To Love and to Die

By Amy Lecouteur

This is a completely fictitious story. It tells how a married man can engage in an illicit affair with a young girl, knowing that there is no future to their relationship. When the going gets tough, the mistress wants her man to leave his wife so as to live with her.
The consequences can prove fatal.
To Love and to Die is Amys sixth novel.
Her previous novels are the following:
The Brook Runs Free
War Changes Everything
Bitter Triangles
To Marry for Love, Money. Or Lust.
To Reason Why

She has also published a childrens book: The Tale of the Chimney Sweep.
This is most probably Amys last novel as she is now getting older. Amy still lives in Shropshire. She is no longer able to garden, but she still has a love for painting.
Amy wishes her readers all the very best, and she hopes that they enjoy reading her latest novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504987714

Amy Lecouteur

To Reason Why is Amy's fifth novel and is a completely fictitious novel where as her previous four The Brook Runs Free Book one and two (War Changes Everything) Bitter Triangles and To Marry for Love Money or Lust. Are true stories based around a hill in Shropshire called the Wrekin. She has also written and illustrated a children's book for her friend Brenda in memory of Brenda's late husband Sam who was a chimney sweep for many years, It is called The Tale of the Chimney Sweep.

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© 2015 Amy Lecouteur. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  11/19/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-8770-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-8771-4 (e)

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Chapter One   Not To Holiday Here Again

Chapter Two   Who Did This?

Chapter Three   Back Home

Chapter Four   I Want More

Chapter Five   Goodbye Susan

Chapter Six   Burning Ashes

Chapter Seven   Henry’s Attitude

Chapter Eight   If Only She Could Have Known

Chapter Nine   Susan’s Body Found

Chapter Ten   Common Sense Prevails With Age

Chapter Eleven   Death At Sea

Chapter Twelve   To Be At Sea Again

Chapter Thirteen   In Love

Chapter Fourteen   Christmas At Home

Chapter Fifteen   Be Careful Maxine

Chapter Sixteen   Reality Dawns On James

Chapter Seventeen   Murder Is Planned

Chapter Eighteen   Get Rid Of The Evidence

Chapter Nineteen   Hallucinations

Chapter Twenty   No Maxine But More Whisky

Chapter Twenty One   I Wonder Who They Were

Chapter Twenty Two   Whisky And More Whisky

Chapter Twenty Three   Was This Suicide?

Chapter Twenty Four   A Tragedy No Doubt

Chapter Twenty Five   Muzzy Starts Feretting

Chapter Twenty Six   Muzzy’s Mind In Overdrive

Chapter Twenty Seven   Discreet Inquiries

Chapter Twenty Eight   Shock And Disbelief

CHAPTER ONE

NOT TO HOLIDAY HERE AGAIN

I T WAS ALMOST the end of the month of August and for the time of year the weather was so good; it had been just like an Indian summer, really warm days. The Maddox family were enjoying the last few days of their summer holiday. Henry and Jenny Maddox with their three children had three more days left of their stay in a rented cottage by Borth in North Wales. The holiday would soon be over and the children back to school the following week. Henry Maddox had been able to stay with the family but if he had his way they would not have come to this cottage again this summer and if he could have his way this would be the last. They had rented the cottage for the last four years and his wife Jenny had booked it again for this holiday. The previous days of the children’s holiday had been spent on local visits such as the zoo, country walks and other things that kept the three happy until their father could join them and come with them to the cottage again.

She had really looked forward to this summer break until she noticed that not only had the children’s laptop but also her husband Henry’s laptop been brought with them.

Do you need that dear? Jenny said as she saw him putting it in the car.

"Yes I am sorry dear but there is some work that the firm is working on and they have asked for my input when I go back and I have not finished completing it. I was hoping to spend much more time with you and the children but if I can have some peace

And quiet for today then I am sure that I can get it completed in time. If only you knew what some of these people are like at the top, I really think that you have no idea?"

Please do not patronize me Henry. You know that I have been married to you for over fifteen years and I now know how you tick and mostly what your firm is engaged in. Since the war the oil industry seems to me to have no limits as more and more countries become modernized

"Yes Jenny and do not patronize me. As you say we have been married for fifteen years so you should accept the conditions that

Go with my job or how else can we live the life style that we do and provide for our family as well as we do?"

I am so sorry Henry, I did not want to sound disapproving but I do think that it is a shame that you cannot spend a little bit more time with the boys.

I am doing my best Jenny so please don’t ask for more. I have spent most of this holiday with them and we have to go home in a couple of days. We have done a great deal so far this holiday so will you just give me a bit of peace and quiet today and then I will soon have completed this work if that is all right with you. he said sarcastically. When I have finished this work I will be free to be with you much more in the next two days before we have to go back home. What are you planning for today?

