Always Beth

Always Beth Louise Hudson Copyright © 2023 by Louise Hudson The right of Louise Hudson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Nor to be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that which it is published without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The locations mentioned are actual locations within the United Kingdom although any resemblance to homes, specific places or organisations is purely coincidental. First Published by Mounter Press 2023 Editing: Aimee Walker Editorial Services Cover: Okay Creations Cover Design Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7394180-0-7 eBook ISBN: 978-1-7394180-1-4 For anyone that’s ever had to start again. Contents A Note From Louise Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Afterword Acknowledgments A Note From Louise Always Beth is a steamy contemporary romance containing strong language and sexual scenes, with a little bit of dry humour thrown in for good measure. The story also includes elements that might not be suitable for some readers such as terminal illness (cancer), death of a sibling, divorce and unplanned pregnancy. Readers who may be sensitive to this content please take note. Louise x Prologue Lauren ‘I understand it’s a lot to take in. Is there anyone we can call for you?’ A lot to take in? Anyone they can call? There’s only one person and he can’t find out like this. Fear grips me, clutching on to me as I free fall into the unknown. ‘No. Thank you,’ I force out. The doctor leaves the room and I sit in silence, alone. One in two of us will get it, that’s what the statistics say, one in two. It may not have been either of us, it could have been both of us. But the odds stacked up against me. ‘Lauren Taylor?’ I turn my attention to the nurse lingering in the doorway, I hadn’t even heard her enter. She’s not just any nurse; she’s my cancer nurse. ‘Yes, that’s me.’ She sits opposite, clutching a file in front of her. A mass of documents, outlining my treatment. Not that it will make a difference, my fate is already decided. It’s all so formal. ‘How long?’ I ask shakily. She looks at me and blinks so rapidly – almost like she was unprepared for my question. Perhaps this was one for the doctor? What even is the etiquette in this situation? ‘A few months, maybe six at the most. The treatment should give you some more time for you and your loved ones.’ Taking my hand, she squeezes it tightly, and I’m immediately full of regret, for all the things I should have done and all the things I wanted to do. I thought I had all the time in the world, but breast cancer had other ideas. I breezed into this appointment expecting to hear I was still in remission, not that it’s returned with vengeance, spread to my organs and there’s nothing more they can do. ‘The doctor said you didn’t want us to call anyone for you. We have your next of kin down as James Taylor.’ ‘Yes, don’t ring him. I don’t want him to know, not yet.’ ‘You shouldn’t go through this alone.’ ‘I won’t. He’ll be there for me – he’s always there for me, without fail.’ James. My brother. My best friend in the world. This is going to be the hardest conversation of my life. Of both our lives. * * * Sadness fills me as I push the key into the lock. Coming home to an empty cottage during the week has never bothered me until now. The daylight’s fading, casting a shadow upon the hallway. This is the worst part about living in the country – the nights draw in so quickly without a streetlight in sight. The cottage is too quiet and being here alone only serves to amplify my inner thoughts. Life-prolonging treatment. It’s never going to be long enough to make up for all those years wasted. When it comes down to it, there’s only one thing I need and that’s James by my side. Where he belongs. How am I ever going to tell him that I’ve reached the end of this long and tiring road. We never once considered we would find ourselves here. There was always a chance that the cancer would return, but neither of us had prepared for it. Through tear-filled eyes, I type a brief message. Lauren: I need you to call me when you’re free. It’s important. It can’t wait. Love you. x Over the phone is never the way that someone should hear this news. Especially when that person is the other half of you. James: Okay. I’m going back into court. I’ll call you as soon as it’s wrapped up. Sorry. Love you too. x My heart sinks. He’s absolutely no idea what’s coming. I don’t know how long I have, but as long as it’s enough time to prepare him for a life without me, then I can leave this world knowing that he’ll be okay because for too long now we’ve only had each other. Switching on my laptop, I scan the email from my letting agent.