The Strength of a Kiss
by
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By the time they finally arrived home, it was five to twelve. Kay and Lauren rushed to the door when they heard footsteps. Once inside, they inspected their injuries. Stuart had a black eye forming and a fat lip. David's mouth was bleeding and he too had a black eye, though he also had a nasty cut beneath it. Tom was the only one who came off lightly, his mouth looked slightly puffy, and his cheek was grazed, but his eyes were both okay.
"My God, look at you. You're a sorry sight," Kay muttered, throwing her arms around her husband with a sob.
"Hush, it's all right love, it's over," he murmured, holding her tenderly.
"I'm sorry, we've been so worried." Shaking her head, she moved away from him, to pick up the first aid box. "Lauren, can you see to David?" Kay brushed her tears away and began gently tending her husband.
"They're much worse off than us, you know. They got the worst of it," Stuart told her.
"Did they? Oh. I'm glad to hear that," she said. "At least it's over now. It is over isn't it?"
"Did you beat them, then?" Mark asked.
"Yes, we beat them." He grinned, ruffling the boy's hair. "And yes, it is over. Freddy's promised to leave us alone and I believe he means it."
"Great!" Mark cried, punching the air above him.
"Well, I'm glad some good came of it," Kay said, dipping a flannel into warm water.
Lauren had not yet spoken a word. Standing in front of David, wet cotton wool in one hand and a tube of ointment in the other, she slowly began bathing his eye. Her hand shook as she stared at his poor face. Then, with a strangled cry, she thrust the ointment and cotton wool into his hands, and turning, fled from the room. They heard her run up the stairs. David stared after her, wishing he could follow.
"Don’t worry, David. We've all been strung up tonight," Kay explained. "It's just the reaction of seeing you all safe."
"Do you think you ought to see if she's all right?" Stuart asked.
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About the Book
In 1966, in a small fictitious village in the fens of Cambridgeshire, Lauren is only sixteen. She has never been in love, and when the bond she shares with David, a close friend and neighbour, develops into a more meaningful relationship, she is out of her depth. Having known Lauren since she was a baby, David is just as astounded to find he has fallen in love with a girl eight years younger, who has always been like a little sister. Fate takes control, however, when David is trapped into a loveless marriage. Fighting his love for Lauren he tries to make a life with his wife and baby daughter. The marriage does not stand a chance, as David's love for Lauren strengthens, he is forced to admit he has made a mistake.
A brutal assault on Lauren by a local man, who has a grudge against the family, brings Lauren and David closer together.
Lauren's story is of her journey from adolescence into womanhood; from the intensity of first love to the heartache of a forbidden love and family disapproval. She keeps her love secret from an over protective sister, who brought her and brother Mark up, after losing their parents eleven years ago. Embarking on an all consuming affair with David, she refuses to face reality; when she does it is almost too much to bear.
About the Author
Joyce was born the third of four daughters, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and moved to Poplar, London when she was three years old. When Joyce was seven she moved to Essex, attending local schools. Her English teacher recognised her talent for writing and making up stories. Joyce left school at sixteen, passing O Level GCE's in English Language and Literature. She has always enjoyed writing and had several poems published in an anthology in 1971. Joyce is married with one daughter and one son; and often made up bed time stories when her children were young. After bringing up her family she spent a year at college re-training as a Medical Secretary and learning computer skills. After a period working in a hospice as a secretary Joyce joined the local council offices where she worked full time until retiring. A romantic and a dreamer, Joyce likes writing stories with intense emotional episodes. Love stories interwoven with mild violence and suspense are her forte; often with unexpected twists.