Hi everyone, hope you are all doing okay, here is the second book in the Seasons series, please take a look and share if you think anyone you know would like it. I’ve been doing lot’s of reading recently and just finished Suzanne Snow’s “Snowfall over Haslemere House”, a lovely, cosy read and am onto another Ali McNamara ” Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay”, so original and unexpected! I love her style of writing, realistic adventures with a little bit of magic!

Almost finished writing my first novel! In the meantime, why not share some sunny stories with your little ones with my collection of garden stories for ages five to eight. Hope you are all doing okay!

Feels pretty cool to see them listed here 🙂 And I’ve recently found another favourite author – Helen Rolfe!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=julie+lindsell&crid=1NXEWXABJ789C&sprefix=julie+lindsell%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_noss

Ben paced up and down the hall, sheet music in hand. He was determined to get his part right. He’d only joined the choir six months ago and was honoured to be allowed to join the carol singing concert tour. He’d heard about it online. Choirs from all different parts of the country were working their way around the cathedral cities, in their localities.

Ben lived in Worcester and his choir was going around the Midlands and Wales, ending in Cardiff. He was going to stay over in Cardiff for a few days, before going to see the South West choir team in Truro. It would be worth the journey.

A year ago he’d received a message online from someone called Nat. She said she knew his sister, Esther and asked if he would they like to meet her. She said she was also a relation of his, although distant. Ben had been confused and surprised at the sudden contact. He was adopted and knew only that he had a sister but he had no idea why she didn’t seem to know him. He had met his parents when he was eighteen and they had mentioned his sister briefly but mentioned nothing about meeting. He was resigned to being part of the family he grew up with and he loved them dearly, but a part of him ached to be part of his real family too.

So he had quickly messaged Nat back for more details. She said Esther had learnt from her auntie while looking at old photo’s that she had an older brother, but he was given up for adoption as a baby. It wasn’t that they didn’t love him, but they were very young and concerned that they wouldn’t be able to provide for him. Their own parents didn’t have much and while they knew he would have had the most loving family he could ever wish for, love alone didn’t provide food and clothing.

So Esther had confided in Nat, not wishing to cause her parents the pain of remembering the separation and between them, they had begun a subtle search for him. All they knew was his name and that he had grown up in the Midlands. It was a long process but finally Nat had found the closest match and sent him a message.

Nat wrote that Esther lived in Hampshire, loved music and would be leaving on a choir tour of the cathedrals of the South West in mid December. It ended in Truro on Christmas Eve and she suggested it would be a wonderful Christmas present for him to try to meet her there.

Ben had eagerly but with slight trepidation, messaged to ask for precise dates and agreed to stay in touch with Nat. He wanted to have something in common with Esther when they met, so he had joined the local choir as he enjoyed singing and loved music, but had never done it as part of a group. He was loving being part of a team and the choir was fantastic, so he knew they should have lots to talk about when they met.

***

Esther settled into her seat on the coach and wiped away some of the condensation on the window, drawing a star. They’d start at Winchester, technically not South West but it was too good to miss out, then head onto Salisbury, and work their way along and down before ending in Truro.

She clutched Nat’s letter to her. Ben. That was her big brother’s name. Nat had found him after hours of online searching and contacting parish secretaries with birth details hoping for a christening record. He had messaged her back and said he would do his best to meet Esther in Truro.

“He is five foot ten, , blue eyes, brown hair” Esther read to herself “he loves music, but isn’t the best singer. He has joined his local choir to get better and wants to meet you”.

Esther stroked the paper with affection. She liked Ben already. She knew perhaps she shouldn’t be going behind her parents backs, but maybe it was time they were reunited?

Snow began to fall softly outside and she felt hope flutter in her heart.

***

“Ah, ah ah ah ah ah ahhh!” Ben took a deep breath and began again. His choir were warming up for their concert outside Worcester cathedral. There was a massive Christmas tree and lights draped around the surrounding trees. They stood opposite the river Severn, protected by the trees and buildings, a square of sacred space. Everyone was wrapped up snugly and a crowd began to gather below them.

