Loves Edge

By karole kennedy

Love, scandal, betrayal and death has makeup artist Jessie Hilton reeling with shock.

As Jessie comes to terms with tragic and twisted events in her life, her lifeline and best friend Dana suggests a holiday in the famous sun-soaked Greek Islands. Santorini beckons with the white houses with blue shutters that look over the sparkling waters of the Caldera. Wanting to be free from her oppressive circumstances, she agrees.

It looks to be the perfect place to relax, and maybe find passion in her life again

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: karole kennedy
• Release date: Sep 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393555216

karole kennedy

Born in England and now residing in Australia, Karole Kennedy Writes by night and works full time by day within the community. Writing is a passion, and she hopes to give pleasure to her four children and ten grandchildren and all her readers by transporting them to another time and place within the stories she creates.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The screeching of the alarm clock woke Jessie and John from a deep sleep. From under the covers, Jessie extended a hand and switched off the confounded noise.

Not morning already, please! I just want to go back to sleep. Recoiling her hand, she snuggled back under the warm blankets and felt herself drifting off.

Jessie’s husband of five years, John, nuzzled into her neck. Come on, Jessie, up and at it. We've got a long day ahead of us with the commercial shoot.  

Reluctantly releasing from John’s embrace and stretching, she looked around the bedroom. A feeling of contentment filled her. What more could a woman ask for? I’ve got a loving husband, we both have well-paying jobs – John, a production manager, and me, a make-up artist – and a lovely English Cottage-style home.

Lifting her head from the soft pillow, she felt the after-effects of last night’s dinner party. 

Oh! My head feels like concrete. Why did I drink so much, and why did I stay up so late?

John laughed, My girl, you were the life and soul of the party last night, and the new clients loved you! It looks like you’ve sealed yet another deal. 

She tossed back the warm, soft blankets and crawled out of bed, making her way to the shower. Looking over her shoulder, she saw John laying there, smiling at her. She wanted to jump back into bed and make love to this wonderful man. As she closed the shower door, she poked her head around and gave John a knowing smile. Don't even think about it, John. It’s time to get up and at it, remember?

LAUGHING LIKE SCHOOL kids, racing against the clock, they scrambled around the bedroom pulling out clothes from drawers, wardrobes and looked under the bed for shoes. John searched for his wallet and keys, while Jessie looked under strewn clothes for her watch.

What did we do last night? I can’t find anything!

John called back, Jessie, I can’t find my car keys.

John, look at the time, we’re so late! She tossed the mobile phone to John, Call Gerry, the set manager, Tell him we’re going to be late, tell him the alarm didn’t go off or something.

Jessie struggled to put her coat on as she clambered into the car. She belted up and laid relaxed back into the seat, listening to the morning news. John, being a good driver, sped through the city streets.

Jessie, I’m hungry, we didn’t get to eat breakfast. Let's stop and grab a bite to eat. They pulled up in the drive-through of their favourite fast food outlet.

Just coffee please, I’m not hungry. Oh, and tell them to put two sugar in it. The coffee tasted strong and hot, just what she needed. The hot liquid warmed her and made her headache feel more bearable.

John glanced over at her as he ate his croissant, crumbs going everywhere. He grinned. Jessie just shook her head and laughed to herself. We're always late!

THEY ARRIVED AT THE set thirty minutes late. The guard on the gate recognised the car and waved them straight through.   

In the distance against the grey sky, Jessie could see the camera crew setting up tripods and cameras. The lighting people were already testing. Crewmembers were waving arms, giving the thumbs up or the thumbs down sign as bright lights flickered. The whole set crawled with people, all having a part to play to make this venture successful.

John parked the car. They each opened a backdoor to take out their bags and anything they needed for the gruelling day ahead. Taking this great opportunity, with heads meeting in the back of the car, they kissed and wished each other a great day.

John and Jessie laughed as they saw Gerry getting more flustered by the minute. He noticed them, and his face broke into smiles, and he threw his hands in the air, waving. He hugged them both while in the midst of giving orders.

Good morning, Gerry, everything going to plan?

Busily bobbing up and down, trying to grab someone’s attention, he replied, Yes, John, things couldn’t be better.

Jessie saw the small make-up trailer tucked behind some of the scenery settings. She walked towards it. Stepping up into the trailer, Jessie found the cosy glow of the make-up lights and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. She thought to herself, good old Gerry, always has the coffee on.

Chapter 2

Two people were waiting ; one had her back to Jessie. The other looked about nineteen years old and sat nervously fidgeting. Good morning, ladies, I’m Jessie Hilton. I’m doing your make-up for today’s shoot. The woman with her back to Jessie slowly turned.

Jessie gasped, and then screeched, Dana!

Jessie! 

Dropping all her bags and papers, they embraced, almost crying. 

