Love You Too

By Anezia Sanchez

Feisty twenty-eight-year-old, Kerstin McDonald, works for her lifelong friend, Michael Dunn, in his coffee shop. As childhood friends, they are both habituated, and unable to move on to a loving sexual relationship. However, there are stifled feelings of desire, especially from Michael. Kerstin also studies at Edinburgh University. Eight years earlier she studied at St Andrews. But left after a failed relationship with a professor. This led to the birth of her daughter Chloe. Chloe lives with Kerstin's sister, Rebecca, in Glasgow. A university interview leads to a hostile relationship with Professor Ian Howard. A chance meeting between Ian, Kerstin and Michael, takes place in an Aberdeen care home. Ian is visiting his father Charlie, and Kerstin is visiting her grandmother Olivia. On the way home, Kerstin and Michael crash their car
on a forest road. Ian picks them up and they spend a drunken night in a local hotel. This leads to the start of a romantic relationship for Kerstin and Ian.

Rachelle Morrison is the daughter of an English father and a Spanish mother. She grew up in Spain; not knowing her father. She leaves her drunken mother in Barcelona to seek a new life in London. She meets her fairy godmother in Hyde Park. Rachelle jumps into the Serpentine to rescue a dog in trouble. The beloved dog belongs to Katherine Howard.
Andrew is the Managing Director. He has a running feud with his manipulative ex-wife and fellow director, Stephanie.
Katherine is drawn to Rachelle and offers her accommodation at the Howard mansion.  A turbulent relationship
develops between Rachelle and Andrew.

Rebecca McDonald, is the old-fashioned sister of Kerstin. She is a school teacher, and has a house in the suburbs of Glasgow. She lives with and looks after Kerstin's daughter, Chloe. Her low self-esteem and lack of confidence stands in the way of any romantic relationship. However, the arrival of handsome new neighbor, John Mulligan, awakens feelings, in Rebecca.
Eventually, all the characters in the book resolve,
re-unite and realize that it's okay to say – LOVE YOU TOO

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anezia Sanchez
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223224631

Book preview

LOVE YOU TOO

A Romantic Comedy

Anezia Sanchez

A&A Publisher

Copyright © 2024 Anezia Sanchez

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781234567890

ISBN-10: 1477123456

Cover design by: Art Painter

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

Printed in the United States of America

Cheers to the furry companions who fill our lives with joy, laughter, and unconditional love. May their paw prints forever leave imprints on our hearts.

Anezia’s Cats and Dogs Animal Shelter

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Also By

Untitled

Chapter 1 – Mikey and Kerstin

Chapter 2 – Rachelle

Chapter 3 – Rebecca and Chloe

Chapter 4 – Kerstin and the Professor

Chapter 5 – Ms. Morrison

Chapter 6 – I should introduce myself to the Neighbor

Chapter 7 – Pipi! Pipi!

Chapter 8 – Love is in the air

Chapter 9 – Shit! It wasn’t my briefcase

Chapter 10 – Perfect Neighbor

Chapter 11 – Olivia

Chapter 12 – It’s you!

Chapter 13 – Where’s my money?

Chapter 14 – Working together

Chapter 15 – He is a jerk

Chapter 16 – Ian is coming home

Chapter 17 – Nice to see you dad

Chapter 18 - Threesome

Chapter 19 – Let’s Party

Chapter 20 - Holy Shit

Chapter 21 – Fuck me sideways

Chapter 22 – The Bitch is here

Chapter 23 – You can’t just make me disappear

Chapter 24 – I’m the third party

CHAPTER 25 - Katie

Chapter 26 – How stupid I am

Chapter 27 – I have to let you go

Chapter 28 – I will catch you

Chapter 29 – You are in trouble Stephanie

Chapter 30 – Rachelle and Andrew

Final Chapter

Also By

                                          A & A Fairweather

"The Celebrant: At your Service" is an enchanting tale that delves into the life of a Celebrant whose unique abilities unravel the mysteries

Untitled

◆◆◆

Chapter 1 – Mikey and Kerstin

‘W

here the hell is he?’ Kerstin McDonald muttered as she fussed about in the coffee shop. It was after 8am and time to open up. The coffee lovers would soon be in looking for their morning caffeine fix. She opened the door felt the bitter draught, shivered, and looked up and down the street. It was getting chilly, and of course, it was raining.

‘Don’t you hate the rain, Lisa; because I bloody do? I’ve heard of people who actually like the rain. They find peace of mind during rainy days. And there’s a word for them – Pluviophiles. I have a couple of words for them – fucking crackers.’

