Trapped in Heaven

By Wendy Kremer

Lucie Talbot decides to establish a VIP house-sitting company. Her application to join asimilar firm fails, but when they need a fast substitute, it's her chance. She's responsible for Hepburn's island property on Barbados and meets Matthew Hepburn who'se there t the time. She thinks he's arrogant and haughty.
His brother, Doug, is completely different and Lucie enjoys his company She compares the two brothersr. Doug is a flirt, Matthew is antagonistic; Lucie finds out that Matthew was engaged but his fiancée cheated on him.
She returns to the UK and believes it's the end of her connections with Hepburns. It isn't.
They own various private residencefs throughout the world and Doug thinks she's ideal for checking them.. Lucie starts off visiting their property on Sifnos in Greece, then checks their cabin in Canada, and their house in Malibu.
On her return she returns the key for the house in Malibu and meets Matthew and his mother again. Mrs Hepburn runs a charity. She's arranged a social evening and wants Matthew to attend. He's reluctant because he doesn't want to be seen with one of his casual girlfriends. It will mean press-hounding. Mrs Hepburn steamrolls him into having Lucie as his partner. Lucie attends the evening and helps to make it a success. Matthew suggests she only wants to impress him and his mother. Lucie is angry but eventually he does apologise for behaving badly. Lucie sets off for her next goal, the Seychelles. From there she goes to the Philippines where the Hepburn family own a house on an uninhabited island. A friend of Matthews owns a sea-plane company and he flies Lucie to the island from Manila. Lucie is alone until Matthew unexpectedly turns up in his own sea-plane. His mother is worried about Lucie because rebels are in the area. Matthew was in Singapore on business and comes to check if Lucie is okay.
While he's there, rebels steal his plane Other rebels, in boats, decide to check to see if there's anything else worth stealing. Matthew and Lucie are now trapped on the island and have to flee into the jungle, hoping the rebels won't find them. They find they like each other more than either of them will admit. Lucie discovers that he would love to fly professionally but feels too committed to the family company. Their time together changes Lucie's opinion about Matthew, and Matthew's about Lucie. The rebels leave and Matthew's friend flies them back to Manila again.Lucie finds Matthew is ignoring her again. He's her boss, and nothing more. Lucie is puzzled and hurt by this sudden change of attitude. Mrs Hepburn invites Lucie and Matthew for lunch one day When Lucie shares his taxi back to headquarters because it's near an underground station. He unexpectedly kisses hher and she is euphoric for a moment until he apologises – explaining he's her boss and has overstepped the mark! Lucie is dismayed and confused. When they get out of the taxi, Matthew's ex-fiancée turns up, and Lucie flees. Lucie sees his picture with his 'ex' in a newspaper, and decides she can't go on working for Hepburn. She plucks up courage to take her resignation personally to Matthew but he's away and she is relieved to give it to Doug instead.
Lucie accepts new security work, in Scotland. The owner has gone abroad and left the housekeeper in charge. The isolation suits Lucie perfectly. Until ... one day suddenly Matthew turns up.
He has some explaining to do. His fiancée was drunk and arranged for Matthew to come to the bar where the paparazzi took photos. Even though Lucie eventually admits she loves him, she also tells him she'll never fit into his lifestyle. He says he's is going to slart up a charter company with his friend in the Philippines Matthew has cleared it with his parents and Doug.
Matthew just needs Lucie at his sideand fulfilling his lifelong dream of flying professionally. Lucie's fears evaporate and they begin to plan hthe future together on their own special island on the oth

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendy Kremer
• Release date: Dec 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781444850031

Wendy Kremer

Wendy was born in the Welsh Valleys in the UK, and is a loyal, steadfast, Welsh woman wherever she happens to be. She now lives in Europe, and also lived in Africa once - for five years. She's traveled widely and worked in the fields of teaching, translating and publishing. She is author of novellas, pocket novels, short stories, a hardback and serials. Her work has been published in the UK, Germany, Sweden and in Norway. She's married with two children and her hobbies include dancing, gardening, playing bowls, and learning French. Wendy loves hearing from any readers of any of her stories.

Book preview

TRAPPED IN HEAVEN

WENDY KREMER

LOVE IS BEING STUPID TOGETHER – PAUL VALERY

CHAPTER 1

Lucie opened her eyes, and the bright sunlight deadened her senses for a moment before she noticed a strange man looking down at her. She swung her shapely legs over the sunbed and stood up to face him. He was tall, taller than herself by at least a head and shoulders, with rugged looks and ice-blue eyes. Although his clothes were casual they were clearly expensive and probably custom-made. This man was no ordinary intruder. She wondered if he was a business associate of the family or a friend who had permission to be here? She was told back in London that no one from the family would visit.

