Page Title

Sample:

Steve has just met Emma. Shy and naive, she falls madly in love with him. He is, however, haunted by bitter memories, betrayed by his best friend, Neil. They have not spoken for the past three years.

Unexpectedly, Steve receives a phone call from Neil asking to meet him urgently.

Neil reveals a dark secret. He is gay. He admits that although he and Julie had sex, they were never lovers. After a violent argument, Neil storms out of Steve's flat. A tragic accident results in his death.

Steve is distraught. Unwillingly he visits Julie. She confesses that she has Neil's child. Emotionally shattered, they end up in bed.

His feelings for Emma deepen and Steve resolves not to contact Julie again. However, meeting accidentally, Steve is unable to resist temptation. Emma becomes ill and goes home.

Julie calls Steve but he hangs up abruptly. Awoken in the early hours he hears Julie's drunken voice begging for help. The police arrive just in time.

Julie tells Steve she is pregnant. Although devastated, he confesses to Emma. Gradually he begins to suspect that Julie is lying, planning to trap him into leaving Emma. Angrily he confronts her and she breaks down.

Meantime, Emma has come exciting news ...

Heads You Win

Emma Patterson was enjoying herself. The office barbecue party was in full swing. It was a warm, balmy, June evening. The kind of evening that makes England perfect. The pungent aroma of cooking wafted towards her, smoky sausages and hamburgers. She licked her lips, eagerly anticipating the taste. She was standing sipping her wine, chatting to Mandy and Tom, when Philip appeared at her side.

"Do me a favour Emma? Go and open some more wineboxes will you, please? Mike appears to have invited a whole load of ex-employees as well as some new guy and his wife. I only hope we've got enough food!'

Emma laughed. She was fond of Philip. He was kind and helpful. When she had first started at the company it had never been too much trouble for him to sit with her, patiently explaining a tricky part of the work.

With a quick smile, Emma took herself off to the kitchen. Once inside she hesitated, dithering slightly as she viewed the vast variety of wineboxes.

A voice behind her caught her unawares and she jumped.

"Can I give you a hand? They're not the easiest things to open, are they?'

Emma spun round to meet the friendly smile of a gorgeous looking young man. She blushed, laughing self-consciously.

'Thanks' she said. 'I'm afraid I know very little about wine. I guess some of each would be best. Are you one of our VIP visitors?'

'Heavens no, my name's Steve, Steve Matthews. I'm actually gate-crashing. My father's hoping to join Marshwicks. He came for an interview yesterday and Mike invited him to this barbecue, so I sneaked in too, being at a bit of a loose end.'

'Well, I'm Emma. I work here.' Emma blushed again. Surely she could think of something slightly more scintillating than stating the obvious!

'Have a drink anyway. Which would you prefer, red or white?'

'I'd really like a beer. Are there any in the fridge?'

Emma moved towards the fridge whilst Steve began opening the wineboxes with ease. Emma peered at him surreptitiously. He was definitely a dishy bloke.

Steve turned around to find Emma watching him, holding a can of ice-cold lager. She was, he decided, unusually pretty.

Emma poured herself a glass of white wine. Turning to Steve, she asked.

'Shall we find something to eat? My mouth's watering at the thought of all that food. Come on.'

'Mmm OK. It smells delicious. So much tastier than a hamburger from Macdonalds. I especially like the burnt edges and the charcoal blackened mushrooms and peppers.'

Emma laughed, unsure whether he was joking or being sarcastic. However, as she glanced at him, worriedly, he laughed.

'Only kidding.' he said apologetically. 'I'm sure I shall enjoy every mouthful.'

Emma relaxed.

'Good. Let's grab a plate and pile it with french bread and salad. If you hover here and order, I'll find us somewhere to sit before the late arrivals pinch all the seats.'

They sat together, chatting easily. Steve worked in the Design Technology department of a computer company based in Swindon. He was visiting his parents in Hertfordshire over the weekend. He'd taken a year off going around almost the entire world before going to Manchester University, so he'd only been working for about nine months.

'Sounds really interesting.' said Emma. 'I feel in such a rut. I've been here since I was eighteen and I'm nearly twenty one now. Still, I've no-one to blame but myself. I was hopeless at school and I flunked the college course, so I suppose I'll have a mundane job for the rest of my life.'

'You could still do a college course. It's never too late.' said Steve seriously. 'I nearly messed my whole life up, mucking around in the last year at school, getting in with the wrong set but, as luck would have it, I pulled myself back from the brink of disaster and started afresh. Hence the delay in getting my degree.'

Emma talked a little about herself, playing down the anguish she had felt when her parents had divorced.

'So,' asked Steve, lazily letting his gaze rest on her prettily flushed face. 'Have you got a boyfriend?'

Emma becoming aware of his attention, blushed even more furiously.

'No, I'm not much good with boys.' Emma wished she hadn't said that, they were getting on so well.

Steve grinned.

'That sound promising. I rather like bad girls!'

Emma gasped, 'I didn't mean ...' she stuttered.

Steve laughed again, she really was sweet. It was seldom he met someone he could tease so unmercifully. Those lovely brown eyes and creamy complexion combined with her dark blonde hair were a stunning combination.

Emma joined in the laughter, realising he was winding her up.

Quite suddenly Steve jumped up, pulling Emma to her feet.

'D'you fancy a dance? I can just about manage a slow smoochy one. How about you?'

Emma was in seventh heaven. God, she really fancied him. Maybe he fancied her? They were close, his arms around her, hers twining around his neck. She felt deliciously abandoned.

There was a sudden shrill screech in her ear, ripping them apart rudely.

'Oy Steve! It is you, isn't it? Jesus, I can't believe it. Where the hell have you been?'

Their dancing came to an abrupt halt. Steve looked embarrassed.

'Hi,' he muttered quietly. 'How are you?'

'Me? I'm fine. I thought you'd disappeared off the face of the earth.'

Emma watched curiously. It was obvious they knew each other but Emma got the impression that Steve wished the earth would open up and swallow him.

Suddenly Sue turned towards Emma.

'Sorry to interrupt, Em, but I've not seen Steve for so long. He used to go out with my friend Julie, but since they split up we've not seen hide nor hair of him.'

Turning back to Steve, Sue asked abruptly.

'Have you heard from Julie recently? She was quite ill a while back.'

'Er, um, yes, I heard. Neil told me.' Steve replied.

Sue interrupted again, barely pausing for breath.

'So, how do you two know each other? you're a sly dog, Emma. You kept this very quiet.'

Emma sighed.

'We've only just met actually. Steve's father is about to start in marketing.'

She tried to stay calm, although inwardly seething. God! How she hated Sue. She was such a bitch.

Sue smirked knowingly. Turning back to Steve, she leant forward, casually brushing her large boobs across his arm and kissed him.

'Well, now you're back in the land of the living, maybe we could all meet up down the pub. I'll tell Julie, I've seen you, she'll be thrilled to bits. Byee.'

Emma could have screamed. The moment had been spoilt.

Steve broke the awkward silence.

'Fancy seeing Sue. I suppose she works here?'

'Unfortunately, yes.'

Emma grimaced. She only hoped Steve and Sue were not good friends.

To her surprise, Steve laughed.

'Not my type either.'

Emma breathed a sigh of relief.

'I've had a great evening, Emma. Their eyes met and for the first time Emma held his gaze as, pulling her close, he kissed her gently.