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    A Grey Valentine's
    A Grey Valentine's
    A Grey Valentine's
    Ebook114 pages1 hour

    A Grey Valentine's

    By Mary Conway

    ()

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    About this ebook

    A barista tied to her hometown and a tattoo artist full of wanderlust collide in this sweet romance novella.

    Chrissie loves Greyshore but her mother's cafe has struggled for years. When her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend asks her to host a Valentine's speed dating she's determined to reverse their fortunes but there's another problem. The new tattoo parlour above her cafe only means trouble, as proved when the handsome tattoo artist destroys something close to her heart.

    Lucas doesn't call anywhere home. He searches for inspiration, working anywhere until he gets bored. He's only passing through Greyshore but a gorgeous barista catches his eye and imagination in a way nobody has before. Even after a disastrous first meeting, he can't stay away from Chrissie and her quiet passion.

    Tensions run high as deceptions are revealed and Valentine's nears, but will Chrissie and Lucas realise they've found something special together? Or will it be another lonely grey Valentine's for both?

    Comes with a short discussion guide designed for book groups.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMary Conway
    Release dateDec 2, 2017
    ISBN9781370816538
    A Grey Valentine's
    Author

    Mary Conway

    I've had a passion for books my whole life and began writing my own stories aged eleven. I enjoy participating in NaNoWriMo and experimenting with genres, though romance will always be a staple. I love sweet romances that focus on the emotional relationship that develops between two very different characters. Having lived in beautiful East Devon for most of my life I've used my local knowledge to build up a detailed and realistic setting of a desolate seaside town for my debut novella, A Grey Valentine's.

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      Book preview

      A Grey Valentine's - Mary Conway

      A Grey Valentine's

      Mary Conway

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2017 Mary Conway

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      One Year Later

      A Message from the Author

      Connect with Me

      About the Author

      Discussion Guide

      To Charlie,

      You make me smile

      xxx

      Chapter One

      An early riser by nature and necessity, Chrissie Roston was already up and dressed for work when she heard a deadening thud from her mother’s room at half six on a Monday morning.

      She threw open the master bedroom's door and rushed to her mother’s side where she lay beside the bed.

      Don’t fuss, Helena protested. Her usually braying voice was barely a rasp and her thick black hair clung to her pallid face. More worrying was how she remained on the floor. I tripped, that's all.

      Are you alright? Let's get you up. Chrissie slipped her hands under her mother’s arms and helped her onto the bed. Alone she couldn't have lifted her bulk but Helena had never been short on willpower and that more than anything got her perched on the edge of the quilt.

      I slipped, that’s all. You- She broke off with a hacking cough and Chrissie grabbed the glass of water off the bedside from its habitual spot between the old alarm clock and the picture of her aged ten at her first choral concert. Helena grasped the glass tightly in her ring encrusted hand as she gulped.

      Stay home today Mum, please.

      Nonsense.

      You've got the flu, there's no way you can work.

      It's a little cold. I probably picked it up from those brats at Sunday school. Nothing to worry about. The coughing racked her again and she doubled over. When she spoke her voice was even fainter than before. Besides, someone has to run the café.

      I can. Chrissie adjusted her thick rimmed glasses as excitement seeped through her. I'm there as much as you are and I know how to do everything anyway. It's no problem.

      Helena frowned. It's Valentine's Day this Saturday. What if it's too busy for you to handle alone? And what about your plans?

      I don't think 'too busy' is likely to be a problem for us, Chrissie replied and Helena pursed her lips. And you know I never have any plans.

      What about the new people upstairs? They're moving in this week. No, it's too much for you. Helena made to push herself off the bed and Chrissie placed a hand on her shoulders.

      Upstairs won't be any trouble. I've can do this. Take a day or two off for once.

      I suppose I do have a rather loud headache, Helena said. She slowly lay down and Chrissie arranged the duvet around her. Alright dear. But let me know the second anything goes wrong. And don't take on more than you can handle. And-

      I've got this, Chrissie promised. I'll make you proud.

      Greyshore’s twisting cobbled streets were not designed for the hulking white van attempting to park in front of her bright yellow café. The historic stone buildings of the old seaside resort meant the roads had never been modernised and while Chrissie loved the traditional style of her home, it was a right pain when anything larger than a Mini tried to get down the high street. The moving vans that accompanied the constantly changing businesses upstairs were by definition larger than a Mini and so when she found one there this morning she helped guide the driver into place without waiting to be asked. She was fairly certain he was the same guy as last time.

      The teenage part-timers Kelly and Valerie hadn't arrived so Chrissie tied up her red hair, pulled on her yellow apron and readied the café alone. She preferred it that way, the quiet room basking in the glow of the lamps scattered about as the dark February morning pressed against the glass, armchairs waiting to be filled by all sorts of people, the coffee machines sleeping before she woke them in clouds of steam. A moment of quiet before the busier work of the day began, though they'd been getting less of that for months now.

      Everything was wiped down, turned on and set up by the time Valerie appeared late, which was not unusual, and without Kelly, which was.

      Where’s Kelly? Chrissie asked.

      Valerie yawned as she drifted around the counter to hang her shoulder bag and coat in the broom cupboard they called a break room. She told me to tell Helena thanks for the job and not to be mad, but she’s gone to work at that fancy place on the seafront. The one your ex runs.

      Chrissie followed her to the doorway of the hot cramped room. Simon's place? Why's she done that?

      Better pay and better view she said. Valerie raised her eyebrow conspiratorially. I think she likes him. He’s hosting some sort of Valentines’ event so maybe she thinks she’s got a chance.

      It took concerted effort to keep a straight face at the idea of suave Simon being interested in a gawky, if pretty, teenager like Kelly. He was a creep, but not like that.

      The bell above the café door jangled, saving Chrissie from having to pursue that line any further. Then she frowned. Can you finish setting up? she asked. I'll handle this.

      Smiling for the customers and looking as though she meant it had never been a problem for Chrissie, but she had to fight to keep her cheerful demeanour when she emerged and found Alice Betley stood in the main café, one manicured hand on a wonky table and calculating eyes examining the room.

      I’m sorry; we’re not open yet. Chrissie laid her hands on the counter to keep from fidgeting. You're welcome to take a seat for a few minutes.

      I’m not here as a customer, Alice replied. Her black heels clopped as she approached the counter. I need to speak to Helena.

      She's ill. I’m in charge this week.

      Then you’ll do.

      Now she was closer, Chrissie could see her eyes were red rimmed and concern washed over her. Are you okay?

      Alice paused and confusion crossed her face, quickly replaced with a professional mask. Simon and I broke up last night. I need to talk to you.

      Lucas Dart stepped off the early morning train to Greyshore and realised he'd lost track of what number town this was. It was unimportant. The towns he’d lived and worked in were the record of his failure to distinguish himself. If this place didn't work out maybe he'd give up and take his parents' job offer.

      Despite these thoughts he hummed as he left the station. He was greeted with a view that dissolved into grey nothingness as the steep hill dropped away to the sea. The mist looked like a blank slate.

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