Claire Tarrington's life is turned upside down as a result of an accident in which Robert, her husband returns injured, whilst his mother dies at the scene. Confused and grieving, Claire fights to save her relationship with Rob, presented as she is with a complete stranger after the accident, who has completely closed himself off from his family and village friends. A Question of Faith follows this family through their sorrow and joys, as Rob and Claire's faith in each in other and in their God is questioned through their life's journey.
This is a story of a family living just outside a village who has recently lost a loved one. Hurting, angry and confused they try and make sene of what has happened. It is a story of love; love for each other, and love and support which is given to them by their friends and neighbours. Readers are invited to join with the characters and experience with them the sorrow and tears, joy and laughter.
Excerpt
The sound of raised angry voices broke the silence in the snow-covered park. "Robert! Don’t you dare walk away from me without settling this once and for all."
Rob chose to ignore the girl he had known all of his life, walking quickly away from her not wanting to continue the argument. Claire, her blood still up threw a snowball in frustration, hitting him squarely at the back of his head. Rob turned in silence staring at her; she looked back half shocked at what she had done and half defiantly.
She read Rob’s look as slowly the twinkle gleamed in his eyes, turning his expression mischievous. Claire realised too late and turned to run, but was soon tackled from behind and brought down where she lay the breath knocked out of her, face down in the snow.
Rob turned her over and gently rubbed the snow from her face. She looked up at him, the outline of his face blocking out the sun’s glare, and looking into his eyes forgot to be on her guard. Rob's hand slowly scooped up some snow, his eyes never leaving Claire's. Suddenly he brought it down on her, rubbing her cheeks with it roughly, making her cheeks glow rosy red with the cold, from which her blue eyes shone out brightly. Claire shrieked, struggling ineffectively.
Rob grinned down at his best friend, and all at once his expression softened. His eyes wandered over her rosy cheeks and his hand came up to rest on her black curly hair. 'What a beauty she is' he realised with a shock for the first time. His childhood mate had blossomed into a young lady formally unnoticed by him. Rob instinctively moved in closer and Claire’s questioning eyes closed as Rob’s lips brushed gently over hers. They remained for a few minutes more in the snow holding each other, unsure now what to do next.
"Rob" murmured Claire, feeling the wetness of the snow seeping through to her clothes. "I’m getting cold."
Feeling slightly relieved, Rob laughed softly "What a mood killer you are" he teased as he stood up drawing Claire to her feet. They walked homewards together, content to stroll silently, both thinking over what had just happened.
Over the following months this new bond between the two best friends deepened as they began to come to terms with these new feelings and recognise that their relationship was slowly changing to that of boyfriend and girlfriend.
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