Always Allie Read online

  First Edition November 2021

  Published by GPC Publishing

  Copyright © 2021 Melissa Tereze

  ISBN: 978-1-915242-01-3

  Cover Design: May Dawney

  Editor: Charlie Knight

  Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com

  Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaTereze

  Follow me on Instagram: @melissatereze_author

  All rights reserved. This book is for your personal enjoyment only. This book or

  any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the

  express permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are

  fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or events

  is purely coincidental.

  A L S O B Y M E L I S S A T E R E Z E

  ANOTHER LOVE SERIES

  THE ARRANGEMENT (BOOK ONE)

  THE CALL (BOOK TWO)

  THE ASHFORTH SERIES

  PLAYING FOR HER HEART (BOOK ONE)

  HOLDING HER HEART (BOOK TWO)

  OTHER NOVELS

  MRS MIDDLETON

  BREAKING ROUTINE

  IN HER ARMS

  BEFORE YOU GO

  FOREVER YOURS

  THE HEAT OF SUMMER

  FORGET ME NOT

  MORE THAN A FEELING

  WHERE WE BELONG: LOVE RETURNS

  NAKED

  CO-WRITES

  TEACH ME

  TITLES UNDER L.M CROFT (EROTICA)

  PIECES OF ME

  They'll never take those long summer days

  when love was untamed

  two burning hearts are dared to break…

  — Lewis Capaldi

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  SIGN UP TO WIN

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  About the Author

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  Also by Melissa Tereze

  C H A P T E R O N E

  THE SHOP DOOR SWUNG SHUT, SIGNALLING THE END OF THE WORKING

  day for Allie. A mass of dog hair rolled across the waiting

  area as sharp cold air seeped through the bottom of the door;

  Allie’s daily sweeping was not quite complete yet. Bethan,

  her apprentice, had left early for a dentist appointment, so

  Allie was left to take care of the cleaning up herself today.

  But it suited her.

  Today, the town had received some upsetting news. One

  of the locals, born and bred in Plumstoke, had died suddenly

  last night—Mrs Lewis. Allie had always been fond of the

  family, their daughter especially, and the news had really

  shocked her to the core. Plumstoke was a tight-knit

  community—the event of new families moving in rare—and

  more often than not, nothing changed around the place. To

  lose a local at just 66, someone Allie had grown up knowing,

  made her think of her own parents. With just a few years

  between her own mother and Mrs Lewis, it didn’t bear

  thinking about.

  But the town would be there for the family. Allie had

  already clocked Mrs Grainger from a few doors down

  dropping a lasagne o to Frank Lewis at nine this morning.

  It was just what they did as a community. Allie didn’t know

  why lasagne was everyone’s first dish of choice when it came

  to death, she couldn’t stand the stu , but it was the thought

  that counted.

  The door suddenly flew open, startling Allie.

  “Have you heard?” Her best friend, Helen, rushed out her

  words. Her voice shook, but that was to be expected. Shocked

  didn’t come close to how the town felt today.

  “About Mrs Lewis?”

  Helen nodded, blowing out an exasperated breath.

  “Yeah, Mum called me this morning when I was leaving

  for work.”

  “Have you spoken to Cassidy?”

  Allie frowned. Why would Helen ask such a question?

  “Uh, no. Should I have?”

  “Her mum’s dead, Al. I know you two don’t speak

  anymore, but she’s kinda going to need people around her.”

  “Isn’t that what Danielle is there for?” Saying Danielle’s

  name was painful, it had been from the moment Allie knew

  Cassidy had gotten married, but this wasn’t about her ex or

  her new wife.

  “I spoke to Frank just before. Cassidy’s coming home

  today to help him plan the funeral.”

  Allie’s heart stopped momentarily. What happened

  between them may have been a long time ago, but could she

  face Cassidy? And during a bereavement of all occasions?

  “I’m sure Frank will appreciate that.”

  “So…she’s going to be around. You know?”

  “No, I don’t know.”

  Helen gave Allie a knowing look. One that reminded Allie

  that Helen knew she wasn’t over Cassidy. She never would

  be. “Just warning you. That’s all.”

  “It’s been three years since she left and almost two since

  I last laid eyes on her from the other side of the square. I’m

  sure I can manage to have her around for a few weeks. And

  anyway, it’s not like I’m going to bump into her. She’s going

  to be busy with the funeral arrangements.”

  Helen held up a hand. “Alright, alright.”

  “And in case you forgot, I have a date next weekend. With

  Fran. Her grandmother lives on the next road to me. She

  visits quite often even though she lives out of town.”

  “Yeah, I know Fran.” Helen poked the inside of her cheek

  with her tongue, her eyes cast on the floor. “This place needs

  a good brush.”

