#auther

📚 Book title : Healing his soul

No copyright. All rights reserved

Looking for advice / feedback on my completed book. Posting my first chapter 🫣

Synopsis : Belle Reyton is a lead project manager at a consulting firm, always ready to take on the next big client and handle whatever chaos comes her way.

What she isn't prepared for, though, is him - Hunter Jackson.

Difficult, frustrating, and impossible to read, Hunter quickly becomes the most challenging client her company has ever dealt with, sending Belle on a complete rollercoaster of emotions.

But somewhere between the tension and undeniable chemistry, the lines between enemies and something much more begin to blur.

This is an enemies-to-lovers story which is full of twists, turns and emotional chaos. Hunter is forced into a journey of self-discovery through his growing obsession with Belle. Maybe, finally, he has a chance to heal the parts of himself he's been running from.

Chapter 1:

Isabelle

My alarm goes off at 7am and I make my way to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and grab some toast. I usually spend 15 minutes waking up, catching up on social media and getting ready for the long day ahead. Working as a senior project manager for a consulting firm is hard graft, mainly due to due the suits I work with. Typical male, master of the universe types- you know the kind. Gods gift to women and the smartest people on the planet. Yeah right. I spend most of my day rolling my eyes at them thinking to myself – how do you even manage to get yourself dressed in the morning. Its hilarious.

Because of this I have had to train myself at work to be a woman who is no nonsense, straight shooting and fierce – however, once you get to know me, I'm loyal, fun, and a damn right pretty good friend to have if I do say so myself. I'm average to look at, long dark hair with matching brown eyes. But my assets let's call them, are a very large size DD cups who I like to call Thelma and Louise- you know ride or die sisters. That's what I like to call the girls anyway. Working in the type of industry I do, I have had to learn how to deal with the slimy men around me who do nothing but stare at the ladies. If they aren't small fat dirt balls who try it on with me, they are just outright arseholes who see her as nothing but a bit of skirt or a wannabe Project Director. You could say that over the years I have had to build a wall between who I am at work – the type pf person who takes shit from no one , who is confident in herself and her capability - to the true version of myself who is actually quite shy , doesn't love her appearance and overall is quite vulnerable. Not that I would let anyone know that.

I arrive at the BCA headquarters early walking to my office when I see Callum and his shit head friends. They work in our marketing department, he mainly deals with the designs for our clients as well as advertising the services we offer. ''Wore your breast outfit for today's meeting have you Bella'' he sneers. Ben and Toby sniggering behind him like the little schoolboys they are. ''Eat shit Cal'' I retort striding into my office.

God I hate that guy. Since day one him and his little squad have had it out for me, jealous I was able to a good job and make myself an asset in the team. Today I have a meeting with a representative from our newest client to finalise the agreement of the project my company will be taking on. A big part of my job is taking on clients, seeing their visions and ideas and turning them into reality. Project management is not easy – to try and meet people's high expectations whilst keeping their feet on the ground of what is realistically possible is not easy let me tell you. I had to excavate a project last year for a millionaire client who wanted to build a software solution that allowed him to track food wastage for the produce in his supermarket chain. He basically wanted to track every fucking grape and broccoli leaf they had in inventory, how much was sold (obviously I know how important this is), how much went out of date and was thrown away but wanted it all via a sophisticated CRM system that contained AI, coupled with portable versions that could be used in the supermarkets by staff and store managers. It would need to make sure that from the moment the product was to leave the supplier – it was tracked, the inventory was documented into categories of ripeness and assess how much shelf life it had – this would then prompt his staff to display said items in order of how they would be sold. Where items weren't sold the AI side would document that item, how it was stored in the supermarket, the shop manager in charge of that store (because of course they just had to be held accountable) and which products were the selling the most. This would cross analyse with the time of year and what products are more popular than others and generate analytical – high level data for the higher ups to review. Honestly – in theory it was a great idea and will in the long run save a company a LOT of cash – It's safe to say, me and my team managed to deliver this. It's still in its infancy but he has the trademark in his name and will look to sell this technology to other chains in the future. I was very proud to work on and lead that project however the CEO Mr Ballach (who we justifiably re named Mr. Ballbag) was a real dick. I wouldn't have minded if the main reason he was so passionate -well let's be real, high maintenance and unrealistic with time frames was to stop too much waste and maybe even figure out a way to utilise any wastage to help those in need. But it wasn't, it was another way to line his pockets and make even more millions in the process. We worked tirelessly for 18 months to deliver a very robust CRM with integrated AI technology so that Mr BallBag could track all inventory in all 150 of his supermarkets – ensuring as little wastage as possible. I'm very much looking forward to taking on a new client, starting an exciting project and hopefully, just hopefully not having to deal with another pompous dick.