She dithered around behind the counter, her insides churning, and kept looking through the window. There was a parking space a few steps from the coffee shop door.

Lisa, the other part-timer, was wiping down tables. And rearranging the furniture by bumping her fat bottom into it.

George arrived with a delivery of coffee supplies. George also does some work for Michael. He picks up supplies from the cash-n-carry, and does some deliveries in his van. The coffee shop also does a few outside catering jobs. So, Michael needs George and his van to deliver the food and catering equipment. It’s a very flexible arrangement.

‘Where will I put this stuff, Kes?’

‘Oh, just put it there behind the door that’ll be fine.’

George noticed Lisa, and greeted her with a big grin.

‘Hi, Lisa; fancy a coffee someday?’

‘Give me a break George, is this, not a coffee shop where I’m working?’ George was embarrassed and said no more.

‘If Michael moves his ass and gets here soon; he’ll get that parking space. Other than that; he’ll need to park it miles away.’ Worried Kerstin.

Five minutes later Michael slotted his red Audi into the parking space, and ran across the road to the shop.

‘See what I mean Lisa; why is there always a space for him, the lucky bugger?’

Michael opened the door shaking off the rain like a Golden Retriever just out of the bath. ‘Morning all; how the heck are we today?’

‘You’re late,’ Kerstin snapped, and shoved a dish towel into his hands. ‘It’s not fair Michael. I asked you to be here before eight o’clock, and it’s ten past now.’ She ripped off her apron, pulled on her raincoat, and grabbed her bag.

‘Keep your pants on Kerstin. I was at the gym, working on my shoulders this morning.’

Kerstin looked at him in his fitted T shirt and jeans. She could see that his shoulders didn’t need much work.

‘It’s not your shoulders that need working on, it’s your brain.’

‘You didn’t tell me that this interview was so important; that it was such a big deal! All you needed to say was; lovely Michael I need your help. Please can you be here on time on Monday.’

She raised her eyebrows giving him a you wish look.

‘You’re a sarcastic bugger. And I shouldn’t need to ask you to be on time Michael. You know that I don’t like asking for help from anybody. This is my situation, my life, and I’ll deal with it. But you know I can’t work here forever; I have bills to pay like everyone else. There are things I want to do with my life, and you know I want Chloe to come and live with me. Anyway, I need to go now or I’ll miss the bus; speak to you later.’

She ran, splashing through the rain, to the bus station just as the 55 to Edinburgh was about to leave.

Lisa continued rearranging the furniture with her bottom.

‘Are you going to help me Mikey? ‘Or are you going to hide in your little office?’

‘I’ll help you, don’t worry; at least until the rush is over.’

Michael Dunn is the owner of Barako coffee shop in Dunfermline High Street. He started the business three years ago, and it’s always busy, especially first thing in the morning. Michael poured himself a coffee.

‘Kerstin was getting her knickers in a twist this morning over that interview; or whatever the hell it is.’

‘You can’t blame her Mike; she needs that teacher job. She can’t stay here for the rest of her life running after you.’

‘Excuse me! It’s more like the other way around.’

Kerstin was his best friend in primary and high school. They grew up together in Bearsden outside Glasgow. They were always the best of buddies, enjoying each other’s company, but that was as far as it went. It was a kind of brother and sister relationship. Some people thought it was a bit weird, but Kerstin and Michael never let it bother them. Seven years ago, Michael returned from living in America. He knew that he wanted to start his own business and he knew who to turn to. He remembered the first time he broached the subject with Kerstin

‘I’m going to open a coffee shop in Dunfermline Kes; will you help me set it up? I’ve inherited enough money from Mum’s will to spend on decent fixtures and fittings. I’m going to call it Barako after that coffee I used to drink in the Philippines.’

‘You bet buddy; I’d love to do that. And we’re not having any pokey little coffee shop. We have Starbucks and Costa in this town; so, we need to be different from them. We need know who our potential customers are and give them what they want. And we also need to compete on price, but make sure we don’t erode our profits. If we do most of our own cooking and baking, then we can produce quality at prices lower than the big two.’

‘Yes Kerstin, no Kerstin, anything you say Kerstin.’

'And another thing Michael; we’re not having any layabout students in here. Or anyone else sitting around all day, nursing one little cup of coffee. They buy more, or they’re out the door.’

Michael is a tall, good looking 27-year-old, with dark brown hair, blue eyes and lightly tanned skin. Kerstin never knew if it was his winter skiing trip or his holidays in Greece that kept the tan up. He could be using something out of a bottle, the vain bugger. She was always nagging him.

