Love is all around: If you look for It

By Susie Ray

Love is all around – Gill was embarrassed about her 'feelings' for her best friend Carol when they were at school together, but time and separation have enabled her to bury them somewhere deep inside. Is it merely on a whim that Gill gets in touch so they might catch-up while she is back in town, for a job-interview, or are there other forces at play?

Gill gets the job and gets the girl – find out how…

 

Izzy – Isabella is a serious young woman intent on doing very well at university and she has no time for partying, much to the chagrin of her roommate Margot, but they have reached the end of their studies and are both pleased with the quality of the work they have handed in, and Margot persuades her to attend the end of year bash, even just for a little while.

After a false-start with Carly, an art student, when Margot introduces them, they begin to get along, but when Carly is distracted by her own friends, Isabella slips away to pack ready for going home in the morning – they are never likely to meet again anyhow.

How wrong could she be? She never expected to fall in love with her, and certainly not pose naked for her. What is this hold she has over Isabella?

 

Makronissos is the ideal place for four girls to rediscover themselves.

 

Dorset Holiday allows all Cindy's dreams to come true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S-Ray Press
• Release date: Apr 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201181796

Susie Ray

Susie Ray Author bio I love to read and lose myself in stories conjured up by the written word – I am a mature individual, but I can still recall love’s first sweet kiss and the sting of rejection; the elation of being brought alive, by another’s caress, or tender words. I write sapphic stories for my own pleasure as well as hopefully that of the reader, and my head is full of ideas and storylines that are desperate to be shared. Admittedly, it was a freebie, but the first sapphic tale I read, left me feeling wanting and empty. I thought ‘I could do better than that’, and I did! My stories draw on a lifetime of experiences and places I have visited, so there is always a piece of ‘me’ in them. My preference is for short stories; tales, in bite-size portions, although some topics, simply require a novella to do them justice. I feel my writing skill has improved and grown with me over time and I am pleased to offer some of my work for your pleasure. Come lose yourself for a while, like I do when I’m writing…

Book preview

Love is all around

Chapter 1

Ihave placed all my efforts into getting on, even leaving home on the outskirts of Cheltenham to take an assistant manager’s position in a book store in Exeter, belonging to a huge chain. That was five years since and I still find it hard to believe that I had the strength to walk away from friends and family, simply for the sake of my ‘career’. Carol was my best friend and being such, she urged me to do what was right for myself and not look back.

There was a time when I believed we could be more than friends, but that’s probably part of the reason, I left. Carol, was a brick, but never gave me any signs that she might be gay, and to be completely honest, I’m not absolutely sure that I am, other than the fact, I haven’t met a man yet capable of stirring me. Other than that, being quite shy has stifled any chance of a relationship of any kind.

My assistant manager’s role turned out to be little more than that of a dog’s-body with poor wages, and with the promise of a great future held over me, like a carrot. That’s likely why I am not devastated by the news that my store is to close down soon with the loss of all of the staff. I haven’t allowed myself to get close to any of my colleagues, but I sympathise with those with families to support, that might struggle as a consequence of the closure. I began to realise that hearing such news on the TV or radio, never truly hits home until you are the one of those that is directly affected.

I barely qualify for anything, but the bare minimum redundancy-pay, so I had to take swift action to find another income. I almost ignored the one ad that I saw that looked promising, because it was in Cheltenham and I’m not sure I am ready to go back home and admit defeat. My parents’ situation doesn’t help – when I flew the nest, they split and I never got to the truth behind their fall-out, and loving them equally makes it impossible to take sides and decide, which one to grace my presence, with. It is uncanny, how quickly one’s life can fall to pieces.

If there had have been another alternative ad, I don’t think I would even consider returning, but a bright note occurred to me. It would be good to catch-up with Carol after all this time – we lost touch, apart from exchanging Christmas and Birthday cards. I expect she might be married with kids now. I will drop her a line and see if she is available, always assuming I even get an interview. Talk about getting ahead of myself!

I did some research on-line about the independent book-store that was advertising for an assistant, but couldn’t glean much, other than the phone number and to see what the premises looks like on ‘Street-view’. They were clearly not up on the digital age, but the ad sounds promising, so, I gave them a ring.

Ms Halston?

Yes, how can I help?

I’m calling about the recent ad for an assistant, is it still vacant?

Er, yes, it is. Tell me a little about yourself, my dear.

Ms Halston is very well spoken and if I had to guess, merely from her voice, I would say she is about forty-ish, but she sounds pleasant and engaging and listens as I precis my ‘career’ to-date.

You sound ideal, my dear, when could you come for an interview, just to make sure we aren’t going to drive each other nuts? She adds a little chuckle, as if trying to prove she has a sense of humour.

By the way, my name is Gillian Rogers, please call me Gill! When would be convenient for you Ms Halston?

How about next Monday, that should give us both time to sort out arrangements. Anytime to suit yourself, I’m here all day!

How about early afternoon?

Excellent – see you then, Gill!

My first priority is to write to Carol and see if she would like to catch-up, and then I must think about where I am going to stay. I know my mother would be mortified if she knew I was in town and didn’t stay with her, but then, what about Dad? I come-up with a plan to see if I can get a room at one of the popular economy hotel groups, near to the book-store, but there is no rush and it gives me time to think about how I might make it work, staying with either of my parents, without offending the other. As if my life isn’t complicated enough, just at the moment?

I did take the liberty of giving Carol my email address and sure enough she responds, the very next day, a glowing recommendation for the British postal service.

‘Hi, Gill

I was so pleased to get your letter today, and of course, I would love the opportunity to see you after all this time.