Lucie removed her sunglasses casually, and looked at him. With a wary expression on her pale serious face, she said. Good afternoon! Can I help? Are you looking for someone? This is private property, and no one is allowed to visit without permission.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his reply was offhand but it still held a modicum of politeness. Who are you? He looked around. You're alone?

Trying to ignore her rising uneasiness, Lucie hoped she sounded completely confident as she replied. Until I know you're entitled to be here, you don't need to know who I am. But I need your name and your reason for being here. If you refuse to tell me, I must ask you to leave. If you don't, I'll call the police.

He cast an approving glance at her tanned thighs, and then his bright eyes roamed upwards seductively.

She regarded him with impassive coldness, picked up a towel from the sunbed, and wrapped it sarong-style around her slim figure. She now felt a lot easier to meet his glance and study him closely. It was part of her job to memorize appearances, in case an accurate description was required later. She wasn't easily impressed, but this man confused her. She felt a physical attraction, even though she knew he could be a thief or a crook of some kind. She waited and hoped he had a justifiable reason, or if he didn't that he'd just turn around and leave.

He continued to stare at her and stated. That would be a waste of time! It takes hours until the water-police reach this place from the mainland.

Lucie pressed her lips together tightly and persisted. Who are you, and what do you want?

Her question seemed to amuse him.

His eyes held an inkling of amusement when he said. I've never seen you here before. What's your name?

Lucie noted he had already been here at least once previously, so she was more cautious. "I'm house-sitting, and responsible for island security.

He answered with confidence but gave no further information about himself. I see! In that case, then it's okay.

Just then, Martha bustled out, carrying a drink. The ice-cubes clinked in the glass as she approached.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw him and chuckled. Well, what a sight for sore eyes!

The man exchanged a smile with her, and his voice was friendly and bantering. Martha! I'm on business in Bridgetown and thought about your apple pie. I decided the chance was too good to miss. He stepped towards Martha and kissed her cheek. He took the glass, intended for Lucie, and sipped it.

Lucie had more time to note the firm features, clear blue eyes and the confident set of his shoulders. Martha knew him, so Lucie decided he wasn't a wrongdoer.

Martha viewed him; her hands on her hips. "There isn't any fresh pie! Haven't you heard of telephones? I'm not a clairvoyant. I do have some in the deep-freeze but ...

He interjected. That'll do! Defrost some, my treasure, and whip up some cream if you have any. If not I'll have ice-cream with it. I'll see you in a couple of minutes after a shower.

His voice sounded deep and purposeful, and he left them without a backward glance or a word in Lucie's direction. He strode through the terraced garden towards the white bungalow and left a faint an odour of a lemon-and-leather after-shave behind him

Lucie waited until he was out of earshot. Martha, who is that? I asked him but I didn't get an answer. You know him, so I presume I don't need to get rid of him?

Martha chuckled. That's Matthew; the eldest son. Don't you recognize him?

Lucie shook her head. I was told how to get here, who owns the island and that's all. I was a last-minute replacement and didn't have time to check for any details, but they did say family or visitors were not expected.

Martha nodded towards the departing figure. I expect Matt was in Barbados and decided to fly here spontaneously. You're employed to protect the place, and I'm employed to run the house. Our employers aren't obliged to warn us when they're coming.

Lucie pushed her hair behind her ears and nodded. Martha was right. The owners had the right to change any previous plans spontaneously. Lord! She'd made a terrible impression. She'd been sunbathing beside their pool. He shouldn't have been able to land on the island or reach the house without her seeing his arrival. There was a panel of cameras covering the whole island in her quarters. She'd checked the screens before she came out and there was nothing unusual to see anywhere. It was her first VIP job. It might be her last!

It was no excuse that she didn't know what the family looked like. She was duty-bound to know such things, but she just hadn't had time to check. Until recently, her jobs were looking after an upper-class property or even ordinary homes but not homes in this class.

Judy, her best friend, had passed on an article about a company specializing in house-sitting luxury properties. Lucie decided to try to join them; they paid more. She'd applied to one straight away and included references from some former clients. They turned her down.

But  … just days after sending her a negative response, they contacted her again because someone they were assigning for house-sitting in the Caribbean had been taken to hospital. They warned that they still intended to check carefully that she had no criminal record and no shady connections.

Two days later she was on her way to Barbados, and then by motorboat to this private island. She'd been here ten days and still couldn't believe she was paid for being here.

