The Heart Won’T Let Go

By Laura Rosek

Chantelle, a young, innocent, English girl, leaves her home in Devon and travels to Norwich in search of her freedom. The door opens when Matt, an American, walks into the caf where she works, and they are immediately attracted to each other. Unaware that Matt has a fiance in America, Chantelle falls madly in love and gives up her innocence.

After spending six glorious months together, Chantelle is devastated when Matt turns up late one evening and tells her he has been summoned back to America. Without Matt, Chantelles life becomes a nightmare, and the only way she can free herself of this is by getting drunk.

In the meantime, back home in America, Matt begins to have vivid dreams about Chantelle. Eventually, a monkey wrench is throwing when Carol, Matts fiance, finds out about Chantelle and craves retribution. Matt soon discovers that he has put Chantelles life in danger. Can he save her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jul 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543485424

Laura Rosek

Laura Rosek was the youngest of eight children. A war baby born is Suffolk, England, in October 1942. She knew and experienced the hardships of life as she grew up.

Book preview

Chapter One

Chantelle’s Steps Towards Freedom

C hantelle was born in Torquay, Devon, and was the only child of Mr and Mrs Tovey. Her parents, who came from a poor background, worked hard to give Chantelle a better life. When she was 3 years old, they bought a little restaurant they named Tovey’s Little Restaurant. Chantelle would often sit watching her mother placing the cutlery on the red-and-white tablecloths. When her school days began, she was always eager for the final bell to ring so she could hurry home to help out in the restaurant.

When Chantelle reached the age of 17, things began to change; she became restless and wanted her independence. Picking up a newspaper, she gazed through the job column. Suddenly, her eyes lit up when she noticed an advert.

Sam’s Café. Vacancies for full or part time waitresses—must have experience.

Her heart beat faster as she picked up the phone and dialled the number. A man answered in a friendly voice.

‘Sam’s Café. How may I help you?’

‘I want to apply for the position of waitress.’

She gave him all the details he needed regarding her experience.

‘You must first understand it will be on a month’s trial. After that, if I’m satisfied, the job is yours. We are short of waitresses, so I’d like you to start as soon as possible.’

‘I could be there in two days.’

‘See you in two days, Chantelle.’

She stood there still hugging the phone after Sam had hung up. She couldn’t believe she’d taken the first step towards her freedom. Without even thinking this would upset her parents, she ran into the sitting room, excitedly waving the newspaper under their noses.

‘Mum, Dad, I’ve just applied for a job as a waitress, and I’m going to start in two days’ time. It’s on a month’s trial. But I’m sure, with all my experience, he’ll keep me on.’

Her mother took the newspaper out of Chantelle’s hand and, after reading the article, gazed at her daughter with big doe eyes.

‘This advert says Norwich. Surely you don’t want a job that far away from home? We’ll never get to see you.’

‘Of course, you will, Mum. I can come home every other weekend—that’s if the boss doesn’t want me to do extra shifts.’

‘We taught you everything you know about waitressing,’ said her dad, butting in. ‘Now you want to take your experience elsewhere, leaving us in the lurch? No!’ He stared at her intensely. ‘I warn you, Chantelle, if you take this job, don’t bother coming home.’

Her mother burst into tears, and Chantelle ran to her bedroom.

The taxi turned up early the next morning. Chantelle, hoping her parents had calmed down, went to say goodbye. As she walked into the restaurant, they both turned their backs.

Picking up her suitcase, she walked out of the restaurant, not knowing if she’d ever see them again.

*     *     *

Sam was now closing up when he spotted a young girl staring through the glass door.

‘We’re closed!’ he shouted.

‘I’m Chantelle. I know I’m a day early, but—’

‘Come in,’ said Sam, quickly unlocking the door. ‘Are you hungry after your journey?’

Blushing, Chantelle nodded.

‘Lisa’, he called into the kitchen, ‘could you make a sandwich for our guest before you go home?’

A young girl came running into the café from the kitchen. Looking Chantelle up and down, she gave an inquisitive smile, which broadened when Chantelle smiled back.