Oh not a lot; I will take them and Jimbo up to Ynyslas beach so that they can go down to Borth this afternoon when the tide has gone out. They love to go there with all the rocks to climb and the pools left when the tide goes out, or we could take them further along the coast to Abersoch and then perhaps we could go to Aberystwyth tomorrow as I would like to look around the shops a little.

Very well Dear I am hoping to put this work away soon.

It was now eleven o’clock in the morning and the children were getting bored staying around the cottage. They were eager to go to the beach. Jenny had packed a picnic basket with food and drinks. As long as the children could keep occupied either playing hide and seek in the sand dunes or swimming in the sea she would keep them away from the cottage so as not to disturb Henry any more than they had to.

Henry’s stomach gave a nasty twitch and knotted up slightly. Why did she have to take them to Ynyslas beach when there were plenty of other places that she could take them to? They had visited quite a few in the last ten days. Why was he getting upset? Then he realized that he had nothing to worry about. The sand dunes would probably be the last place that they would go to. Playing on the beach which was a really good one and plenty of it and swimming in the sea and as far as he could see would mean there was no need for them whatsoever to go into the dunes.

Jenny placed a waterproof sheet and a rug on what beach was available with the tide being in but she could see that it was now starting to recede. There was very little wind and the sun was now getting warmer so she was able to settle down for a while as she thought. She had a book with her which she had wanted to read and some embroidery of a table cloth which she would like to finish while the family were on holiday but no such luck. Jenny was quite annoyed that her husband who worked away from home so much had brought work home with him and she had left him at

The cottage. She felt that she was rearing the three children, two boys and a girl more or less on her own.

Henry was relieved when they had left the cottage so that he could settle down to do the necessary work which he knew he must. He made himself a good strong coffee and put a drop of brandy in it so that it would help him to concentrate a little better. That was his excuse for the brandy but one had to admit that it most certainly made the coffee much more enjoyable. Henry found it good to be on holiday with the family as he was able to relax, wear jeans and casual T-shirts instead of suits and ties which were expected of him with his job. Henry stood six feet tall and had dark hair which was now starting to show signs of grey. Although he stood tall he was not overweight so he was still quite an attractive man. Jenny was five foot ten she too had dark hair which was now trimmed fairly short. She had long hair until the children had come along but now she found by keeping it much shorter it suited her better. Not that Henry liked her hair much shorter as he had a fascination for women with long dark hair. His affair with Susan was now over and this was quite a blessing for him with no more nagging as to when he was going to leave Jenny and the children of which he had had no intention of doing. He could now put that behind him and get on with being there for his family whenever his work enabled him to be at home with them. Henry had not been very happy when he found that Jenny had booked the same cottage just a few miles out of Borth. They had spent most of their time so far visiting places along the Welsh coast, walking, swimming etc and eating out Thank goodness only another two days and then they were going home. Little did Jenny and the children know that Henry would be only too glad to get away from Borth and the surrounding area and if he had his way they would not book the same cottage again next year.

CHAPTER TWO

WHO DID THIS?

I T WAS NOW getting towards twelve thirty and Jenny was sorting the picnic hamper ready to have some lunch. The children had been so good for the last hour playing hide and seek in the sand dunes. Mathew the eldest of the three was keen not to be found and had moved much further into the dunes. He was about to hide himself when he saw a woman’s body close to where he was so he quickly went back to Jenny forgetting his sister and brother

Mum, Mum; there is a lady lying over there and she looks horrible there are lots of flies there. I think that she is dead.

What? You have seen a dead woman! Mathew? Show me. Where is she?

Over there Mathew pointed to the sand dunes.

Alex, Sarah, come here quickly where are you?

Alex aged nine and Sarah seven appeared from behind a sand dune.

Why Mummy? Why? Said Sarah Alex has not found me

I know dear, but I want you to stay here for a few minutes and do not move or go to hide again, do you understand?

Come Mathew and show me where you have seen this woman? Yes Mum.

Mathew aged thirteen, took his mother just a little way then said There as he pointed to another sand dune.

Stay there dear, I will have a look.

Jenny Maddox looked at the woman who had long blonde hair; she was lying there in the tall rough marram grass. Oh my God! Jenny said to herself and quickly went to Mathew.

Move quickly Mathew; let us go back to the car. Come Alex, Sarah back to the car.

Oh mummy do we have to? Why? Why Mummy?

Because I said so.

It’s not fair said Sarah.

Hush Dear. In the car as I have said. Jenny gathered up her rug and the picnic basket handbag and everything else that she had brought to keep the children occupied for an afternoon.

When they were all in the car including their dog Jimbo Jenny stood by the side of it and took out her mobile phone and dialled for the police.

Why Matty? Why as mum stopped our game?

