a trial, see how you get on. Be here at ten-thirty on Monday morning and I’ll show you the ropes. Oh, and don’t be late!

Shit, he noticed then.

Katie looks up at him through watery eyes, I won’t sir. I won’t.

Heartily laughing he says, What’s all this ‘sir’ business. Call me Jack. And at that, he turns his back on her and walks towards the cellar.

Katie breathes an almighty sigh of relief as she makes her way more slowly this time back across the square towards home. I have a funny feeling about Jack but I need the money, I have to work and I don’t see much else on offer at the moment. Well, I’ll have to see how it goes.

***

Katie’s stomach growls at her, feed me, feed me.

It wasn’t until then that she realised, she’d had nothing to eat yet today. The smell of the fresh bread emanating from the tea room in the square was not helping to dissuade her hunger.

Closing the front door of her tiny flat behind her, she says, OK, I know, you’ll eat soon!

Trying hard to divert her attention away from her hunger, she pours herself a glass of cold water and gulps it down in one go, almost choking herself in the process.

Leaning against the tiny sink, she feels pleased with herself at last. She made it through the interview and landed herself