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A/N: As promised I have started posting Shattered on Gumroad. It’s PWYW (and £0 is acceptable so there’s no risk) so subscribe today. If you want to sample it first then you can read the first chapter on my facebook page. If you like my stuff you’ll love Shattered.

Or if you prefer superhero stories I’ve started posting 250-300 words a day of a superhero story on my Patreon. These posts are public so don’t have to be a Patron to read it. The first eight posts are already up so why not take a look?

 

—

“Did you sleep well?” Aunt Sophie asked when they came to breakfast. Ophelia and Sera exchanged a quick glance before Sera shrugged.

“Okay, I guess. Dad was snoring again. How can you sleep through that racket?”

“I’m used to it – he’s always snored.” She looked like she might say more but the landline rang. “I bet that’s Cass.”

“Who bets on a sure thing,” Ophelia said as Aunt Sophie went to answer it.

“Good morning, Cass– Yes, she’s fine. You’re fine, aren’t you, Ophelia?” She held out the receiver so Ophelia could call out her agreement before she spoke again. “How are you? Feeling better?” There was a prolonged pause during which Ophelia saw Aunt Sophie glance at her once. “Ah, you noticed that? I’ll explain later.” She wound the phone cord around her fingers. “You worry way too much, Cass…” Another pause. “Well if you’re that worried, I could–” She flinched at the volume of the no that Cassandra yelled down the phone. “Okay, okay… just a suggestion. But you knew about him. Look, I’ll come around after dropping the girls off. I’m not talking about this on the phone.” She looked at the receiver with an exasperated expression. “Cass, calm down!” She snapped. “Okay, good, I’m taking the girls to school now. I’ll be over in an hour and we’ll sort this out. Bye now.” She put the phone down and rolled her eyes at them.

“What’s wrong with mum?” Ophelia asked.

Aunt Sophie sobered a little and sighed.

“She’s overwrought, not that I blame her in the slightest in the circumstances. John took her out for a drink last night to cheer her up and she spotted someone she used to know. She knew he was in town, I think she may even have spotted him before, but added to how she was last night she freaked.”

“So it’s someone she’d rather not see,” Ophelia said. “Does this have something to do with the mistakes she was talking about last night?”

Aunt Sophie hesitated before replying. “It’d be fair to say yes.”

“Who was it?” Sera said. “An ex who used to knock her about?”

“Something like that.”

“Yeurgh!” Sera said. “Not good.”

“No, but she’s worrying for nothing,” Aunt Sophie said. “I’ll calm her down. But we should be leaving… you ready?”

The morning trip to school was uneventful and they met Kira at the gates. They were just heading in when Ophelia’s neck began to prickle. She glanced around and saw Kate striding towards her with a determined expression on her face.

“Does she never learn?” She clenched her fists by her sides. Her tone made Kira and Sera turn to see why she was riled up.

“Oh Lord!” Sera said. “Please don’t do anything stupid, Phelia. You’ll only get in trouble again – she’s not worth it.” She also stared at Kate and a frown flitted across her face. “That’s odd.”

“What’s odd?” Ophelia asked.

“Who is she?” Kira asked.

“That’s Kate, we’ve told you about her,” Sera said. “And there’s something different about her today.”

—

A/N: As promised I have started posting Shattered on Gumroad. It’s PWYW (and £0 is acceptable so there’s no risk) so subscribe today. If you want to sample it first then you can read the first chapter on my facebook page. If you like my stuff you’ll love Shattered.

Or if you prefer superhero stories I’ve started posting 250-300 words a day of a superhero story on my Patreon. These posts are public so don’t have to be a Patron to read it. The first eight posts are already up so why not take a look?

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