Its 8.30am and the meeting is due to start with the head of brand management Hunter Jackson at 9am, the name 'Hunter Jackson' sounds quite sexy but no doubt he will be a stereotypical balding middle-aged man who will spend the entire meeting staring directly at Thelma and Louise.

''Hey you!'' my best friend Becca shouts enthusiastically waving in my direction as I enter the work canteen. ''Are you ready for your meeting at nine? I can't believe the project you have been working on landing for the last 2 months is finally going to get signed''

'I absolutely am, even if Cal tried to unnerve me earlier as soon as I walked through the door, do you think my shirt is too tight?'' 'Eugh that guy is a douche Bella. Don't let him get to you, your shirt is fine- you look professional. 'Yeah, you look really professional Bella'' Caitlin my other best friend seconded nodding her head ''Just ignore him, he's jealous as always.''

''Thanks ladies, are we still going out this Saturday? I think by then I will be ready for a few drinks or ten. I just need to get through this next hour with Mr. boring old man Jackson and I can start to relax ready for a blow out this weekend before the real hard work begins next week.'' ''Yep count us in!'' They both say in unison''. Hopefully we might even get you laid so you are fully and completely reeeeelaxed for next week'' Becca adds wagging her eyebrows.

''Oh, give over you two, I'm not interested in any of that – I just want to spend some time with my friends, get black out drunk and eat the biggest dirtiest kebab money can buy.''

Becca lets out a snort, ''That's you all over Belle – all business, tiny bit of pleasure and giant kebab for company'' I chuckle, ''Right I'm off to my meeting, wish me luck ladies.''

The boardroom is all set, I have taken the time to leave note pads for everyone, pens, tea, coffee and even some fancy little cakes for us all to enjoy. I just need to get through this next hour and, re go through the pitch of the new project we are taking on. It's a complete re brand of a company called Synergy which is a green energy company. They specialise in selling and maintaining solar panels for large commercial properties, EV charges, Smart meters and energy management. We will also be responsible for building them a new in-house CRM system and new website to sell such their products.

''Are you nervous about this one Bella'' my senior project manager Alex asks me. ''No not really, I don't think'' I huff out. '' Can it be any more hard work or worse than the last one we did? Seriously, I was dehydrated for the best part of a year Mr Ballbag had me sweating that much'' We both burst out hysterically laughing – Mr. Ballbag must be one of my greatest most innovative nicknames for another human.

9.00am on the dot and our lovely receptionist Kathy leads in the team from Synergy headed up by Hunter Jackson. Theres 5 of them in total, however immediately I'm not met by any middle-aged men that seem to be in charge. For the most part they all seem my age which is 31 or slightly older – as we go through introductions, there doesn't seem to be a Hunter is in sight.

''Hello Isabelle, my name is Katie, I'm Hunter's personal assistant. I'm very sorry he is just running slightly late and will be here in 5 minutes. ''No problem at all'' I say back cheerily. ''We can wait for 5 minutes before we get started''. Wow this guy has his own PA? He must be the real deal if that's the case, I don't have a PA running around after me waiting with my water and morning coffee, which it appears Katie has for him. God, I am 100% going to be stuck with some old perv, aren't I. We are all sat chit chatting between us, filling in the time for Hunter to arrive. It isn't long before the boardroom door flies open and in steps Hunter Jackson.

