The Wish List Addiction Read online

  The Wish List Addiction

  Lindsey Paley

  Copyright 2014 Lindsey Paley

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Cover Art by Joan Alley

  Editing by Jacqueline Hopper

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means without the permission of Prism Book Group. Please purchase only authorized editions and do not participate in the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Published by Prism Book Group

  ISBN-10: 1940099781

  ISBN-13: 978-1-940099-78-1

  First Edition, 2014

  Published in the United States of America

  Contact info: [email protected]

  http://www.prismbookgroup.com

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  The Wish List Addiction

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  DEDICATION

  Rebecca’s ‘To Do List’

  Rebecca’s Wish List

  Rebecca’s Bucket List

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Please read on to learn more about the author, Lindsey Paley, and to read a sample from another Prism Book Group novel, Falling Like a Rock by Bonnie McCune.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Please enjoy this sample from Falling Like a Rock by Bonnie McCune.

  Copyright © 2014

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  This story features ‘The Little Green Book of Wishes’, a book the main character, Rebecca Matthews, stumbles across when her life is at an all-time low and she is grasping the edge of sanity by her fingernails. Her friends challenge her to make some radical changes to her life.

  The book was christened ‘The Little Green Book of Wishes’ to guide the reader to its inspirational contents. The ‘Wishes’ have been collated into various sections—‘Wishes with Children’, Wishes with Partners’, Wishes with Friends’—not only for ease of reference but for the reason that we are consistently advised that happiness lies not in the amassing of monetary gain but in the connections we make and sustain with others.

  The smallest things can deliver pleasure and cost very little. There is no guarantee that the epic adventure of a lifetime to climb Mount Everest will deliver the dream you have lusted after your whole life, just as there is no guarantee that the homemade play dough won’t clog up your plumbing, necessitating a call to the emergency plumber!

  ‘The Little Green Book of Wishes’ is not a ‘Bucket List’ generator—it does not advocate that you draw up a finite list of things to do before you reach a certain age or event and then you can die happy in the knowledge that your dreams have been achieved. Far from it—that’s too stressful by half! The risk is that in the strenuous pursuit of one goal and the satisfaction of striking it from your list to move headlong on to the next, the ‘Wish List Addict’ becomes oblivious to the fact that real life rushes by alongside, which is exactly what happened to Rebecca.

  No, this little book of wishes is a ‘Dip in/Dip out’ book of tantalising gems. It does not contain anything too epic! No ‘Round the World Before You’re Thirty’ suggestions. Try one a week! Try one a month! Challenge your friends or your colleagues to select one for you to undertake at random—the only provisos are that you be safe, do your research and have fun!

  See those golden coins of happiness roll in!

  DEDICATION

  To Les and Ben

  Rebecca’s ‘To Do List’

  Pick up dry cleaning (need navy work suit for court)

  Arrange dental appointment (mention nagging toothache in bottom left tooth?)

  Arrange optician appointment (or replace lost arm of specs?)

  Buy milk and bread (beans/sausages/cereal)

  Ring Dad

  Get hair cut (West End salon near work? Maggie’s? Local college?)

  Write ‘thank you’ letters to Claudia and Paul (Too late? Christmas 3 months ago?)

  Buy Helen birthday present and card (Max’s home-made?) and post (apologise for not attending party -make good, check-proof excuse!)

  Ring bank and extend overdraft

  Bake cake for nursery’s annual ‘picnic-in-in-park’ (buy, then do frosting self?)

  Return library books (check rules on fines)

  Arrange meeting with Max’s keyworker to worrying discuss sleeve-sucking habit (be strong and assertive)

  Visit possible new nurseries.

  Search for Max’s health care file then make appointment for pre-school immunisations (look into purchasing new healthcare file? Research private immunisations?)

  Get Max’s feet measured and buy new shoes (Leather? Trainers? Flip-flops?)

  Ask for time off work for holiday (a week? a day? finish early on a Friday?)

  Iron clothes (pay Brittany?)

  Get up earlier!

  Rebecca’s Wish List

  Lose 10 lbs

  Learn meditation technique and practice (short quick lessons with immediate results?)

  Book a vacation with Max (hotel? self-catering? camping?)

  Look for new job (more money, better hours, nearer home, less stressful?)

  Spend more quality time with Max and Dad

  Move back to Northumberland (home)

  Register for a First Aid class

  Treat self to new shoes (Jimmy Choos? Louboutins? Nike?)

  Make Scrapbook of Mum’s photos and memories box (for Dad and for Max)

  Join swimming club (teach Max to swim!)