Jessie held Dana’s shoulders and stood back, looking at her.

Oh, how long has it been?

Too long, Jessie, too long!

Then, remembering their manners, they turned to the young woman, explained that they had been friends for twenty years and had not seen each other for a long time. She smiled, That’s okay. It’s nice to see. By the way, my name is Suzette.

With introductions out of the way, Jessie noticed she was running out of time and directed Suzette into the make-up chair.

Dana, make yourself comfortable.

Jessie paused briefly to check the requirements for the commercial shoot. Glancing up into the mirror, she saw Dana settle back in the chair with a coffee to watch her do Suzette's make-up.

It's going to be great catching up on all the latest news.

Raising an eyebrow, Dana smiled, Sure is.

Jessie worked deftly and quickly. Suzette looked sensational! Jessie applied the finishing touches, brushed her down, and removed the cape.

Suzette, you’re ready for the silver screen. Jessie took her out to where Gerry still flapped his arms in a flustered manner. Sweet, sweet, Gerry. When will he learn to stress less? After handing Suzette over to poor Gerry, Jessie headed back to the trailer, excited; she closed the trailer door to keep the warmth in and poured a coffee. Dana, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you call and warn me?

With a mischievous look, Dana said, I wanted to surprise you. I had a business meeting, so I took a couple of extra days, and here I am.  

Jessie hadn’t realised how much she had missed her friend until now. How's Phillip? Is he here with you?

No, he’s on business in New York, but you can say hi to him. He will be calling soon. Like two schoolgirls, they had their heads together laughing and planning what they were going to do.

Hey! Maybe I can get a couple of days off. It’s handy having a husband who’s the boss. Just as Jessie picked up the phone to call John, he walked into the trailer with his head buried in papers and glanced up to see Dana smiling at him.

What on earth are you doing here? Hugging John, Dana explained she had been here on a business trip and decided to stay a couple of days, and would he give Jessie a couple of days off? Jessie sat with a pleading look on her face.

John raised his hands. I give up! With you two ganging up on me, I haven’t a chance. Of course, she can. I’ll get Trudie to fill in. Sorry ladies, I have work to do. I just came to give Jessie the details of this afternoon’s shoots, as they have changed. See you both later. With that, he kissed them both on the cheek and left. 

Dana left after lunch to do some shopping and said she would meet them at the house later that evening. Jessie gave her the front door key in case she arrived home earlier than they did.

Jessie had a jam-packed afternoon and sighed with relief when the last person walked out of her van. Sitting down with her feet up, she waited for John to say he was ready to go home. After waiting an hour, John stuck his head in the door.

Ready, sorry I took so long. Let’s get out of here! I’ve had a hell of an afternoon with financiers and contracts! 

It had started raining again, and they had to make a mad dash to the car. Jessie saw Gerry and yelled over her shoulder.

See you in two days, Gerry, bye.

There wasn’t much traffic on the way home, and Jessie dozed with the motion of the car. Last night had caught up on her. She woke hearing John’s voice.

I’m starving, Jessie. What’s for dinner? 

What’s new, John? You’re always hungry, and I haven’t even thought about it. I've been too busy, but I’ll find something. I won’t let you starve.

The lights blazed from the house. It looks like Dana beat us home. They walked into a delicious smell. Dana, you’re a champion! You’ve cooked dinner.  

Well, I know what it is like after a hard day having to come home and cook. It’s the pits.

Jessie, full of gratitude, hugged her. Thanks, it’s appreciated. They ate and laughed. John offered Jessie a red wine.

Oh, Yuk, John! Take it away! I never want to drink it again! She held her hand over her screwed up face, feeling repulsed by the smell.

Hit it a bit hard last night, eh? That’ll serve you right.

Thanks for the moral support, Dana. Nice to know who your friends are. They all laughed. It felt great to have this friendly banter again.

Jessie, you looked wrecked. Why don’t you have an early night, and we can catch up tomorrow. Dana rubbed Jessie's shoulder.  

Would you mind, I feel quite, what’s the word I’m looking for?

It’s hung over I believe, Jessie, hung-over! 

Laying her head on her hands, she moaned, Yes, hung-over, I feel disgusting. Bed sounds good. See you both in the morning, and thanks again for dinner. She kissed both John and Dana and took her aching body to bed.

TIME SPENT WITH DANA was a lot of fun. They went to the movies and saw a re-run of Shirley Valentine.

Jessie, those Greek Islands look awesome. Let’s go one day!

You’re on! She laughed. Let's go now!

After having lunch and shopping, they returned home and cooked dinner.

Later that night, Jessie and Dana got the old dusty cardboard box of photos out. They were laughing and walking down memory lane when John came home. 

Evening, ladies, how did your day go?

Great, thanks, we've had a ball catching up. Dana picked up a photo and burst out laughing. Hey, John, you improve with age. Look at this photo, and look at what you’re wearing!

