Free In any ordinary life (In any oridnary Book 1) by Clare Stanley Midgley

special, she worries me always has done, she looks after all of us and in some way I don’t know what I would do without her. Make her happy she’s the glue that binds us together and she deserves the best. Don’t tell her mind, she would never hear of it from me.”
      Patting James on the shoulder she returned to her seat next to the hearth. Irene smiled at her contently; however inside Jeanie felt uneasy and still waited with baited breath what her mum would do next.
       James looked over at Jeanie stood against the door and as she leant on the frame he felt lucky to know she wanted to be with him. Catching his stare she nodded not just acknowledge him but to allow his contentment and consent to his comfort.
      At the end of the concert her aunt’s snores filled the living room and deciding it was time to take her to bed Irene insisted some of her daughters helped.
       Jeanie sloped around the corner and sat beside James. The cosy warm fire was burned intensely spitting and hissing in the dimming light and as James teased Jeanie’s hand and she became fascinated with his touch. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this….” pulling her closer to him he ran his fingers across her lips “I promise I will make you happy.”
       Irene stood at the door and watched the pair through the smoked glass, sighing deeply she knew she had to let her go.
    “What you doing?” May had appeared and startled her.
    “Don’t do that.” Irene scolded, “Leave them alone….he seems ok?” Irene patted May’s hand gentle as to reassure her and as May made her way upstairs she sighed again under her breath.
    “I hope so, I really hope so.”
       The drive back to the barracks seemed too short and as she stopped just before the gate James leaned wanting to take her with him.
    “I want you to have this,” he took a small envelope out of his jacket pocket and passed it over, “Don’t read it now but tonight,” he kissed her softly on the cheek, “Thank you for today and say thank you to your mum again for me.”
    Jeanie hung onto the letter in her hand as it started to scrunch under her clasp she couldn’t leave the night at that.
    “James, wait,” she pulled him close and kissed him ardently. He held her so tight she didn’t want him to go.” I’ve been thinking about us. I mean. Oh god here I go again mumbling. Here I go just bare with me.
      I feel you when I sleep, every touch, every kiss. But today, today was different it wasn’t about what we did the other night.
      We have a good friendship well we had and today we just enjoyed each other’s company but tonight I don’t want to let you go so if July is booked then that’s ok with me that’s all I’m trying to say..”
    Jeanie bit her lip awaiting the anticipation of an answer; instead James nodded his head and held her close. As he left the car he turned and waved and as he disappeared through the gate she wanted him desperately. As he stomach played with its nervous knots she would have done anything to make him stay. Instead she was driven away by restricted gates, guards and dogs with a desperate longing to see him but never knowing when it would be.
       In the lay by she clutched the letter to her chest not able to concentrate much on anything else. As she looked up at the window a face peered through the car and a voice she had heard a thousand times echoed around her.
    Getting out with a jolt she stood in the middle of the lane looking around the soldiers. Thinking it was a figment of her imagination the sound of his voice echoed violently in her thoughts. As she walked back to the car she played the scene over and over again.
    ” I could have sworn it was him it couldn’t be it was ten years ago the last time we met.” Starting the car again the voice appeared in the dark.
    “John Stanton.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
    Walking around the back of the house and