Summer Reads, Sneaky Peek : Jennie Ensor's The Girl in His Eyes Available for pre order now

Book blurb

Available here

Her father abused her when she was a child. For years she was too afraid to speak out. But now she suspects he’s found another victim…

Laura, a young woman struggling to deal with what her father did to her a decade ago, is horrified to realise that the girl he takes swimming might be his next victim. Emma is twelve – the age Laura was when her father took away her innocence.

Intimidated by her father’s rages, Laura has never told anyone the truth about her childhood. Now she must decide whether she has the courage to expose him and face the consequences.

Can Laura overcome her fear and save Emma before the worst happens?

Author bio

A Londoner with Irish heritage, Jennie Ensor began her writing career as a journalist, obtaining a Masters in Journalism (winning two student awards) and covering topics from forced marriages to accidents in the mining industry. Social issues and the edgier side of life often creep into her novels, stories and poems. 

Jennie Ensor’s debut Blind Side was published by Unbound Digital in 2016. THE GIRL IN HIS EYES, a dark psychological family drama, will be published by Bloodhound Books in September 2018. In January 2018 her short story ‘The Gift’ was placed in the Top 40 of the Words and Women national prose competition. Her poetry has appeared in many literary publications, most recently Ink Sweat and Tears. In her spare time, Ms Ensor cycles, sings in a chamber choir and dreams of setting off on a long trip with her kindle.

Sneaky Peek: THE GIRL IN HIS EYES

Paul

8 January 2011

‘Hello, long time no see.’ Jane greeted him with a pallid smile. ‘Come on in.’

Her hair was tied back severely. Her once attractive face was pale, almost haggard. Dark shadows hung around her eyes. She wore an unflattering sweatshirt and baggy tracksuit pants. She was still slim, though.

Paul stepped into the hall. Music bleated in his ears from behind a closed door, the banal repetitive beat thankfully muffled.

‘It’s so good of you to do this, Paul. I felt bad about asking, but I thought … Honestly, I didn’t know who else to turn to. My friends are fed up with me asking for favours.’

‘It’s absolutely no problem at all, my dear.’ He gave her his most dazzling smile. ‘I’m at the pool most Saturdays, it’s the least I can do. It’s a pleasure to help.’  

 ‘I just hope Emma will be better behaved with you.’ A slow heave of the shoulders. Jane’s sigh conveyed all the miseries of single motherhood. ‘She’s had a fight with Toby already this morning and she’s refused to tidy her room or do anything I ask. I’m at my wits’ end with her.’

He followed her into the living room. There was barely any space left on the carpet for the agglomeration of toy dumper trucks, Glamour magazines, Blu-ray cases and sheets of crayon-streaked paper. 

Emma was strewn across the sofa, watching TV. Beside her, a cheap beaded necklace and an empty bottle of Fanta lemonade. She wore faded jeans, white Nikes, and a sweatshirt with GAP emblazoned across the front.

‘Paul’s here, Emma. For God’s sake, turn that thing down.’

He hadn’t seen her for at least a year, so he’d expected a few changes. But this girl he hardly recognised. He knew she was only twelve, yet she could have been fourteen. Her skin was flawless. Her hair shimmied down her back, thick and glossy brown like a model’s in a L’Oréal advert. Gone was the awkward, gangly girl he remembered from Jane’s dinner parties, back when Neil was around. Something else had emerged, poised and self-aware.

‘Hi, Emma.’

‘Hi.’ She turned her head to him, smiled reluctantly and turned back to the TV.

Jane checked her watch. ‘Have you got your swimming things ready, Emma?’

‘They’re upstairs. Can I just watch the end of this programme? There’s only a few minutes to go.’

‘No, Emma! Please turn the TV off now and get your things.’ Jane’s voice sounded infinitely weary.       

Emma glared at her mother, dragged herself off the sofa and flounced out of the room.

Jane bent to pick up a glass from the floor. ‘I hope she won’t be any trouble, Paul. If she is, let me know.’

‘Don’t worry, I don’t think Emma will act up with me. Anyway, I’ve had my own stroppy teenage daughter to deal with, remember.’

A paper-thin smile didn’t erase the weariness from Jane’s face.

‘I can’t thank you enough for your help,’ she said. ‘She’d be stuck in her room all day if you weren’t taking her out.’

‘It’s no trouble,’ he repeated. ‘Believe me.’

You can connect with Jennie here

Author website & blog: https://jennieensor.com

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JennieEnsorAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennie_Ensor 

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