John snatched the photo from her hand and groaned. Jessie! Why on earth have you kept this? It's a shocker! Get rid of it!

Aw, I kept it cos, you were so cute! And I didn’t have the heart to throw it away. She squeezed his cheeks as a grandmother would do to a child and laughed.

By the way, Cutie pie, your dinner is in the microwave.

Thanks, I’ll eat it later. John poured himself a glass of wine and started looking at the photos as well. All three of them talked until the early hours of the morning.

The two days went by too fast and, before they knew it, Dana waved from the airport door. Love you, Jessie! Phone me. The doors closed, and Jessie stood alone. She missed living close to Dana. It was hard not having any family sometimes.

JOHN AND JESSIE WERE reading in bed when, without any warning, John came out with the strangest thing. 

Jessie, how about we start a family?

She dropped her book and stared at John. Run that by me again. I’m not sure if I heard you right! You said, let’s start a family?

Sweetheart, I know how much you’ve wanted children, and I think now is a good time. It was wonderful seeing you laughing with Dana. Family is important. How about it, Jessie, what do you think? Let's start our own!

John, you’ve shocked me. Yes, I want kids, and yes, I miss the company of family. But is that the right reason to start having children?

Turning on his side, John propped himself up on one elbow. I don’t think there are any better reasons than two people who love each other, can afford one income, and both love kids. With a wicked smile, he then said, Let's practice now. Laughing, they rolled in each other’s arms.  

ANOTHER SATURDAY DAWNED. The sun shone, it looked like a beautiful summer day.

John, do you have anything planned for today?

No, why? Do you want to do something?

Let’s get out of the house. Why don’t we go to the beach and soak in some of this sun.  

Great idea! You pack the food, and I’ll get the blankets and towels.

THE SAND WARMED THEIR feet as they walked hand in hand, enjoying the gentle sea breeze, and the whooshing sound of the white, crested waves crashing on the sand. 

All of a sudden, John let go of her hand and yelled, Race you to the top of the sand dunes! 

With that, Jessie ran as fast as she could. It was a real effort for both of them. They were both laughing hard and were sliding down with the moving sand. They finally reached the top and embraced each other. 

She lay her head on his shoulder, panting. Wow! I’m so unfit!

John unpacked the backpack with the blanket and towels, while Jessie opened a chilled bottle of champagne.

Oh, nice. John poured two glasses and handed her one. To us. May our love grow stronger every day, and may we be blessed with little ones soon.   

They touched glasses and drank to the toast, all the time smiling at each other. They lay back in the sun, and being alone they made the most of it.

After sunbathing, they ran down the sand dune and straight into the water, splashing, playing, and diving in and out of the waves like kids. After cooling off, they held hands and walked along the white sand back towards the towels and blanket. John picked up a piece of driftwood and drew a heart in the damp sand. MH loves; Jessie took the stick and completed the heart with CH.

Puffing as they reached the top of the sand dune, Jessie muttered, That’s the most exercise I’ve had in weeks. I’m so tired. She flopped down on the blanket and let the sun warm her body while sipping on the last of the champagne. With the warmth of the sun and the champagne, both Jessie and John fell asleep. 

The sound of children playing nearby woke them.

The sun had started to set, and a chill had crept into the air. They wrapped the blanket around themselves and watched the brilliant colours of the setting sun—what a perfect end, to a perfect day.

Chapter 3

Gerry strode down the dimly lit hallway whistling and heard giggling from a group of young girls, new on the shoot. He shut his eyes and inwardly groaned thinking, here we go again as he listened to their cruel words.

Flap, flap, that’s what that Gerry guy does, he’s such an old woman. They shut up as Gerry walked past, and as he did, he started flapping like a bird. He turned and laughed with them.

Come on, girls, there is work to be done. Gerry knew how to win these girls around. He'd worked with many girls like this before. By the end of the day, Gerry had gained respect from them, and they were more than willing to cooperate.

AFTER COOKING DINNER and cleaning up, Gerry turned on the television and watched the news. He sat forward and listened intently. The phone broke his concentration, and he impatiently answered, Hello, Gerry, speaking.

Gerry, it’s your adorable sister here.

Happy to hear her, he said, Hi, Deb, how are you? Long time, no hear, kiddo. What’s been happening?

Gerry, you can find out for yourself. Can the kids and I come and stay for a few days?

Sure, when? Is everything okay? You don’t sound too happy.

With her voice sharp and to the point, Gerry, I’ve got to go now. We'll arrive tomorrow, is that okay?

Okay, see you then. You know where the key is. Gerry hung up the phone. That wasn’t like Deb. Something is going on, probably that mongrel of a husband again. He went upstairs and started getting the beds ready. Knowing Deb’s past, he knew there was something terribly wrong. He felt pleased he could help her in some small way, and looked forward to seeing her and the children, even if it was under dire circumstances.

