I guess I was lucky. I’m a writer, not very successful. But my luck came from the Lotto win of nearly three quarters of a million. I’m in my late forties and on my own. I was planning on making a home in Spain but keeping a small property here too, as a fallback. I hadn’t told anyone about my win and I hadn’t gone wild. I’d bought a cheap small car and a bigger investment. Just over ten thousand on a second-hand cabin cruiser.

It was nearing time to go to Spain on an exploration trip when I hoped to find a property. Nothing expensive. I needed a marina for my boat, a place that was lively but not a drunken wild destination. I would write there and maybe would strike lucky with that. I wanted a place overlooking the beach and sea, and within walking distance of shops and cafes.

But that was the future. Right now I was down on the coast back home where I had a mooring in a marina. I was here a lot

The Laundry Service was a self-service place, a row of washing machines opposite several commercial driers. It was simple. I wasn’t rushed for time so I would sit and wait. Gave me time to think about my day and what I would be doing. Kay ran it with her daughter.

It was a Wednesday and Kay came and sat with me. She was slim, but not skinny, she must have been at least thirty eight as Penny, her daughter, was just turned nineteen. But she looked about 28 years old. Kay was blonde, probably out of a bottle, her hair cut short and in a bob. She was average height, certainly shorter than me. She was always cheerful and smiling. I’d noticed she always wore bright red lipstick and had matching nails. She often wore red heels too. Maybe that should have sent signals to my brain. She usually wore figure hugging trousers and a blouse; often open one button too much for modesty, showing her breasts which looked firm and round.

© 2020 Abigail Andrews (Audiobook): 9781094212586

Release date

Audiobook: 11 March 2020