  “What was that?” Allie narrowed her eyes. “That look

  when I mentioned Fran.”

  Helen shrugged, taking the rubber brush that leant

  against the wall. “Nothing. Just not sure she’s your type.”

  “I don’t think I have a type anymore. I’m at a point in my

  life where I’ll take whatever I can get.”

  “Oh, because that’s going to help you fall in love!” Helen

  swept the floor, brushing the dog hair towards the hip height

  door that separated the front of the shop from the washroom

  and grooming area. “I’m sure your mum will be thrilled

  when you marry someone you can barely stand.”

  “Who says I’m going to marry anyone?”

  Helen glanced up, stopping the brush mid-sweep. “Well,

  nobody. But isn’t that what you want? A beautiful wife and

  family to fill that gorgeous home your Auntie Donna left

  you?”

  “Not particularly, no.”

  Of course Allie wanted that, but Helen didn’t need to

  know just yet. It was going to be bad enough having Cassidy

  around without Helen harping on about Allie’s love life.

  When the time came to settle down, Allie would know.

  “Are we going to the pub tonight?”

  “If we can get in, yes. Frank said he’s invited everyone for

  a drink in memory of Mrs Lewis. He said seven, but you

  know what the men are like. They’ll be there already to get ‘a

  good seat.’” Helen turned her watch towards herself. “It’s

  only just gone five and the place will be packed.”

  Damn it. They always had a beer on a Wednesday evening.

  It set them up for the last couple of days before the weekend.

  “Well, we can try. If it’s more than three-deep at the bar,

  we’ll get some beers from the shop and head back to mine.”

  “Okay. Well, get sweeping with me and we’ll be out of

  here sooner rather than later. I’ve spent the bloody day on

  my feet. It’s time to sit down.”

  Allie smiled, shaking her head. Helen was the town’s local

  dog walker while Allie took care of their grooming needs.

  They bounced ideas o one another, promoted themselves as

  a joint venture, and so far, it had all worked in their favour.

  “Maybe you need to give yourself a pay rise.”

  ALLIE MANNED THEIR TABLE—GETTING lucky as they arrived when

  a couple were leaving—while Helen waited at the bar for

  their two pints of beer. Their l
ocal, The Bear’s Chest, was as

  busy as Helen assumed it would be. Half, if not more, of the

  town had to be here. In some ways, that worked for Allie; it

  meant she had plenty of conversation to occupy her. But she

  also knew the moment she laid eyes on Cassidy, her mind

  would blank on her. And it was inevitable that she’d show up

  here tonight.

  Cassidy Lewis, now Wright, was her first and only love.

  Nothing and nobody had ever come close to the relationship

  they’d had. Cassidy had moved on, and Allie was happy that

  Cassidy had settled down, but Allie was still here and still

  stuck. She’d told herself that remaining in the town would be

  promising, and career wise it had been, but her love life was

  on the floor. It had been since the day Cassidy climbed into

  her car. The day her heart broke for the first and only time.

  But it wouldn’t happen again.

  Allie couldn’t deal with that kind of pain for another

  moment in this lifetime.

  At first, she assumed it would all blow over. With her

  auntie poorly and her mum at her wit’s end with life in

  general, Allie had something to focus on. But once her auntie

  passed away, Allie just felt a bigger void. The pain of losing

  Cassidy was still there. She hadn’t had time to grieve the loss

  of her relationship, and it had only been joined by the

  immense devastation of losing her auntie. Some days, Allie

  wasn’t sure she’d survive. Others, she was angry with the

  world. But Helen kept her sane most of the time, only left to

  her own devices once she turned out the light and crawled

  beneath her covers.

  “Colin said to say hello,” Helen said, interrupting Allie’s

  turmoil. “He asked if your mum and dad were due in

  tonight.”

  “Oh. I don’t know.” Allie frowned. She hadn’t spoken to

  her mum since this morning. But if Frank was inviting the

  town for drinks, she’d know about it. It was rare anything

  slipped past Patricia Campbell. “I’m sure they’ll be here.”

  “Hope so. I haven’t had a drink with our Pat in forever.”

  Allie picked at the edge of the spare beer mat next to her.

  It had a local taxi number on it, something rarely required

  around here. Anyone who drank at The Bear’s Chest lived

  within walking or stumbling distance. “I don’t think I’ll stay

  long tonight. I know we only have a couple anyway, but

  you’ll get talking to whoever, and then it’ll be midnight

  before we know it.”

  “Let’s just play it by ear, okay?”

  Allie eyed Helen as she gulped down half of her pint. Her

  best friend had no intention of leaving before the last orders

  bell rang. “Sure.”

