Dipping into 'Still Waters Run Deep'

In ‘Still Waters Run Deep’, two young couples struggle with lives that haven’t gone according to plan.

Sarah and her husband Andrew long for children, but hide their infertility problems.

Jack and his wife Jenny have two small children, Tom and Lottie — whose arrival forced a marriage.

Both couples are living in a Third World country, keenly involved in projects to advance its economy and national development. Sarah works for Jack and, in their small expatriate community, they also cross paths in their social lives. 

In the following scene, Jack and Jenny are driving home, with Tom and Lottie asleep in the back seat of their car. Jenny has just met Sarah for the first time:

Jenny bit her lip. ‘It worries me, that you work all day with Sarah.’

‘Well, it’s not quite like that. She’s one of my staff, working out in the main office among quite a large group of men.’

‘But you’ve never had a dynamic, attractive young woman working for you before.’

‘True, she’s the first female I’ve supervised. Hey, are you jealous of her or something?’ He reached sideways and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

‘Just feeling frumpy. I put on all that weight, having the kids.’

‘Most women do, don’t they? Except those who live on dry crackers and sparkling mineral water.’ She had gained some kgs, but how to be tactful yet truthful was currently eluding him.

For once, she saved him the effort of a suitable white lie. ‘Thanks, Jack. For putting up with me. I know I’m not what you wanted.’

Her gloomy voice frayed his heart strings because he’d grown to love her—but she’d put into words exactly what he knew to be true.

Especially since Sarah had flashed into his world.

‘Hey there, cheer up. Have you ever felt that I don’t love you?’

‘No, you’ve been kind and loyal, loving, but not exactly ‘in love’ with me.’

‘Love grows, you know. And has many shapes and sizes. Passion and drama and purple prose is not compulsory. Have you been reading too many of your Mills and Boon novels?’

She gave him a sheepish grin. ‘Maybe. I should give them a rest.’

He took his eye off the road long enough to lean across and plant a quick peck on her cheek. ‘I don’t regret our uni days, or the decisions we made.’ He spoke staunchly, doing his best to console her. ‘Would your life mean as much without Tom?’

‘Of course not. But you hadn’t sown your wild oats. Nor had I, come to think of it, but I never wanted to, after I met you.’

‘We’ve come through. So far, we’ve survived okay. You may have been my first—and only—proper girlfriend, but I’m not one of those men who feels compelled to play the field.’ He had to reassure her—because he was trying to reassure himself.

This story is full of moral choices. Did Jack succeed? 

Get your copy of 'Still Waters Run Deep' using this link at Amazon, Apple, Kobo or your favourite digital store. The book is also available as a paperback.

To stay in touch, follow Louisa Valentine on Facebook.