An Interview with Maya!

Interview with Maya

I thought it would be an interesting idea if I invited the cast from The Book of Souls to come over and tell us a little bit about themselves. I'm quite aware that the book isn't published yet and that you haven't met all the cast, but we can start with the one's you have.

Being the main cast member in the story, I invited Maya first and asked her if she could bring with her a few photos of the kind of clothes she liked to wear as well as jewellery, makeup and anything else. This is what she came up with. 

Maya prefers skinny jeans and jumpers that she can slouch around in to dresses
and although there is a dress in this selection she would only wear it if
she was going out somewhere nice. In Maya's own words,
"I'm not one for dressing-up and jewelry - the odd
 bangle maybe. If it says anything about my
self-esteem ... then let it, I don't care."

Maya has just told me that this outfit was the one she wore
when Sam and her were attacked down by the river that
fateful Friday. "Minus the bag of course," she said.

"I don't wear this much. It's one of those outfits that you've always got to
have handy  for those days when your parents want you to go
out with them and  I don't get a lot of those kind of days."
Maya shrugs and takes a sip of her Tango.

I invited Maya into my lounge where we could sit in comfort and where she could hopefully relax. Immediately, Maya is greeted by my doggy writing companion, Millie and as always, her cute face and soppy eyes are awarded with lots of affection. Millie has gained another friend and it's time for me to start the interview.

ME:  "Maya, I want to thank you for sparing the time of coming in to do this interview, I very much appreciate it. I'm also on strict orders not to mention certain points or people in the story at the moment, due to where we they are with the books release, however we can still chat about your relationships with your friends and family, if that's okay with you, but first I'd like to start with asking you what you're interests are?"

MAYA:  "Yeah, sure." Maya shuffles in her chair and straightens. "I love art, mainly sketching and painting with watercolours and then there's horse riding. I did that for a few years until Dad got in to financial problems and I had to stop going. Now I don't do any other hobbies really, I just tend to sit in my room listening to music or hanging out with my friends."  

ME:  "Art is one of my favorite hobbies to, but moving on to your friends. How would you describe your feelings concerning Jess' relationship with John?"

MAYA:  "Really! You want to start there?"

ME:  "Well, we do discover that he has quite an effect on her and you spend nearly every day with them at school, so could you let us know a little more about their relationship?"

Maya recovers from the initial shock of my question and pushes her fingers through her hair while she struggles for an answer.

MAYA:  "I think you can get the gist on how I feel about John from pretty much the beginning. I still don't understand why the rest of them can't see what he's like." She leans forward. "I mean, he joins our group, which is okay to start with, but there's this ... I don't know how to explain it ... " 

ME:  "Obsession with you which lies underneath his grip on Jess?"

Maya's emerald eyes peer straight into mine.

MAYA:   "Yeah, I suppose you can call it that. And then there's that wink. What is it with that wink of his?" She shivers and pulls a grimace on her face. 

I don't blame her, I've seen this young lad and he's ... well let's just say, you might understand where Maya's coming from if you ever get to meet him. I have booked an interview with him later on, which could prove to be interesting.

ME:  "You felt that Jess was under a spell or love potion. Do you still believe that?"

MAYA:  "Oh yes I do and I think it started the moment she ate that chocolate he gave her the very first time they met in the local shop. What a creep! He's definitely changing her ... and not for the best. The other day she came in wearing ...." Maya quickly shuts her mouth and after a moments pause, continues, "Sorry, I nearly forgot, I'm not supposed to say anything other than what people have read on your blog."

ME:  "Moving on quickly then. What about Harriet? There seems a lot of friction between you two, has it always been that way?"

MAYA:  "Is she likely to read this?"

ME:  "Probably, but then she's going to have her chance to explain herself at a later date. Why do you ask?"

MAYA:  "Why do you think?"

I nod and smile encouragingly. Those of you who know me personally, know I can usually get people to talk. I offer her a plate of assorted chocolate biscuits.

MAYA:  "Okay! When we moved to Wicklesham, Harriet was best friends with Jess, then I came along, and Jess and I found we had a lot in common, so we started hanging out together. We always included Harriet in everything we did, we were like the Three Musketeers - a girly version of course - but Harriet always found ways to cause problems for me." 

ME:  "I see, so that's why you think it's down to jealousy?"

MAYA:  "I have spent hours wondering why and still only come up with that answer. Maybe she'll have the guts to sit down and talk to me about it one day. I hope she does read this, because I would like to know what I've supposedly done wrong."

ME:  "Well let's hope that she does look at this and you both can put an end to it. Changing the subject slightly, on that Friday at the church with Sam, do you think that Harriet had planned it all out, in order to get everyone to cancel on you as soon as she knew Jess was ill?"

MAYA:  "Sam reckoned she had, and I wouldn't put it passed her, but you know ... whatever's going on in her head, concerning me .... I don't care really, because I've got enough problems in my life at the moment to have to worry about her next move." 

Maya takes another sip of her Tango and sits back in her chair. Finally she seems to be relaxing in my presence. Was I that scary looking??

ME:  "You have quite a close relationship with Sam, do you think your friendship could develop into something more?"

Maya chokes on her drink and coughs several times to clear her throat. I think I might've touched a sore point here.

MAYA: "Oh cripes! I don't believe ..." She coughs again. "You just asked me that." 