I was sorry to hear about your mom and dad, perhaps they just need their heads banging together?

Which one are you staying with?"

Love Carol x’

‘Hello Carol

It is good to hear from you, how are you?

I guess I will have to book a hotel room for next weekend, or end up alienating one of them.

When can we meet? I shall travel by train on Saturday morning, the earliest I can get.

Love Gill x’

We kept our responses brief as we both appeared to be on-line at the same time and we were virtually communicating, live.

‘Gill, please come and stay with me. I have a spare room and it will be great to spend some time together.

Love Carol x’

That was unexpected, but at least it was set and neither of my parents can quibble if I stay on neutral territory, that is if they find out – I haven’t made my mind up yet, whether I will tell them I am in town for the weekend. Now, I must give some serious thought about what to wear for the interview to ensure I look my best – it wouldn’t hurt to let Carol see me like that, either. I wonder how that thought crept in?

Chapter 2

A sense of excitement creeps through me as I watch the countryside whiz past, probably due to the impending interview, or maybe it has something to do with Carol’s text promising to meet me at the station. I hadn’t admitted to myself, just how much I had missed the familiarity of my home town – that’s likely to be the main reason for the goose-bumps, breaking out all over, as I began to recognise certain features of the landscape.

Carol neglected to tell me what car she is driving and so, I will have to rely on her spotting me in the car-park just outside the station, a trifling matter, but one that concerns me anyhow. I shouldn’t have worried; she is there on the platform as the train eventually sidles to a halt and she has spotted me. The open-arm welcome vanishes the years since we have seen each other and I feel unusually emotional.

Gosh, has it really been five years? You are a sight for sore eyes, Gill. Welcome home! Let me look at you.

Now at arm’s length, we have a unique opportunity to stare at each other without it feeling awkward, well at first, anyway.

Carol, it is so good to see you and I love your hair. When did you have it cut short – you had such beautiful hair in the old days?

This is so much easier to wash and maintain, with the urgencies of adult life. Do you remember how long it used to take to dry and straighten back in the day?

The merest suggestion and my mind, goes back in time, but I feel self-conscious that she is still holding onto my hands like she used to, bringing to the fore my hidden memories of how I yearned for her then...

I must have locked them well away, because it comes as quite a shock to have to face them once more.

My car’s over there! Thankfully, she cannot read my mind.

Thank-you so much for putting me up. I hope I am not going to complicate family matters. Have you a family of your own now?

She sends me a semi-stern look, as if I should have known better, but then seems to realise that a lot might have happened in the intervening years that I am unaware of. Her face softens.

I’m still single and available if that’s what you’re getting at?

I’m sure I must have misinterpreted her meaning and I flush, sensing the crimson tide rising up my neck and across both cheeks, but her smile helps calm me.

"Just so there is no miss-understanding – I am still looking for Miss Right! Carol must see straight through me. I used to think that was you, but you never made any move on me and then you left, just up and left."

An age passed before I truly assimilated her words and could come up with a sensible reply.

"But you never showed any signs that you were gay, and you could have always made the first move, if you felt that way."

Silence ensued and I fear it is going to be a long hard slog from here on in – either Mom or Dad’s sounds very appealing at this moment.

God! When you’re right, you’re right. How about we start again?

This visit or our lives? Carol saw the funny side and we both laughed, and the tension started to evaporated.

Driving through the streets of Cheltenham, I realised just how much I have missed home, and we arrive at a new development in a fairly recently urbanised area of the town that I remember as being fields when we were children, near to the racecourse. Modern needs have negated many of the old building styles and the houses are not arranged in squares around a communal park area, as in the old town, but green-space has been set aside for use by the community with schools nearby.

The lull in conversation has given us both time to consider what has been said and as Carol’s guest, it seems incumbent upon me to break the ice.

I wish I had known how you felt back in the day, but maybe we were both too immature to make the most of it then. I know I was having a hard time, realising that I was ‘different’. I didn’t know you were too.

"In a way, I am glad we didn’t rush it then. It is so good to see you again!"

She hugs me again, but it feels very different now, almost awkward...

Carol has a beautiful new semi-detached, starter-house that has two bedrooms and she is clearly proud of what she has achieved. Both bedrooms are of a similar size and she shows me mine on the back of the property, neutrally decorated, but well laid out and comfortable looking. The stair-well and the bathroom are on the party wall to minimise noise disturbance between households, and maximise privacy in the bedrooms. Now why did that thought suddenly pop into my head?

Come and see my room and tell me if it reminds you of anything.

It was almost like stepping-back five years into Carol’s room at her parent’s house, but with an added air of a woman who is confident in herself. Yes, it was a bit fussy and pink, but then Carol always was a girly girl – as for me, well the book is still open on that score. I never felt that sure of myself, to stamp my own identity on anywhere, at home, or since. Seeing her bedroom now, I know that it is my loss.

Before dinner we have a dry-run into town to the bookshop, so that all should go well Monday – I had forgotten how well-organised Carol can be, but her thoughtfulness is appreciated. The shop-front actually looks smaller than it did on street-view, but at least it is real. I do notice that the window-display looks a little dated and I have thoughts on that.

That was delicious, Carol. I didn’t realise you were such a good cook.

By necessity, that’s all. It’s either that or live off junk-food and Mum would never forgive me if I suddenly swelled up on burgers, or pizzas.

Oh, and here was me about to suggest we get a pizza out tomorrow as a thank-you for having me. How are Gladys, and Reg? You know it sounds almost naughty calling them that – I guess my mind has switched fully back five years.

"They are