The bus bumped over the expansion joints on the Forth Road Bridge, on its way to Edinburgh. Kerstin was trying to apply some makeup and drag a brush her blonde hair. She turned to the schoolgirl next to her. ‘I wish this bloody bus would stop jumping around.’

The girl said nothing, she wasn’t prepared to remove her earbuds for this crazy lady.

Kerstin examined herself in her mirror. ‘I’m looking good though’ she murmured. ‘Just need a bit of lippy and I’m ready.’

The schoolgirl watched her, talking to herself, out of the corner of her eye.

Kerstin knows that she’s slim and good looking. But like many pretty girls, she’s always conscious of her so-called faults. She hates the freckles on her face which spread as soon as they see the sun. And she feels that her mouth is too big. This makes her cover her mouth with her hand, every time she laughs. It's ironic, as any boyfriend she ever had, loved those freckles and her very kissable mouth.

She switched on her phone.

‘Hey big Sis; how’s everything in Bearsden; is Chloe behaving herself?’

‘Hi Kes; yeah, she’s cool; missing you of course. When are you coming home for a visit?’

‘Not sure Becca; I have this interview today, and that’s all I’m thinking about at the minute. I always feel so guilty leaving Chloe with you. I know that an eight-year-old girl can be a bit of a handful to deal with.’

‘Listen, she’s a good kid, she’s doing well at school, and she has lots of friends here. And of course; I love her to bits.’

‘I know that; and she loves you very much. I’m worried she won’t want to come back and live with me. Anyway; you’re a teacher, and I know you’ll be helping her with the schoolwork.’

‘Sure am ma’am! And how are you doing with all those jobs of yours? You must be knackered.’

‘What do you mean – all those jobs? I only have two jobs at the minute, other than my studies; the coffee shop and Little Angel’s Nursery School. More like bloody Hell’s Angels.’

‘Yeah; but you know that’s part of your studies, and it won’t be for much longer.’

‘Anyway; I’d better go Becca; I’m almost in Edinburgh, and the dreaded interview. Wish me well.’

‘Break a leg Kes!’

◆◆◆

Chapter 2 – Rachelle

The Barcelona coffeehouse was busy; the fat female owner was agitated. Working behind the counter. Talking loudly to her staff in broken English.

‘Where the hell is Rachelle? How the hell can I run this place if the staff don't show up for work? Can somebody phone Rachelle!’

The front door crashed open. 30-year-old Rachelle Morrison, struggled through the door dragging a wheeled suitcase and carrying a briefcase. She is slim, and pretty, wearing a T- shirt, and torn jeans. And she doesn't need to spend too much time on her looks.

‘Sorry, I'm late everybody. The bloody bus didn't show up on time again.’

‘Well, you won't be late again sweetheart because you're fired!’

‘What do you mean? You can't fire me. This is the start of my vacation. I haven't taken a proper vacation for two years. I only came in to get the money you owe me.’                

The Coffeehouse owner opened the cash register and handed over some cash. ‘There you go, thanks for nothing. Now fuck off and don't come back.’

‘What the hell is wrong with you, you fat cow? You can't fire me, I quit. So, stick your job up your arse! And you owe me more than this. And if you don't hand it over, I'll be telling the local health inspector about the dirty working conditions in here.’

‘All right, keep your pants on – and keep your mouth shut! Here’s your money.’ Rachelle grabbed the money and headed out the door.

Two hours later, Rachelle was dozing on the hard seats in Barcelona airport departure lounge.

‘Ahhhhhhh.’

She let out a scream and nearly fell off the seat. She looked around at people staring at her. She felt scared and confused, and she wondered why she was at the airport.

‘Sorry everybody – bad dream.’

She smiled to herself, as she remembered what happened at the coffeehouse. 

Rachelle had been sitting on the hard seats of the departure lounge for over four hours. The security staff at Barcelona airport were working to rule. And of course, this caused long queues and massive disruption. She was waiting for the call to board her flight to Heathrow. Her eyes felt like she had sand in them. It was due to not enough sleep, and the thought of this trip to London.

Tiredness, of course, can also be triggered by stress. And being fired from your job is a sure way to bring on the stress. Still, it was a relief to leave that lousy job, and the even worse job of looking after her mother.

Dad left them, whoever he was, when Rachelle was about one year old. Her mother never wanted to talk about him. All she knew, was that her father was a drunken asshole. That’s what her mother used to say every time she asked about him. Her mother had worked her way through a string of men over the years. Or, perhaps, they had worked their way through her.