Nearby he could faintly hear the sounds of the city rushing by, but in this place, it was still. He smiled at his fellow choir members as they took their places and began to sing. Their voices began gently, singing “Silent Night”, rising at the end of each verse to emphasise the good news and falling away to remind the captive audience, of the peace of that special still night. Ben felt for the letter he had written to give to Esther in his pocket. He wanted her to know all about him and was keen to learn all about her. He marvelled at how so many people come together and hear Christmas songs and wondered if they were part of families or alone. He hoped everyone in that crowd had someone. If not now, but that they would find someone soon. He smiled as they launched into “Once in Royal David’s City”, his favourite and wondered what Esther favourite carol was. Soon, he would find out.

If you want to read more, its justs £1.99 on kindle ebooks! All proceeds to Cancer Research UK.

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Hello, I thought I would share some parts of my Christmas story as the day gets nearer. I hope you enjoy reading them and if you like them, please consider buying the ebook or donating to Cancer Research UK. I am donating all sales proceeds to this charity. Here is part one, thank you.

Esther peered out of the window of the train. Snowflakes stuck to it and melted with the heat of the train instantly. She was snug and cosy but couldn’t wait to get home. In the distance, the lights of her home town blinked at her. She looked more closely, trying to spot the church tower.

“Ah! There it is” she said to herself, feeling her heart lift.

From outside that church, she would soon be leaving with her choir on a tour of the cathedrals of the South West of England. She was so excited, she loved music and architecture and they planned to do some carol singing in each city, raising money for charity as they went.

As the train doors opened, she gave a little shiver at the icy blast of air. Wrapping up warmly and taking her torch out for extra light, she trudged down the road towards the town.

As she came to the high street, the warmth and light from each of the shop windows radiated Christmas cheer at her. It had been a long day at work and she was glad to see the decorations, each lovingly prepared. Her phoned pinged, and she paused in a doorway, stamping her feet to stay warm as she took off one glove to read it.

Love you. Miss you. Take good care and don’t forget to let us know when you are in Truro. Mum and Dad.

A tear slid down her cheek, threatening to freeze before it hit the floor. She missed them so much, but she was on a new adventure here in Hampshire and loving it. She quickly dashed off a reply, saying how much she was looking forward to seeing them and set out once again into the snow.

“Hi Esther!” a voice called.

She turned to see her fellow choir member, Annie, hurrying to catch her up, her bobble hat bouncing along with her.

Annie gave her a hug as they met and they walked along, chatting about the forth coming tour.

“I can’t wait to see the all the different cities and cathedrals, I’m going to take lots of pictures, how about you?”

“Same, I don’t want to miss any of it. I’m hoping to get a guidebook for each cathedral too. I’m more excited that we get to be part of the concert at Truro Cathedral.”

“Oh of course, your parents will be coming won’t they?”

“Yes, I’ve not seen them for months, work has been so busy. We’ve chatted online of course”.

“Hurrah for modern technology” Annie said.

“ Too true. How come you’re out so late?” Esther asked.

“Had a mountain of paperwork to finalize. Sales of country cottages have gone way up and lot’s of people want to move in before Christmas, so they can unpack and get their gardens all ready before spring. I think it’s nice. I wish I could live in the country again”.

Like Esther, Annie lived in a flat not far from the town centre, with her husband, David. They’d all moved into to the same town, same block of flats on the same day two years ago. Annie and David as newly weds and Esther starting a new job teaching music at a private school in a nearby village.

“I’ve had my eye on this place on the edge of town, lovely little house, with a garden. It’s not had many viewings and we’ve been saving so I’m hoping we can view it this week and maybe make an offer. It would be a bit of a stretch after the expenses of the choir trip, but I couldn’t miss out”.

“It’s gonna be great, and I’m sure David understands”.

“He does, best husband ever”

They parted ways on the staircase of their flats and Esther was pleased to see a letter from her cousin Nat on the mat as she went in. Nat had text to say she would be writing with some news that Esther would want to take on tour with her. Esther was intrigued and hopeful. Nat had been helping her look for her brother, who was adopted as a baby. Esther had gotten so busy at work that she had to stop for a while and Nat had taken up the challenge full time. Esther got cosy on the sofa to read it. A look of surprise and happiness spread across her face.

Each story is set in a different seasons and follows a different set of characters as they navigate their way through life. Heart warming tales of life and love.

Please share with anyone you think may like them!

Thank you!