‘What would you like on your sandwich? … Or if you prefer, I could fry you up an egg and chips?’

‘I don’t want to be any bother,’ she replied, but her mouth was watering at the thought of egg and chips.

‘It’s no bother, honestly. You look like you could do with more than a sandwich.’

‘Egg and chips, please.’

‘Coming right up,’ said Lisa, hurrying back into the kitchen.

‘Have you got anywhere to stay tonight?’ asked Sam.

‘I was going to hunt around for a B & B.’

‘We mustn’t have you roaming the streets. Hold on. I’ll go and have a word with Lisa.’

Sitting alone, she gazed around the café. Everything seemed sparkly clean and in its place. Yes, she thought, I believe I’m going to enjoy working here.

Lisa came back with the food and, placing it in front of Chantelle, pulled out a chair.

‘Sam has just told me you have nowhere to stay. You can bed down at mine tonight, and tomorrow I’ll take you to see a little flat which I think you’ll like. The rent is fully paid up until the end of this month. A friend of mine who was renting it got married and left me in charge.’

Chantelle’s face lit up.

‘Thank you so much, Lisa.’

‘Now eat up, and we’ll be on our way.’

She didn’t need telling twice and soon cleared the plate. Lisa grabbed her coat, and they both said goodnight to Sam.

‘I’ve put you on the late shift tomorrow, Chantelle. Lisa will explain the hours,’ called out Sam before locking up the café.

Within five minutes of leaving the café, they reached Lisa’s flat.

Once inside, Lisa put on the kettle for a cup of tea and then showed Chantelle around.

‘It’s not much,’ she said apologetically. ‘But the rent is cheap, which suits me fine. If you would like a shower, feel free.’

‘Thanks, Lisa. I feel like I could do with freshening up.’

She opened her suitcase and fumbled inside for her pyjamas and housecoat. Putting them over her arm, she headed for the shower. Once on her own, she thought about the events of the day as the warm water ran over her tired body.

She was both excited and sad. Is it wrong of me to want a life of my own?

She hoped, with all her heart, that her dad would forgive her and she would be able to spend time with her parents again when she had a break. She finished showering and slipped into her nightwear. Lisa was still sipping her tea, with one elbow resting on the table, cupping her chin. Her medium-length mousy brown hair straggled across her face. She looked up with droopy eyes as Chantelle stepped out of the shower room.

‘You can sleep in my bed tonight. I’ll take the couch.’

Chantelle opened her mouth, about to say something.

‘I insist,’ cut in Lisa.

Reaching into a spare cupboard, she pulled some blankets off a shelf and laid them on the couch.

‘I’ll take my shower now and go straight to bed. I’m worn out.’

She grinned.

Chantelle drank her tea, which was now lukewarm, and slipped into bed. She waited for Lisa to finish showering before settling down.

‘Are you on the early or late shift tomorrow?’ she asked when Lisa reappeared.

‘The late. Now get some sleep.’

The following morning, Chantelle awoke to Lisa calling out, ‘Wakey, wakey! Breakfast is on the table.’

‘Eh? What’s the time?’

‘Ten o’clock. After breakfast, I want to show you the flat I mentioned yesterday. With a bit of luck, we can get the landlord to put your name on the rent book. Then you can settle in.’

‘What about furniture?’

‘It’s already furnished.’

She jumped out of bed and sat at the table.

‘I hope cereal and egg on toast are enough. I haven’t done my shopping yet.’

‘Quite enough, you spoil me.’

They finished their breakfast and hurried to get dressed. Before setting off, Lisa made sure the apartment was locked and secure. Chantelle was overjoyed to find the flat was only around the corner from Lisa’s apartment. They climbed the stone steps, and fishing in her handbag, Lisa pulled out the spare key.

‘Hope you like it,’ she said, unlocking the door.

Chantelle stepped over the threshold and stopped dead in amazement. The furniture was old—one might say antique, but it all seemed in good condition. A curtain divided the end part of the room. Drawing it back, Chantelle gave a squeal of delight at the sight of an old four-poster bed.

