Mirrored Lives
by
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Rachel slid into the hot bath, and relaxed as the aromatherapy oils slowly seeped into her tense muscles; she closed her eyes and allowed the soft music from her cassette player to flow over her head. As the combination of heat and essential oils began to have the desired effect, she concentrated on her breathing, inhaling gently through her nose and breathing out through pouted lips. Gradually, Rachel felt her body begin to float on a mat of relaxation and the cares of the day drifted away; a bath was definitely the best stress buster ever invented!
Luxuriating in the water, Rachel’s mind began to wander over the events of the last few weeks; and in her relaxed state she felt able to question who might be her stalker. Recently she had suspected that Alex’s affection for her might have taken a sinister turn; he had not been around the farm or cottage for sometime, perhaps Alex had gone underground since the police had visited him. But she could not believe that he had the wit to stalk her through her work and phone, he was more likely to pester her in person. Her previous put downs had seemed to only fuel his interest in her, subtlety was not something Rachel associated with Alex.
Rachel wondered if it had been a joke, which had gone too far; and she thought through her friends at work but she could not think of anyone who would consider this type of campaign funny. There were people at work who would send funny cards, or make a phone call impersonating someone but she could not think of anyone who would set up such an elaborate joke .As the effect of the oils became overwhelming, the need to solve the riddle seemed less important and Rachel sank back into the soft fluffy bubbles, luxuriating in the silky water.
Absorbed in the haunting classical Pachabel music, Rachel felt safe and secluded in her bathroom and she was totally unaware of the black clad figure that silently appeared in the bathroom.
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About the Book
In alternating chapters, until they meet, follow both Rachel and Philipa.
Philipa’s life was dictated by her Victorian parent’s distaste at their child’s physical disability: a childhood of cruelty and abuse at the hands of a cruel Nanny. World War II was her porthole to escape into a world of adventure and courage.
Rachel’s young life is abruptly shattered by an accident which leaves her grotesquely disfigured. During her enforced excursion into therapy, Rachel is exposed to the sleazy underworld of respectable
Forced to share the intimacy of a hospital ward, the two women find they share a great deal more.
About the Author
Lois Quinn’s professional experience has given her a deep insight in to the complexities of human responses to life events & relationships. In particular her knowledge of the impact of illness and disability is reflected in the lives of the characters in Mirrored Lives.
Her professional empathy is reflected in her treatment of their loss an grief and as a long term resident of
This novel is purely fictional but set in the real streets of
With years of experience in child care, social work and palliative care, the author, under her own name, has already published academic work and is known nationally as a freelance tutor.