Book Tour – Extract Escape To The Riveria By Jules Wake

[amazon_link id=”B01BB1XLL6″ target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]Today’s book tour features an extract from Jules Wake’s debut novel ‘Escape To The Riveria’. So sit back and enjoy Chapter Twelve from the exotic tale which is set against the glamorous backdrop of the French Riveria.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The smash of glass on tiled floor startled Carrie as she lay by the pool the following morning and she jumped up to go and help. Angela’s grip was precarious at the best of times and at home there were various rubber grips and tools designed to help remove the lids from jars and tins.

Gathering up tiny chunks of broken glass was often beyond her twisted fingers, although it didn’t stop her trying. Carrie admired her fortitude but found it equally frustrating because inevitably Angela would cut herself.

Picking up her pace, she hurried into the kitchen to help the clean-up operation.

‘How could you?’ Every scrap of colour had leeched out of Angela’s face as she stood there, facing her daughter, hackles raised like a dog about to leap in to the fray. Carrie stopped dead, not wanting to intrude but as she arrived both Angela and Jade turned towards twin expressions of guilt and horror on their faces.

At Angela’s feet lay a smashed jar of olives that she’d made no attempt to tidy up.

‘I was trying to help. You’re always going on that people should talk face to face about things.
Not rely on texting and stuff,’ said Jade defiantly.

‘This is totally different. And you know it. Plus, you certainly didn’t have to take it this far and invite him here,’ said Angela, her face taut with fury, slipping a sidelong glance at Carrie.

Jade didn’t answer, looking stony-faced at the floor.

It sounded like one of those arguments about Jade’s dad. Periodically Jade would start up, about wanting to meet her father. Although Carrie would rather have left them to it, she needed to tidy up the mess. She ducked her head and grabbed a roll of kitchen towel.

‘Oh for God’s sake, Carrie, leave it,’ snapped Angela. ‘I don’t need you tiptoeing around me.’ She glared at her daughter and Carrie. ‘Jade can do it after she’s told you what she’s done.’ Angela folded her arms, uncharacteristically militant.

Jade peeped up at Carrie from under her brows, head ducked down, as defensive as a turtle about to tuck back into its shell.

‘It’s fine, I’ll leave you guys to it.’ Carrie held up her hands in surrender and backed out.

‘Jade!’ Angela snapped. Carrie didn’t think she’d ever seen her sister quite this cross. What on earth had Jade done?

Jade, every bit the naughty child, couldn’t meet Carrie’s gaze. She swallowed hard and tears began to well up in her eyes. ‘I thought . . . it would be nice . . . that if you saw him . . . you.’

‘I saw him?’ Why would she want to see Jade’s father? She’d met Clive many years ago. He was considerably older than her.

‘She’s only invited Richard Maddox here for dinner. Tonight.’ Exasperation rolled off Angela in waves, as she bent to start picking up the debris from the floor. ‘What were you thinking?’

‘You did what?’ There was a rushing in her ears.

‘I invited him. For dinner.’ Jade lifted her chin and met her aunt’s eyes.

Carrie repeated the words as if that might make sense of them. ‘You’ve invited Richard Maddox. Here. For dinner.’

‘Yes,’ said Jade warily but without any discernible sense of shame.

‘And what? He said yes?’ Sarcasm permeated every syllable of Carrie’s words. She could strangle her niece. What a bloody stupid thing to do, although Richard Maddox probably received thousands of far more salacious invitations on a daily basis. It was highly doubtful he’d even noticed Jade’s amongst his fan mail.

‘Actually he did. Said he’d be delighted. He’s coming at seven-thirty.’

‘What!’ screeched Angela frantically, looking around the kitchen. ‘You didn’t tell me that. Seven-thirty, tonight? Here for dinner?’

‘Yes.’ Jade spoke with a touch of pride. ‘I sent him the address.’

In a daze, Carrie sank into the nearest kitchen chair, trying to get her head straight. This couldn’t be happening.

Sounds good, doesnt it? I’m halfway through the book and I’m loving it!

You can buy [amazon_link id=”B01BB1XLL6″ target=”_blank” ]Escape to the Riviera from Amazon [/amazon_link] and is available to buy from good bookshops.