‘I’ll lend you some bed linen until you can afford your own.’

Pulling on Chantelle’s arm, she ushered her through the next door into the kitchen. While Chantelle was taking it all in, Lisa opened a cupboard door to reveal a pile of logs.

‘In the autumn, the log man comes around every Wednesday morning to deliver … Plus, if you ask him nicely, he will carry them in and put them in this cupboard for you.’

Chantelle was so happy and did a dance around the kitchen. Lisa laughed and joined in. When all the excitement had died down, Chantelle suddenly flung her arms around her.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ she repeated in a wobbly voice.

Seeing Chantelle was on the verge of tears, Lisa disentangled her arms and distracted her by opening another door, leading to the toilet and shower.

‘Now you’ve seen everything, the sooner we get in touch with the landlord, the better.’

*     *     *

Two months passed, and it was nearing October. Chantelle was enjoying her new life. The landlord had accepted her as the next tenant, and Sam had openly praised her work in front of the other workers.

‘Does that mean I’ll be getting a raise?’

‘Don’t push your luck,’ he said with a wink.

She and Lisa often went out dancing and, on quiet nights, would slip into the local pub just across the street from Chantelle’s flat. Being as she was still 17, she always stuck to orange juice or lemon and lime while Lisa would sip Bacardi and Coke. Sometimes they would double-date, but if Chantelle let a boy walk her home, he never got across the threshold.

One evening, when they were walking home, Lisa noticed a change in Chantelle’s behaviour.

‘You’re not very talkative tonight, Chantelle.’

Chantelle looked down at the pavement and carried on walking.

‘I know something is bothering you. If you need to talk about it, I’m a good listener.’

Chantelle looked up and gazed despondently at her friend.

‘Do you want to come in for a coffee?’

Lisa followed Chantelle up the stone steps.

While Chantelle made the coffee, Lisa gazed around the room.

There’s something not right, she thought, staring at the empty walls. Suddenly, it dawned on her that she didn’t know anything about Chantelle’s past. What if she’s an orphan, given away at birth?

She shivered at the thought and made her way to the kitchen.

‘It’s a bit chilly tonight. Do you want me to light a fire?’

Chantelle picked up the mugs and carried them into the living room.

‘You sip your coffee, Lisa. I’ll soon have a fire going.’

Twisting up some newspapers as tight as she could, she placed them on the bottom of the grate. Taking some logs from a basket beside the fireplace, she carefully laid them on top. Soon, the flames were dancing happily, casting shadows in the dimly lit room.

‘You’ve turned this flat into a comfortable home, but there seems to be something missing,’ said Lisa as her eyes travelled around the room. ‘Ah, I know. You haven’t put any photos on the sideboard. Mine is crammed with them, especially the ones of family.’

There’s that look again, thought Lisa. There was a moment of silence.

‘Have you got any family, Chantelle?’

‘My parents disowned me,’ she replied without hesitation.

‘Oh, do you want to talk about it?’

‘There’s not a lot to tell. My parents wanted me to stay and help them. End of story.’

‘There’ll come around eventually. You wait and see.’

Chantelle gazed at her friend. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. One look in her eyes told Lisa everything. She could see sorrow as clearly as if she was speaking her thoughts and emotions aloud.

‘Have you written to them?’

‘Several times. I know when my mother opens my letters because I don’t get them returned. When they do come back, I know it’s my dad. I’ll be 18 years old next month,’ she said, trying to change the subject but soon came back to it. ‘I wonder if my mum will send me a card.’

Lisa sat staring at the fire, wondering how to cheer her friend up. Then her face lit up.

‘We’ll get Sam to throw a party to celebrate your eighteenth birthday. Everything will work out, Chantelle. Just give it time. Well, my bed is calling. One more day, then we’ve got a day off.’

‘I’m happy Sam gave us the same shifts.’

‘Don’t count your chickens,’ said Lisa, reaching for the door. ‘See you tomorrow.’

