It’s a pleasure to welcome author Ruth Danes to What Cathy Read Next today. Ruth’s latest thriller, England’s Best Export, was published on 10th August and I’m delighted to be able to bring you an extract from the book. England’s Best Export is available now in paperback and ebook from Amazon UK.
About the Book
Sapphire Carmichael’s life changes when an online argument escalates into a relentless campaign of harassment and death threats. Fearing for her safety, she flees her London home and finds refuge in a quiet West Country village, adopting a new identity as Melissa.
There, she falls for the charismatic Kai Tudor, who promises protection but hides dark secrets. As Melissa navigates a web of deception, she learns the truth about Kai, and must choose between love and safety. Amidst village life, Melissa forges bonds with her family members and new friends.
As secrets unfold and danger escalates, Melissa must choose her allies carefully and rely on her new-found strength.
Extract from England’s Best Export by Ruth Danes
I looked at the timetable and then at my watch. I would have to wait for nearly an hour for the next bus to arrive. I frowned. Although I had brought waterproofs with me, I did not relish walking in the rain or curtailing my plans.
A voice from deeper within the shelter startled me. “Are you alright, love?”
Believing myself to be alone, I jumped. A man stepped forward, out of the gloom. He was undeniably attractive, about average height, with a stocky build, dark brown curly hair and sage-leaf green eyes set in a handsome face. His skin was fair and slightly freckled. He smiled to reveal excellent teeth. I correctly guessed him to be about thirty years old.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump.”
His accent was similar to Mared’s, but his calm, pleasant manner was a world away from her odd, nervous behaviour.
I smiled back.
“It’s okay. I just didn’t realise anyone else was here.” I paused, trying to think of something else to say in order to prolong the conversation. There was something appealing about him, and it had been so long since I had had any attention from a man I might fancy.
“I’ve not been here much longer than you have. I am not waiting for a bus, I just wanted to shelter from the rain.”
How grateful I felt towards the downpour which kept us in the dark, smelly structure!
“I don’t know whether or not to wait for the bus,” I told him. “It’s not far to where I live, and I have waterproofs. I don’t think the buses run often round here.”
“No, a car is a necessity in these parts. I was just visiting a friend who lives down the road. You’re not from round here, are you? I would put your accent somewhere in the South-East of England.”
I lied, saying I was from a little place in Essex which he would not have heard of. He thought he might, he had been to Essex before, and I could feel my colour rising as I told more lies and tried to turn the conversation to another direction.
“Where are you from?” I asked. “I’m guessing from somewhere in South Wales.”
He smiled his charming smile again and said yes but gave me no further details.
“Do you live locally?” I asked.
He said he had moved from his hometown several years ago and now lived just over the border. He did not give me any location but instead turned the conversation back to me. “Where do you live? You’re a long way from Essex.”
“I recently moved to Godlarton, it’s only about twenty minutes’ walk away. Do you know it?”
He paused then frowned slightly. “I do. Tell me…do you like living there? By the way, what is your name? I did not introduce myself. I’m Kai Tudor.”
“My name is Melissa.”
“Melissa what?”
“Melissa Carmichael.”
“That’s a lovely name, so pretty. It suits you. I’ve never met a Melissa before in real life, only in books or in films.”
I blushed and smiled. He looked me in the eye and smiled his beautiful smile again. The musty air inside the ancient bus shelter had become electrically charged. His expression turned grave as he repeated his first question again.
“How do you find living in Godlarton? It must be so different from Essex, so different from visiting it as a tourist.”
There was something unsaid in his words, almost a warning, and the look in his unusual-coloured eyes could only be described as tender concern. How I had longed for tenderness. I found myself speaking frankly yet without betraying my secrets.
“I’ve not been there long, but I do have family in the village. I used to visit them every year or so. However, COVID’s kept us apart, as I’m sure you can imagine. Living in Godlarton is completely different to living in Essex, completely different indeed. I had not been prepared for the change.”
Kai nodded. His expression was one of interest and also told me that he understood why I was saying what I was saying. The look in his eyes had not changed, so I continued to tell the truth.
“I am used to a less close-knit community. Where I used to live, there’s a lot more people, it’s a more cosmopolitan area, and people don’t know their neighbours so well. Don’t get me wrong. Nobody has been remotely unpleasant to me, but I feel conspicuous and different. I don’t feel part of the place. Still, I only moved a few weeks ago. I must not expect too much too soon.”
He looked at me sadly.
“What is it?” I gasped.
What bad news am I going to be hit with now?
There was an eternity of a pause before he answered
“Melissa, I hope you never have cause to regret moving, I honestly do, but unless your life in Essex was truly appalling, I think you made a mistake in coming here.
How does he know that my life was truly appalling?
About the Author
Ruth Danes has enjoyed both history and fiction since her childhood, and she has lived in four different countries. These interests and experiences inspired her to write the Life on Another Island series, which is set in a world where many characters unexpectedly start new lives in foreign, sometimes seemingly hostile, lands. Ruth has also written a thriller, The Flower and the Wolf. All five books are published by Rogue Phoenix Press.
Ruth has since written a new alternate history series called The Woldsheart Chronicles, which is published by Next Chapter. The series opens with The Deadly Favour and the second book is Another Green and Pleasant Land. Ruth has plans for a third book in the series. Her latest novel is another thriller called England’s Best Export. This is also published by Next Chapter.
Ruth Danes lives in the heart of England. When she is not busy with her imaginary friends, she likes to dance, travel and walk in the countryside with good companions.
Connect with Ruth
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