Here’s a treat from Anglo-Swedish writer Hélene Fermont. An extract from her third novel, His Guilty Secret, which takes the reader on a scandalous tale of death, betrayal, love and no less than five affairs.
His Guilty Secret
Hélene’s novels deal with the psychological and moral complexity of issues that readers will easily identify with. Her experience as a therapist helps her to understand the true emotions of her characters, leading them through their grief, addictions and escape from their toxic relationships.
His Guilty Secret Extract
“It’s okay, I’m here for you.” Clemency asked a passing doctor for directions to the morgue. Both women went up to the front desk where a receptionist took their details. “May I identify the deceased man instead of my friend, please? She’s too upset to do it.”
Awaiting the stern-looking girl’s response, Patricia had a change of heart. “If it’s my husband, I want to see him,” she said weakly, convinced she would die if that man turned out to be Jacques.
“Certainly, I’ll take you there myself,” the girl replied in a brusque manner. She got up from her chair and led them towards a small passage, then gave their details to a stocky middle-aged doctor sitting behind a screen. As she left, the girl didn’t say goodbye or express her condolences. She’d long since learned to not get personally involved with people identifying their next of kin. To her it was just a job that enabled her to pay the bills.
Patricia and Clemency followed the doctor into a sterile white room, which smelt of disinfectant. The doctor turned and looked at Patricia. “I appreciate this is hard for you, Mrs Beaumont. You’re about to identify the body of your husband who was brought here yesterday afternoon at 3.00 p.m. Perhaps you would like your friend to accompany you?” He looked at Patricia, waiting for her to respond.
Patricia was too upset to talk, so Clemency replied on her behalf. “I’m coming with her,” she said in a firm voice, not letting go of her friend’s hand. It seemed surreal to think that less than twenty-four hours ago, Patricia had been looking forward to seeing her husband and she’d been preparing to spend the evening with her guests.
Nodding, the doctor led them to a corner at the back of the room where a body was covered with a white sheet on a trolley. Pulling down the sheet, he asked, “Is the deceased your husband, Mr Jacques Beaumont?”
Patricia let go of Clemency’s hand. Leaning forward, she took a closer look at the face and upper body of the man she’d spent the best years of her life with, and nodded. “Yes, that’s Jacques. What happened to him?” Her voice trembled so much the doctor moved closer to hear her.
“Your husband died of a heart attack. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
His Guilty Secret by Hélene Fermont is out on 27th November 2017 and will be available on Amazon.
For more information see helenefermont.com