Extract from
FIRESTARTER
by
Patsy Collins
Hamish said, 'I remember you two, don't I? Applemore School?'
'Correct! I'm Kate and this is my sister Alice. Excuse her if she drools or anything, she has a slight uniform and rubber fetish.'
Alice jabbed her elbow into her traitorous sister's ribs. Normally it would be flattering to be remembered, but she couldn't help wondering exactly what he recalled about her. Had he been aware of quite how often she went to watch rugby practices, or that he was the reason for her interest? Probably not, as she'd been too awestruck to speak to him on the few occasions they'd come face to face, but there was a risk that Kate's comments about drooling would bring it all back.
'Either of you girls like to ring my bell?' Hamish indicated the siren.
'Alice would.' Kate announced a sudden decision to investigate smoke detectors and jumped down from the truck.
'Tactful girl, your sister.'
'I might let her live to regret it.'
'How about coming for a drink with me and we can plot your revenge?' He gave a very attractive grin which made the skin at the sides of his grey-green eyes crinkle.
Alice
has a fantasy.
It starts with being rescued by a hunky fireman, involves the kiss of life and ends in him not needing his uniform.
At the New Forest Show, Alice is offered an innocent version of her dream. Reluctantly she turns down fireman Hamish's invitation.
It starts with being rescued by a hunky fireman, involves the kiss of life and ends in him not needing his uniform.
At the New Forest Show, Alice is offered an innocent version of her dream. Reluctantly she turns down fireman Hamish's invitation.
Despite Alice's blameless behaviour, boyfriend Tony's obsessive jealousy
kicks in.
Hamish wants to take Tony's place, but a hoaxer ensures Alice already
sees far too much of Hampshire Fire Service. The threat of an explosive sprout
surprise, her mum's baking, sister Kate's mind boggling pep talks and the
peculiar behaviour of Alice's boss Miles provide distractions.
Is Alice really in danger? What is Kate up to? Can Hamish possibly be as
perfect as he seems?
It takes Alice masses of wonderful food, disgusting wine, smelly mud, red footed crows and steamy Welsh passion, but she finds the answers.
And rethinks her fantasy.
Patsy Collins is a novelist and short story writer. More than 400 of
her short stories have been published, mostly in magazines in the United
Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Australia and South Africa. She's also written three
other novels, Escape To The Country, Paint Me A Picture and A Year And A Day.
She lives in Hampshire with her photographer husband Gary Davies. A lot
of their time is spent in their campervan, which they use as a mobile office.
Much of Patsy's work is written in the locations at which the stories are set.
That was the case with Firestarter, although the van had to double as the cute
Welsh cottage.
Patsy enjoyed studying the birds and seals mentioned in the book,
eating all Alice's favourite food and was absolutely forced to talk to firemen
to check a few facts. She's not saying how thorough her research was for the
scenes inside the cottage.
Sales
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