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Banished
Banished
Banished
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Banished

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After being caught in bed with Duke, Jody followed in her Uncle Edgar’s footsteps. Treated like the black sheep of the family she was thrown out of her own home and was totally cut off from the family. She made her way to Uncle Edgar. He welcomed her in to his home with open arms. But he wouldn’t allow her to sit and let the world go by. He pushed and prodded her until she became a very successful business woman. Steering her into the kitchen where she flourished. After a few years Uncle Edgar passed away. Jody decided to do what was right. Go back home. Duke had been waiting for many years. The moment he set eyes on her it was as if everything had come together again. The years hadn’t been wasted. It was time spent wisely. Duke and Jody were together again. But Jonathan was the bonus. Duke’s little family was together as they were meant to be. Jody had followed her heart. Uncle Edgar’s advice was always spot on. Show yourself that it is possible. And she did.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 23, 2013
ISBN9781301876495
Banished
Author

Bridgitte Lesley

Hello from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!Having survived an attempt at being murdered, I have plunged myself in to my writing. After my gruesome ordeal, I live life from day to day. Appreciating every minute and moment. Yes, I have the scars from an axe being driven in to my head repeatedly. I suffer from PTSD and OCD. But, I am here to tell the tale. And I have a lot to tell!I am currently revamping my older titles and will be adding a few. In a nutshell, you will find a mix of romance, adventure, lots of witty banter and a happy ever after. All round, expect a feel-good read.Thank you for reading and for your support!Bridgitte

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    Book preview

    Banished - Bridgitte Lesley

    Banished

    By

    Bridgitte Lesley

    Version 1

    Published by

    Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

    Banished

    Copyright © 2013 Bridgitte Lesley

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

    This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

    * * * * *

    Banished

    * * * * *

    CHAPTER 1

    Duke and Jody lay in her bed late in the afternoon. Duke smiled and looked at her as he held her in his arms. Jody I love you. Jody smiled. I love you Duke. But if they find you in here I am dead meat. Duke grinned. You say that every time. They both looked up with huge eyes as Terry stormed in, in a rage, and yelled. Get your clothes on and get out Duke! And you! Pack your bags and get the hell out of my home! You are no longer part of this family. You are no longer my daughter! I never want to see you again! Get up and get out! You are not welcome here anymore! Terry walked out of the bedroom and slammed the door and stomped down the passage.

    Duke stared at Jody with huge eyes. Jody whispered. Just get dressed. Don’t worry. Duke flew into his clothes. They didn’t say a word as they quickly got dressed. Jody straightened Duke’s hair with her fingers and looked at him. Duke, whatever happens, I love you. He hugged her and held her close to his body. Jody I love you. Jody smiled. Go. Don’t worry. Duke opened the door and looked at Jody. She whispered. Go. Duke walked through the house and walked out the front door. He walked next door and walked straight through to his bedroom. He sat on the bed. He couldn’t hear a thing coming from next door. He sat for hours just thinking. His whole body shook from shock. He was scared. He didn’t know what to do. What would happen to Jody? Had her father meant what he had said? Where would she go if she had to leave? Why had her father come home early? It was the first time ever. So many thoughts were running through his mind. He tried to shut the thoughts off but he was worried. Duke was almost in a state of panic. There was nothing that he could do.

    Jody packed a bag with everything that she would need. She knew where she was going. She walked straight out the front door. Jody! Jody turned and Terry slapped a wad of notes in her hand. She took the money and turned and walked up the path. She shoved the money in to her pocket and headed for town. She walked and walked until she got to the bus depot. She bought her one way ticket and sat and waited. Jody fought back the tears. She felt so lost without Duke. She made her way to the only person she knew that lived out of town. The only person who ever understood her and who would be able to help her. Uncle Edgar.

    She hopped on the bus heading out of town and endured the five hour journey. The bus stopped in every little town. People got on and off. Jody didn’t speak to a single solitary soul. She held her bag on her lap the whole time and watched as the countryside flew by. She looked out the window and saw the signs. She had arrived. Jody took her bag and climbed off of the bus. There were people everywhere. Waiting for their family and friends to hop off the bus. There were squeals of delight as a family member would disembark. But there was no one for Jody. The lump in her throat grew bigger and bigger. The tears threatened. But Jody held her emotions in check.

