Book One in a series of three
Kat is pregnant after only being with Max for 6 months.
Running her own beauty salon, dealing with her depressed alcoholic father,
fighting battles with Max’s mother and facing ex-girlfriends, Kat isn’t sure if
having a baby is the right thing to do. Her life feels like one big mess,
whatever decision she makes will change her life for ever.
50% of the profits go to the Hope for Holly Charity.
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
The laughter was the strongest
memory of that afternoon. We giggled as we ran through the perfectly trimmed
hedges of the maze while Mum and Dad followed our screams of excitement. This
type of frolicking would usually have had me, a twelve-year-old, sitting on a
bench, far too cool to join in such childishness. There was something about
knowing I wouldn’t bump
into my school friends, and my parents’
enjoyment, that made the whole day different. I was relishing the fact that I
was still a child. Libby was only six years old at the time, and pleasurably
held my hand as we meandered round the densely grown hedges.
Mum had packed a bundle of
sandwiches. We devoured our way through the mixture of ham, cheese and jam,
picking at the plain-flavoured crisps, the pink, decorated cakes and the
chocolate biscuits. The large red blanket allowed space for us all as we soaked
up the glorious weather, appreciating the small breeze that cooled our clammy
bodies.
Lampford Hall stood proudly at
the top of the park but the Hall itself was not open to visitors. Lord and Lady
Lampford had opened their delightful grounds to the public but wanted to keep
their home private. A dwarf stone wall with wrought-iron railings separated the
Hall from the gardens and three members of staff circled the magnificent place.
The sandstone building gleamed elegantly in the sun as people stood outside the
guarded area, taking photos which would allow them to savour the moment for
ever.
We had listened to Mum tell a
story about the fairies who lived in the magical Hall (for Libby’s benefit, not mine, although I loved listening to her
tales). Libby had been mesmerised as Mum told her they all have their own
responsibilities. Libby, who’d lost
her first tooth the month before, concluded that the ‘tooth fairy’
must have the most important job. Mum explained we couldn’t go inside the magical Hall because if we saw the
fairies the magic would disappear; just like we couldn’t see Santa. I remember thinking that when I had
children I’d want Mum to tell these amazing stories. She’d had them stored, adapting them for different
scenarios. When I listened that day I wished I was younger, still believing in
the magical spirit of childhood. It was a deep-rooted feeling. One that had
nested with me since my discovery that Santa didn’t
exist (all because of Hannah Johnson, who hit me and told me I was stupid for
believing such a ridiculous story). When Mum explained the truth, it wasn’t only Santa that disappeared; the enchantment of
childhood and that special ability to believe in anything also vanished.
Choosing to immerse myself in
the childhood atmosphere of Lampford Park, I joined Libby on the swings, slides
and roundabout. We fed bread to the ducks, carrots to the deer and lettuce to
the rabbits. We devoured soft chocolate ice-cream which trickled with
chocolate
sauce, chocolate sprinkles and a chocolate flake - absolute luxury. We ran
through the water fountains, tasting the splashes that bounced against our
skin. Our clothes were soaked right through. Mum and Dad watched us from the
edge, their arms linked together, enjoying our squeals of exhilaration. Over-excitement
unleashed our deviant side as we dragged Dad by the arms, pulling him into the
water jets. Libby and I laughed hysterically as he chased us through the shower
of cold, refreshing water.
On the journey home we all
(except Mum) had to take off our clothes. Libby and I were down to our pants.
Poor Dad had to strip off too: his shirt and trousers were soaking wet. Mum
wrapped me and Libby tightly in blankets as fatigue engulfed us. I remember
closing my eyes as they joked about hoping they didn’t have an accident or get pulled by the police.
‘What would they think?’
Mum laughed.
It was decided that fish and
chips would end the day nicely. Mum dropped us off at home with strict
instructions to get our pyjamas on, ready for a cosy and warm night. It was
mine and Libby’s job
to rummage through our collection of videos and pick a suitable film for us
all. It was always one of the Disney collection which Libby decided upon.
Usually Dad would have done the
fish-and-chip run, but because we’d
well and truly drenched him, Mum insisted she go. I still wonder to this day:
if we hadn’t soaked him, would she still be here?
I wanted to ask the policeman
that, as he sat with Dad in the lounge, relaying the news that Mum had been
involved in a car accident.
She didn’t make the fish and chip shop.
She died.
Instantly, they said.
