"Just a little?" I asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"You said you only liked me a little."
"If you press me, Mr Jones, I dare say I won't like you at all."
We were sitting close together on the edge of the bed, and in that moment I turned to look at her. Without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed me full on the lips. My eyes widened in surprise, and then, as the kiss lingered I closed them tight and let myself be carried away. A heat spread throughout my body, and my heart beat so fast it threatened to leap out of my chest.
Then, all of a sudden, there was a sharp knock on the door. "Roberta?" demanded the professor. "How are things proceeding?"
I had drawn back in shock, but Roberta put her hand behind my neck and drew me closer until our foreheads touched. "Things are proceeding well, father," she called out. "They are proceeding very well indeed."
"Tell Mr Jones… tell Septimus I am truly sorry. Tell him I should not have doubted him. Tell him he can stay, with my blessing. And… do make it up to him, won't you?"
"Oh, have no fear, for I intend to do precisely that," called Roberta, and then she drew me gently towards her so that we might resume our kiss.
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What's next for the Mysteries in Metal series?
Mysteries in Metal: An Enigma in Silver
Coming 2020
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Simon Haynes was born in England and grew up in Spain. His family moved to Australia when he was 16.
In addition to novels, Simon writes computer software. In fact, he writes computer software to help him write novels faster, which leaves him more time to improve his writing software. And write novels faster.
Simon's goal is to write fifteen novels before someone takes his keyboard away.
Update 2018: goal achieved and I still have my keyboard!
New goal: write thirty novels.
Simon's website is spacejock.com.au
The Hal Spacejock series:
Hal Spacejock ZERO: Zero (2020)
Hal Spacejock 1: A Robot Named Clunk *
Hal Spacejock 2: Second Course *
Hal Spacejock 3: Just Desserts *
Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch
Hal Spacejock 5: Baker's Dough
Hal Spacejock 6: Safe Art
Hal Spacejock 7: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 8: Double Trouble
Hal Spacejock 9: Max Damage
Hal Spacejock 10: Cold Boots
Available now in ebook and paperback.
* Also available in Audiobook
Ghostly goings-on in Victorian London!
A Riddle in Bronze
1. A Riddle in Bronze (2019)
2. An Enigma in Silver (2020)
3. A Conundrum in Gold (2020)
Available in ebook and paperback.
Gripping Space Opera by Simon Haynes
The Secret War: Raiders
1. Raiders
2. Frontier
3. Deadlock (2020)
Available in ebook and paperback.
The Harriet Walsh series:
Harriet Walsh 1. Peace Force
Harriet Walsh 2. Alpha Minor
Harriet Walsh 3. Sierra Bravo
Harriet Walsh 4. Storm Force (TBA)
Available in ebook and paperback.
New from Simon Haynes
A Portion of Dragon and Chips
1. A Portion of Dragon and Chips
2. A Butt of Heads
3. A Pair of Nuts on the Throne
Available now in ebook, paperback and audiobook
Simon also writes the Hal Junior series for ages 9-12
Hal Junior 1: The Secret Signal
Hal Junior 2: The Missing Case
Hal Junior 3: The Gyris Mission
Hal Junior 4: The Comet Caper
Available now in ebook and paperback. The Secret Signal available in Audio.
PS These are not just for kids!
Maybe you love my work, and you want to know how I wrote it.
Or maybe you're determined to do better!
Either way, this straightforward guide should prove really useful:
How to Write a Novel by Simon Haynes
Available now in ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Copyright
This is NOT a free ebook
You are not allowed to
• Distribute this ebook by any means, nor store it in a public retrieval system for others to access.
• Modify this ebook, nor distribute derivative works based on the content or characters.
• Offer this ebook for sale, nor bundle it with other goods or downloads.
Dedication
Dedicated to my two closest and dearest friends, a father and daughter who… well, let's just call them Roberta and The Professor, shall we?
I'd also like to acknowledge Andrew, Angelika, Ann, Annette, Barbara, Bill, Cindy, Corey, David, Deanne, Debby, Gary, Helen, Ian (in advance), Jack,