  Get a pet (small, check with landlord - goldfish? life span of goldfish?)

  Take Max to the library more often - read more books (not just Thomas The Tank Engine)

  Get a make-over (hairstyle? makeup? fitness? therapy? counselling?)

  Date? (when? how? babysitter? who!)

  Volunteer at hospice (read newspapers, novels? Offer legal advice - free wills?)

  Buy silk pillowcase (or demand them back from Brad?)

  Treat self to new underwear (silk? lace? cotton? market stall?)

  Ride the London Eye with Max (expensive)

  Fly kite and picnic in park (free)

  Donate blood (where?)

  Become a vegetarian (more healthy/less shopping required?)

  Arrange girl’s night out with Claudia and pay

  Hire red Morris Minor and take Dad to Church where he and Mum were married (on wedding
Anniversary?)

  Take Max to cinema (new Disney film?)

  Rebecca’s Bucket List

  Learn how to make fresh pasta in Tuscany

  Learn how to ice-skate

  Climb the steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower

  Fly in a hot air balloon over the Grand Canyon (safety? without Max)

  Experience and photograph the Northern Lights

  Write memoirs (or diary/journal/word for the day?)

  Learn to play the clarinet (like Mum)

  Learn Salsa (or karate?)

  Be an extra in a movie (TV? Radio play? Amateur production?)

  Swim with the dolphins with Max

  Take Max to Walt Disney World and ride Big Thunder Mountain together

  See the cherry blossom spring in Japan (with Dad)

  Travel by Orient Express from London to Venice

  Grow an herb garden (window-sill?)

  Fly first class to NYC and see a Broadway show (musical)

  Sponsor a child (Africa? UK? Mentor a law college student?)

  Visit Rome and throw three coins in the Trevi Fountain

  Research Family Tree (for Dad)

  Find a soul mate (must adore Max)

  Write will

  CHAPTER ONE

  Rebecca’s body trembled as she awaited the Tribunal’s verdict. Her nerve endings tingled with anxiety as her heart hammered against her ribcage. Her future career, her ability to support herself and her son, rested on the stony-faced chairman’s next few words. She’d never felt more alone in her life.

  “The decision of this disciplinary tribunal is that you be struck from the Roll of Solicitors with immediate effect. You are prohibited from practicing as a solicitor and from conducting any legal services without the express permission of this tribunal. It is a criminal offence to fail to disclose the fact you have been struck off to any prospective employer.”

  Nausea rose from Rebecca’s stomach to her throat. The worst outcome had been confirmed and all she wanted to do now was flee from the chamber to wallow in self-pity, but she was forced to endure the judge’s continued ruling.

  “The legal profession’s most valuable asset is its reputation and trustworthiness, which inspires confidence in members of the public. No solicitor can be allowed to bring the profession into disrepute.

  “However, Mrs Mathews, I also have before me an application from Lucinda Fleming of Baringer & Co, seeking permission to employ you in the role of paralegal assistant in their Family Litigation department. This I grant, with the condition attached that you are prevented from the handling of client account monies. You will be closely supervised by Ms Fleming and be subject to monthly reviews of your progress and the meeting of the aforementioned condition.

  “Do you understand the decision of this Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Mrs Mathews?” asked the chairman, his well-fed stomach straining the buttons of his pin-striped Savile Row jacket as he leaned forward to peer at Rebecca over his half-moon spectacles.

  “I do, sir,” Rebecca managed to squeak.

  “Do you accept the condition attached to the permission we have granted to Baringer &Co?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The chairman settled his bulk into the scarlet leather chair before continuing his pronouncement, each word lacerating Rebecca’s heart. She struggled not to flinch, drawing in a calming breath which served only to make her feel lightheaded.

  “The Tribunal accepts there are no aggravating factors in this matter. No direct financial harm was sustained by any individual member of the public and no client of your previous law firm has suffered any loss as a consequence of your actions. You have been open and honest with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and with this tribunal throughout their investigations.

  “Further, we have taken into account that from the outset you have admitted your fault and you have, to date, enjoyed an unblemished career in the law, evidenced by the numerous testimonials before us today.

  “However, I’m sure you acknowledge your conduct was irresponsible in the extreme. Whilst the Tribunal accepts you have shown no dishonesty in your actions, you displayed a reckless disregard for the financial consequences of the transaction you concluded, despite it being with the best of intentions.

  “My colleagues and I”—he gestured to the stern faces of his two judicial associates flanking him—“trust that with dedication and application in your new role, you will rectify your shattered reputation and discharge your indebtedness swiftly.

