Homeless Companions

By Kim Godden

Harmony Harringdon is a teenager with her whole life ahead of her. She is beautiful, sweet, and talented. Harmony and her best friend Jake Butler are inseparable. As the pair grow from children to teenagers, their friendship becomes love. They weren’t to know what fate has planned for them. It would all become too much for Harmony, despite having Jake there to support her.

Fleeing the shame and devastation she believes she has caused, Harmony leaves all she knows behind her. Bearing witness to the cruel realities of life, this time fate is kind and brings Harmony a Carnival.

With newfound purpose, Harmony’s talent and tenacity propels her on an unexpected journey. However, all Harmony longs for more than anything is for something or someone to save her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035847419

Kim Godden

As well as being a working mother of three, Kim Godden has tirelessly strived to bring her work to life with the power of words. Taking inspiration from the world around her has enabled her to challenge topics within her novels and bring new perspectives to her readers.

Book preview

About the Author

As well as being a working mother of three, Kim Godden has tirelessly strived to bring her work to life with the power of words. Taking inspiration from the world around her has enabled her to challenge topics within her novels and bring new perspectives to her readers.

Dedication

For all the book lovers, without you I would not have

the inspiration.

Copyright Information ©

Kim Godden 2024

The right of Kim Godden to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035847402 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035847419 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thank you to all those who continue to have faith in

my work.

Prologue

Jean and Albert Harringdon spent years hoping and praying that one day they would be blessed with a child. When it seemed that they were not going to have one, they devoted their lives to their careers and their church. They were pillars of their small rural village in the far south of England. Jean worked at the local primary school as a teacher and Albert was on his way to becoming a member of parliament.

Once resigned to no children, circumstances changed, and the Harringdon miracle was born on 24th December. Weighing a healthy eight pounds two ounces with a full head of light brown curly hair. Some may feel that all mothers believe their children to be exceptional; however, working in education Jean knew that her daughter really was. She barely cried and wailed as other babies did.

Instead, she would begin cooing, which had a sound much like she was trying to sing. There was much talk of the name that she was to be christened. Being a traditionalist, Albert wanted a regal name. For the first and only time during their marriage, Jean put her foot down and her daughter was christened Harmony.

Harmony was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was so very intelligent, reaching all of her milestones ahead of her age group. She was always humming and singing. The older she got, the more angelic her voice became. Her other big passion in life was for animals. The love she had for animals of all sorts knew no bounds.

At school, Harmony was liked and popular. Known for her singing and her strong bond with a lifelong friend that she loved. Jake Butler and Harmony had been inseparable since nursery. Jake himself was a smart, nerdy but handsome boy. He was tenacious, loyal and had a zest for life that he shared with Harmony.

The two became a unit, a package which both sets of parents accepted. No matter which house they were in after school, and at weekends, they would most certainly be together. For most, it was believed that this infatuation with one another would end. For Jake and Harmony, they knew they were destined to stay together, side by side, no matter what life would throw at them.

Life was good. Both Jake and Harmony went from strength to strength with their studies. They were the constant for one another that grounded them. Both wanted to become veterinarians. They studied well together, eyes and aspirations fixed on their future they were an inspiration within their year group, and within the small village, they lived in. Little did they know, young and naive as they were that life could be turned upside down in the blink of an eye.

Chapter One

Friday had finally arrived. It had been a difficult week with mock exams. Harmony knew that this was much-needed preparation for the real exams next year that would move her one step closer to her becoming a vet, her dream job.

Not only were the mocks over with, but Friday was always pizza and film nights for her and Jake. The one evening when they weren’t studying but taking time for themselves. Harmony was waiting for Jake. He had nipped back home, a mere five doors away from Harmony’s house. He was getting changed and collecting the films that Harmony knew he had spent his entire week picking out as he always did along with his overnight bag.

Harmony’s mother Jean was busy with church preparations as they had a wedding the day after. Harmony’s father as always was tucked away in his study putting the world to rights and congratulating himself on how wonderful he was.

Harmony loved her father; of course, she did, but he was so distant and cold. He was never there ready with a hug when she needed it. He never seemed to care whether Jake stayed in her room as they got older. Harmony could recall going weeks without a conversation with her father. She knew this was not normal.