1
‘I think I’m
pregnant.’
‘What!’
‘I know.’
‘You think?’
Suzy smiled. ‘So you
might not be.’
‘You’re
right, I might not be, but I’m four
days late.’
‘That’s
nothing. Sometimes I’m a
week late.’ Optimism shone from her eyes, her gentleness always
present as she relaxed back in her chair.
‘I’m
never late and I feel so ill.’
‘You wouldn’t
be ill after four days, would you?’
‘Some of my customers say they knew as soon as it happened.’
‘Really?’
I nodded, raising my eyes at
the absurdity that a woman would know when one of her eggs had been
impregnated. With flashes of how and when it could have happened piercing
through my mind, I asked, ‘Can
you remember that ball I went to with Max?’
‘God, how could I forget?’
Suzy groaned and we both laughed at the memory of me dragging her around
Newcastle, York and Leeds, looking for the perfect dress. I was so nervous
about meeting Max’s work
colleagues for the first time. I wanted them to be impressed, or I didn’t want Max to be embarrassed; I wasn’t sure which was the more important. I knew I had to
look my best: a scruffy beauty therapist is never a good advert. We’d shopped for weeks on end, but it was worth it: Max
commented, as did most of his colleagues, about how stunning I looked. It didn’t stop the nerves, though.
‘Well, remember I told you I was that nervous, I drank
too much and threw up in the toilets before the meal was served?’
‘I still can’t
believe Max doesn’t know
about that.’ Suzy laughed. Then suddenly, her smile vanished. ‘But that was, what? Seven, eight weeks ago? Did you
miss last month’s─’
‘You remember a few weekends back we went to the Lakes?’
‘Of course. It’s
when I met Michael,’ she
giggled, like a teenager.
‘Anyway, I took two packs of pills back to back so I
wouldn’t have my period whilst we were away.’
‘Good thinking.’
‘Well, now I’m
due on and four days later it’s
still not happening.’
‘But, if you’ve
taken two packs together this can delay it, can’t
it?’
‘I
think so, but I don’t
think I’d be this late.’
I ran my hand through my dark mane, the shine and texture inherited from Mum,
the colour from Dad. ‘Plus,
I feel so sick, my boobs hurt, and they’re
bigger. I thought it was because I’d
taken two packs of pills, but I know it’s
not.’
‘You don’t
know for sure.’
‘I’m sure
enough - and I don’t know
what the hell to do about it.’ Tears
formed and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
‘Have you talked to Max?’
‘Not yet. There’s
no point saying anything if I’m not.’ I sipped my coffee, trying to calm my nerves.
‘Right, come on. Let’s
go.’
‘Where to?’
‘To buy a test.’
Suzy was already out of her seat as I sat stubbornly in mine. Not only was my
sofa the most comfortable place to be, I’d
had the day from hell.…
About the Author
Victoria J.Brown is a chick-lit author. While studying for
her MA in Creative Writing she won a short story competition judged by Adele
Parks. Although, Victoria holds a MA, she sees herself as a storyteller not a
literary writer.
She is passionate about people following their dreams. She
has written Annual Inspirational Books which provide daily motivational
messages. Also being a qualified wedding planner and Managing Director of Calm
Weddings, she has written 3 weddings books.
Author Links
website: www.victoria-brown.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicjbrown
twitter: @victoriajbrown
Please note that while How
My Life Became Chaos is touring, if readers buy a copy of the book and send
proof of purchase to the author, they will be sent an ecopy of Daily Inspirational Messages 2014.
The giveaway on this tour is 1, 2 and 3 of the Chaos series in
one signed paperback copy.
My Review
Having really enjoyed this book I find it hard to believe that this is Victoria J Brown’s first novel as the writing just flows and the style is very accomplished. It’s an easy to read novel and although I’ve seen it described as chick-lit, the topics it deals with are very serious and sympathetically treated.
I loved the characters and the way that the
reader is drawn into their lives. There are some amusing incidents such as when
Kat first meets Max. That scene had me giggling to myself as it reminded me
perhaps of when I was younger. As I was in a public place when I was reading
the book I did get a few funny looks though. There are also serious moments and
I did feel a tear form in the corner of my eye which I had to quickly wipe
away.
All in all very realistic characters who
are facing difficult decisions in their lives. The way they develop and
interact with each other will leave you wanting to read more. Looking forward to
the next in the series.
My rating
4.5/5
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