Innocently Guilty , livre ebook

The Conrad Press - Ashling Bourke

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88 pages

English

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'Innocently Guilty' is a highly engaging and extremely entertaining first novel full of intriguing characters, international adventure, love and passion, secrets and a chilling mystery at its core.Lottie and Emily are best friends, who want more than anything to have the perfect boyfriend but when a boy is found dead and all eyes are on Lottie, an African adventure awaits that unexpectedly reveals the answers she seeks. This was so not part of the plan.

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Thriller

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Publié par	The Conrad Press
Date de parution	01 mars 2021
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781839781841
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0200€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Innocently Guilty
Ashling Bourke

Innocently Guilty
Published by The Conrad Press in the United Kingdom 2021
Tel: +44(0)1227 472 874 www.theconradpress.com   info@theconradpress.com
ISBN 978-1-839781-84-1
Copyright © Ashling Bourke, 2021
The moral right of Ashling Bourke to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved.
Typesetting and Cover Design by: Charlotte Mouncey, www.bookstyle.co.uk
The Conrad Press logo was designed by Maria Priestley.

For Granny Kay, I miss you greatly.
For Mummi, you are an inspiration.
For Mum, I’d be lost without you.

1
Party invites
I t was a Sunday night, and we had some major party planning to do for Nicole’s Sweet Sixteenth which was less than two weeks away.
‘How about a Black and White theme?’ Nicole suggested.
‘Ohhh that sounds classy,’ I replied.
‘Check out this template I found for the invitations, it’ll look even better with the Black and White theme too!’ Emily said excitedly.
Nicole and I gathered around her iMac to see Emily’s template of a black rectangle which looked like white fairy dust falling towards the invitation details.
‘Hhmm… It needs something more… Can I have the mouse for a second, Emily?’ I asked.
‘Sure, go ahead.’
I brought out the colour toolbox feature and played around until I found a golden bronze colour.
‘What do you think?’
‘That looks so cool, Lottie! Thank you, people will definitely want to come now!’ Nicole squealed with excitement.
‘Aw what are best friends for!’
I hugged her whilst Emily pressed command s to save the file.
‘Nicole, did you talk to your parents?’ I asked.
‘Yeah, it took some convincing, but they said they trust me. So, they’ve rented a cottage for the weekend and they’ll take my little brother with them too. So, no parents allowed,’ Nicole explained.
‘You’re so lucky, Nicole! There’s no way my parents would let me do that,’ Emily sulked.
‘Don’t get me started! Mine would go and “boogie” on the dance-floor, no matter how many times I tell them no one calls it that anymore,’ I replied in disgust.
‘Well, this is our chance to prove them all wrong! I mean what could possibly go wrong?’ Nicole asked.
‘Nothing! Cause you have the two best friends that everyone needs during a party crisis. Isn’t that right, Emily?’ I asked.
‘Definitely! Right, how many of these invitations should I print out then?’
‘Hhmm let’s say a hundred?’ I suggested.
‘What? I told my parents I would just invite our year group around!’ Nicole sounded like she was going to panic.
‘Oh c’mon, Nicole, everyone knows you should always invite triple in case others can’t make it,’ I reassured her.
‘Ok, I just hope they don’t steal or break anything.’
‘Nah, they won’t. We’ll make sure of it.’
‘Oh, I almost forgot! I got all three of us makeup and hair appointments at Glitter Chic’s straight after school, just before the party starts,’ Nicole said.
‘Oh My Socks! It takes ages to secure an appointment there!’
‘Well, it was my parents’ birthday present for me and how could I possibly say no to that?’ Nicole asked.
‘There’s no way you could,’ Emily added with a smile.
She handed us each a pile of invitations to hand out at school the next day during our free period at 11:00. I was standing outside the school library, waiting for those who were willing to actually study, to hand them an invitation. Several groups of students strolled by until I locked eyes with the one, I was really waiting for… Robbie Wilson. He was in the year above and was so dreamy with his curly “I don’t care” bushy chocolate brown hair and hazel brown eyes. He was super fit too as he was on the swim team. I quickly fixed my hair and struck a pose as I held the party invitations in my hand for them to grab. His friends walked past, most of them ignoring me until Robbie took the invitation out of my hand and said:
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome.’
My first words to Robbie. Once he was out of my sight, I immediately texted the girls.
Later that day at lunch, I filled the girls in on what had happened.
‘…And those were my first words to him… Even the way he took the invitation from my hand was so perfect and his skin was so smooth…’
‘Eeek! Can’t believe you got to finally talk to your crush! What are you gonna do if he comes to my party next week?’ Nicole asked.
‘There’s no way he would come! He’s from the year above remember?’
‘You never know, he might. He did take an invitation after all,’ Emily added.
‘That’s true, yeah.’
Perhaps Robbie would come to the party after all? I wondered. One could only hope.