ME:  "I'm sorry, but it's pretty obvious to myself and probably the readers, that you more than like him."

MAYA:  "Okay!" Her eyes widen, but there's a smile on her face. "I ... I would like it to be more. I mean he's gorgeous, but I don't think he sees me in any other way than just a friend. There's loads of prettier looking girls out there he could choose from." Maya lowers her gaze, her auburn locks falling forward.

To me, this young lady is beautiful and I feel it's such a shame she hides herself away. In one way, Maya lacks so much confidence in herself, whether this comes from her past experiences, yet in another, there is such strength that she hasn't even started to tap into yet.

ME:  "I have a hunch that Sam rather likes you, trust me, the way he teases you tells me there's more to how he feels when it concerns you."

MAYA:  "You think so?"

ME:  "Yes I do and now I  need to ask you difficult question. How do you feel about your relationship with your Father?"

MAYA:  "Do I have to answer this?"

ME:  "No, but it would help us understand you feel about things with your dad. We know you don't see your father much and that he tends to be at work most of the time, but I don't think it's because he doesn't want to be anywhere near you. I know, that with my own children ... whatever they might do in the future, I would always love them. A parent's love for their child never dies."

MAYA:  "You weren't there ... you didn't see that monster or the man who took my brother and then for my dad to say he didn't believe me ... I, I can't let that go ... you didn't see my dad's face. I have to live with the guilt of not shouting for my dad when that man had Jack hanging over his arm. It was my fault, no one else's." 

At this point, Maya was half standing out of her chair and a conflict of emotions followed one another in quick succession across her face. This subject was too painful for her to continue on, so we'll have to finish at this point while I give her a motherly hug and calm her down.  

Fifteen minutes later   

Maya didn't want to continue after taking about her father, it brought up too many haunting memories.

ME:  "Maya, it's been lovely chatting to you and I'd love to invite you to come again when our readers get a chance to hold the book in their hands. Will you dare come again?"

MAYA:  "Of course, it's been no problem. Actually I've really enjoyed it and I adore Millie. Can I take her home with me."  

ME:  "Ha,ha, I don't think my daughter and son would let you, Maya. Thanks again for today."

MAYA: "She's so cute though." She leans over to give Millie another hug.

I hope you've all enjoyed this insight into Maya's life and on the next blog I've invited Sam. I'm sure that will be an interesting interview. Please continue reading as I have added another snippet of the book following on from the last part.

ENJOY!!

Doggy writing companion, Millie.

The Book of Souls - Justice

The tread of approaching footsteps made Maya fix her eyes on Sam’s, and when they came to an abrupt halt, they both kept quiet, neither wanting to make the first move or say the first word. Holding her breath, silence followed: no strained breathing, no scurrying of mice, nothing, until the trapped air in her lungs escaped with a hiss as her body unwillingly relaxed.

“Hello.” The voice was melodic, strangely soothing. “I know someone’s in here.”

Sam swore beneath his breath. Maya glared back at him, shaking her head in confusion.

“Do you reckon it’s the vicar?” she whispered.

Sam shrugged, pulling out his mobile phone, his fingers tapping nervously at the buttons.

“I won’t bite you know. You can come out.”

However, as if hypnotised, Maya parted the curtains and stepped forward without a backward glance. Why am I doing this? Why does it feel right, feel safe? Guided by the glow from Sam’s phone, Maya’s breath sort of … stalled when she saw the person standing before her. Wow, he’s gorgeous, no … that’s the wrong word for him. He’s perfect, it’s like he’s just come from a modelling shoot in his Burberry-style coat and jeans. An arched eyebrow indicated his humorous surprise, except Maya ignored it and continued her appraisal under lowered lashes, unaware that she was still staring. How his midnight-black hair complements his face perfectly … and those eyes of his … a turquoise-blue, the kind of blue you just want to jump into and lose yourself. She swallowed. The guy’s exquisite, there’s no other word for it. The stranger tilted his head to catch Maya’s gaze and smiled. She stroked her arm and felt her skin flush.

His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her and said, “Are you alright?”

That voice, those eyes, sent a rush of adrenaline through her body which was unbelievable, exhilarating, exciting and dangerous all at the same time; a mixture of sensations she hadn’t experienced before.  

“Yeah, thanks. Er, who, are, you?” Maya asked between stutters.

Sam strolled over and stood beside her, folding his arms across his chest.

“Oh sorry, I’m Leo and you are?”

 “Oh … Um … hi, I'm Maya.” She blushed again. “And this is," she began to say when Sam rudely cut her off.

“How’d you get in?” Sam inquired. Yet Maya noticed an edge to the tone in his voice.

Leo turned and pointed toward an arched door on the side of the building. “Through there,” he replied. “I heard the thunder or whatever that noise was, and this was the closest place to head for.”

“You knew it was unlocked then?”

Maya snapped her head around to face her friend, her gaze alarmingly direct.

“No, but then I’m assuming you both are here for the same reason.” The corner of Leo’s mouth lifted into a lopsided grin and his eyes expressed more challenge than curiosity.

However, Sam ignored him and continued with another question, “I haven’t seen you around here before?”

“No, I doubt you have.”

 Oh my goodness! I don’t believe this! What is Sam’s problem? Maya glanced from Sam to Leo and noticed that against this fit stranger, Sam’s good looks bordered on ordinary. Her expression dropped. Is he jealous? Is that what it is.