The Misadventures of a Playground Mother (25 page)

I could hear Sue and Melanie behind me, taking in all the commotion.

‘Well, you know what that means then don't you ladies?' Melanie smirked, joining the dots much quicker than me.

‘You Penelope and you, BB have children by the same man, which means your kids are half-brother and half-sister!'

I hadn't even thought of that. I felt sorry for poor Clive; this morning he had woken up with no children and now he had gained a son and a daughter in a matter of minutes!

‘Have you got a name for the baby, Penelope?' I asked, changing the subject quickly.

‘I'm going to call her Lulu,' she gushed.

‘Very apt,' Sue whispered behind me. ‘Made in a loo, born in a loo!'

‘Come on you,' Matt said gently, grabbing my hand and helping me off the sodden wet floor. ‘The paramedics are here now, let's find Rupert and the Farrier and get you a drink before we head home.

Returning to the comfort of the chair in the corner of the pub, I was covered in every bodily fluid known to man. It felt like hours since we had arrived and I had ventured into the toilet. Everyone returned to table and Rupert handed me a glass of water in a champagne flute.

‘Come here Rachel Young, I need a kiss,' ‘declared Matt. ‘Happy New Year,' he whispered, and taking me in his arms, Matt's lips tenderly touched mine.

‘But that's not all! I have an announcement to make. We all know how much I love Rachel and what a fighter she is, I know we aren't out of the woods yet but I am certain we will win this fight but Rachel has always dreamed of owning her own vintage tea shop on the beautiful Devon coastline of Hope Cove,'

‘Ooh I have, I interrupted.

Well, my gorgeous wife,' Matt exclaimed, dangling a set of keys in front of my stunned eyes. ‘Your wish is my command, we are on the move! Happy birthday!'

Everyone looked at each other in amazement.

I was lost for words.

Rupert and Sue, Melanie and the Farrier and Matt and I lifted our glasses and clinked them together, raising a toast to a new life, new adventures, true friendships and good health.

D
ear all
,

As the writing of
The Misadventures of a Playground Mother
has come to an end, I must confess I will miss the characters Rachel Young, Melanie Tate, Penelope and Rupert Kensington and not forgetting the Farrier. I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has been involved in this project - my family, friends, book bloggers and readers for all of your lovely messages, tweets and emails along the way. Writing fiction is certainly a lonely job and ninety-five per cent of that time is spent on my own, tapping at the computer with only a mad cocker spaniel named Woody for company.

I hope you enjoyed both
A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother
and
The Misadventures of a Playground Mother
.
If you did, I would be forever grateful if you'd write a review.
Hearing what readers think is a true joy and makes all the hours of writing truly worthwhile and your recommendations can always help other readers to discover my books.

To keep right up-to-date with the latest news on my new releases just sign up using the link below:

P
lease remember
this book is fiction and I hope the tales of Rachel Young hasn't put you off moving to a country village or joining the PTA! There are some wonderful people that frequent the playgrounds and all the teachers and assistants do a magnificent job.

I
would love
it if you would all keep in touch,

W
arm wishes

C
hristie x

• @ChristieJBarlow
  
• ChristieJBarlow
  

A
Year
in the Life of a Playground Mother OUT NOW

E
ver had
the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven't, this is a hilarious must-read.

F
ed
up with the playground mafia at her children's school,
Rachel Young
is desperate for a change.

W
ith her family
and various pets in tow, a picture-perfect village in the countryside beckons. There, Rachel's children will be able to keep chickens and skip through fields and she'll bid farewell to the botoxed, fake-Gucci wearing Mumzillas forever.

B
ut at the
new school the mums are even worse, and before long, Rachel finds herself fighting for her place amongst the playground mafia.

W
hile the children
are practicing their sums and perfecting their reading, Rachel is learning some harsh lessons on the other side of the school gates, and ruffling plenty of feathers along the way…