Chance Meetings and Distant Lives

<p class=ql-align-justify><strong>On a drizzly afternoon Stephanie runs into Secundus (Secco) Frome an old school friend. On the bus remembering teenage shenanigans-including a near-romantic moment at a school disco and tales of Black Moroccan smoking and ghost hunting-their chemistry rekindles. But disaster happens when the bus smashes beneath a low bridge. Secco and Stephanie on the bottom deck survive the crash whereas many of their fellow passengers are killed. Secco and Stephanie are rescued by a sympathetic couple Derek and Marsha who offer comfort with tea and whiskey in the mayhem that erupts as emergency services descend on the tragedy. Reunited by circumstance the two visit a rowdy Clifton party and finally act on their long-buried passion. Something happens the following morning that will change their lives forever.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-justify><strong>Secco is hospitalized after a car accident bonding with nurse Becci and physiotherapist Grant. Relocated to a safe house in Congresbury their fragile peace is shattered by stalker Victor whom Stephanie kills in self-defense. Remanded to prison Stephanie faces danger as a fake lawyer poisons her cellmate Annie exposing sinister ties. Meanwhile Officer Julia and Alicia escape kidnappers. Fleeing to St Malo France Secco and Stephanie work on tourist boat <em>Moody</em> befriending locals Pierre Bâton and Elodie. Their travels span Italy and Portugal. In Morocco Pierre and Elodie board a plane to Kenya betrayed by the pilot. Returning to St Malo they find the <em>Moody</em> gone sparking a chase where Bâton distracts arresting officers.</strong></p><p class=ql-align-justify><strong>Inspector Bryan commandeers the <em>Moody</em> in Morocco vanishing. The ending is a conclusion with a taste of ambiguity allowing the reader to draw conclusions regarding freedom loyalty and redemption.</strong></p><p></p>