Undeserved - Book 4: Undeserved, #4

By Yvonne Marrs

The finale of the season sees the end of the struggles of our main character, as many would have predicted years ago!

 

Find out how the characters cope with their loss, and how life will go on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WTSMP Publications
• Release date: Nov 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215147191

Yvonne Marrs

Invernesian Yvonne Marrs (1982-present day) has loved writing for as long as she can remember, moving to the London area at the age of 19 to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Yvonne graduated from UHI (Inverness College) with an HND in Administration and Information Management, a set of skills she puts to good use to organise herself and her work - especially as she has her own publishing company, WTSMP Publications. Currently Yvonne has published several fictional series - the 'When The Sax Man Plays' series, the 'Football Crazy' series, the 'Aiden Lewis octet', 'Can't Buy Health' series and 'Undeserved'. Yvonne dreamt up the idea that formed the "When The Sax Man Plays" (WTSMP) series after falling in love with saxophone music, and being inspired by Leona Lewis' dream X Factor win. To throw an ordinary person in an ordinary job, with an extraordinary talent into superstardom is the story behind WTSMP. The central character, Jason Bottelli is such a person, although we soon discover he is far from ordinary! If you like your fiction easy going, entertaining, enthralling and heart-warming, you'll fall in love with the musical romance that is the WTSMP series. The ever popular "Football Crazy" series follows our central character, Aiden Lewis, as he rises through the football ranks. From club player to International sensation; through to his management career, leading England into the World Cup and then his brother's local team, the London Giants, from nowhere into the Premiership as the series progresses. Aiden's story continues with the 'Aiden Lewis octet', finishing with 'Undeserved'. There are standalone books as well as those in a series: 'Castiliano Vulgo' - a fictional work on 16th Century London life written using both Elizabethan English and Modern English. 'Inexorable' - a murder erotica written as part of the NaNoWriMo challenge in 2016. 'Putting the Visible into So Called Invisible Illnesses' - a work of 50 poems about living with invisible illnesses, as Yvonne does. 'Harbourtown Murder' - a murder mystery set in fictional Cornwall where a stray cat is the only witness.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Aiden was still fast asleep! Nicole couldn't believe it. He hadn't woken of his own accord for hours. Ann had woken him specifically to check he was okay, they forced him to eat and drink before taking his usual medication before letting him close his eyes again.

Checking regularly on him, Nicole knew that Charlotte, Harry and Ann were also checking on the couple throughout the night. As a result, by breakfast time the next morning, only Aiden had slept well! But that was fine: Nicole knew she could nap with him later. She could also send Charlotte and Mike back to their apartment, and let Ann and Harry doze with the boys later in the day after nursery, which would tire them out.

Exactly as she had said, Ann questioned Aiden about the previous day's incident, he remembered it but didn't suffer from the increased pain. His neck was stiff and therefore the muscular pain was worse today, but that was it. Whether it was a combination of the medication and the rest, or his body was fine after the initial shock, nobody knew. But that didn't really matter either.

With a heat pad, and the promise of some acupuncture to help if that didn't work effectively, Aiden agreed to a day of rest. Harry had called both of his sisters, and Sadie was due to visit the following day as a result. Ella couldn't get a childminder, or at least that was her response.

Ann told him not to be presumptive; maybe Ella would have a problem as her husband was tied up with his new job. He muttered his reply. As he walked away from her, Ann realised that she hadn't replied to Lynn's message from the day before. She had briefly read it the night before, and then promptly forgot all about it. While Harry engaged the boys in the half hour before they had to get them ready for nursery - again, Harry was taking them while Ann stayed in - she tapped out a quick reply to Lynn.

Oh! Lynn was startled by the vibration in her pocket, meaning that she had a text. Reading it quickly, she was dismayed to find it contained only a short apology, a promise to reply properly later and a general hope everything was okay.

Justin came into the room as she was finishing re-reading. Is that from Ann? His eyes lit up.

Yes, but not a proper reply yet. She apologises for the delay and will answer properly soon.

Justin's face darkened. That's not a good sign.

No, Jay. Don't think like that. Lynn hugged him. She has her hands full with the boys, and the house, and Harry, and whatever Aiden and Nicole's demands are. Lynn frowned. If she's still working, she'll have very little time to sit down by herself. Guilt bit her with the realisation.

Justin felt it too. If we had kept our promise, she wouldn't be so inundated.

Shaking her head, Lynn disagreed. She would have more demands on her time, because you would be so ill there, and I wouldn't be able to cope. Squeezing him, she sighed. Jay, we did keep our promise. We helped as much as we could.