She knew it showed he thought more of himself; then he did of her. This was not how other fathers acted, and as she grew up, he did nothing to right this situation as she had expected. She was beginning to completely dislike him as she recalled the time, she had first gotten her periods. It had taken her father almost two weeks before even looking at her again. It was as if she was sinning.

She didn’t confront him. That would waste her time and his. Luckily Harmony was at one with herself and science. Therefore, she was merely left with a feeling of disappointment in her father. Amazingly and against all odds her mother was different.

She was supportive and gentle. When Albert left for business trips and work commitments, Jean came to life. Harmony loved these occasions. They danced like free spirits. Had girly chats, went shopping and were free to smile which happened regularly once the feeling of suppression had gone. Jean and Harmony would talk openly about life.

Jean was well aware that in this day and age, the church’s view of saving yourself until marriage was unlikely. So, like all good parents, she talked with her daughter about such things. Harmony wanted to travel and establish her career successfully before thinking about marriage and children. Harmony was also adamant that between her and Jake she would not have to be a stay-at-home parent once she did have children. She would juggle her work and her children with confidence.

This Harmony was sure of. Neither Jean nor Harmony ever even hinted to Albert that they spoke of such things. His rage was definitely something to fear, far more than God himself.

The doorbell rang through the quiet house, disrupting Harmony’s thoughts. She leapt off her bed and ran down the stairs.

I’ll get it. It’s only Jake, she shouted, not that her father would have had any intentions of getting the door.

Hello, Gorgeous, Jake announced, beaming.

Lately, Harmony had been feeling flutters when he called her that. She had tried in vain to stop her cheeks from flushing with colour. Despite Jake being her best friend, she had begun to get nervous around him. Shaking this off, she pushed her misunderstood feeling to one side and repeated to herself that this was her best friend.

Be quiet you numpty, she said laughing and stepping aside as Jake walked past her.

He always smelt good. Unlike Harmony, Jake’s parents were laidback, modern and wonderful. They gave Jake a monthly allowance, which he bought expensive aftershave with. Jake’s parents, Carol and Dean Butler loved Harmony. Their house was not only a second home, but it was also a refuge away from Harmony’s authoritarian father.

Jake pulled a phoney grimacing face as he overacted his tiptoe walking into the house. Harmony laughed at his stupidity. As he smiled, his freckled nose crinkled; his perfectly straight teeth sparkled, especially now the braces had been removed. Jake was an enigma when it came to secondary school. Although he was a nerd people liked him.

Standing 5’9" he had brown eyes and hair all packaged into a medium yet strong build. Most of the girls fancied him. Having said that there was only one girl that Jake had always been infatuated with, and there was not a soul in the village that did not realise that. Although contrary to popular speculation Jake believed that Harmony was oblivious to his true feelings for her.

Jake was in fact doing his best to control his nerves these days. At some point, he would tell her how he felt, he just hoped and prayed it would not jeopardise the friendship. He could not imagine a world without her in it in whatever capacity she felt she wanted. His most difficult struggle currently was convincing himself that he was not the boy he once was; instead, he was a man. It was a struggle and one that he felt he was losing on a daily basis.

Harmony and Jake made their way to her room. Harmony was subjected to a plethora of rules yet when it came to Jake Albert especially, was surprisingly lax. Not that Jake ever mentioned it. He cherished every moment with her wherever they were.

Waking up in the same room as her made life make sense for him. Harmony and Jake were both under no illusions that both sets of parents were relaxed due to the lifelong friendship that they had had. Harmony herself was not compelled to broach the subject either, she liked things just the way they were.

I have action, disaster, rom-com, and horror. Thought we could just work our way through them, Jake said, setting his bag down.

Sounds great. I’ll get the pizzas going, and Mom got us popcorn too, Harmony told him.

They went downstairs remaining quiet. Harmony couldn’t help but think about how different it was a Jakes’s house. Carol did the cooking, or his dad ordered takeaway. There was music always playing and Jake’s little brother Dean Jr, who was eight years old was always running around. It was a house filled with warmth and love.

Harmony put the pizzas in the oven and emptied the popcorn into a bowl. Her mind whirled with thoughts of leaving this cold house. Although exciting to think about life away from this small village, they were thoughts tinged with sadness. Harmony hated the thought of leaving her mother alone in this environment with him. She deserved more than what her father gave her.

Penny for them? Jake said raising his eyebrow.

Oh, it’s nothing. Come on pizzas are done, Harmony said more to herself, then to Jake.

