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Back Her White Lie Save as PDF
Chapters (72)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Chapter One
  4. Chapter Two
  5. Chapter Three
  6. Chapter Four
  7. Chapter Five
  8. Chapter Six
  9. Chapter Seven
  10. Chapter Eight
  11. Chapter Nine
  12. Chapter Ten
  13. Chapter Eleven
  14. Chapter Twelve
  15. Chapter Thirteen
  16. Chapter Fourteen
  17. Chapter Fifteen
  18. Chapter Sixteen
  19. Chapter Seventeen
  20. Chapter Eighteen
  21. Chapter Nineteen
  22. Chapter Twenty
  23. Chapter Twenty-One
  24. Chapter Twenty-Two
  25. Chapter Twenty-Three
  26. Chapter Twenty-Four
  27. Chapter Twenty-Five
  28. Chapter Twenty-Six
  29. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  30. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  31. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  32. Chapter Thirty
  33. Chapter Thirty-One
  34. Chapter Thirty-Two
  35. Chapter Thirty-Three
  36. Chapter Thirty-Four
  37. Chapter Thirty-Five
  38. Chapter Thirty-Six
  39. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  40. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  41. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  42. Chapter Forty
  43. Chapter Forty-One
  44. Chapter Forty-Two
  45. Chapter Forty-Three
  46. Chapter Forty-Four
  47. Chapter Forty-Five
  48. Chapter Forty-Six
  49. Chapter Forty-Seven
  50. Chapter Forty-Eight
  51. Chapter Forty-Nine
  52. Chapter Fifty
  53. Chapter Fifty-One
  54. Chapter Fifty-Two
  55. Chapter Fifty-Three
  56. Chapter Fifty-Four
  57. Chapter Fifty-Five
  58. Chapter Fifty-Six
  59. Chapter Fifty-Seven
  60. Chapter Fifty-Eight
  61. Chapter Fifty-Nine
  62. Chapter Sixty
  63. Chapter Sixty-One
  64. Chapter Sixty-Two
  65. Chapter Sixty-Three
  66. Chapter Sixty-Four
  67. Chapter Sixty-Five
  68. Chapter Sixty-Six
  69. Chapter Sixty-Seven
  70. A letter from Jackie
  71. About the Author
  72. Also by Jackie Walsh

Lucas took every opportunity to squeeze my hand or smile at me throughout the ceremony, relaxing me and helping me enjoy myself. After the register was signed and the photographs taken, I walked down the aisle to the cheers and congratulations of all the beautiful guests. It was when I got to the bottom of the aisle that I saw her in the corner standing with her mam. Faye smiled at me. Then she lifted her foot up behind her and rested it against the wall. I laughed.

‘Just a minute,’ I said to Lucas, taking his hand from my arm. Faye was pale and thinner than I ever remembered her being. I walked over to her.

‘You look as beautiful as I expected,’ she said and suddenly I didn’t care about my make-up. Tears could fall wherever they liked. I pulled her tightly to me and hugged her.

‘You have to take care of yourself, Faye,’ I whispered.

‘I will Tara, I promise.’

I walked away from Faye, knowing it might be the last time I’d see her. Maybe we’ll get close again, maybe we won’t. Maybe she’ll come visit me in Australia or maybe she won’t. None of it matters. Faye was always there when I needed her. I will never forget that. But I’m starting a new life now without the crutches of my past holding me up. And so is Faye. There is nothing I don’t wish for her. But mostly, I wish her peace.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

One Year Later

A golden-brown cocker spaniel comes over to where I’m sitting on the bench. His fluffy head pushes up against my leg as he shakes his tail. I bend down to rub his head and he licks my hand. His tongue feels warm against my cold fingers. A moment later, his owner calls out to him and the dog runs away.

The trees are all bare this time of year, their leaves a soggy carpet below the feet of the joggers running on the track that meanders through the forest behind me.

The park is full of people walking, some by themselves, others in couples or with dogs. Across the way, a team of footballers are training and beside them, a group of cricketers are practising throwing the ball.

I’m sitting here reading a book, embracing the peace that I find every time I come to this park. The big oak tree standing for years in the one spot reminds me to be happy. To accept what I have, to stay still and enjoy it.