Sophie Morgan (Book 1): Relative Strangers (A Modern Vampire Story) by Helen Treharne Read Free Book Online

construction of prefabricated houses and bungalows. Many steelworker families moved there for better living conditions and more space, commuting by train to the works in Bethel. Eventually, the volume private housing meant that Bethesda, like many outlying villages, had grown and was now technically part of Bethel. It was still a community in its own right with two good pubs, a former pub which was now an Indian restaurant, a Post Office, several churches and a convenience store. There was talk of a major supermarket opening a branch there too, although locals weren't euphoric about it.
    "So, do you think you’ll ever move back home for good?" he ventured.
    "Maybe", I shrugged my shoulders. "There’s plenty of reasons to go back, and fewer reasons to stay in Coventry. My Mum is at home, most of my friends too, although I don’t see them that much these days. My grandparents died a couple of years ago, and they would have wanted me to have my own life, but I have to admit, I really miss it sometimes."
    "That’s tough, about your grandparents, mine are all gone too."
    "Yeah, it was, and I still miss them. They were such a huge part of my life, especially growing up. When I was really little we all used to live together and it was great, I was spoiled rotten. Even when my Mum and I were on our own, we still had a house around the corner from them, so I used to see them all the time."
    "I know what you mean. Most of my clan lives within a fifteen minute walk of each other. A few of the younger ones have moved a bit further afield over the years; a couple onto the mainland, but the older generation are all still there ruling the roost."
    I laughed, "You make it sound like the mafia!"
    "Don’t joke," he grinned. "I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of one of my aunties – it’s always the women you should watch, especially the short ones". He looked at me with a knowing smile. I'm only five foot three - well almost.
    "Don’t you know it, I may be small, but I’m all muscle."
    We both laughed, which lightened the mood. I could see why he was a good barman. Apart from the practical skills of serving people quickly, he engaged with people very well. It didn’t go unnoticed that Mickey hadn’t asked about my father, who was conspicuous by his absence. If he had enquired, I didn’t know what I would even say. His name wasn't even on my birth certificate. Talking to Mickey about it made me realise how bizarre it probably was to not know who your father is, weirder still for it not to bother you. I wasn’t sure whether I was just incredibly well adjusted or had deep psychological issues which had yet to rear their head.
    Later on, the conversation moved on to Tracy and Kieran, favourite bands and who would win in a fight, Columbo or Quincy. Now and again Sean would come over and join in, giving us his take on why one band was better than the other. Even the occasional person waiting at the bar would share their insight. It went on like this for hours while the place slowly became busier and the floor space filled with a few more bodies.
    Occasionally, I had to shuffle my stool in a bit tighter to the bar in order to allow people to pass or to get served. I wished I didn’t have to try and find space to accommodate Tracy’s bag as well, which was far from small, and not exactly my style either. I looked over my shoulder to see if I could offload it on to her. I saw that she had somehow managed to squeeze herself onto the stage, sitting on a stool while Kieran belted out tunes.
    Just when I found my stride with Kieran’s rendition of "Where Do You Go to my Lovely", singing along with the rest of the crowd, I felt a sharp tug as the oversized bag was plucked from my grip. I turned in the direction of the movement and saw the most striking man stood beside me, tenderly holding the handles in a manner which seemed impossible for the force he exerted.
    "May I?"
    The words dripped from his lips as he gently pulled the bag