Indigo Awakes available at Watkins Bookshop WC2N 4EZ

Watkins Bookshop, 19 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ

www.watkinsbooks.com

Instead, it was a reaction to the tale of Mike’s wrath that coloured her body like an obscene oil painting...

Indigo Awakes is available: www.stephaniedewinter.co.uk

Indigo gazed at the loch with apprehension.  It was surrounded by dark green forest and was both intimidating and primitive. Frosty rain punctured the smooth surface with a million tiny pin pricks.  The water was black.  God only knew what was lurching in the freezing depths.  William had already left the van and stripped off down to his swimming shorts.  He had the physic of a gymnast.  Strong shoulders, developed biceps, a six pack and tapered waist. His legs were muscular and strong.  Flexing his muscles, he banged on her window.

“Out.”

Hesitantly, she opened the door.

“I’ll undress in here so that my dry clothes don’t get wet.”

Indigo stripped down to her swimsuit but left her t-shirt on. She stepped out of the van.

“That’ll weigh you down, English.  Get it off,” William tugged at her t-shirt jokingly.  Indigo looked at him defensively.  The atmosphere changed, and he stepped back. “Seriously, it will. I’m sorry I wasn’t being smutty.” He looked down for a moment embarrassed.

Indigo didn’t know what to do.  If she took the t-shirt off, then he would know that the bruises hadn’t been caused by an accident. But he knew that anyway.  She felt mortified.  She felt like going off in a mood to avoid the situation, but William would be upset and their friendship would be tainted. 

She took the t-shirt off and heard his intake of breath.  It was a pity that it wasn’t because he’d seen her magnificent body for the first time.  Instead, it was a reaction to the tale of Mike’s wrath that coloured her body like an obscene oil painting.  Indigo didn’t know how to deal with his eyes taking in the hurt inflicted by the past.  For a moment his eyes left her body and met hers.  His were full of questions and anger. Hers held the need for avoidance. 

Indigo Awakes is against domestic violence...