Love is Everything Read online

  Love is EVERYTHING

  First ebook edition © 2019 Melody Winter.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form other than that in which it was purchased and without the written permission of the author.

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be resold 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. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover art and design by J C Clarke, The Graphics Shed

  Formatting by J C Clarke, The Graphics Shed

  Editing by Addicted to Reviews Editing

  To first loves, and lead singers everywhere.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Thank you

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  More From Melody Winter

  Chapter One

  The doorbell chimed a high-pitched tone. Its cheerful sound was in perfect contrast to the dreary peeling paint that crinkled along the edges of the door-frame. I fixed a wide smile on my nervous and near-enough constant frowning face and waited to greet a person who would be my housemate for at least the next year. I hoped I liked her, or him—them. I wasn’t great at making friends, I found it awkward, but it seemed a good idea to ensure I got on with the people I’d be sharing a house with.

  The splattered pattern of a bright yellow top diffused through the frosted glass in the door, and I tried to work out whether the person on the other side was male or female.

  “Hang on, hang on!” a girl’s voice. “Shit!”

  My smile morphed into a grin as the girl dropped onto the floor and disappeared from view.

  “Are you okay?” I shouted through the door.

  “Yes, fine. Shit! It’s these stupid shoes.”

  My customary frown returned for a brief second, disappearing when the swearing figure shot up on the other side of the door and lifted the latch.

  “Hi,” she said, holding her hand out in greeting. “You must be Grace, I’m Kate.”

  I shook her hand as she stood on her toes looking over my shoulder. She was already a good few inches higher than her petite build—stiletto heels giving her height but also a serious case of the wobbles. I knew how that felt, hence my flat, comfortable boots.

  “Where are your bags?” she asked.

  I dropped my gaze to the dull brown, battered suitcase at my side. “Just the one case, and my rucksack.” I turned sideways, letting her see the large black bag strapped to my back.

  “Jeeze. You pack light. I need a transit van when I travel.” She giggled before stepping to the side. “Come in, I’ll show you to your room.”

  I nodded my thanks and entered the house that would be my home for the next three years. At least Kate seemed nice. I was a good judge of character, a people watcher, not someone who wanted the attention focused on them, and I’d already made my initial assessment of her—quirky, excitable, gregarious. She’d either be studying drama, or an art student. I liked her.

  “You’re the last to arrive,” Kate stated as she strode to the bottom of the stairs. “You’re in the room at the back. It’s the smallest, but it’s also set away from the other rooms. Nice and private for when your boyfriend visits.”

  I raised my brow. Boyfriend? How quickly people assumed things.

  “No boyfriend?” she said, flicking the fringe of her red shoulder length hair with her fingers.

  I shook my head.

  “Girlfriend?” Her brows rose expectantly.

  I grinned. “No.”

  She skipped up the last few steps. “Well, you’ll soon find a boyfriend, or girlfriend. The best place to start looking is the fresher’s fair tomorrow. You can come with me, I’m meeting up with a few of my friends from my course.”

  “What are you studying?” I asked, curious if my initial thoughts were correct.

  “Fashion. I’m starting my second year. The first year flew by, but I loved it.” She nodded at the doorway along the short corridor. “You?”

  “Film and Television.” A year of working at the local library and living at home had filled my gap year. I’d taken several night classes during my year out and more than prepared myself for coming to university.

  “Hey, congratulations. That’s a hard course to get onto. You must be good.”

  “Thanks,” I offered, smiling.

  “I’ll leave you to get settled then. When you’re done, pop downstairs and I’ll introduce you to the others.”

  I nodded before opening the door to my room.

  “Welcome to Edinburgh, Grace.” She flashed me a wide grin before turning and walking away.

  My room was small. A single bed was shoved up against the wall that ran along the hallway I’d just walked along. A large desk was situated under the sash window, and a battered wardrobe was next to the desk. A radiator hummed quietly, throwing much needed heat into the room. It would be my home for the next three years.

  I sighed as I swung my rucksack onto the bed. The journey had taken longer than expected. Strong winds had buffered the east coast and brought the overhead electric power cables down between Newcastle and Berwick. An hour’s coach ride between the stations was not appreciated, not now I’d ended up in this room. But I’d buy a few knick-knacks, put some posters up, and mark the space as mine. I grinned as I thought about how perfect it was. The largest items I carried around were books. I didn’t have an endless supply of clothes and accessories. I travelled light, something Kate had already confessed to never doing. How would she have coped in this room?

