Free Gut Feeling by Victoria Browne Page B

strong and be firm in what was best for her.
    Taking a breath, then she spoke. ‘Lee what you did was heartbreaking and I will never be able to forget it, but if it’s forgiveness you are after, then forgiveness I’ll give you.’
    She stood holding the receiver, staring at the wall not wanting to move in case she weakened. Lee talked on about how sorry he was, how life was lonely without her, all he wanted was her forgiveness and to feel her body next to his again.
    ‘I’m sorry, Lee, but I think you have your wires crossed.’ She paused, looking into the living room where she saw the photo of Max, and found the last bit of strength she needed.
    ‘Lee I forgive you so that you can move on like I have. But I would never take you back… I’m sorry but I have to go now, goodbye.’
    She put down the phone then walked over to the photo, looking at it for the last time before removing it to a safe place at the back of the cupboard. Moments later, Dave returned, unaware of what had just happened.
    ‘That was quick.’
    ‘I didn’t get us anything because I am going to take you out to eat instead.’ He stepped close to her, pulling her into him. ‘You are a lovely woman, Ash, and I want to treat you right, so let’s go somewhere nice to eat.’
    She slid her hands up over his shoulders then kissed him. They stood embraced in one another’s arms, caressing each other, and she felt herself yearning for him to touch her. She started to unbutton his shirt, feeling his chest. In a moment he had pushed her back onto the sofa, pulling up her light summer dress, slowly slipping his fingers inside her. She reached for his belt, tugging at it to unbuckle. Moving her underneath him with one hand firmly on her buttock, he pushed himself deep into her.
    That night once they returned to Ash’s, she lay in bed next to Dave, looking up at the ceiling and thinking how lucky she was to have found someone as lovely as him. Memories of her and Lee got pushed to one side and she curled herself into the nook of his masculine arm, catching a waft of his aftershave as she moved; he pulled her tight and she smiled gently to herself as they eased into a deep, satisfying sleep together.

Chapter 5
    A sh was running up Harley Street so as not to be too late for work. She got to the practice just in time for a morning cup of coffee downstairs in the staffroom, and a quick read of the Metro before she rushed off up to the surgery to set up for the day. As Ash approached the stairwell she heard a sound behind her. She turned to see Samantha hurry past without greeting her.
    That’s strange , she thought.
    ‘Morning, Ash.’ Eliza strolled along the corridor.
    ‘Morning—how were things while I was away?’
    ‘Er… Yeah, OK…’ Eliza sounded odd. She quickly asked about the funeral instead.
    All day things seemed a little off kilter. Samantha didn’t talk to her much and Eliza seemed edgy, not her normal self. Maybe they were just busy or perhaps she had stayed away too long and was out of the loop, now out of their little clique. Later that day Ash was dressing in the staffroom, getting ready to go home when she thought she heard raised voices from upstairs. By the time she got up there, the only people around were Samantha and Eliza standing in the reception. As she walked past they both seemed tense.
    ‘See you in the morning,’ Ash said as she walked down the entrance hall to leave.
    ‘Bye,’ shouted Eliza.
    But again Samantha didn’t say anything.
    What’s going on? Ash wondered. Have I done something to upset Sam? . But she didn’t spend too long mulling it over as she knew how temperamental Samantha could be.
    She took her normal route home through Hyde Park, stopping to sunbathe for an hour on the grass. Thoughts of the wired atmosphere at work bothered Ash as she hoped Eliza was not upset with her in any way. Why the raised voices? What had gone on while she was away? Had Eliza fallen out with Samantha? She took out her