Innocence

INNOCENCE

Holly J. Gill

Mainstream Romance

Mainstream Romance

Innocence

Copyright © 2015 Holly J. Gill

PaperbackISBN
:
978-0-9934340-2-0

Cover design by Dawné Dominique

Edited by Colleen McSpirit

Proofread by Amanda Ward

All cover art and logo copyright © 2015 by Holly J. Gill

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

First published by Secret Cravings Publishing 2015

Re-published by Holly J. Gill 2015

Dedication

I want to thank from the bottom of my heart to my hubby Nigel, thanking him for taking me to the location where I have based this series, allowing me to walk Calvin’s footsteps, see, hear and breathe the river the nagging I gave him just to give me the real feel of the idyllic surroundings let alone seeing the hall in its natural glory.

I am going to begin with my wonderful family and how they allow me to retire to my office and have my crazy imagination take hold, creating my books. I would like to thank Anne my wonderful mother-in-law for helping me with the editing in the beginning to give me hope.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Dawné Dominique, for the fabulous front cover for Innocence, truly amazing and a loud shout out to Colleen my editor, fantastic lady to work with.

There is one person who I would love to thank for her quick read, honest opinion and loyalty Amanda…you’re my star, best beta reader there is…I’m not creeping honest!

I would also like to give a massive shout out to my amazing fans, wow they have been a wonderful support, love you guy’s. Special thanks to my friends Sonia, Donna and Judith for helping me and listening to me while I tell you all my passionate ideas.

Hugs to all! Xx

INNOCENCE

Holly J. Gill

Copyright © 2015

Chapter One

“Hey there, are you okay?” he called out, shocked to find a woman standing on the river bridge.

Her arms out to her sides, holding tightly onto the thick steel rail, having her back pressed firmly against it for support. He walked closer to her along the river embankment. He glanced down into the dark muddy water flowing fast downstream. It was the very bridge he used to use when crossing with his parents when he had been a boy going for country walks, long or short; it had also been one of the ways to get to the other side of the river without using the road bridge. Many years ago the bridge had been used as a short cut to get to the opposite side of the river to their land where they kept cattle but now not used being stricken as to dangerous. The bridge was not very strong, the planks of wood had rotted in a few places and the bar across had rusted. He feared it wasn’t safe to be used these days.

He glanced back over his shoulder wondering how she managed to get here onto the private land, unless the gate was open.

He had been minding his own business taking a walk, embracing the quietness, taking advantage of the glorious British weather, blue sky the sun already giving off some extensive heat giving the feeling winter was now behind them. Briskly strolling only hearing the sound of the fast flowing river to his left, the birds singing in the trees and his shoes on the small pathway covered in old leaves, and twigs. The trees were showing signs of budding new life and the weeds on the embankment turning green. The sight of blossoms on the trees gave a true feeling that spring was here.

He stopped walking and checked around that there was no-one with her. He couldn’t see anyone but him and her. Mystified, he strode slowly toward her. When near enough he had a clear view of her face, she looked frantic and had been crying for some time. His gaze lowered when something else caught his attention. The woman’s pregnant, looking very swollen.
Why on earth is she here? My God the baby!

Her brunette coloured hair was long, hanging down with a few curls at the end. She wore a pair of black slouch pants and bright pink vest top, which clung to her round shaped tummy. The woman didn’t look very old at all. She appeared stressed and emotional, sobbing her heart out. He felt it was his duty to try and talk to the woman and stop her from what she might be considering.

“My name is Calvin,” he said, wanting to gain her attention. “I’m just taking a walk, it’s a beautiful day, don’t you think?” Hoping she’d answer him. She didn’t even flinch, or glance his way but continued to stare into the water seeming miles away.

He gulped heavily.

“I love days like this, don’t you?” he asked, desperate for her to make conversation with him, or even notice he was there. He scrunched up his nose and rubbed the back of his neck trying to think what he should do, or what to say. All he could see, at that moment was a young expectant mother intending to take her life by flinging herself into the river.