  “So…”

  Allie rested back in her seat. “So?”

  “Any sign of her yet?” Helen scanned the room. “I can’t

  imagine losing my mum so close to Christmas.”

  Sadness settled inside Allie as she eyed the Christmas tree

  on the bar. Decorations that had to be at least twenty years

  old hung from the ceiling, and red and gold tinsel wrapped

  around the bar. It was cheap and tacky, but it was Plumstoke

  through and through. Allie wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “She’s really going to need people around her.”

  “You keep saying that like you’re expecting me to take on

  the role of her friend.”

  Helen lifted a shoulder. “You…could.”

  “No, I couldn’t.” It was a ridiculous idea. One that Helen

  should never expect Allie to entertain.

  “Maybe she’ll gravitate towards you.”

  “I don’t want her to gravitate anywhere near me. And in

  case you’ve forgotten, Cassidy has a wife.”

  “I can’t stand her.”

  Allie barked a laugh. “You’ve never met her.”

  “I don’t need to meet her. I know I hate her. And if she

  thinks she’s walking into this town all la-di-da, she can piss

  right o !”

  “Look, I know you mean well, but just leave it. We haven’t

  been together for a long time and Cassidy being here for a

  few weeks won’t make any di erence to that. I’m over her. I

  have been for a couple of years.”

  That was the biggest lie Allie had told in a while.

  Potentially ever. It wasn’t possible to get over someone like

  Cassidy Lewis. Wright. Whatever her name was now.

  The best thing Allie could do was avoid all contact with

  Cassidy.

  After all, they’d mastered it over the years.

  C H A P T E R T W O

  CASSIDY SAT ON THE EDGE OF THE BED IN HER OLD ROOM, HOLDING A

  picture in her hands. Staring back at her was her 21-year-old

  self and her mother. She loved this photograph—her mum

  had the same one framed in the living room beside one of

  Cassidy and Danielle on their wedding day. She’d been the

  proudest woman in the world as she watched Cassidy walk

  down the aisle, and then she turned into a blubbering mess

  during the speeches. But that was Jill Lewis. She rarely held

  back when it came to emotions. She only had to hear a sad

  story about someone she’d never met and tears would brim

  in her eyes.

  Cassidy’s thumb brushed gently against the dusty glass of

  the frame, a tear falling down her cheek. “God, I’m going to

  miss you.”

  She didn’t visit Plumstoke often. It had been at least a

  year since she was last home, but they spoke daily, and

  Cassidy’s parents had spent the last two Christmases with

  Cassidy and Danielle in London. Cassidy loved having them

  over, usually for a few weeks at a time, but that was all over

  from this point on. Just five weeks until Christmas, but her

  mum, her best friend, wouldn’t be here. Cassidy’s chest

  tightened. Christmas…would be dreadful.

  She lifted her phone from beside her, calling her wife’s

  number. When it connected, Cassidy exhaled a deep breath.

  “Hi, Dan.”

  “Hey. How are you holding up?”

  “Yeah. Just, you know.” Cassidy had no idea how she was

  feeling. “Could have done with you here. Dad’s buying the

  entire town a drink tonight in the pub across the street.”

  Cassidy stood and approached the window. Flurries of snow

  fell from the bright white sky. “When did you say you could

  get here?”

  “I have two proposals to finish, a meeting to get out of

  the way, and then I should be able to drive up.”

  “So, when will that be?”

  “Early next week, I think.”

  Cassidy heard the click of the keyboard. She knew Danielle

  was busy, but surely her company would allow some leave

  given the circumstances. “They didn’t grant you

  bereavement leave?” Cassidy didn’t understand why Danielle

  had to ask for anything. It was her company.

  “I…I didn’t put in a request,” Danielle said. “I mean,

  they’ll tell me we’re too busy. That I have a company to run.

  And it’s not my family.”

  Cassidy frowned. “She was your mother-in-law. And

  more of a mother to you than your own!”

  “I know that, babe. But business is business.”

  “Right, well.” Cassidy chewed the inside of her cheek,

  turning her back on the window. She should head over to be

  with her dad. He’d be expecting her. “I’ll let you get on with

  work then.”

  “Cass, baby.”

  “Don’t. Not now. You’re not here and that’s that. There’s

  nothing I can do about it.”

  “Are you okay?” Danielle’s tone was soft, bringing fresh

  tears to Cassidy’s eyes.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Call me when you get some time to

  yourself.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  Cassidy forced a smile, wrapping an arm around herself.

  “I love you too.”

  As the call ended, Cassidy stepped in front of the mirror

  and checked her makeup. She didn’t know why she’d

  bothered to apply any this morning before she left London,