  Edinburgh University didn’t seem too far away from York, a two-and-a-half-hour rail journey if there were no delays. I’d chosen Edinburgh to continue my studies as I had always loved the city, and it had offered the best Film Production degree in the country, which was the most important factor in me being here. Film production was my one true passion in life, the one area where I felt confident and knowledgeable. I was a quiet girl, a loner, the girl who never got asked to parties, the girl who’d never had a boyfriend. I was the girl who stayed at home and studied, truly fascinated and enthralled by the books I read. All my books were connected to the world of film in some way, whether it be following the technical side of the industry or reading an autobiography by one of my favourite actresses.

  Even though I was passionate about film and production, I preferred to let others take the limelight. I was envious of the people who could stand in front of crowds and be idolized. It wasn’t a natural thing to do. I also believed that anyone who could pursue that type of lifestyle was seriously narcissistic. It was a strange opinion to hold considering I wanted to film these people. I was happy behin
d the camera, not in front of it.

  My dream was to be the most successful female producer there was. I shied away from the blockbusters, preferring the subtlety of independent films. They reflected the style of the producer, laid bare the bones of the process and concentrated on raw emotions and drawing people in.

  I was nineteen years old and dedicated to fulfilling my dream. I wasn’t looking for a relationship; that could come later. My experience of boys was severely limited, a few fumbled kisses were all I’d experienced. But it didn’t bother me; I’d have plenty of time for that sort of thing once I’d got my career sorted. I didn’t need a man in my life, a man who would complicate things, and a man who would take my virginity. I was in no rush to lose it. But, as if to contradict myself, I also wanted someone to talk to; a confident, a friend who would support me through my studies and who I could support back. I didn’t care whether that person was male or female; I didn’t like being alone.

  I threw myself on my bed and sighed loudly. University was a chance to start afresh. No one knew me, they had no preconceived ideas about me. If I wanted to be successful with my studies, I had to work hard, and if I wanted to make new friends, I had to push myself out of my comfort zone. A balance would have to be reached, but I was as ready as I ever would be.

  Chapter Two

  As promised, Kate introduced me to the other two girls who lived in the house. They both seemed nice, although I was slightly weary of Lisa. She judged me immediately, her eyes wandering over my scruffy black jeans and washed out t-shirt. Kate fussed over me, like a mother bird with her chick, and I welcomed her protective stance when Lisa asked intrusive questions.

  My routine for getting ready to venture to the Universities ‘Freshers Fair’ consisted of splashing water on my face and brushing my dark hair before pulling its long length back into a high ponytail.

  I took a few minutes to get ready whereas Kate spent half an hour. I waited patiently for her to come out of her room, but the other girls left, not prepared to hang around.

  “Look at you!” she said as she tottered into the living room, catching my eye. I startled at her appearance. She looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine. Perfect make-up—smoky eyes, skin tight red jeans and an adorned black t-shirt. It was one I suspected she’d adapted. I glanced down at my attire. My t-shirt clung to me and my jeans looked like they had seen better days. A rip threatened to show half my thigh to the world. My customary black boots needed re-heeling and my black leather jacket was faded with the amount of wear it had given me.

  “You’re not wearing make-up, are you?” she asked, stepping towards me and staring up at my face. “God, I’m so jealous. You have perfect skin.” She rubbed my cheek and grinned. “Beautiful brown eyes, and a tan! Have you been on holiday this summer?”

  “No,” I said as she stepped to the corner of the room where a full-length mirror rested against the wall. “We had a good summer in York.”

  Kate turned, first one way and then the other to get a better view of her outfit.

  “My parents have quite a big garden, it backs onto a stream,” I continued. “I spent most of the holidays in the garden reading.”

  “Your parents have a stream in their garden?” She was wide eyed and curious.

  I smiled and nodded.

  “You’re so lucky. My parents have a town house in London. We have a handkerchief sized garden.”

  “London?” I queried.

  “Yep, lived there all my life. I wanted to get as far away as possible from London when I started studying. Mum and Dad aren’t so keen on my choice of career.”

  “Why, what do they want you to do?”

  She cleared her throat and spoke in a deep voice, mimicking, I suspected, her father. “Anything that demands respect and a decent salary.”

  She laughed after her impression. “Seriously though. My brother, Steve, he’s five years older than me and he’s going to be a lawyer. They got everything they wanted in him.”

  “Just the one brother?”

  “No, I have a younger one as well.” She raised her eyes heavenwards. “James, he wants to be an actor. Have you got any brothers of sisters?”

