Editor's Note: The talented author featured here is someone I have known for at least 25 years. A native of the United Kingdom. We met on MySpace originally, where she shared music compositions that I thought were authentic and compelling. I became a long-term fan and have followed her career ever since. Recently, she spoke about writing short stories as a new project, and that news immediately made me want to become involved. I remember well as a young wordsmith, how a basic gesture of encouragement could mean so much. With that in mind, here is the first installment in her series...
by Sarah Burton
c. 2026
All rights reserved
Sonya was perturbed, she looked out at the new Nova Lady who was popping the latest brochure through her letter box, I liked Suzanna so much better. She suited the class of the suburban area she thought. Why did she have to retire ha, she slightly grunted, that's a laugh I thought most Ladies or Gentlemen usually do this as a retirement hobby. But since one team leaders' decision to go to the job centre to scout for new representatives then a whole new flock of them started going around the town.
Suzanna didn't have to do Nova as a job like these others, her husband was a big thing at the bank or something but she liked the way she dressed and was well spoken and her makeup was perfection, As a Nova Lady Should.
The ‘new woman’ all sports gear, trainers, pierced nose, tramped back down Sonya's path and started her attack on the neighbours. Geoffrey was cleaning his car out side, nice chap, married to a nurse. He works at the port one town over. Sonya approved of this 30 something couple, reminded her of Trevor and herself at that age doing well and moved to a nice area. Blour Lane, such a quiet and refined place. Little train station, a micro pub, hair salon and post office. Even the charity shop is more like a vintage boutique and certainly not ‘everything for a pound’ type shop like in the City. Sonya did not approve of those.
Sonya opened the front window and was intently trying to hear what Geoffrey was saying to the Nova woman. She heard ‘Suzanna’ mentioned and the girls answer was a shake of her head. Then gave Geoffrey a brochure and said she will speak to her….not exactly understanding, Sonya grabbed a watering can and headed for the front garden. ‘Got a brochure?’ Sonya called to Geoffrey in a sing song voice, ‘er yes, Geoffrey replied, Jess will be wanting to get a few things’ Sonya looked pitiful shame about Suzanna isn't it?. 'Well' Geoffrey shrugged, 'she made her money didn't she?!' he sighed and almost giggled. Sonya looked at him with her eyes raised. 'I think it would have been her husband that did that. Anyway why on earth she had to retire is beyond me'. Sonya thought she would push it a little further, 'does the new Nova girl know Suzanna?' Geoffrey itched his head with one finger whilst the rest of his hand clasped the sponge, he answered a little defensive ‘Well she saw an opportunity to take her place after Suzanna…..then he trailed off. Anyway I better get back to cleaning he smiled without it reaching his eyes.
That evening Sonya heard a car, she had just finished dinner and Trevor was washing up. She tweaked the curtains to see who it might be….it was parked outside Geoffrey and Jessica's. She saw a well dressed woman in the porch light speaking rather irritatedly to Geoffrey, Sonya gently opened the top window. She couldn't catch the words apart from ‘stop asking her OK?’ She yelled that bit, Sonya was disgusted at such behaviour.
Then the Well dressed woman stormed back to her white Lexus and as she got into the car under the roof light Sonya gasped, It was Suzanna!
Trevor came into the room with a couple of glasses and said ‘let's have a drinky’, he looked at his wife who was stood with her mouth open and a look of bemusement on her face. ‘What's up lovey?’ ‘I have just seen Suzanna have an heated argument with Geoffrey’ she exclaimed. ‘Ah had he not paid for the Nova? Was Trevor's response. ‘Don't be daft Trevor she doesn't do it anymore’ Sonya spat.
A couple of days passed, it was Sunday morning and Trevor was on his tablet reading the morning news. Sonya hated this, she liked it in the old days when Trevor would go and get the papers and a bunch of flowers for her..…civilised she thought.
Trevor out of no where suddenly loudly exclaimed, Sonya almost dropped her cup of tea. ‘Listen to this’ he said ‘There is a police investigation going on after Intel had been passed through from the Blour Lane police station to County lines that drugs have been delivered all around Blour in broad daylight through, wait for it, an Nova representative.’ Sonya shook her head in disgust. I knew that women was no good. Only been doing it for the past month too, she really worked the streets rather quickly didn't she? Sonya grimaced and was still grimacing when the door bell rang later that day.
‘Good afternoon madam said the young detective smiling. Could I please come in?’….Sonya moved aside of-of course she flustered. ‘We are just making inquiries about certain activities that have been brought to light over the last couple of days Concerning a drugs matter.’ ‘Oh yes’ said Sonya, ‘My husband Trevor has just been reading about it haven't you dear?’ Trevor nodded. ‘Its such a dreadful thing’ carried on Sonya, ‘to be honest I knew that new Nova girl was no good’ she sniffed in a dismissive way. ‘Only been doing Nova for a month’ The policemen shook his head ‘oh no Mrs..? ‘Redbridge’ Sonya obliged
‘Yes Mrs Redbridge, you see the Nova Lady had been doing this for years, her name is Suzanna West, she made thousands, was one of the top dealers in the whole area’. ‘This has only come to light because of the new, as you put it, Nova girl, reported it’. ‘Your neighbour over there’ he pointed to Geoffrey's House ‘was asking the poor girl if he could get a delivery and I do not mean bubble bath’. ‘Suzanna was trying to get her to do “extra rounds” but she wouldn't have it. So I am hoping you can answer some of my questions as you have been a regular customer of Ms West's haven't you?’ Sonya's jaw dropped ….
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