Sunshine, with a Chance of Snow

by Carole Matthews

Genres: General Fiction; Short Stories; Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Beth and Michael have worked hard all their married life to give their children everything they want. It hasn't been easy but it's been worth it. Now, as Beth enjoys quality time with her family on their beach holiday, she knows she has a lot to be thankful for. But it's not until she's faced with her biggest challenge yet that Beth really begins to understand how lucky she is. In this ebook exclusive short story, Carole Matthews will transport you to a world filled with love, family and sunshine. So put your feet up, stick the kettle on and indulge yourself for just twenty minutes. Includes an extract from Carole's fabulous festive novel, Calling Mrs Christmas.

Release date: July 1, 2013

Publisher: Sphere

Print pages: 32

Sample

We’ve saved up for this holiday for so long that I can still hardly believe that we’re actually here. The St Lucian sun is
blazing down, the sun lounger is set at the perfect angle to catch all of the rays. My colourful cocktail replete with pretty
paper umbrella is on a table at my side, so close to hand that I don’t even have to reach out – just as a drink should be.
The book I’m reading is as scorching hot as the sun.


I let my arm drop and trail my hand in the white sand, letting the grains run through my fingers. The soothing sound of the
waves lapping against the shore threatens to make my novel redundant as my eyes grow heavy. I can’t think of a time when I’ve
felt more relaxed. All I have to do is ring a little bell on the table and a lovely waiter comes running to see if I need
a freshener. Bliss. This is what life is about.


Turning to Michael who’s on the lounger right next to me, I say, ‘This is heaven, isn’t it?’

‘Paradise.’ He opens he eyes and gazes at me. ‘It’s been hard work getting here, Beth, but I’m glad you pushed for us to do
it.’


‘Me too.’

My husband of ten years is still a handsome man. I fell in love the moment I saw him. He was playing football for a local
team and I’d been dragged along by my friend whose boyfriend was also in the team. I thought it was the dullest thing I’d
ever seen, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off the man with a mop of dark hair who had very nice legs. I can’t even remember what
the score was or which side won. We met in the bar afterward when he was freshly showered, but still looking tousled. He smiled
and the room and my heart lit up. His eyes, which I now know are the colour of the Caribbean Sea and filled with fun, locked
on mine. He had me even before he said, ‘Hello’. But once I heard his dark brown voice, that was me gone. My fate sealed.


We dated briefly and married quickly. A budget wedding at the local register office, two days in Brighton in lieu of a honeymoon.
We’ve promised ourselves for so long that we would go somewhere special yet there was something else to think about, something
else to pay for. Neither of us earns mega-bucks and money – or lack of it – is a constant issue. Yet now we’re here. On honeymoon,
ten years too late, with two kids in tow.


I haven’t stopped loving Michael for a second in all that time. Not that we haven’t had our ups and downs. Bringing up children
these days is always going to be a challenge, isn’t it? And we’re blessed with two of the completely hyperactive variety.
Jess is eight now and Kade is coming up to six. They’re a handful, there’s no denying it – what kids aren’t now? They’re on
the go morning, noon and night. I can’t remember when Michael and I last had some quality time together as a couple. It takes
us all our time to keep up with their rota of activities. You’ve got to do it now, haven’t you? A plethora of clubs, societies
and outings to turn them into rounded citizens. In my day, if you were lucky, you either did ballet or piano lessons – end
of. These two have busier social lives than we do. It all costs a fortune too. But I want them to have everything in life
that we didn’t and if that means sacrifice then so be it. We work our socks off to give them all that we can. But we both
love. . .