It’s my stop on the #blogtour for Here To Stay by Mark Edwards today and I’m thrilled to be able to share an extract with you all!
Synopsis
A beautiful home. A loving wife. And in-laws to die for.
Gemma Robinson comes into Elliot’s life like a whirlwind, and they marry and settle into his home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is keen to oblige – he just doesn’t quite know what he’s signing up for.
The Robinsons arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinsons are hiding a dark secret. And then there are the scars on his wife’s body that she won’t talk about . . .
As Elliot’s in-laws become more comfortable in his home, encroaching on all aspects of his life, it becomes clear that they have no intention of moving out. To protect Gemma, and their marriage, Elliot delves into the Robinsons’ past. But is he prepared for the truth?
From the two million copy bestselling author comes a tale about the chilling consequences of welcoming strangers into your home.
Extract
I heard the car pull up outside at just after six thirty. Moments later, the sounds of doors opening and shutting, and voices, a woman and a man. I thought I heard him say, ‘Impressive,’ but couldn’t make out the woman’s response.
I opened the front door.
Gemma’s parents were on the pavement, with two large suitcases in front of them, and Gemma was getting more bags out of the boot. A young blonde woman, presumably Chloe, remained in the back seat, staring straight ahead.
I hurried out and went straight up to Gemma’s parents, sticking out my hand. I knew their names, of course. Jeff and Lizzy. The Robinsons.
‘Hi, I’m Elliot.’
I shook Jeff’s hand and we smiled at each other. His grip was firm, almost painful. He was strong, like someone who spent a lot of time lifting weights. He held on to my hand for another couple of seconds, squeezing harder, and I wondered if he was doing it deliberately or if he didn’t know his own strength. Finally, he let go.
Gemma had told me that her parents had her when they were in their mid-twenties, meaning they were both in their late fifties now. Jeff had grey hair which was slicked back using, I assumed, Brylcreem, and he wore a leather jacketover a dark T-shirt. His eyes were dark and small, and when he grinned he showed off two rows of small, yellowish teeth.
‘Very kind of you to invite us to stay,’ he said.
‘The least I could do. You’re Gemma’s family.’
‘We are indeed,’ he said, running a hand over his hair.
‘We’re your family now too,’ said the woman standing behind me, and I turned to face Lizzy.
‘We couldn’t believe it when Gemma told us she was married,’ she said. She stood on tiptoe and kissed my cheek, pulling me into a hug. She was about the same height as Gemma, five foot six; maybe an inch shorter. Like Gemma, she had dark brown hair and green eyes but she was very thin, with a prominent clavicle over which hung a gold chain bearing a locket. She was tanned, her skin a rich brown colour, like she had spent a lot of time sunbathing.
‘Aren’t you handsome?’ she said. I was taken aback. No one had ever described me as handsome before; not even Gemma. ’He looks a bit like that actor, doesn’t he, Jeff?’
‘Which one?’
‘You know. From Notting Hill.’
‘Hugh Grant?’ I said, with a laugh. ‘That’s flattering.’ I looked nothing like him, apart from being a similar height and colouring. ‘Or do you mean the Welsh one who was always walking round in his underpants?’
They both laughed like this was hilarious.
‘I assume you won’t be walking round in your boxers while we’re here,’ Lizzy said. She looked me up and down. ‘Not that I’d mind. You look like you work out, Elliot. Do you?’
Before I had a chance to tell her I never went to the gym, she turned to Gemma and said, ‘You’ve done very well here, Gem.’
‘I know,’ she said, coming over with the remaining suitcases. She put her arm around me while Lizzy continued to stare at me like I was a leg of lamb.
Jeff stepped in. ‘Leave the poor lad alone, Lizzy. I apologise, Elliot.’
‘It’s fine.’
‘Besides,’ he said to Lizzy, ‘he definitely doesn’t look like he works out to me.’ He clapped me on the shoulder. ‘Brains not brawn, am I right?’
Gemma said, ‘Elliot has an MSc.’
‘Ooh! Hear that Lizzy? A Master of Science. Impressive.’
I couldn’t tell if he was being mocking or sarcastic, and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Keen to change the subject, I said, ‘Is your other daughter all right?’ She was still in the car.
‘She hasn’t been very well,’ Jeff said. ‘The poor lamb picked up some kind of virus in France, just before we left.’
‘Oh no,’ I said.
‘Probably best if we leave her in the car while we get these bags indoors, if that’s okay with you.’
‘Yes, of course. Let me give you a hand.’ I picked up the largest suitcase. It felt like it was full of bricks.
‘I can carry it if it’s a bit heavy for you,’ Jeff said, as I struggled with it.
‘No, it’s fine.’
I lugged the suitcase into the hall and dropped it with a thud. It had made me sweat, but I didn’t want Jeff to think I was a wimp who couldn’t carry a heavy case. Both Jeff and Lizzy were looking around, clearly impressed by the house. Jeff whistled.
‘This is gorgeous,’ he said.
‘Perfect,’ added Lizzy.
‘Thank you.’ I beamed like a proud parent. ‘I’ll show you round in a minute. But why don’t you go through to the kitchen? Make yourselves at home.’
‘We will,’ Lizzy said. ‘Thanks, Elliot.’
Here To Stay is published in hardcover by Amazon Publishing on 1st September and you can pre-order it here
My thanks go to Sophie Ransom and Amber Choudhary of Midas PR for my proof copy and the invitation to the #blogtour. If you enjoyed my post, please do check out my others and also the other stops on the #blogtour (see below).
Until next time!
@mrscookesbooks
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