  “I’ve got a sister, Ruth. She’s older than me. We don’t get on.” That was an understatement. She hated me for some unknown reason. She was more like a distant relative than my own sister; the age gap of ten years probably had something to do with her hostility towards me.

  “Seriously? I think you’re easy to get on with. The problem must be hers, not yours.”

  I raised my brow. I had no idea.

  “You need a bit of blusher,” she said, inspecting my face yet again, “and highlighter under your eyes. You look a bit tired.”

  “Too many late nights reading my course books,” I admitted.

  “Well, I think you need to let me give you a make-over at some point. Nothing crazy, just a few things to accentuate your natural beauty.”

  My cheeks heated under her scrutiny and I nodded quickly at her suggestion.

  “Right then,” she said, heading towards the door. “Let’s get going.”

  As we walked to the university, she linked her arm through mine. I wasn’t sure whether it was a gesture of friendship or to stop herself from falling over as she was still wearing crazy high stilettoes.

  “What exactly is this fair?” I asked, wanting to prepare myself for what awaited.

  “It showcases all the clubs and activities that the older university students run. It’s a chance to see what’s available for you to do in your spare time. Can’t have you cooped up in your room studying constantly. You need to get out, meet new people, and have some fun.”

  I nodded. It sounded a good idea. I’d see if there was a photography club I could join. It would complement my studies, and like Kate said, I’d meet new people.

  The university was only a five-minute walk away and the main hall was easy to find as every student seemed to be heading in the same direction. I kept my eyes open for Lisa and Amy, my other house mates, but didn’t expect to find them in the throng of people laughing and chattering around me.

  As soon as we entered the hall, Kate waved at a tall man at one of the tables.

  “See you later,” she said before heading off in his direction.

  I took a deep breath and held my head high before looking around. I needed to force myself to appear friendly and open. Once I got to know someone I was fine, it was just first impressions. I wasn’t good at it. I moved seemly as one with the other students as they pushed their way into the hall. I gulped silently; this was my idea of Hell. There were students everywhere, some shouting trying to get others attention, and other nervous students, like myself, wandering around looking completely lost. The older students were all too obvious with their confidence and their superiority over all the new ones. I was quite overawed by it all, and then caught one of the older students watching me.

  I turned away ready to ignore him and head in the other direction, but as I began to follow my usual reaction, I stopped. Wasn’t this what I’d promised myself not to do? What harm would come from wandering over to see what club he was involved with? Finding a slither of courage, I slowly turned in his direction and walked towards him.

  As I approached the table he was standing at, I saw him properly. He was obviously a few years older than me; I guessed he was in his final year. He was tall, about six foot, and was wearing a grey t-shirt under an unbuttoned shirt. The t-shirt was slightly too tight which meant I could see he was nicely defined. He had dark brown hair, which looked almost highlighted as the light caught it. It stuck up at all different angles but tapered gently into his neck. He looked scruffy in a ‘just got out of bed and can’t be bothered’ way, but when his eyes focused on mine, they took my breath away. His eyes were the brightest green I had ever seen, they were stunning.

  “You look a bit lost.” He smiled, and my stupid heart stammered as he spoke. I couldn’t place his accent, but the softness of his voice in
tensified his appeal.

  “Just a bit, there’s so much to choose from,” I replied, holding my nerves, but feeling the heat of a blush creeping up my neck.

  “There’s only one club worth joining around here.” He grinned, running his hand through his already messed up hair.

  “And which one’s that?” I asked, returning his grin.

  Was I flirting? I couldn’t believe it. I, Grace Dupont, was flirting with a man.

  He grinned even more, and I forced my gaze away from him, embarrassed I’d been caught staring at him. My focus landed on a hand-written sign propped up on the table – ‘Do you play an instrument? Come and join us.’ My heart sank. This club was a music club. I couldn’t play a damn thing. This was not going to be good; I couldn’t even bluff my way into this club.

  “The Elliot Sutherland club.” He stared at me, seemingly judging my reaction.

  I frowned. Was the Elliot Sutherland a music club, perhaps named after an old student to honour his memory?

  He was smiling still, humour tugging at his lips as he moved from behind the table and came to stand in front of me. I could really see his eyes now and found it hard to look away.

  Then I saw his name tag. Elliot Sutherland.

  “You have your own club? All about you?” I queried, slowly speaking out every word in disbelief.

  He closed the gap between us and lightly touched my arm.