Chantelle locked the door behind her and headed for the shower.

Chapter Two

Sweet Surrender

I t was the middle of June, and Lisa tried to get Chantelle to take a break to enjoy the warm weather.

‘This weekend, I promise.’

She rushed to serve a customer who was looking her way. ‘Are you ready to order, sir?’ she asked, taking her pencil from behind her ear and her pad from her pocket.

When he didn’t reply, she looked up from her pad and gazed into the deepest bluest eyes she’d ever seen. She was transfixed. She felt she was caught up in a world of enchantment until a voice, which seemed to come from somewhere out of space, called her name.

‘Chantelle, if you could break yourself away, there are other customers to serve.’

Chantelle blinked as though being woken up from a spell. She blushed and quickly turned away.

‘If it isn’t too much trouble, I would like a cup of coffee.’

She detected the American accent. Was she going to turn or walk away? She turned and, avoiding his eyes, asked, ‘What sort of coffee would you like, sir?’

She handed him the menu and pointed to the hot drink section.

‘Black, with a touch of sugar.’

He watched as she walked away and smiled as she nearly tripped over her own two feet. There was something about this girl that set his heart pounding. Strumming his fingers on the table, he patiently waited for her return.

Lisa was busy cooking some hash for another customer when Chantelle burst through the swing door and leaned against the nearest wall.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked as she watched Chantelle’s body begin to slide.

‘I think I’m in love.’

‘What?!’ Without waiting for Chantelle’s reply, she opened the swing door a fraction and looked around the café. Her eyes travelled halfway around before she spotted a face staring in her direction. ‘Table 8. Am I right?’ She knew she was right when she saw Chantelle’s face take on a rosy glow. ‘Did he order anything?’

‘Only a cup of coffee.’

‘Then why are you still standing there? Pour his coffee.’

Grabbing the coffee percolator, she filled a medium-sized cup, picked up a bowl of sugar, and, taking deep breaths, made her way back to table 8. He greeted her with a big grin. Chantelle placed his coffee and sugar in front of him.

‘Are you sure I can’t help you with anything else, sir?’

‘Matt. My name is Matt. There is one thing you can help me with.’

Chantelle gave him a quizzical look.

‘And what would that be, sir … erm … Matt?’

‘You could show me the sights around here when you finish your shift.’

Noticing he’d put her in an embarrassing position, he smiled.

‘I’ll sit here until you say yes.’

‘Okay, my shift finishes in two hours.’

‘I’ll be waiting.’

Matt downed his coffee, looked at his watch, and made a move.

Chantelle hurried to open the door for him, as she did with all her customers. As he passed her, he gently squeezed her hand, leaving her feeling as if she was on cloud nine. Slowly closing the door behind him, she leaned against it for a second until she noticed the curious looks from the customers. Feeling embarrassed, she made a dash for the kitchen.

‘He’s meeting me after I finish my shift,’ she said, bursting through the kitchen door.

‘Was that a wise thing to do, Chantelle? What I mean is, before you go off on your own with a complete stranger, shouldn’t you get to know more about him first?’

Lisa was struggling to find the words.

‘Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t mean to burst your bubble … Oh, forget it.’

Chantelle burst out laughing.

‘What’s so funny?’

‘Your expression.’

Chantelle went boss-eyed and wrinkled up her nose.

‘I did not look like that!’

Lisa burst out laughing.

‘Haven’t you two got any work to do?’ asked Sam as he came through the swing door.

Heads lowered, Lisa went back to the stove while Chantelle slipped back into the restaurant and quickly set about clearing and wiping the empty tables, ready for the dinner rush. Glancing through the window, she caught sight of Gloria, the other cook, coming around the corner. As she entered, she looked over at Chantelle.

‘Just made it in time,’ she wheezed.

Chantelle smiled, then gave a sigh of relief when she saw Renée and Sally, the other two waitresses, hurrying along the road. They smiled at Chantelle as they entered, then disappeared through the back to get changed. Soon after, the café became very busy as the customers piled in for their dinner. Being rushed off her feet, Chantelle didn’t notice the time until she heard a gentle tap on the window. Looking up, she saw Matt pointing at his watch.