  “You may apply to the SDT to be restored to the Solicitors’ Roll when your bankruptcy has been discharged.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Our written decision and reasons for it will be sent to you within fourteen days of today’s hearing. I will ensure that Ms Fleming and Baringer & Co receive our written confirmation of the permission to employ you in time for the commencement of your employment on Monday, first April.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Rebecca gulped, tears brimming her auburn lashes.

  The chairman noticed her distress and his lined face softened. “I see from your written submission you are recently separated and have a young child?”

  “Yes, sir. My son, Max, is four years old.”

  “Then I am satisfied you will show the utmost commitment to your new post and to your new employers, as failure to do so will leave you in a very precarious position, both for your future career and for your and your son’s financial security. I have scrutinised your financial statement and noted you receive no monetary support for your son from your estranged husband. I’m sure you do not need me to urge you to press this matter further?”

  “No, sir,” replied Rebecca. Does he honestly believe I haven’t sought to do everything in my power to avoid the indignity of bankruptcy?

  “I make an order for a contribution to the applicant’s costs in the sum of five thousand pounds, such order not to be enforced without leave of the SDT. You are free to leave, Mrs Mathews.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Rebecca shuffled together the documents spread over the table in front of her and shoved them into her oversized, black leather satchel. Her stomach dipped and her knees buckled as she rose, but she managed to disguise this on the pretext of grabbing her raincoat from the floor where it lay discarded. Some scenes become seared into the mind’s eye, like a snapshot, returned to time and time again. As she glanced back at the bench, she realised this was one of them.

  Emerging into the weak March daylight, Rebecca gulped the noxious London air into her constricted lungs, steadying an urgent impulse to vomit.

  Ten long years of toil and turmoil in the legal profession, slaving at her desk until the early hours, forfeiting witnessing many of Max’s achievements, had culminated in the most devastating thirty minutes of her professional career.

  But, she acknowledged, it had been her fault. Her inability to accept there could be no ‘Happily Ever After’ scenarios for herself and Max had led her to the nightmare of today.

  She shrugged into her crumpled Burberry, slung her satchel over her shoulder, and slunk to the end of Farringdon Street to commence the predestined quest of failing to locate an available cab.

  She should have predicted her unsuccessful attempt, as well as the ensuing rainstorm, as she dragged out a scrunched up umbrella from the dark recesses of her bag, dislodging a boiled sweet as she struggled to open it in the oncoming downpour.

  Changing tact, she made for the Underground at Temple, contemplating her bleak future. Her career was wrecked. It would take years to pay back the money she owed. Whilst she would be eternally grateful to Baringer & Co for offering her a position, she was embarrassed and ashamed of her predicament, anxious about the reactions of her prospective colleagues in the litigation team she would be joining.

  Despite her qualms, she was determined to slave her guts out to repay Lucinda Fleming for her generosity. However, she was concerned about how she was going to be able to put in the long hours required to achieve this
when she had Max to care for. He had to remain her priority. Nothing else mattered but his wellbeing. Every action she had taken, which had led her to this catastrophe, had been with Max and Bradley’s happiness in mind. She’d desperately wanted a better life for all of them, for them to spend more quality time together, in a carefree, less-stressed existence.

  Now she boasted no partner, no home, and no career. What a complete failure!

  As Rebecca stumbled down the last of the stone steps onto the subway’s platform, the jarring of her stiletto heels caused her ankle to twist painfully. Her flesh-coloured stockings splattered with dots of mud, tendrils of her damp copper curls plastered to her high cheek bones, all these woes paled into insignificance when she remembered that the next task on her list was to spill the bad news to her elderly father, who had sacrificed so much for her success and happiness.

  CHAPTER TWO

  As she perched on the broken plastic seat on the freezing platform, rubbing her wrenched ankle, her mobile buzzed in the deep recesses of the pocket of her Burberry trench, pulled tightly around her waist. Squinting at the caller ID, Rebecca fought an internal battle whether she had the stamina to undergo a second intensive interrogation that day.

  She’d spent the whole morning enduring the embarrassment and humiliation of being lectured on how her professional life and legal career now lay in tatters, emerging with no doubt she was a complete and utter failure.

  Could she tolerate being ridiculed and scorned further—reinforcing how her personal life was a disaster, too—especially by her estranged husband of all people? Well, in for a penny, in for a pound, as her beloved mum had been fond of repeating whenever Rebecca had been stubborn in her refusal to progress with anything too challenging. A clash of intense pain in her abdomen reminded her of the gaping hole the loss of her mother had left in her life, an emotion she had experienced every day of the last five years.