Because there is a dead woman over there.

A dead woman? Really a dead body? Alex piped up. A real dead body and you saw it? Can I go and see?

No you cannot the police are coming

The police Matt. Oh my! This is exciting

No it is not and will you be quiet, Mum is really upset

Stay where you are the police told her. We will be with you in minutes…

Jenny loved to come to Borth in North Wales as there was so much for the children to do with out it costing a lot of money. The rocky beach at Borth had so much to interest the children. They loved to climb on the rocks and see what they could find in the water puddles which remained as the tide went out.

There were so many things of interest for them along the Welsh coast.

Get in the car at once and please do not argue in you get Jimbo. Jenny held up the boot lid for the Golden Labrador to jump into the back of the Volvo estate car.

Please take us back to the cottage. Why are we staying here? asked Alex

Mathew was quick to answer. Because we have to, so shut up and do as Mum tells you, the Police are coming."

The Police? What for?

Don’t ask questions, we are going back to the cottage but for now stay in the car and do as you are told.

Within minutes the Police siren could be heard approaching.

Stay where you are children. Jenny got out of the driving seat. She stepped forward to meet the two officers who came to speak to her.

Over there she said and pointed towards the sand dunes.

Thank you. Please stay where you are as we need to have a chat with you before you leave. I see that you have children with you and you must want to get away from this area as quickly as you can. Where do you live?

We rent a cottage just outside of Borth. My husband is there doing some work on his computer in a bit of peace and quiet

The first Police officer returned from seeing the body and was busy talking back to the Police station"

After taking down Jenny’s address she was told that she could leave and that they would be visiting her later for a statement.

Thank you Officer I have the children to consider.

As Jenny drove back to their rented cottage Police cars seem to appear as if from nowhere all heading for the sand dunes. Jenny guessed that they would cordon off the entire area.

It was now nearing lunch time and Henry who was making himself a sandwich was quite surprised to see them back so soon. He had hoped to work a little longer on his laptop in peace and quiet He worked for a big oil company which often took him away from home to go abroad to Holland and America and to the oil rigs off the coast of Aberdeen in Scotland so consequently he had to leave most the upbringing of the children to Jenny.

Henry had a very well paid job so they were able to live in an affluent part of Solihull near Birmingham. Henry was able to afford most of what the family had need for. A good education was, as far as he was concerned most essential for the children. He had been to Birmingham University and had worked very hard to obtain degrees in engineering and management so as to gain his present position. As far as he was concerned he could not see any reason to worry about Jenny and the children. They had no financial worries. They loved going to the coast in the school summer holidays and a skiing holiday during the winter months and whenever he could Henry went with them.

Dad there is a dead woman in the sand dunes Mathew said as he was the first out of the car and into the cottage.

There is what?

A dead woman. The Police are there. I found her and they told us to come back to the cottage.

For a moment Henry’s heart stopped and then he realized that he had to stay calm and hear what had happened What ever the situation was he must now take control.

How come that you were in the sand dunes I thought that you played on the beach and went swimming

No Dad, we always play hide and seek in the dunes. Mum keeps Jimbo with her or he would give the game away.

I see and where is Mum?

Coming, she is parking the car and sorting Jimbo.

You go upstairs and find something to occupy yourselves for a little while. I want to hear this from your mother. A dead woman? This sounds absolutely dreadful. I cannot believe it, I really can’t.

What had upset Henry was the fact that a repeat of what he had done was happening now. Who could have done this? He dare not let the family see how this had upset him. He knew this body could not be Susan’s as she had been found within days of his leaving her there. Why had his evil deed been repeated? This was most extraordinary. Perhaps some one had read the newspaper report of Susan’s death and because there were no traces of who had put her there he or she had decided to do the same as he had done. He quickly swallowed a neat, large whisky so as to calm himself before Jenny came in.

Jenny came into the cottage looking very pale and shaken.

Sit down Dear, what a fright you have had. Mathew has just told me about a dead body in the dunes. I will make you some coffee and I suggest a little drop of brandy is needed. Then you can tell me what on earth has been going on?

Yes Henry, I would appreciate some coffee and also put some brandy in it. I am still shaking the poor girl looked so young.

You saw her? Oh my God, Henry said to himself

Yes of course Mathew saw her first and then he ran to me. Oh dear; oh dear Henry who could have done this? She looked so young and she had the most beautiful long blonde hair

Jenny we do not know that anyone did anything she could have committed suicide. Mathew told me that the police are there was it you who called them?

Yes of course I did and they came very quickly, they are coming to see me later for a statement. Dear oh dear. How dreadful

"Calm down Dear. As you say the Police are there so there is nothing else that you can do. I am sure that they have taken control of everything. I will take the children out for an hour this afternoon so that you can rest a little. I