    Jody read the address from the little scrap of paper and asked for directions. She had kept the scrap of paper for years and years. It was hidden at the back of her purse so that it would not be found by anyone. She started walking. She walked for more than an hour. She eventually found the house. She stood on the porch and knocked on the door. Edgar opened the door and roared with laughter as he looked at her. Jody looked at him with huge tears in her eyes. Uncle Edgar. Do you have a spare bed? Jody’s bottom lip quivered and the tears started to flow. Edgar pulled her into his arms and cradled her to his chest. Get your butt inside young lady. Don’t tell me. They threw you out. Jody nodded and spoke through her tears. Yes Sir. Edgar grinned. No more tears sweetheart. No more tears. He smiled at Jody and wiped her tears away.

    What an idiot that father of yours is. Jody you are welcome to stay. What are your plans? Jody looked at Edgar. Thought so. Now. I know you have only just arrived. But we need to start planning what we are going to do with you. Jody smiled through her tears. Can I really stay? With pleasure. From this moment on this is your home. Jody hugged Edgar. Thank you Uncle Edgar. We are going to show them what can be done. From one black sheep of the family to another. We will show them! Jody couldn’t help but giggle. Uncle Edgar was the only person who had ever understood her and showed kindness and understanding. She hadn’t seen him that often but when he came to town he always looked her up and always met with her for a cup of coffee or a quick meal. Their friendship was not common knowledge to anyone in the family. She hadn’t even told Duke about Uncle Edgar. There was never any need and his visits were so infrequent.

    Edgar sat her down in the lounge. She put her bag down and Edgar smiled. I am glad you came here. Jody smiled. Uncle Edgar. I don’t have anyone else. Edgar smiled and nodded. Well I am glad you chose me over everyone else. Jody shook her head and giggled. Edgar made a cup of coffee for them and they sat in the lounge. And what made him throw you out? Jody grimaced. Dad walked into the bedroom and I was in bed with Duke. Edgar nodded. You aren’t a baby. Good heavens. Did he have the decency to knock? Jody shook her head. Edgar shook his head. Uncle Edgar I don’t sleep around. Duke and I. Edgar smiled. Jody sweetheart. I know you are not a lush and that you don’t sleep around. We are going to think about this. Get you a job. And we are going to make sure that you show them a thing or two. Now Jody I am not doing this to show them. What I mean is that I want you to be a success. Make something of your life. That is what I mean. When they see you again they are going to look at you and gasp. Jody smiled.

    What about Duke? Edgar nodded. You love this man? Jody nodded. Yes. Uncle Edgar I really do. Edgar nodded and smiled. Well, we leave it in Duke’s hands. If he really loves you he will track you down. Not so? Jody nodded and smiled. But for now I want you to focus on Jody. No one else. Okay? Forget about everything else. Jody nodded. Uncle Edgar he doesn’t know where I am. Duke doesn’t know about you. No one knows where I am. Edgar smiled and squeezed her hand. Now that is a good thing. Love is a funny thing poppet. Either it is there. Or it is not. And if it is then you needn’t worry.

    CHAPTER 2

    Tom looked around the lounge. Where is Jody? It is getting late. She doesn’t normally miss this programme. His father frowned and looked at Loretta. She does not exist. You do not mention her name in this house. Never again. Do you all understand? Everyone stared at Terry. Why? What did she do? Terry looked at Tom. Don’t question me Tom. Jody is no longer part of this family. Do you understand? Tom nodded. Yes Sir. And if she contacts any of you, you are not to talk to her. Do you understand? And if she does I want to know about it. Everyone nodded. Gary looked at Terry. But what did she do? Drop it. This is my decision. And it is not up for discussion. Do you all understand? They all looked at Terry. I will not have her setting foot in this house ever again. Loretta looked away with huge tears in her eyes and looked at the photograph on the wall. Terry followed her eyes. He got up. Just leave it Terry. There is no need for you to take it down right now. Terry sat down again. No one said a word. It was all quiet until bed time.

    Tom sat in the lounge and waited for everyone to go to their rooms. He took the photograph of Jody off of the wall and crept out of the front door and walked over to Dukes house next door. He knocked and Helen opened the door. Hey Tom! He smiled. Duke here? Sure. In his room. Go on through. Tom smiled and walked through and knocked on the door. Come in. Tom walked through. Duke looked at Tom as he handed the photo to Duke. Put it up somewhere. Before he takes it down and gets rid of it. Duke smiled as he looked down at the photograph.