2
‘Leave it with me’
T he girls and I were standing by the Science corridor waiting for our next classes which were biology and chemistry.
‘I can’t tell you both how excited I am for tonight! It’s gonna be a night to remember,’ Nicole said excitedly.
‘I’m so happy for you, Nicole! I really hope it’ll be the best birthday you’ve ever had,’ I said.
‘Of course, it will be when I’ve got you both by my side.’
‘Shh… Robbie’s heading this way… Let’s talk about our homework…’ Lottie interrupted.
‘What?’ Nicole and I both said simultaneously.
‘Yeah, so I really struggled with question five. How did you guys feel about it?’ Lottie asked.
Nicole and I exchanged blank, confused looks until Robbie interrupted us.
‘Hey… um… Lottie, could I speak to you about something?’
‘Hey Robbie, of course. Excuse me girls.’
She stepped aside and placed her hand on Robbie’s arm as she asked:
‘What would you like to ask me?’
He touched his hair momentarily and cleared his throat.
‘I was wondering if you wanted to go to the party with me later?’
‘Yes, that sounds good to me.’
She twirled her ponytail as he continued.
‘Why don’t we exchange numbers and I’ll text you later on, yeah?’
She slipped her hand into his trouser pockets, pulled out his phone and handed it to him for his pin-code. He entered it and then she typed her number in.
‘Shall we meet at four?’ she asked.
Nicole and I looked at each other in horror. How could she forget our Glitter Chic’s appointment of all things?
‘Works for me. See ya later, yeah?’ he responded.
‘See ya.’
She then returned to us but watched Robbie walk to the end of the corridor before screaming with excitement.
‘Oh My Socks! Robbie actually asked me out! And he knows my name! I must be Cinderella in disguise.’
I gave her a smile whereas Nicole was biting her tongue. She was about to explode.
‘Aren’t you happy for me, Nicole?’
‘I am but…’
I quickly interrupted.
‘Of course, we’re happy for you! Now you better get yourself to biology and update us at the party, yeah?’
‘Yeah, of course. Right, see you both later.’
‘See ya.’
I waited till Lottie entered her class.
‘I know what you’re thinking.’
Nicole sighed.
‘It took me ages to secure that appointment and once again, she’s gone and ditched us. Unbelievable honestly!’
‘I know, it’s just not fair.’
‘Not fair? It’s absolutely out of order when it’s your best friend’s birthday!’
‘She needs to learn the true meaning of friendship.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Don’t worry, leave it with me.’
The school bell rang which meant it was time for chemistry.
Once school had finished, I asked Nicole:
‘Is it all right if I meet you at Glitter Chic’s at four?’
‘Um… yeah but why? Where are you off to?’
‘I forgot my shoes for tonight so, just quickly dashing home to get them. Is that all right?’
‘Yeah, all right, I’ll see ya later then.’
‘See ya.’
I walked a few blocks till I found the corner where Chip was having a fag whilst waiting for me. He was wearing a large grey hoodie with grey gym bottoms and trainers with holes in them.
‘All right, babe. How was school?’
‘Boring as usual.’
‘Come here, I’ll show you what you’ve been missing.’
I walked closer till he grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a big slobbery kiss. After a few minutes, I pulled away and asked:
‘Fancy going to a party tonight?’
‘Thought you didn’t want your pals knowing about us?’
‘Well, I need your help with something.’
‘Oh yeah? What does that involve exactly?’
‘I need you to make sure a scene is caused… One where the person would make a real twat of themselves… You in?’
‘Ok, who am I targeting exactly?’
‘Robbie Wilson. You know him?’
‘Oh, I do… I have just the thing for him.’
‘Good. Oh, and remember, if anyone asks, we don’t know each other, yeah?’
He sighed.
‘Anything for you, babe.’
I leaned in and gave him one more smooch before heading off to meet Nicole. I had the biggest grin on my face as I thought of the evening ahead.

3
First dates
I ran home as fast as I could as I only had about forty minutes until I was due to meet Robbie for our first date. Once I got home, I immediately rummaged through my entire wardrobe for something decent to wear. I ended up deciding on a bright red crop top, black leggings and a black denim jacket with red converse. I had remembered an article that said red was the colour of attraction which meant that Robbie would find me irresistible. I topped my foundation, drew a thin layer of black eyeliner on the top of my eyelids and a blob of lip gloss on my lips. The time was 15:45 which meant I needed to head out or I risked being late which wasn’t an option.
Ten minutes later, I found Robbie waiting for me just outside of Cookie Crush. He was wearing black jeans and a white button up shirt with black Ray-Ban sunglasses.
‘Hey, you’re looking good tonight,’ he said.
‘Hey, why thank you. You’re quite dressed up for an ice cream date?’
‘Well, I thou