Women's Fiction
When Sarah’s twin brother, Simon, dies of an unexpected heart attack, she’s shocked to find he’s left everything to his dominatrix. As Sarah carries out her duties as executor, she becomes intrigued by her brother’s secret life. She befriends dominatrix Angelica Belle and soon finds there is much more to discover.
Extract from Novel
‘Simon was my twin brother…’ I glance at his portrait propped on the easel beside the coffin, while a horseshoe of family and work colleagues wait expectantly. I must stay focused.
‘When we were seven…’ I recount a funny story of our escapades. I speak of Simon’s fascination with volcanos and his obsession for Star Trek. When I get to the part about dressing him up in a tutu, they laugh but I want to howl. Was it all my fault?
Simon always insisted he wanted a humanist funeral. He’d joked he wanted ‘Highway to Hell’ played but our older sister Wendy said no. She’s a Christian – she’s allowed one veto.
‘Simon was well regarded at work.’ His work colleagues nod encouragingly. An older lady dabs her eye with a tissue. ‘He was kind and patient, always at the end of a phone.’
I could tell them the truth. I could stand here right now and tell them everything… But I don’t. Instead I signal to my son and Pink Floyd floats through the speakers while images of Van Gogh’s paintings fill the screen.
This is supposed to be time for reflection. My eyes travel across the heads of the guests. Are they really Simon’s friends? Lurking at the back are some I can’t identify.
Afterwards I invite people to stay for a cuppa and a chat. People gush with condolences, clasping my hand and engaging me with earnest eyes as they tell me how wonderful Simon was.
I smile back. I want to check the time but my watch has slipped around my wrist. Why don’t they just go? I have so much to do.
I have a meeting with my brother’s dominatrix.