    Tom sat down on the bed next to Duke. Tom, your father will probably kill you if he knows you are here. Tom sat on the bed and looked at Duke. Such a rotten bastard! Where is Jody? What happened? He won’t say a word. All I know is she isn’t coming back. Where is she Duke? Duke nodded. Your Dad caught us. Tom nodded. Oh. Were you? Duke nodded. He looked at Tom. Tom if you hear anything. If you get to know where Jody is. Tom smiled. I will let you know if I hear anything. Don’t worry about Jody. She can take care of herself. Duke nodded. Tom put his elbows on his knees and his fists under his chin and leaned forward and stared at the floor. What now Duke? Who am I going to talk to? Duke stared at the floor. I don’t know Tom. But I am still here. Tom nodded. We aren’t allowed to mention her name again. Duke nodded. Tom got up. Duke. Can we still be friends? Duke smiled and nodded. Of course we can. Tom nodded. I better go. See you. Duke nodded. Later kiddo. Tom walked out of the house and crept back inside the front door at home.

    Duke looked at the photograph and stood up. He put it up on the wall and stood and stared. Oh angel. What are we going to do? Where are you? What have I done? He stood and stared at the photograph. He felt the tears slowly forming. He stood and wiped away the tears. Men weren’t supposed to cry. But he felt like a broken man. He was worried. He felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest. He felt as if he wanted to be sick. The tears flowed. His whole body shook as he stood and cried. He felt as if it was all his fault. He had done this to Jody. This was all his doing. He was at fault.

    Duke got in to bed. He didn’t go out of his bedroom. He tossed and turned all night long. He cried like a baby. He couldn’t help himself. The tears just flowed and flowed. He could almost not sleep. In the early hours of the morning he eventually fell asleep. His head was full of thoughts of Jody and where she could go. He didn’t even come up with one solution. He could imagine her sitting in a public bathroom. Sitting on a pavement. Sitting on a bench in the mall. Every thought went through his mind. He prayed that she would be safe.

    Duke got up in the morning and walked through to the lounge. He sat in the lounge in the peace and the quiet. Staring in to space. Robert and Helen took a seat and looked at Duke. What is the problem son? Duke nodded. A slight problem. Robert nodded. Which is? Duke looked at the both of them. Jody and I got caught. Uncle Terry. Walked in. Helen grabbed her throat. Oh my God! Duke nodded. Uncle Terry told her to get out. Basically, he disowned her. They are not allowed to even mention her name in that house. Robert nodded. Look Duke, I hate to say this, but. Duke put up his hand. Then rather don’t Dad. Please. Robert nodded. Helen looked at Duke. Rather stay away. Just see what happens. Duke nodded. You don’t understand. Jody has gone. She isn’t there anymore. She has just. Gone.

    Duke looked at his parents. Where will she go? The entire family is here. There is nowhere for her to go. This is all my fault. I have ruined her life. I have caused this. Helen shook her head. No it isn’t Duke. You are both adults. You can’t take all the blame. I wouldn’t worry about her for now. Jody is twenty three. She is already an adult. She has a good head on her shoulders. Duke nodded. But he was worried. He was head over heels in love with Jody. There was no one else for him. Her family thought she was bad through and through. But she wasn’t. She enjoyed her karate. She enjoyed loud music. She was always joking and laughing. She was the odd man out in the family. Jody was like a ray of sunshine. Nothing got her down and she was always happy with a joke here and there. Her folks were rather old for their age. And her brother Gary was rather serious even though he was younger than her. Tom was a little different. He got on with Jody. She was seen as the rebel. The black sheep of the family. Her brothers weren’t like normal teenagers. They were quiet. Or so everyone thought. But they were petrified of Terry. Terry ruled the household with an iron fist.

    Helen looked at Duke. Duke. She will be fine. There is something about Jody. She is a very strong young lady. Mum I love her. I want to marry her. What am I going to do? Robert and Helen were quiet for a while. Son. Love is a very powerful word. Duke nodded. "Yes it is Dad. And if I have to wait for her to get back that is what I am going to do. The two of us are meant to be. No one else appeals to me. We connect. We aren’t just friends. We

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