THE NEXT DAY WHILE on the film set, he phoned home several times to see if his sister had arrived, no one answered. Concern started to grip him as he got home from work and found the house in total darkness. He thought back to the conversation with Deb. Yes, today, she arrived. He phoned her house and mobile phone. There was still no answer.

LATER THAT NIGHT, HE heard a knock on the door, and he opened it, shocked at the sight that greeted him. His sister stood there with a huge black eye and four very subdued children. 

Aw, Deb, don’t tell me your wonderful husband has beaten you now.

She nodded and started to cry, Sorry we’re late, he caught me leaving.

He ushered them inside and told the kids to take the bags upstairs. Sitting down, he grabbed her hands and told her she could stay as long as she liked.

Deb, he’s been a mongrel since the day you married him. I hope this time you’ve left him for good!

Yes, Gerry, I don’t think it’s safe for the kids. He can do what he wants to me. I worry about the kids. They don’t need to see this. She pointed to her face.

Gerry sighed, thinking, if only I could get my hands on this man, I would teach him a lesson. Noticing the look of fear and sadness on Deb’s face, he tried to change the subject.

How about you have a nice hot drink and bed, eh? It looks like it’s been a long day for you.

As Gerry walked to the kitchen, Deb said, Gerry, I want to go to a solicitor tomorrow. I have to protect these kids from him coming here.

GERRY LAY IN BED AND thought of his sister. Sometimes he felt glad he wasn’t married. He prayed she wouldn’t do what she had done a hundred times before and go back to him. Her husband was a violent man, full of empty promises and apologies. Maybe this beating had opened Deb’s eyes. Somehow, he doubted it. She had no confidence to survive on her own with four kids. He sighed. All I can do is be there for her.

GERRY’S FORTIETH BIRTHDAY loomed on the horizon. He discreetly wrote the date in conspicuous places, for all to see.

Staring in the mirror, flexing his muscles, happy with what he saw, he smiled to himself. With a raise of an eyebrow, he turned his head, seeing his hair turning slightly grey at the edges. Very debonair, he thought to himself.

He had been in the film industry since leaving high school. Being a hard worker, Gerry had very high standards and made a reputation for himself. Everyone loved him.

Gerry had never married. He came close a few times, but never found the right woman. He liked his own company, but sometimes, just felt like being held, loved and having someone to share his life with. His home showed not that of a typical Bachelor. Gerry prided himself on his immaculate housekeeping. Over the years, he had become an excellent cook and a fantastic gardener, among other talents.

Gerry remembered the words Jessie had once said to John. Women are too scared to compete with Gerry because he would probably win.

Gerry chuckled to himself, and she is possibly correct.

GERRY HUMMED TO HIMSELF as he cooked a beautiful dinner in his gourmet kitchen. He was happy with a glass of red wine in one hand and a skillet in the other. 

He couldn’t hear John and Jessie knocking on the door above the classical music. He also didn’t realise they had let themselves in. They stood in the kitchen archway just watching him as he waved wooden spoons around beating the air in time to the music.

Gerry turned and saw them, Oh, my stars! How long have you two been there?

Long enough to know you can’t sing or conduct.  

They all laughed and hugged. Jessie and John sat at the bench on bar stools sipping wine as Gerry carried on prancing around his kitchen, showing off.

So, Gerry, what are you going to poison us with tonight?

Gerry indignantly snorted, Jessie, jealously is not becoming of a beautiful lady like you.

Oh, stop, flattery will get you everywhere.  

They all could feel the love that filled the air and knew it was going to be a fun-filled evening.

Oh, Gerry, I meant to ask, what happened with your sister? 

She went back to the mongrel. I knew she would. As far as I know, he’s behaving, time will tell.

I hope all goes well for her. She’s a lovely woman.

THE TABLE LOOKED SENSATIONAL, laid with Gerry’s finest. 

Jessie shook her head, Good old Gerry spoils us rotten.

Gerry, holding a magnificent silver tray, called out, People, be seated. The first course is served.

Gerry, you have outdone yourself yet again.

Smiling proudly, Gerry replied, You ain't seen nothing yet, baby. Wait until the main course, rounds of white veal with plum sauce, Polish pan-fried potatoes, sweet snow peas and soy broccoli, followed by...you’re just going to have to wait for the followed by and see for yourself. Gerry claimed to be a great cook. He should have been a chef, not a director

The presentation of Gerry’s dessert looked incredible. 

Gerry, that’s so creative!" Jessie and John sat staring at his creation, not wanting to touch and ruin the masterpiece. He had made Chantilly swans with choux pastry gliding on a sheet of ice, which represented water, complete with hills of ice cream. Everything was dusted in icing sugar, setting the wintry scene.