“I can’t believe I’m hearing this! It’s been two years since our divorce, Liam, and not once in all that time did you make any attempt to talk to me. So why have you suddenly decided that it’s time we sort things out?”
“Because it might be two years but I haven’t come to terms with what happened even if you have! What happened between us left scars, Sophie. The only way we can rid ourselves of them is by talking it all through and getting the truth out in the open at last.”
“You want the truth, do you? Well, the truth is that I don’t give a damn about what happened in the past. It’s over and done with, and all I’m interested in now is the future….”
Finding lasting happiness is something we all aspire to, but sometimes life and circumstances get in the way of achieving our dreams. When I decided to write Sophie and Liam’s story I wanted to show just how strong true love can be. This couple has suffered a great sadness in their life and parted because of it. Now they have a chance to clear up their past misunderstandings and start afresh….
But Liam seems involved in a new relationship and Sophie has decided to completely change her way of life. Their marriage is over and they are confident that once they have talked about the mistakes they made in the past they will be able to move on.
The one fact neither of them allowed for was that they still care about each other. After all that has happened, can they recapture the magic of being in love?
I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you have any comments you’d like to make then please contact me at: [email protected].
Best wishes to you all,
Jennifer
A Very Special Marriage
Jennifer Taylor
CONTENTS
HAD she made a terrible mistake?
As she stepped out of the taxi into the bustle of Palma harbour, Sophie Patterson suddenly found herself beset by doubts. Up till that point she’d been quite confident that she was doing the right thing. She’d handed in her notice at work, given up the lease on her flat and said goodbye to her friends, sure in her own mind that she’d made the right decision, yet all of a sudden she found herself wavering.
Had she been right to turn her back on everything she knew? Maybe it did feel as though she’d been in a rut ever since her divorce but how could she be sure her life would improve by making such drastic changes to it?
Sophie grimaced because it really wasn’t the right time to start having second thoughts. The letter she’d received had made it clear that she should report for duty at eleven a.m. sharp and it was almost that now. Picking up her suitcase, she scanned the dock.
Several of the major holiday companies used the harbour at Mallorca to berth their vessels and it was difficult to decide which of the liners moored there was the one she would be working on for the next three months.
Mindful of the minutes ticking away, Sophie hurried along the quay, sighing in relief when she discovered that the ship nearest to her was the Esmeralda. There was a member of the crew on duty at the bottom of the gangplank, checking names against a list, so she waited in line until it was her turn.
‘I’m Sophie Patterson. The new nurse.’
‘Welcome to the Esmeralda, Miss Patterson.’ The young man put a tick against her name. ‘If you’d like to board the ship, the purser will direct you to your quarters.’
‘Thank you.’
Sophie squared her shoulders then made her way up the gangplank. There were a lot of people milling about when she reached the deck, mostly people like her, she guessed, hired to look after the passengers, so once again she waited in line until it was her turn to speak to the purser.
‘I’m Sophie Patterson, the new—’
‘Nurse.’ The good-looking, fair-haired young man smiled at her. ‘Welcome aboard the Esmeralda, Miss Patterson. I am Yuri Markov, the chief purser. My role is to make life as easy and uncomplicated as possible for staff and the passengers alike. So if you have any problems whilst you are on board ship, please, do not hesitate to consult me.’
‘Thank you.’ Sophie returned his smile, feeling a little colour touch her cheeks when she saw the admiration in his eyes. She had steadfastly avoided any involvement with the opposite sex in the two years since her divorce and it was rather flattering to realise that she could have this effect on an eligible male. ‘That’s very kind of you.’
‘It is easy to be kind to a beautiful young woman like yourself, Miss Patterson.’ Yuri’s smile was warmer than ever and Sophie laughed, her deep blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
‘Now you’re flattering me!’
‘I was merely stating the truth.’ Yuri’s gaze held hers fast for a moment before he glanced at the list he held. ‘Your cabin is in the hospital bay, Miss Patterson. I shall get a steward to show you the way.’
‘Please, call me Sophie,’ she said quickly, her head whirling because