The food vanished quickly and once they started the second film, Jake and Harmony sat back on the bed. Jake put his arm around her. She quickly seized the moment to snuggle into his chest. Since nursery Jake had been her security when she felt she had none. He even nicknamed her, which she loved and no one but him used it.

Aitch? Jake began, speaking to the top of her head.

Um, Harmony responded as there was a knock on the door.

You little ones doing OK in here? Jean asked popping her head round the door.

You’re home, Mrs Harringdon. We are fed and onto the second film, Jake answered.

Jake, you have known me for years. Please call me Jean! She laughed.

OK, Mrs Harringdon, Jake smiled.

Well, I will leave you two to it. If you need anything I will be downstairs. And, with that, Jean vanished.

Jake knew this routine like the back of his hand, and now there were not going to be any more interruptions. Now was his moment to at least try to kick this conversation off.

Aitch, I need to talk to you about something, but you are not allowed to freak out on me, promise? Jake said, annoyed his voice was trembling slightly.

Harmony sat up. Worry distorted her beauty, her blue eyes widened as the curly main of light brown hair fell to frame her face.

What is it, Jake? Something is wrong, isn’t it? She rushed, anguish filling her voice and contorting the pitch.

You said you wouldn’t freak out. He laughed.

Sorry, go on what is it? Harmony said visibly trying to relax a little.

Well, we have been friends for years, but recently I have felt that we could be, you know, more than just friends, Jake said covering his face with his hands in disbelief at how badly cliché that all sounded.

The nerves were too much for him to handle. Coupled with him eating too many slices of pizza, a small, squeaking fart escaped breaking the silence. Jake groaned with embarrassment and remained hidden behind his hands. Harmony sat there blinking in shock at first before finally succumbing to hysterical laughter. At the sound of continued laughter, Jake peered through gaps he had made in the wall of his fingers. From here, he could see tears rolling down her cheeks she was laughing so hard.

Still poised on the bed Jake got to his knees and tried his utmost to rescue the situation. He prayed to whatever higher power was listening that there were no further farts ready to escape and decided the best course of action was to wrestle. Once he had tackled Harmony and was in a perfect and most arousing position, he lay over her, taking a moment to relish in her laughter before he silenced her with their first-ever kiss.

Chapter Two

As Jake withdrew from his kiss, not wanting to push the boundaries too far, Harmony sat up with him as if attached permanently to his face. The realisation dawned on Jake; she was kissing him back! As elation filled Jake, he continued kissing her. He wrapped his arms around her and softened the kiss, the eagerness replaced by tenderness. Eventually, it was time for them both to come up for air. Blushing and breathless they took in the new dynamic that was evolving.

Guess this means we are more than friends now! Harmony announced as a wry smile crossed her face as she giggled.

It pleases, me to say that we most definitely are, Jake responded kissing her again.

They finally sat back and continued to watch the film that up until now had been playing to an absent audience. This time when they snuggled, they entwined fingers. The contact between them was electrifying, and it confirmed that the last few months of how they had both felt were not just silly flutterings.

Jake didn’t take much of the film in. He was wandering through his brain in disbelief. Wandering through a wonderland of love inside his head, reminding himself that he was now the boyfriend of the most beautiful and talented girl in his whole school. His best friend and now clearly the love of his life made Jake grin from ear to ear. This grin soon dissipated as the realisation of spending the night with his now girlfriend was about to make controlling himself very difficult indeed.

As kids, this had never cropped up, however, now Jake was blatantly aware of other parts of him reacting to the over-intensifying environment he was now in. Just the thought of intimate moments with her stirred him up into a frenzy he fought to control. This also made him overly thoughtful of potential complications. He winced when his mind conjured up thoughts of him being overbearing and forceful, not that he ever would. But would she think this? Panicking slightly, he reassured himself that firstly they had been best friends for a long time and always spoke openly and truthfully about anything and everything. Secondly, Harmony was an intelligent person and knew Jake would never be a man like that despite him only being fifteen.

Whilst Harmony’s worries were different, they were in fact worries, nevertheless. She too was only fifteen, and the kiss had awakened in her tingles and awareness that before this day, she never knew she could have. She had not explored her own sexuality, let alone have someone do this with her. However, she marvelled at the euphoria she had felt when they had first kissed. Harmony had of course known she had feelings for Jake that pushed further than the boundaries of friendship, but she had been