When Love Ends Romance Begins by Susan A. Jennings

Author:Susan A. Jennings [Susan A. Jennings]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susan A. Jennings
Published: 2019-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

Adam came to visit twice a week and Katie began to notice how his trousers bunched up where he’d pulled his belt tight, his jacket hung off his shoulders and every time he came, his face was paler. It was the day before Christmas Eve and he was rocking away talking to Doris and crying. As soon as the back door opened, Buddy ran out and sat at Adam’s feet. “Doris, I can’t do it anymore. I want to be with you.” His back shook with sobs.

Katie walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Adam, what’s wrong? What has upset you so?”

It wasn’t Adam that spoke but Doris. ‘Sonia is making Adam’s life hell.’ Her voice quivered and Katie thought, if ghosts could cry Doris was crying.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try to help him.” Katie wasn’t sure what she could do. But she could talk to Kevin when he came to pick him up? “Doris, it’s cold out here. Adam’s shivering and he needs to get warm.”

Katie helped Adam inside and gave him a hug. “Adam, please tell me what’s going on. I can help.”

“I don’t like to speak ill of family. I’m all right.”

“No, you’re not! Tell me what’s going on.”

“Kevin brings me tea and biscuits in the morning before he goes to work.” He sniffed and wiped his nose. “Sonia won’t allow me downstairs for breakfast or lunch while she’s working in her office. If I venture downstairs, she punches me in the arm and screams at me to go to my room.” He rolled his sleeve up to revealed big bruises on his arm. “That was because I was hungry and came to get a snack on Sunday. I assumed Kevin was home. I’m allowed to come downstairs if Kevin is home.”

“Does Kevin know? Or is he part of it?”

“Oh, no!”

“You have to tell him.”

“It will upset him. Sonia can do nothing wrong in Kevin’s eyes. She was in a bad marriage before she met Kevin and he’s very protective.”

“Oh! Is Christina from her first marriage?”

“Yes and she’s a spoiled brat. But if Kevin tries to discipline her, Sonia goes into a rage.”

“Oh dear. It doesn’t sound like a happy home.”

“Doris and I felt sorry for her at first. She told us that her ex-husband abused her and the little girl. She’s quite an actress. Kevin bought into it as well. Doris had doubts even before they married, but we didn’t understand what she was like until I lived there.”

Adam felt better after talking to Katie and he settled by the fire, reading and snoozing while Katie baked shortbread, the last of the Christmas baking.

Katie and John had made a big thing of Christmas, not just for the kids, but for neighbours and friends but this year would be different. It would be the first Christmas without John and it occurred to her that Ben wouldn’t be there either. She wasn’t sure what to expect.

Melanie was due to arrive that night. Phil was picking her up from the airport and they were both staying over the holiday.

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