Finding Hope at Lighthouse Cove

Jessica Redland

Description

When it feels like everything is against you, sometimes you just need a little bit of hope...

Married to her childhood sweetheart for over twelve years, Elise feels like starting a family is the next natural step. However her husband, Gary, has other ideas…

Suddenly single, Elise is completely heartbroken and struggling to start over on her own. But when she's enlisted to be bridesmaid to her best friend, Sarah, she has to put on a brave face, put her own feelings aside and find a way to get over Gary. Fast.

So when she meets handsome, recently-divorced, Daniel, she thinks he could be just what she needs. But why can’t she shake the feeling that he must be too good to be true?

Will she ever be able to take that leap and trust again?

An uplifting read of love, loss and finding yourself from top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland.

This book was previously published as Getting Over Gary

What readers are saying about Finding Hope at Lighthouse Cove:

'This book is a thoroughly entertaining rollercoaster ride full of emotion. One moment I would be laughing, the next reading through eyes blurred with tears, this story really has it all!'

'For anyone who has or is facing difficulties in life, reading this may give you a strength you never knew you had and that little thing called hope. A truly captivating, highly enjoyable read'

'Jessica Redland clearly has a knack for writing and is able to successfully hook readers into her story' Elle’s Book Blog

'What a charming read!'

'I can’t wait to read the next one'

'I have found this book utterly impossible to put down'

'Once you start this book you can’t put it down it’s simply that good'

'I read it as fast as I could and loved what I read'

'This story too pulled at my heartstrings, and I was completely immersed in Elise's life. Strength and friendship was the backdrop of the book, and that made this a wonderful read'

'The story was so captivating it made you not want it to end. I love it!'

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Relations familiales
• Soutien psychologique et conseils familiaux
• Sea Stories
• Mashups
• Holidays
• Women
• Coming of Age
• Friendship
• Contemporary history
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Woman
• The Women
• Holiday
• Contemporary
• Family Life
• Romance
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 20 février 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781838891640
• Langue: English

Extrait

FINDING HOPE AT LIGHTHOUSE COVE
WELCOME TO WHITSBOROUGH BAY BOOK 3


JESSICA REDLAND
To my wonderful mum, Joyce, with lots of love xx
CONTENTS



Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41


More from Jessica Redland

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Jessica Redland

Love Notes

About Boldwood Books
1

‘Li! Are you ready yet?’ Gary shouted up the stairs. ‘I thought we were meeting them at seven.’
I glanced towards the digital alarm clock: 18:28. Still twelve minutes till we needed to leave. I took a deep, calming breath then called, ‘Just a few more minutes. We won’t be late. I promise.’
Squirting another mist of hairspray on my loose auburn curls, I blew a few flecks of make-up off my new teal dress, then pulled on a pair of black strappy, sparkly shoes. Grabbing a black pashmina and clutch bag off the bed, I took a quick glance in the full-length mirror on the wall. Not bad. Perhaps a little over-dressed for a meal at The Bombay Palace with my sister and her fiancé, but surely Gary would be impressed with the effort, especially as the dress was his favourite colour on me. Maybe he’d even pay me a compliment. I shook my head at my reflection. I wouldn’t get my hopes up on that one. I’d be lucky if he managed the ultimate cop-out non-compliment of, ‘You look nice.’
I paused at the top of the stairs and gazed down at my husband tapping something into his phone, a deep frown creasing his brow. Even in a mood, he was still irresistible with his dark hair, dark eyes and tall, athletic build.
‘I’m ready,’ I called, preparing myself to do a little twirl so he could appreciate the tightness of the bodice clinging to all the right places – a daring move for someone who normally wore long skirts and maxi-dresses – but he barely managed a cursory glance as he pocketed his phone.
‘About time too,’ he said. ‘I’ll get the car started. Can you lock up?’ Without waiting for an answer, he went outside.
I reached for the banister and clung onto it as I took a few deep, shaky breaths and willed myself not to cry. It was fine. Timekeeping stressed him out and, even though we weren’t actually late, he was understandably tired and irritable. He’d been working long hours with the surgery expansion recently and seemed to be permanently on edge. He’d likely skipped lunch again so was bound to relax when we ate.
‘Would you like me to drive back tonight so you can have a drink?’ I asked as Gary backed his Lexus off the drive. I reached across to give his thigh a gentle stroke but withdrew my hand when I felt him tense under my touch.
‘I’m fine, thanks. We’ll stick to the rule.’
‘Okay.’ Gary’s ‘rule’ was that if it’s your family or your friends, you drink and the other drives. I rarely drink so was happy to be the designated driver most of the time, but Gary refused to deviate.
I stared out of the window as he drove along Abbey Drive then guided the car out of the small new-build housing estate where we’d lived for the past six years. Glancing across at his tight jaw as we joined the main road into Whitsborough Bay, he certainly looked like a man who could do with a relaxing drink. Perhaps I’d have one more try at breaking the rule.
‘Are you sure? You know I’m never bothered about drinking when we’re eating.’
We stopped at the traffic lights, but Gary still didn’t look at me. His hands tightly gripped the steering wheel. ‘I’ve already said I’m fine. She’s your sister so I’m the driver. Can we just drop it, Li? Please?’
‘Okay. Sorry.’ I turned to look out of the window again, blinking back tears. He’d come round when he saw Jess and Lee. He loved their company, even if he didn’t seem to love mine at the moment.