He coughed to clear his throat. The woman remained holding onto the railing. He could tell she was quarrelling with herself to do something, and hoped to God it wasn’t what he suspected. The girl still wasn’t showing any indication that she knew he was even there. She was clearly distressed and he longed to try and help her, even if to just get her down from the bridge and to safety.

He didn’t know much about pregnancy, but he could certainly tell she was in the latter stages, due to the pure size of her tummy.

“When are you due?” he asked, furrowing his brows and tilting his head to the side, needing her to acknowledge him.

The sun blinded in his eyes; he wanted to put his sunglasses on to shield them, but it would not be appropriate. He needed her to see his eyes to show her some form of comfort. Calvin had never found himself in such a situation before. He guessed there was a first time for everything.

“I have a drink or even snacks in my car if you would like some?” he said anxious to try a different approach, but still she held onto the railing and stared at the river. A few weeks ago, there had hardly been any water in the river, due to the dry winter. But since all the heavy rain over the last couple of days, the level had risen once again. In his mind, he was suddenly annoyed with her. He thought to himself,
if the river had been low she wouldn’t be standing and staring down contemplating what?

“I hope you’re not thinking about jumping in?” he scoffed, trying to add humor to the situation not having a clue what she thought or even planned on doing.

Calvin gazed at her waiting for her to respond. When, finally she slowly turned her head his way, he saw her eyes, red raw, tears streaming down her cheeks, her expression full of fear. He had to do something and fast. She didn’t look stable at all.

“And if I was?” she snarled at him. The woman glared wide eyed at him.

He could tell she was annoyed that he had come along and interfered in trying to stop her from doing what she wanted to do. Calvin wondered if he had time to call his mate, Ross, and ask him for advice, but clearly the girl was too distraught and him calling someone might tip her over the edge. He had to tread carefully and understand where her mind was.

“Well, you see, if you are thinking about jumping in, I would have to jump in after you and save you, and I cannot swim,” he added although a full blown lie. He’d been a swimming champion at school and his mum somewhere in the hall had the certificates and medals to prove it.

“And why would you want to jump in and save me?” she scowled at him.

“Well,
errrmmm
you’re kind of expecting,” he said needing to sound light-hearted and sweet, still worried she wanted to jump. He could see the current down the river looked was fast, it wouldn’t take much to be swept away.  He could see her holding tighter onto the rail. He really needed to get her down and quickly.

“And why should you care, no-one else does?” she sneered.

“Well, I care. I might not know you, but ending your life and an unborn baby surely isn’t worth it?” He desperately needed her to come off the bridge.

“My parents have rejected me and my boyfriend…he dumped me,” she spat and started crying again.

He looked at her in dismay. How could a man leave a girl at such a vulnerable time? But then again, the majority of men cannot handle the commitment or responsibility and find the easiest way out at least this was his theory. Calvin hated men like that. He understood a relationship could break down, but to dump her while in such a temperamental state was crazy. At least he should’ve remained supporting her and the child.

“Oh well, surely he’s not worth you taking your life for?”

She looked daggers at him. “He cheated on me,” she cried. The tears trickled down her cheeks.

“What a total fool. Clearly, he doesn’t know how to keep it in his pants, and doesn’t deserve you,” he said, trying to make her see he wasn’t worth the pain and she was better than what he deserved.

“What and you’re Mr. Perfect?” she growled.

“No, far from it, but I would not cheat on my girlfriend and certainly not one expecting my baby. I am sure we could have found some way around any difficulties and compromised,” he said, honestly.

“Well, you don’t know anything about me or my life, and I think you should just walk away and forget you even saw me,” she roared.

She turned her head away noticing her staring back down at the river.

His heart skipped beats. He rolled his tongue over his teeth, followed by biting down on his lips, eager to think of something to say.

“I cannot do that. I mean, look at you,” he said desperately. He stepped forward.

“Yeah, pregnant with no-one wanting me, what is there? My baby is better off coming with me,” she said distraught.

Calvin became more worried that she was about to jump. Clearly, the girl was in a bad place.

He watched her release one of her hands from the rail. “No, please, no…don’t do it. Look I can help,” he said panicking. He reacted quickly rushing forward to stretch his hand out to grab her if she went. Only he was feet away from her and had no idea how much weight the rotten wooden bridge would take. His heart beat overtime in his chest. He held his breath, stopping himself close to the embankment before he fell in the river. He feared she was about to jump.

