Short story: The Newcomer at Swallow’s Lodge

“I’ll pop round at say 7.30 tomorrow evening and we can walk to Swallow’s Lodge. It’s just outside the village, so it’s not worth taking the car,” Jayne Nesbitt told her friend, Sue Moran.

“Yes, and we can enjoy the glass of wine afterwards,” said Sue.

“Ellie Walls said she’d call round as well so we can all go to the meeting together,” Sue added, referring to the monthly book club which was being held in the home of newcomer, Lesley Carter.

“I think we’re all a bit in awe of Leslie,” said Jayne, “but she seems very nice. I’m dying to see the house. I heard she has it fabulously decorated. She must have spent a fortune doing it up as it was badly in need of refurbishment.”

“Lesley is quite a mystery. While she’s very friendly and outgoing, it feels like she’s hiding a secret…” said Sue.

“Yes, maybe you’re right,” agreed Jayne. “It’s hard to figure her out, but I suppose as time goes by, we’ll get to know her better.”

A gathering at Swallow’s Lodge

The following evening, the three friends arrived at the opulent Swallow’s Lodge. They were warmly greeted by Lesley, who showed them into a large drawing room where the rest of the book club members had already gathered.

“Well, let’s get straight down to it,” said Jayne who was anxious to know what the others thought of this month’s book, ‘Purple Mist.’ The author was a favourite of hers and to date she’d read all L C Turner’s books.

One of the members, Adam Whyte, a handsome, retired college lecturer, came straight to the point; “I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s one of the most tense thrillers I’ve ever read. The suspense was riveting with so many twists that you’d never see coming.”

No one noticed that Lesley was blushing slightly as she glanced in Adam’s direction.

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“I agree,” said Sue. “It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time. I know Jayne is a big fan of this author but I have to confess, I’ve never heard of L C Turner. Difficult to know whether it’s been written by a man or a woman.”

While the group chatted at length about the book and gave it all very positive reviews, Jayne and Sue noticed that Lesley remained silent. When the discussion ended, Lesley rose and went off to the kitchen to fetch canapes and wine.

Jayne whispered to Sue; “Lesley is very quiet; I wonder did she read the book at all?”

“Mmm, good question. Maybe she’s just joined our group for a social thing.” Then glancing around the room, she remarked; “Her home is fabulous. It almost smells of money, she’s certainly not short a bob or two to own a house like this.”

An unexpected revelation

With that, Lesley came back into the room with a large tray of savouries, after passing them around she went off to fetch the wine. When she returned, Adam Whyte rose to his feet and immediately offered to help pour the drinks.

“What a lovely spread,” Jayne remarked, thinking of her own modest offerings on her nights to host the meetings.

As the group savoured the food and drink, they began to discuss the author of the book.

“Since I’ve read all of L C Turner’s books, I’ve googled this author so often but I’ve come up with a blank every time,” said Jayne.

“It’s such a pity,” said Sue. “Someone who has so much skill and creativity, it’s a shame we can’t get an insight into her character.”

“Well, I can fill you in,” Lesley announced much to the surprise of the group. A hush fell over the gathering as she began; “L C Turner was born in Cornwall. She had to abandon her education at just 18 years of age to look after her aging parents. When she was twenty-one, she met and fell in love with a dashing army officer, Craig Walls. They planned to marry someday but, in the meantime, he was posted overseas. Then tragedy struck…”

The group were transfixed as Lesley continued; “While he was on duty in the Middle East, the land rover in which Craig was travelling, was fired on by enemy rebels, causing it to crash and all four officers on board were killed. More heartbreak was to follow; her parents died within a short time of each other and Ms Turner was left devastated and bereft.”

“How dreadfully sad,” said Sue.

“How did you find out all this?” said Jayne.

A shadow of sadness crossed Lesley’s face as she stopped to compose herself before continuing; “This is my life story…”

There was a collective gasp of shock from the group as Leslie proceeded to tell them; “I write under the pen name, L C Turner which was my late mother’s maiden name.”

A new chapter

“An amazing but tragic story!” Sue murmured while the others silently agreed.

“Well, there is a very happy ending,” said Lesley. “I returned to college, studied for a master’s degree in creative writing. Much to my absolute amazement, my first novel was snapped up by an agent and subsequently, a leading publisher…” Then her face filled with happiness as she concluded. “And the rest they say is history.”

“Thank you for sharing this with us,” said Jayne, as Lesley rose to top up their wine glasses.

“Let’s toast to long and continued success as a gifted and distinguished author,” said Sue, then looking at Lesley, she smiled; “And who knows what the next chapter will bring in your new life here in Gull’s Cove.”

“Yes, who knows, indeed,” said Lesley as her eyes automatically drifted towards Adam Whyte whose eyes locked with hers before exchanging a warm smile.