* * *
‘I have exciting news,’ Jess announced when we’d placed our food orders. ‘Bay Brides called earlier and the bridesmaid dresses are ready early. They’ll be in on Wednesday so I’ve made an appointment for a fitting a week tomorrow at two. Are you free?’
I grinned at my younger sister – a shorter, slimmer version of myself. ‘How exciting!’
‘We don’t have any plans for next Saturday, do we?’ I asked, turning to face Gary.
‘I don’t know about you, but I’ll be going into the surgery.’
I frowned. ‘I thought you were going in tomorrow.’
‘I’m doing both. Maybe the one after too.’
It was on the tip of my tongue to say, ‘But we always spend weekends together,’ but what was the point? I had two choices: confront Gary and spoil the whole evening or ignore him and focus on my little sister’s news. Forcing a bright smile, I said, ‘Two’s perfect. Can Izzy and Megan make it?’ The wedding was less than three months away on the first Saturday in August. I was chief bridesmaid, supported by Jess’s best friend, Izzy, and Izzy’s four-year-old daughter, Megan.
Jess nodded. ‘I texted Izzy earlier. They’ve got no plans.’
‘Brilliant. Do you know when your dress will be ready?’
‘Four weeks later. I managed to order a bigger size just in time and I’m desperately hoping it will still fit on the day.’
I frowned. ‘Why would you need a bigger size? You haven’t put on weight, have you?’
Jess and Lee exchanged big grins.
‘She hasn’t,’ Lee said. ‘Well, not yet anyway…’
I gasped as realisation hit. ‘Oh my goodness! Are you saying…?’
‘We had our twelve-week scan this afternoon and everything’s looking good. In fact it’s looking doubly good.’
I gasped again and clapped my hand over my mouth. ‘Twins?’
Jess nodded and I let out a little squeal as I leapt up and dashed round the table to hug them both.
‘Congratulations you two,’ Gary said. ‘Wow! Twins? Two kids? That’s some news!’ He stood up, shook Lee’s hand and kissed Jess on the cheek.
‘I can’t believe it!’ I sat down again. ‘My baby sister’s having her own babies, which means I’m going to be an auntie. I’m so excited for you both. Twins? That’s so amazing. And that’s cause for celebration.’ I signalled a waiter and ordered a round of drinks including a very large glass of wine for myself, then giggled as I added, ‘Make that two. One per baby.’



* * *
‘I think they’ll make brilliant parents,’ I said. ‘Oopsie!’
Gary took my arm to steady me as I stumbled out of the car a few hours later. ‘Those babies will be so loved and so spoiled and so loved.’
‘You said “loved” twice.’ Gary unlocked the front door and stepped aside to let me in.
‘Did I? Are you sure?’ I carefully navigated the doorstep, clinging onto the frame for safety. ‘Would you like a nightcap?’
‘No, and you don’t need one either. It’s late and I’d like my bed. I think that’s where you should be heading too. After a pint of water.’
‘You’re going to take me to bed?’ Wow! First time in… hmm… don’t know how long. Months. Lots of them. I reached out towards him and he took my hand. Then he placed it on the banister and let go.
‘I suggest you hold on so you don’t fall. You might want to take your shoes off first.’
‘Will you do it?’
‘Li! You’re not a child. You can manage it yourself. And don’t just kick them off and leave them for me to trip over. I’m going to get you a glass. I’ll see you upstairs.’ He made his way down the hall towards the kitchen.
Scowling, I undid the straps, kicked off my sandals and defiantly left them in the middle of the hallway, before hauling myself up to the bedroom. I flicked the light on, but the brightness hurt my eyes so I flicked it back off, shuffled round to my side of the bed in the darkness and switched on my bedside lamp instead. That was better. More romantic too.
I gently placed my bag and pashmina on my dressing table chair and wobbled slightly as I removed my necklace and earrings. Oopsie. Had a bit much to drink. Had to celebrate, though.
‘I’m going to be an auntie,’ I whispered to my reflection in the dressing table mirror. ‘Pretty good, eh? I’d rather be a mum, though. Suppose I’ll have to settle for auntie for now. Unless…’
I heard Gary’s heavy footsteps on the stairs, then he appeared in the bedroom doorway holding a pint of water and my sandals, which he deliberately placed on the floor by the dressing table with a sigh. ‘Drink this.’ He handed the glass to me. Then he smiled and his dark eyes twinkled as he added, ‘Doctor’s orders.’
‘Yes, Dr Dawson.’ I smiled back. That was my Gorgeous Gary, the man I loved, the one who wasn’t all spiky and grumpy. It was such a shame that he rarely made an appearance these days. His evil twin, Grumpy Gary, seemed to have taken up residence instead. He wasn’t much fun to be around, but I knew it was short-term. He’d be gone when the surgery expansion was complete and then, with both of our careers where we wanted them, it would finally be time to start that family we’d talked about for years.
I took a sip of my water then put the glass down on the dressing table, taking care to slip a coaster under it first – no point upsetting Mr Neat-Freak unnecessarily.
He wandered over to his side of the bed and put his lamp on.
‘Gary, can you help me unzip my dress?’
‘Can’t you do it?’
‘I can’t reach properly.’
‘Then how did you put it on?’
‘Please.’
He sighed but made his way over to me. I imagined him slowly lowering the zipper, his breath hot on my neck. He’d gently kiss just below my ear as he slowly lowered my dress to the floor. He’d kiss my neck as he undid my bra clasp, then he’d…
‘Done.’
That was it. One swift tug and the zip was down. He moved away a few paces and unfastened his tie, neatly rolled it up, then wandered int