“Please, I can help you,” he had to convince her, what she was thinking or attempting to do was wrong and he could try and help her give her support, tell her anything just to get her of the damn unstable bridge. Calvin had no clue what he was saying or what to say, but what he did know was there was a pregnant vulnerable girl thinking about taking her life.

“I have nothing, no home, no friends, and no money. I slept rough last night,” she screamed. “So don’t fucking tell me what to do. Go home and live happy…I have nothing to be happy about,” she snarled.

“But the baby, surely that is everything to live for,” he said, calmly trying to make her see sense while he took a step back from the embankment seeing how slippery it was, and one foot out of place and he would be taken down the river. He hitched in a sharp breath as bile filled his throat, he had to try harder to coax her down. He could see how determined she was which frightened him.

“What…did you not frigging hear me? Get a bloody hearing aid! I have nothing, nowhere to live, how shit is that for the baby?” she raised her voice while sobbing her heart out.

“But that baby! The baby has done nothing wrong and, no doubt, neither have you. You’re just having a rough time and no one appears to care.”

“They don’t care,” she yelled at him. “I have nothing and this baby should not even be here. I had the chance to get rid of it and instead, I allowed my conscience to get the better to me. Now look at me,” she raged.

He watched her hit her bump, and immediately after he heard her mutter under her breath rubbing the bump where she hit it. He knew she was scared, lonely and no doubt at rock bottom.

“I can help you?” he said holding his hand out to her. He watched her turn her head in his direction.

“How?” she said glancing at his stretched hand. Only she dismissed it to grab the rail again.

Calvin had no real idea what to say, or how to deal with this situation.

He dropped his hand fearing his calm, relaxed, chilled day was about to change and drastically.
Of all the bridges in England she had to choose this one, typical, some break I’m getting!.

“We could talk and see whether I could help you,” he wanted to reassure her.

“Why would you want to talk and help?” she asked glaring intently at him while snivelling.

He could tell that no one had given her the time of day, either that or trying for the sympathy act. He shrugged his shoulders and frowned at her.

“Look, how about we go for coffee and chat, and see if between us we can come up with something?” he said needing her to walk carefully along the thin bridge and back to dry land and safety.

“What we going to talk about?” she asked.

“You, and where you are, and how I can help. I am not being funny, but you clenching onto a rail and me standing here wetting myself in case you jump, isn’t making me think clearly,” he said trying to be funny.

“Well, when I jump, you will already be wet,” she spat back.

Calvin lifted his brows, stunned by her outburst; however, she had a point. His nerves were in knots and all he cared about right now was talking her down from the bridge and getting her to land.

“What is your name?” he asked her, needing the conversation to change direction.

“Why?”

“Because when the emergency services turn up at least I can tell them your name.” He wanted to make her realize the extent of who would come if she jumped.

“Kacey,” she told him.

“Pretty name! Do you know what you’re having?” he asked, referring to the baby.

“Girl,” she said softly, “a girl.” She placed a hand on her tummy.

He became anxious while watching her only holding on the bar with one hand, aware the bridge wasn’t stable.

“Any names?” he asked, needing her to think about the baby and not her, change the course of direction.

“No…” She paused, looking back up to him. “We don’t need to be here,” she said suddenly and started to move forward.

“No,” he screamed and stepped closer to her. “I’m sure someone would love to adopt your baby. Many people out there are not blessed enough to have their own children,” he gabbled now. “I have a friend who did IVF and it took four attempts before it worked, then she lost it at six months and had to give up on the treatment. She gave birth to a dead baby,” he said, trying anything to make her see sense from being selfish and full of self-pity. The act she was contemplating wasn’t just about her. He had to get her back to land.

But then again, was it fair of him to be saying these things to a stranger, her mental state was clearly one to be beckoned with, she needs a shrink, someone to hive her serious help.

“Look, how about we try and talk about this. I know you’re in a bad place and no one seems to care, but I do,” he said sympathetically.