Fuck me.

My mouth hangs open as in strides a 6ft 5, black haired, blue eyed, tanned God. He must be a God. There is no way a human can look like that. He looks like he has been chiselled straight from an ancient Greek history book. Slight stubble across a strong jaw and wearing a smirk on a very nice pair of lips. I can see beneath the suit he has wide shoulders and is most definitely packing under his suit. I know it. The first 2 buttons of his white shirt are undone which exposes the column of his throat and it makes my mouth water. My eyes immediately dart to looking at the strong hands he's using to prop the door open. I have never been in a meeting where I have been met with someone as stunningly beautiful as this man which just stops me in my tracks. Fuck, fuck, fuck, stop staring at him then and get up and introduce yourself what's wrong with you!

''Hi, my names Isabelle Reyton, nice to meet you. I assume you are Hunter Jackson?'' I stammer as I dart to stand and hold out my hand to shake his.

''Sorry I am late'' he says slowly reaching out grabbing my hand ''I was busy''. Right OK – that was short and sweet, obviously no explanation needed there then. God his hands a very large when they encase mine, soft too.

''Its OK don't worry, we have all been getting acquainted anyway'' I offer a sweet smile looking around the room. ''Hmmhmm'' is his reply as he takes his seat, Katie meanwhile is scooting around him getting out his laptop and setting down his coffee beside him. She seems on edge, like she's eager to please, offering him little side glances and sultry smiles – I don't blame her though, I would be the same if I had to be a personal assistant to him all day everyday Jesus.

''So, the idea of today then'' I begin ''Is to finalise the plans of the re brand for Synergy, website designs, customer portals and the CRM you will be using to servicing these customers with. I think if we just get straight-

''Yes, yes, I'm aware if why we are here'' Hunter interrupts me, his tone harsh. ''As the head of brand management I wanted to start of going through my expectations of you and what we need from BCA. If we don't nail this from day one, then the whole project won't run smoothly which lands on me.''

''OK, no problem, what expectations do you have that we are not already planning for Hunter?''

''Mr. Jackson, if you would address me correctly please Isabelle'' he says it in such a derogatory manner it makes my skin prickle. ''Sorry Mr. Jackson '' I give him my widest smile in response.

'Whilst I know the plans and what we need to achieve here, I want to be satisfied that I know you and your team will pour your blood, sweat and tears into this project. I want to know you don't mind working 18 hour days to meet my deadlines and that what I ask for. I get.''

''Erm yep, OK, me and my team are very dedicated in ensuring Synergy's vision comes to light and we will''-

''And should we need meetings, re designs of the re designs, scope creeps and changes in plans, that you will do this willingly and without push back.'' He just cut me off again the prick and makes his demands in yet another derogatory tone. Raising his eyebrow and smirking at me in such an arrogant way it's making my blood boil.

''Yes, happy to do all that Mr. Jackson, me and my team are at your disposal''

''Good, no need for me to stick around then, I will leave you in the capable hands of my right-hand man Danny'' he says nodding towards the sheepish man looking in my direction. With that he gets up and just leaves. Danny clears his throat.

no pressure, no perfection

just me, my thoughts, and this space 🌙

Waiting At The Window - A. A. Milne

These are my two drops of rain Waiting on the window-pane. I am waiting here to see Which the winning one will be. Both of them have different names. One is John and one is James. All the best and all the worst Comes from which of them is first. James has just begun to ooze. He's the one I want to lose. John is waiting to begin. He's the one I want to win. James is going slowly on. Something sort of sticks to John. John is moving off at last. James is going pretty fast. John is rushing down the pane. James is going slow again. James has met a sort of smear. John is getting very near. Is he going fast enough? (James has found a piece of fluff.) John has quickly hurried by. (James was talking to a fly.) John is there, and John has won! Look! I told you! Here's the sun!