She glanced at the clock and mouthed, ‘Five minutes.’

She had one more table to serve before she could venture into the unknown with Matt. Again, she felt herself blushing at the thought.

‘See you tomorrow, Lisa,’ she said, putting her head through the swing door.

‘Have a lovely time and … be careful.’

Chantelle rolled her eyes and disappeared into the restaurant.

‘See you tomorrow, Sam,’ she said as she reached the door.

He smiled when he noticed Matt patiently waiting outside, smoking a cigarette.

Chantelle stepped outside and, taking in a breath of fresh air, asked, ‘Where would you like to go?’

‘Anywhere you want to take me.’

‘We can take a stroll by the River Wensum if you like. It’s beautiful this time of year.’

‘River Wensum it is then.’

He held out his hand, and as if she’d known him for years, she took it.

She gazed up at him and smiled. She felt so tiny walking along beside him and guessed he must be at least six feet tall.

They got to the river and, from the bank, watched the swans dash out of the way of the oncoming yachts. Matt pointed to a big white building.

‘That’s where I’m staying.’

‘Riverside Hotel? That must cost a lot of money.’

Matt grinned and sat down on the grassy bank. Reaching up, he pulled her beside him. They sat in silence, watching the sun’s gleam as it danced on the water. She felt his arm go around her and made no protest as he pulled her closer to him—in fact, it seemed like the most natural thing to do. Eventually, he spoke.

‘Tell me a little about yourself.’

She gazed up into his handsome tanned face, and once again, her body began to tingle as their eyes met. She opened her mouth slightly, but no sound came out. Matt’s eyes slowly travelled downwards from her bright blue eyes to her love-swollen mouth. Leaning down, he brushed her parted lips tenderly with his and smiled at the astonishment on her face.

‘Hope you didn’t mind, but I just couldn’t resist the temptation to kiss those adorable lips.’

‘Kiss me again, Matt,’ she said, closing her eyes.

Even with them closed, she could feel his heavy gaze on her. She didn’t care that she’d only known him for about two hours. Matt had stirred something inside her that she’d never experienced before, and she knew it was love at first sight. Her body ached for the soft feel of his lips on hers again. Her lips parted expectantly, and then it happened. This time, his kiss took her out of this world and beyond everything she had ever experienced. She clung to him tighter as she tried to control the trembling of her body. Suddenly, Matt took hold of her arms from around his neck and gently pulled her away.

‘Did I do something wrong?’ Her voice trembled.

Matt took a pack of cigarettes from out of his jacket, tapped one out, and lit up.

‘Sorry, would you like one?’

He offered her the packet.

‘I don’t smoke,’ she cried, and jumping up, she ran off.

‘Damn damn damn.’

He flicked his cigarette into the river and ran after her. Finally, he caught up with her.

‘What the hell was all that about?’ he asked, swinging her round to face him.

‘I made a fool of myself,’ she said, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes.

‘No, you didn’t, you silly little thing. If anyone made a fool of themselves, it was me.’

‘But you pushed me away.’

He quickly silenced her with a gentle kiss.

‘If I hadn’t pulled away, it might have gone further, and I’d like to get to know you better before that happens … I mean, if it happens. Come on, let’s go somewhere where we can get something to eat and maybe have a little chat about ourselves.’

‘Anywhere but Sam’s Café.’

She laughed.

Matt pulled a handkerchief out of his trouser pocket and gently wiped away the tears that still streaked her face. Hand in hand, they wandered along the river until they came upon Joe’s Café.

‘Doesn’t look like much, but it’s better than nothing,’ he said.

They made their way to a small table with two seats neatly placed in a secluded corner. Matt looked around for the menu.

‘I believe you have to order at the counter,’ said Chantelle.

‘Can you see anything you like?’ asked Matt.

Chantelle looked at the menu, which was hanging on the