Justin shook his head. She knew he felt as guilty as she felt. This realisation would trigger his worst, darkest thoughts. She knew it would. She needed a distraction plan, quick.

My naughty nephew. Sadie shook her head, picking up Gary the moment she was in the room. You have to be very careful with Papa. She told him, watching his eyes grow wider and wider still.

Gary nodded solemnly. I know. He said. I'm sorry.

It's okay, it was an accident, that means it was nobody's fault. Mike interrupted.

Gary nodded again. Careful. He repeated.

Yes. Sadie smiled at him, hugging him. You were lucky you didn't hurt yourself.

I know. Gary's bottom lip wobbled.

We're glad you and Papa are both okay. She told him, gently rubbing his back as she sensed he wanted comfort.

I'm bad. Gary said to her miserably.

No darling, you're not bad. She reassured him. As Uncle Mike said, it was an accident. We all know it was an accident. The important thing is that you are okay.

And Papa. He corrected her.

Yes. And Papa. Sadie sighed. When Daddy comes back, I'm going to see Papa.

Gary moved away from her. I come too. He announced. I see Papa.

Why not? Sadie smiled at him. I'm sure he won't mind. She saw Mike shaking his head, in agreement. What did you do at nursery yesterday?

Painting! Gary's face lit up.

Oh wow! What did you paint? Did you do something for Daddy?

Gary shook his head. For Papa. Want to see? He took her hand and pulled, as if to get her up from the sofa.

Yes, please. Sadie nodded, mirroring his enthusiasm. She followed him into the spacious kitchen, and to the brightly painted paper on the fridge door, held in place by magnets. Wow! She gushed. That's excellent, Gary!

He positively beamed.

Seeing her brother come into the kitchen, Sadie smiled at him. We have quite a Picasso in the family. She joked.

Harry smiled. He is a natural with a paintbrush. Shame he came home wearing most of it. Harry grimaced.

Sadie laughed, and Gary laughed with her. Harry laughed at both of them.

Daddy, we want to see Papa. He demanded once everyone had stopped laughing.

You can see Papa now. He's waiting for you. Harry replied, watching as Gary ran off. Wait for us. He added too late.

Never mind. Sadie smiled. How's Dad doing?

Harry shuddered. Thankfully, he's not bad. He smiled as she hugged him.

It must have been awful. She spoke softly.

Harry nodded. I didn't know what to do first. I saw Gary was okay, just upset. Laurie was howling too.

Sadie shook her head. He has such a connection with Dad, it's spooky. It was her turn to shudder then. Walking with him, she followed Harry through the house into the master bedroom. Hi Dad, how are you? She was relieved to see Aiden was smiling, very gently hugging him.

I'm okay. He said quietly. There was no need to rush over.

Sadie kissed him before letting go of him. I didn't rush anywhere. She rolled her eyes. I'm beyond that nowadays. She joked.

You and me both. Aiden replied, squeezing her hands when she took his.

They all laughed at his jest.

Chapter 2

The first week at nursery for the boys was only three days, on the principle of easing them into it; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then going into a whole week the next week. As this was Saturday, Bobbie and Dan were heading back for a visit. While they were there, Mike and Charlotte would stay at their apartment the evenings, especially as nothing else untoward had happened.

Again, Aiden sent Nicole to spend time alone with Charlotte; again, she was very hesitant to leave him. Promising not to be too far away, and not for too long, she eventually agreed to let go of him. This left him with Mike, and Ann. Not long after, Harry followed Gary and Laurie into the room, and they all kept Aiden company. Christian with Bobbie and Dan were there too ten minutes later.

Whoa! What's this? A party? Charlotte was surprised when they returned to find the family around him. She met Mike's gaze over the heads of Aiden's family, knowing from his calm expression that things were fine.

Char, Aiden's quiet voice reached her over the crowd.

We're here, Aiden. I promised I'd bring Nicky back to you. She replied, as the crowd parted for Charlotte and Nicole to get in closer. I bet they’ve all worn you out?

Mmm... Aiden murmured, closing his eyes.

Honey, have you been okay? Nicole checked, leaning over him to kiss his cheek.

Aiden nodded against her shoulder, putting one arm around her. This was his signal for wanting peace with her.

Come on, you lot. Charlotte made a shoo-ing gesture as if to clear the room. Chop, chop. She joked.

Aiden nodded at the chorus of we'll see you later, and bye Papa's. Thank you, He whispered when it was just the four of them again.

No problem, Aiden. Room clearances are becoming my speciality. Charlotte joked further. Mike and I can disappear too, if you want?

Nicole had seen in his face that there was something he wasn't saying. Her stomach dropped. Ady, are you feeling okay?

He had felt