Martha hurried off again. I need to get some apple-pie defrosted.

Lucie decided she had to get dressed, in case he wanted her to explain how he'd managed to come ashore without a challenge.

At this time of day, Lucie usually paused to watch the blazing sun disappear beyond the horizon. There was no time to contemplate the wonders of nature today. Should she report to him, or wait until he summoned her? She waited.

Lucie changed into cotton slacks and a white shirt and tied her shoulder-length ash-blond hair in a ponytail with a flimsy scarf. She stayed in her quarters, and the sun had already set before she went to the kitchen in the main house where Martha was busy cooking.

Martha looked up and explained. Matt doesn't come often anymore. He loves fish dishes. I just told Henry to bring me today's catch and some tomatoes from the glasshouse.

Lucie paused in anticipation. Has he complained, about me sunning myself instead of doing my job?

Martha smiled. Nope. I expect Matt has already forgotten your existence. He's used to finding strange females here. I bet he didn't even register you properly. His brother Doug often shows up with a boatload of girlfriends.

Lucie said. I should have recognized him. I wonder if he is annoyed.

Martha shrugged. Rich people take things for granted without quibbling over unnecessary details. If he did notice a breach in security, he might tear you off a strip but everything was as it should be ...! My advice is just lie low!

Martha liked Lucie. She was pretty with an attractive face, a good figure, and her heart was in the right place. She wasn't one of the pampered women from the glossy pages of the magazines like Matt's former fiancée, or the ones who came with Doug.

Right! I'll be in my room if he does want to see me.

Martha laughed Stop worrying! You did your job and challenged him as soon as you met him. As long as everything is safe and sound, he won't bother you. When Matthew is here, he switches off. Do something worthwhile this evening!

Lucie went to bed after checking monitors once more. She finished a paperback she'd borrowed from the house. There was a wall full of books, and she reasoned no one would notice if one of them was missing. She slept well.

The island was silent early the next morning when she did her morning rounds of the gardens and buildings. She'd swum in the pool every day since she'd arrived, but she didn't this morning. Matthew Hepburn might find her there, and she'd get the sack!

She checked the only path circling the island and the three small cottages near the jetty, where the island's permanent employees lived. Everything was peaceful. A sea-plane was floating a short distance from the water's edge. She presumed it belonged to Matthew Hepburn and wondered if he owned it or hired it. Boats could only land at the wooden jetty near the cottages. The rest of the coastline was too wild and hostile. Today she couldn't check inside the house but as long as Matthew Hepburn was there it wasn't necessary. She went back to her rooms and enjoyed a solitary breakfast on the small patio. The fragrant coffee always tasted terrific first thing in the morning. She heard a plane overhead. Shading her eyes, she looked up at a small aircraft circling the island before it flew back towards the mainland. Lucie hoped it wasn't someone reconnoitring the layout for illicit reasons, or the paparazzi trying to take pictures.

She visited the kitchen mid-morning, but there was no sign of Martha. The room was spick-and-span with just one upturned coffee mug standing on the draining-board. Later that afternoon, Martha stopped for a chat on her way to the house.

Lucie asked. Does Matthew Hepburn spend all his time indoors? I haven't seen him.

Martha shook her head. He's gone! Matt left early this morning. Didn't you see him go?

Lucie was surprised. I saw a plane, but didn't realize it was his.

Martha shrugged. He has an important business meeting this afternoon. He likes this place, but never has much time to enjoy it these days.

Lucie nodded. I expect rich people don't always enjoy their riches as much as we think they do. The yellow-press hound their parties, social events, private lives, and festivities, and a lot of their so-called acquaintances are two-faced rich friends or just hangers-on.

Martha pursed her lips. I expect you're right, but when you're born into a rich family, that's how it is! In the end, it depends on the individual character.

Lucie nodded. Probably! I expect coping with an artificial lifestyle isn't always easy. Money often corrupts. I bet you never really know who your real friends are. Give me the simple life every time! Even if they've all the things most people strive for, being rich and famous has its drawbacks. I'm happy if I have a decent wage, a roof over my head, some good friends, and a job I like. What more can anyone want?

Martha chuckled. A good husband and some kids perhaps? Don't forget that rich people provide work for ordinary people, like you and me.

Lucie laughed. That's very true; I wouldn't be here otherwise.

Martha added. Mrs Hepburn is a very nice lady. She does a lot of charity work. Hepburn's have a charity foundation. Whenever she comes, she always has a full briefcase.

Lucie mused. I'll check the Internet and see what they look like. How many are there?

"Three children, Matt, Doug and Eva! Eva is