Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 13

"Julie tries to feel Guilty, Anthony does paper work."

Anthony's messageI took your advice. By now you should have a message from the office, so I hope this isn't a surprise.I don't know how long I'll be away, a few days at most.I had a long chat with Laura....

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 12

"The weekend is over, reality begins to intrude."

As Adrian left, George looked lost. "So it's you and me for the night?" he said, hesitating, struggling to make eye contact."Seems like it. Are you okay with that?""I'm not losing her am I?"George was still naked from the shower,...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 11

"Mary and Adrian make progress, Julie's doubts continue, Annette sees a way forward with Mary's help."

Julie had turned up the sound to listen to Adrian and Annette. As Adrian came into his own and began to really perform, Julie lay back in the chair smiling, a strange ecstasy creeping over her, pride, a sense of...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 9

"Julie's grand plan begins to come together — coming together being the key thing."

There were two almost identical bedrooms, each with a big double bed and their own ensuite bathroom. Between the two was a living area with a small kitchen, providing a social space between the bedrooms and ensuring a certain amount...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 8

"Julie gets back to work training Adrian and Mary."

"Well?" said Julie when Anthony put the letter down, "what do you think?""It's indefensible behaviour.""You mean the cop?""Yes,” he said. “I'm so glad we got Adrian off. That makes me feel a lot better but it's obviously left a mess....

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 7

"The dilemmas develop. The trial makes sense but Julie is pulled into another story."

Laura closed her eyes, sat back into her chair, opened her eyes, looked at the ceiling, back to Julie and then to the floor."You’ve never thought about it before?" said Julie."No," Laura said. "No I haven’t. I kind of always...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 5

"The truth begins to come out."

There is something inevitable about the way the male bladder works when stimulated by enough alcohol. Anthony stirred at about five am, needing to pee but still mostly asleep.Julie, in the spare room, was woken by his footsteps as he...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 4

"One deception after another."

Julie said goodbye to Laura on the steps of the hotel and watched the motorbike roll away into the traffic. She picked up her phone and dialled home."Anthony darling, how did it go?""We won.""Great. I thought you must have. I just...

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Chapter 3

"Anthony wins the court case but then nothing goes to plan."

Julie woke early having slept awkwardly, waking through the night almost in sync with Anthony; though disturbed by different dreams in different rooms. She showered carefully, using the hand jet and taking care to avoid touching any of Marion's work...