A. A. Milne. "Waiting At The Window." Family Friend Poems, https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/waiting-at-the-window-by-a-a-milne

Any thoughts? Anyone??

Robert Cunninghame-Graham 1st President of National Party of Scotland and the first MP to call himself a socialist died 20th March 1936.

Cunninghame Graham was an author, traveller explorer, politician and adventurer, he was a man of extraordinary talents, tireless energy and considerable courage. His friend and contemporary Joseph Conrad remarked, “When I think of Cunninghame Graham, I feel as though I have lived all my life in a dark hole without seeing or knowing anything.” and I have to agree with him, I use the term Polymath now and then for some subjects I post about, he was that, and more.

Born in London in 1852, educated at Harrow, but always, always, a Scot to his marrow, Cunninghame Graham was a descendant of the Earls of Menteith and the son of a laird whose lands eventually extended from Gartmore in Stirlingshire to Ardoch in Dunbartonshire and Finlaystone in Renfrewshire. It was there that Robert was largely brought up, coming heavily under the influence of his Spanish grandmother. 

After schooling, at Harrow, Robert finished his education in Brussels, Belgium, learning, among other things, the art of swordsmanship at which he became an expert.

In a crowded life — Cunninghame Graham was variously a Member of Parliament, a gaucho in South America, a fencing master, a founder member of both the Independent Labour Party and the Scottish National Party, a rancher, horse-trainer, buffalo hunter and Long Rider through North and South America — he wrote prolifically. He called himself,  "Don Roberto,". He also enjoyed a journey into Morocco, disguised as an Arab Sheik, he was, as they say, some man! 

In 1872 Cunninghame Graham rode on horseback 600 miles up the river Parana to the Iguacu Falls, researching the role of the early Jesuits with the local Indians. His subsequent book, A Vanished Arcadia, was made into a film, The Mission starring Jeremy Irons.   He lived for a time in Argentina, where his extended family had a ranch, by way of Uruguay and Paraguay. He became an expert horseman, riding with gauchos, and his admiration for these men was such that he often wore gaucho clothes when back home, he must have been quite a sight! 

He wrote that one day on a knoll in the pampas he met a man who greeted him in halting Spanish. Cunninghame Graham suggested he speak in English and referred to the view. The man, said, perhaps hearing a Scots accent for the first time in 20 years, “Aye, but man, it’s naething tae the view off Dumyat.”

Don Roberto married to an equally colourful and talented woman that he met in Paris, Gabrielle de la Balmondiere, who had been described as a Chilean princess. In fact, she was an actress called Caroline Horsfall, who went on to be a published poet. Among her many admirers was WB Yeats.

His contact with poor people everywhere made him a socialist before that term was even coined. On returning from South America, he rapidly took up political campaigning and in 1886, there being no Labour Party, he stood on a radical ticket for the Liberals in North West Lanarkshire, winning comfortably.

On 12th September 1887 he was suspended from parliament for making what was called a "disrespectful reference" to the House of Lords. He was the first MP ever to be suspended from the House of Commons for swearing; the word was damn.

He was suspended from the House of Commons in December 1888 for protesting about the working conditions of chain makers. His response to the Speaker of the House, "I never withdraw", was later used by George Bernard Shaw in Arms and the Man.

He truly was a courageous man – in 1887, he was beaten up badly by police at the original Bloody Sunday in Trafalgar Square and was jailed for six weeks.

His leftward move and meetings with James Keir Hardie led him to co-found the Scottish Labour Party with Keir Hardie, but has been largely airbrushed out of the history of the party, due to his Scottish Nationalist views. 

Its manifesto included nationalisation of land and minerals, an eight-hour day, State insurance, the abolition of the House of Lords and all hereditary offices, home rule for Scotland, the abolition of the liquor tariff and the disestablishment of State Churches.

