Don't Come Looking by AJ Campbell (top 100 novels of all time TXT) 📕

OK with that. Since an eight-week emergency scan, due to some blood loss, I’ve found a coping strategy for the inevitable delays of London’s congestion. Usually, I’ve got an audiobook on the go. I don’t get the time to read like I used to, so it’s a great way to keep up with my love of literature. Ruth Rendall proves a great distraction. Today Gill and I chat while Jim types away on his phone.

When I park up in Napier Close, and get out, I see Pen, dressed in an autumn jacket, the hood covering her head. She is hurrying into Pen’s Parlour with her dog. Pete is re-erecting a FOR SALE board which seems to have been displaced from the ground. I hear Pen call out to him. ‘I’m having a salad for lunch. You make your own.’ He kicks the board when it falls again.

We climb out of the car to a chilled wind flickering the waxy leaves of the eucalyptus trees; autumn taking a firm hold. I lock the car, thinking of the leaves blanketing our garden, and I make a mental note to remind the kids that this is a job for them from now on.

Sasha greets us, holding open the door ‘Watch out, it’s chaos in here.’

We step inside, weaving our way through half-packed boxes, metres of bubble wrap and rolls of packing tape. Jim doesn’t use his wheelchair as much these days. Only when he is really tired or having a bad day. I found him an exercise specialist in West Norwood from whom he sees great results along with his continued sessions with Sasha. Pain still haunts him on bad days, but such days, I’m relieved to say, are now few and far between.

We follow Sasha into the kitchen. ‘Drink?’ she asks.

I shake my head and hand her a brown paper bag. ‘Here, I’ve brought you all your favourites from the deli.’

‘You angel. I’m starving, and the fridge is bare. I was going to ring for pizza.’ She steps out of the room and calls out, ‘Kids, lunch.’

‘We can only stay until pickup time. What do you want us to do?’ I ask.

‘I’ve saved this cupboard of glasses for you to pack. They’re light.’

‘Where’s Marc?’ I ask, cutting a piece of bubble wrap and handing it to Gill to parcel a glass.

‘He’s with Alisha, finalising the intellectual property side of things for his Magic Marker.’ She glances at her watch. ‘He should be back soon.’ She slaps her forehead and laughs. ‘And there was me thinking those two were having an affair when Annie saw them together in the café that day.’

I laugh too. ‘And Pen!’

Sasha glances over at me, still laughing. ‘What was I thinking?’ She’s getting back to her old self, her long hair shining in the afternoon light and her soft dimples prominent in her pretty face.

‘I’ve just seen Pen and Pete. They didn’t look too happy.’

‘They’re getting a divorce. Pen told me yesterday.’

‘That’s hardly surprising.’

‘They’re waiting to sell the house to split the proceeds, and, get this,’ she raises her eyebrows, trying to stifle a giggle, ‘she’s moving in with Tom.’

I gasp. ‘I thought he’d gone to live in Newcastle with his parents after Alisha kicked him out.’

‘He did. But she told me yesterday they’re still seeing each other.’

A whirlwind of activity occurs as Marc arrives home, and the teenagers swing into the kitchen, ecstatic at the thought of food. Hannah unwraps the packages, arguing with Harry ‘I want this cheese one,’ she replies to his demand to hand over the Philadelphia and smoked salmon bagel. ‘I’ll be glad when you go back to uni,’ she says, as Harry swipes it out of her hand. Ralph is yapping around their feet, excited at the prospect of some titbits. At Sasha’s request, Harry searches for some kitchen roll to use as serviettes, tripping over a packed box of crockery in the middle of the floor. ‘Fill the kettle,’ Sasha instructs Hannah. Marc scolds George for biting into a brownie, clipping him playfully around the ear. Sasha tells them all to calm down. ‘It was quiet in here a minute ago.’ She rolls her eyes and smiles, relishing the chaos of her family life. ‘You’ve got all this to come, especially with double trouble,’ she says to Jim and me, giving us a knowing smile.

‘I can’t wait,’ says Jim, nuzzling my neck.

I watch the five of them, as I stroke my belly, already expanding with the two babies who have made a home inside me.

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A Note From AJ

According to the mental health charity MIND, mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. Someone you know is suffering. Do look out for them and show your support. Always be kind.

I hope you enjoyed reading my second published book Don’t Come Looking as much as I adored writing it. If you haven’t read my debut novel Leave Well Alone, check it out at your local Amazon store. Find out how Eva’s story began.

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Book Club Questions

Don’t Come Looking

‘I switch on the radio. A broadcast about depression and suicide catches my attention. Middle-aged