Rachelle was glad she’d inherited her mother’s slender body. The thick auburn hair, flowing over her shoulders, and the chocolate eyes, were all from her mother. Who knew what she had inherited from her father, because she had never seen him. Except in a faded old photograph, she’d found amongst her mother’s belongings. And she doubted she would ever recognize him from that. She could only think that her outlook on life, and her positive attitude had come from her father.

And she was also glad she had not inherited her mother’s, or her father’s, love of alcohol.

You couldn’t help but like or even love Rachelle. Always interested in other people. Always asking lots of question, and always amazed at everything.

Rachelle’s dream from childhood was to be an actress. Not Hollywood for her; much too glam and glitzy. The London stage was where she would pursue her dreams.

She didn’t have enough money, or enough clothes, and she didn’t know anyone in London. But that’s Rachelle. Completely single-minded and determined to take her chances in the big city.

This seat in the departure lounge was getting harder, Mr. Big Mouth, sitting next to her, was giving someone a hard time on his mobile.

‘Why did you book me on this flight Kirsty? And why am I flying EasyJet and not British Airways? I know we’re trying to keep costs down, but this is false economy. The BA flight has already left and I’m still sitting here wasting time!’

He had his back to Rachelle, so she couldn’t see his face. But she knew he was fit and probably good looking. And by the clothes he was wearing, he definitely wasn’t middle management. This was the boss, and he sounded like he didn’t take shit from anyone.

At last, the call came to board the flight. Rachelle was so tired and stupefied from lack of sleep that she picked up the wrong briefcase. She had a carry-on bag and an expensive leather briefcase, which belonged to her mother. Rachelle kept her various bits of paperwork, mementoes and other bits and pieces in this case.

There was stuff she should have thrown away years ago. But she needed her CV and business certificates if she was to find a job in London. And she thought the briefcase would make her look more business-like. That is, while she waited for the call to the London stage. ‘Well; a girl can dream,’ she told herself.

The big-time business man, sitting next to her, who owned the case, was too busy on his phone to notice. It was obvious that budget air travel was not for him, but his company accountant thinks it is.

There was no seat allocation on this flight. So, all the families and couples were fighting to get seats together. Rachelle was definitely not in any airline’s frequent flyer club. So, the whole flying thing was a bit of a novelty for her.

She didn’t want to look like a complete idiot, so she slipped into a seat on the aisle. She reckoned that’s the best place to be for frequent trips to the toilet. But before she could get comfortable, the old Chinese lady beside her gripped her arm. She started babbling.

‘Please Miss; I scared of flying. I need my husband beside me. He is there.’

She pointed at an elderly Chinese man a few seats further forward.

‘Okay, okay, don’t worry ma’am.’

Rachelle signaled to the husband that she’d swap seats. But as they both passed each other in the aisle, another lady plonked herself down in his seat before Rachelle could get to it.

Then she noticed that there was a vacant seat in front next to Mr. Big Time business man.

‘Is it okay if I sit there?’ she asked.

‘No, it is not,’ was his brusque reply, without raising his head. ‘I paid for both these seats to allow me more room to work.’

She made a face at the top of his head. He could be a good-looking guy, but charming he was not, thought Rachelle. And she reckoned that he was lying as well.

She found another aisle seat, next to the Incredible Hulk. He looked like he should have paid for an extra two seats to fit in his extra bulk. Rachelle buckled her seat belt and vowed that wild horses would not pull her out of it.

Any thoughts of sleep on this two hour, and twenty-minute flight were immediately put out of her head. Well; more jolted out of her head by the other passengers bumping down the aisle. They also needed their frequent toilet trips. Anyway, who can sleep when Man Mountain next to her was snoring loud enough to drown out the noise of the engines? That was a long two hours and twenty minutes for Rachelle.

At last, Heathrow. A tired Rachelle needed to find her way to a hostel in Kings Cross that she’d booked over the internet. But first she needed to phone her mother and continue the lie about having a friend in London, and a job to go to. The usual plea to take her medicine, and not drink too much fell on deaf ears. And the slurred response suggested that the not drinking advice was a big waste of breath.

'What is the cheapest way to travel into London?' she asked an airport policeman.

‘Take the Tube love.'

She realized that Tube meant the London Underground and headed for the station.

It took around an hour to Kings Cross station, and a short walk to The Clink. An unusual name for a hostel, and Rachelle failed to appreciate that Clink is British slang for jail. It was not a jail, but it’s going to sound a bit strange when she tells people she meets that she’s been in the Clink for a few days.

