Lewis - You Said Forever

A gripping story of love, uncertainty and betrayal a guaranteed tear-jerker that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

OK!

A master storyteller.

Diane Chamberlain

Spellbinding! You just keep turning the pages, with the atmosphere growing more and more intense as the story leads to its dramatic climax.

Daily Mail

Utterly compelling.

Sun

Expertly written to brew an atmosphere of foreboding, this story is an irresistible blend of intrigue and passion, and the consequences of secrets and betrayal.

Woman

Sad, happy, sensual and intriguing.

Womans Own

To my dear friends of more than twenty-five years, Vanessa and Richard Owen

May I ask how Chloe is?

Though Charlotte had heard the question she kept her eyes down, giving the impression her mind was elsewhere.

Ive always said, the woman chatted on, undaunted, that it was a wonderful thing you did. Very courageous.

Charlotte attempted a smile, but her hand was tightening on the bottle she was holding, not to smash it against a wall. Shed never do that in front of a customer, indeed had never done it, but this woman was making her tense. As you can see, she said, pouring a soupon of pale lemon-coloured wine into a clear glass, our Pinot Gris has a delicate tinge of green She broke off as a random kick of emotion stole her words, but her movements remained fluid as she poured another sample of the vintage into a second glass and handed one each to the woman and her husband.

Swirling the wine to release the bouquet, the man put his nose to the rim and inhaled deeply. Pear, he declared, inviting contradiction and receiving only a friendly nod of agreement from Charlotte. Frowning curiously, he added, With a hint of ginger?

Charlottes sea-green eyes showed approval. Hed missed out the trace of citrus blossom, but who, other than a seasoned professional, would have picked up on that? She only knew it was there because Will, their winemaker, had told her.

Cellaring, three to five years, the man murmured, reading from the tasting notes Charlotte had handed him.

These visitors were English, Charlotte could tell from the accent, though she had no idea if they were tourists or residents of New Zealand.

She was doing her best to ignore the womans scrutiny, but it was so powerful, invasive, it might go right through her skin. Whoever she was, she clearly wasnt interested in the wine, but at least her husband was making a good show of it.

Am I right that shes called Chloe now? the woman asked, apparently not bothered by Charlottes discomfort, or simply not noticing it.

Once again Charlotte bypassed the question. As you can see from the notes, she said to the man, our philosophy is to make artisan wines that are food friendly, have texture

Is she here? the woman wanted to know, attempting to peer past the walls of floor-to-ceiling wine racks and chalkboards to the hidden office beyond. She turned around, as though her quarry might be creeping up on her from behind.

With the frontage of the tasting room, known as the cellar-door area, rolled wide open there was nothing and no one between the tasting counter and courtyard, where guests were welcome to sit under the jacarandas while sampling Tuki River wines. If they came at the right time of day they might also be served a small tray of canaps, courtesy of Ricks Bistro across the way. Although each table was covered in a crisp white linen cloth, it was easy to see they were fashioned from barrels puncheons in fact and the empty wine bottles acting as candleholders all bore the Tuki River Winery label. Earlier, on her way from the house, Charlotte had gathered some sprigs of lavender to liven up the tables, but a gently insistent breeze wafting in from the ocean had soon carried them off.

You can see shes not here, the husband muttered under his breath.

The woman turned back to Charlotte.

Shes at school, Charlotte said, trying to sound friendly while feeling resentful. For heavens sake, she wanted to shout at the woman, the girl is eight years old, so where the heck do you think she is?

Of course, the woman smiled, seeming to think the notion sweet. And hows she doing?

Starting to wonder if this apparently random visitor was actually a reporter, Charlotte picked up another bottle to continue the tasting. Perhaps youd like to try the Reserve Chardonnay, she suggested. Its a 2014 vintage, and we dont have much of it left now If only that were true.

Mummy! Im home, an excited voice called across the courtyard from the parking area.

The woman spun round immediately to find Cooper, Charlottes almost four-year-old son, hanging out of a car window, all wayward dark curls, dusty face and sky-blue eyes. Behind the wheel of the car was Rowan, his nanny.

Have to go to the bathroom, Cooper announced, giving a telltale shiver as Rowan drove on.

Oh, hes adorable, the woman cried, clasping a hand to her chest. And how wonderful that Chloe has a brother now.

She also had a sister Elodie, aged eighteen months but Charlotte wasnt about to confide that. The Reserve Chardonnay, she continued, was left in barrel, on full yeast

Do you get your oak barrels from France? the man interrupted, apparently wanting to show off some knowledge.

Of course, Charlotte replied.

Theyre the best, he informed her, as though she might not have known.

Could I get a photograph with you? the woman asked, taking out her iPhone. Youre quite a celebrity back home, you know. I expect you are here too.

Yvonne, were here to taste the wine, her husband growled.

Of course, but

Excuse me, Charlotte said as her mobile rang, and seeing it was her half-brother, Rick, she eagerly clicked on. He was nothing if not an expert at coming to her rescue, even when he had no idea she was in trouble. Tuki River Winery, she announced, making it sound like a business call.

Twenty minutes later Charlotte watched, with no small relief, as the couple wound their way through the still-empty tables across the courtyard to the rustic, herb-bordered parking area beyond. Theyd bought three bottles, two Pinot Gris and a Chardonnay, which shed packed up in a smartly branded carrying box and tied with a dark green ribbon. It was important to give the appearance of being successful and upmarket, even if they were struggling to stay afloat.

Gathering up the used glasses, she put them in the sink behind the beechwood countertop and turned on the tap. Images of Chloe were fluttering out of the past: Chloe shrieking with joy as she ran into the waves; her eagerness to help build a beach fire; eyes lighting up at the prospect of a surprise; delight at being accepted into a poi dance class; laughter as she and Charlotte practised the dance moves at home; pride on receiving a gold star at school; hanging limply in Anthonys arms as he carried her to bed.