Yet Labour disappointed him, don’t they always, and after World War One – he volunteered a the age of 62 and became a horse-buyer for the Army – his growing nationalism saw him become president of the National Party of Scotland, the forerunner of the SNP. On 23rd June, 1928, in the King’s Park, Stirling, he presided at its inaugural rally.

He was friends with everyone from Buffalo Bill Cody to George Bernard Shaw, had his portrait painted by Sir John Lavery, knew the Glasgow Boys cirlce of artists personally, was close friends with the writers Joseph Conrad and G.K Chesterton, and generally personified the word kenspeckle. A writer of over 30 books himself, there is a seat dedicated to Cunninghame Graham in the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh with the inscription: "R B 'Don Roberto' Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore and Ardoch,

Few Scots actually know of yer man, but  In Entre Rios, in the north east of Argentina is the Instituto Magnasco, in Gualeguaychu (pronounced Wally-wy-chew) there is a Cunninghame Graham library and museum!  His books are available there to read on the premises, and the Smith’s library is based on that facility.

The Journalist and author, the late Rennie of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum wrote a booklet about Robert Cunninghame-Graham, called Braw Gallant, he wrote of the man : “He was a pioneer of socialism and Scottish nationalism, fought unemployment and poverty, backed the rights of native peoples against colonialism and short-sighted development, supported free speech, was an active conservationist, got caught up in the Irish question, attacked brutal wars when it was not fashionable to do so and was prepared to die or be imprisoned for his beliefs.

“The words knightly and chivalrous come to mind.”

Robert Cunninghame-Graham retired to Argentina, where he continued to be active, he would still ride daily while in his 80′s, he died on this day in 1936 of  pneumonia at the Plaza Hotel in Retiro.  Such was his standing he lay in state in the Casa del Teatro and received a countrywide tribute led by the President of the Republic of Argentina, before his body was shipped home to be buried beside his wife, in the ruined Augustinian Priory on the island of Inchmahome, Lake of Menteith, Stirlingshire. There is a memorial to him at at Castlehill, Dumbarton. The monument, which is built of Scottish stone, but also contains stones from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. 

Between these stones is a medallion of Cunninghame Graham (in his latter years) by the Liverpool born artist Alexander Proudfoot, RSA, who taught sculpture at Glasgow School of Art. Below the medallion is an epitaph which reads:

"Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham 1852-1936 - Famous Author - Traveller and Horseman - Patriotic Scot and Citizen of the World - As Betokened by the Stones above. Died in Argentina, interred in Inchamahome - He Was a Master of Life - A King Among Men"

On the Argentinian stone, there is a portrait of his favourite horse Pampa, an Argentine mustang which he had rescued from pulling trams in Glasgow and rode for some 20 years and the inscription:

"To Pampa my black Argentine who I rode for twenty years without a fall. May the earth lie light upon him as lightly as he trod upon its face. Vale...or until so long. Don Roberto."

One of Pampa's hooves is buried beneath the monument.

The monument suffered considerable damage through vandalism during the 1970s and was moved in May 1981 to the village of Gartmore (where, until 1900, Gartmore House had been the principal seat of the Cunninghame Graham family), and was unveiled on Cunninghame Graham's birthday (24 May) by the Argentinian Ambassador. It is currently in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Despite the removal of the monument to Gartmore, the Cunninghame Graham Memorial Park at Castlehill is affectionately known as "the Mony" and the original site of the Memorial marked by a stone.

In 2012 the National Trust for Scotland carried out significant conservation work on the monument which was completed in time for the 160th anniversary of Cunninghame Graham's birth. A new stone was added to commemorate another of Don Roberto's horses, Pingo, and a new information panel was placed nearby, as seen in the photos, the painting is Don Roberto on Pampas, and recently sold at Christies for over 31 thousand pounds.