The creepy guy at the reception desk, allocated a bed in a fourteen bed all female dormitory. It cost £24 per night, and she wondered why a mixed dormitory cost £25 per night. ‘Who wants to be in with some smelly men and spend another £1?’ Mind you, some of the girls in this dorm, were a bit lacking in personal hygiene; she wrinkled her nose. But the strong smell of disinfectant in this place would kill all germs known to man.

Rachelle was glad of a hot shower and slipped into bed. The smell of disinfectant, and the noise of the occasional train, didn’t stop her drifting into a deep sleep.

◆◆◆

Chapter 3 – Rebecca and Chloe

‘C hloe - Fluffy needs to go out!’

‘Okay; I’ll do it Becca!’

Chloe ran downstairs, slapping the walls, when she heard aunt Rebecca call.

‘Take it easy Pet, and stop rubbing your hands on the walls,’ came the exasperated reply. ‘We’ll have to paint this place again; and I don’t want to do that.’

Rebecca and Chloe live in Bearsden, a well-to-do suburb outside Glasgow. This is where Kerstin and Rebecca’s family home is, where they were both brought up. It’s a traditional five-bedroom house in a quiet tree lined street. The kind of neighborhood where everyone keeps themselves to themselves. The house is way too big for two girls, with its jungle of a garden. But Rebecca feels safe and comfortable there. And although the council tax and maintenance cost are high, it’s her home. And she’s reluctant to move to something smaller. Rebecca and Kerstin’s Mum and Dad died in and car crash, some years before, and the house passed to the two daughters.

Like many eight-year-old girls, Chloe is a lot more mature than her mother and her Aunty were at that age. Kerstin feels that she’s talking to an adult sometimes. Rather than her sweet, blonde haired, blue eyed, little girl.

Like Rebecca, Chloe is also bit of a loner. She does have friends at school and she’s popular with the other girls. But she likes to be at home, reading her books, listening to music on her iPad. And she also has Bruno her cat, to play with, and Fluffy the West Highland Terrier.

And no Barbie Dolls for Chloe; She’s very much a tomboy. She’s more into football and sometimes basketball. And when she’s not in her school uniform, its T shirts and jeans; no female fashion for her.

Fluffy was running back and forward to the back door, and that can only mean one of two things; pee-pee or poop.

‘Good boy Fluff,’ said Chloe in her best dog trainer voice. She did all the puppy training; well, with a little help from Rebecca. And she’s proud that they don’t have any doggy mess indoors anymore. She watched the garden from the back door to check if any poop needed removed, but not this time.

‘You coming in now Fluff?’

But something much more interesting had caught his attention round the front of the house, across the quiet street. Strangers! And they’re always worth barking at. They needed to know who’s in charge around here.

'Fluff, stop it; be quiet!’ Chloe came out to check what was going on. The house across the street had been up for sale for ages. Now it looked as if someone was moving in.

‘I hope they’ll be quiet and don’t bother us,’ she said under her breath.

There was a self-drive removal van parked across the street and a man carrying heavy boxes. He looked up and caught Chloe’s eye.

‘Hi; how are you today?’

Chloe’ cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. She’d been caught watching this nice-looking man. She gave him a wave while trying to stop Fluffy digging up some plants.

‘I’m fine thank you.’

New neighbor, John Mulligan, has been divorced for five years. He’s been bringing up his son, Scott, since he was a three-year-old. That was when crazy Anthea left them to chase her dreams as an actress in the US.

‘Hi, how are you.’

Chloe turned away from what Fluffy was doing to see this blonde-haired boy about her own age. He appeared from the house across the road.

‘Hi!’ said Chloe, suddenly shy.

‘My name’s Scott, what’s yours’

‘It’s Chloe, and this is Fluffy. Are you going to be our new neighbors?’

‘Yes we are. That’s my dad moving those boxes, and that’s my cat in the car. His name is Cement.’

Chloe looked where Scott was pointing to see the grey, Persian cat dozing on the back parcel shelf.

‘What an odd name for a cat; he looks very snobby,’ thought Chloe.

‘I have a cat too, his name is Bruno, he has a bent tail, and he makes me laugh.’

‘I better go help my dad move more boxes, before he goes crazy,’ said Scott. ‘Speak to you later.’

‘Chloe; are you out there?’

‘Coming! I have to go also, Scott, nice to meet you and your dad.’ She ran to the back door with Fluffy trying to race her.

Rebecca was testing the breakability of the dishes