Title:
Missing Piece
Author: Uzo Okoye
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 164
Genre: Inspirational/Legal Thriller
Missing Piece
Author: Uzo Okoye
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 164
Genre: Inspirational/Legal Thriller
John Williams'
picture perfect life is stripped apart, piece by piece and lies in a crumpled
heap, just after he finds true fulfilment. And to make matters worse, a
troubling dark secret from his past returns to haunt him.
Will John accept his new reality? Is he brave
enough to fight for the truth? Or will the enticement to return to his
seemingly perfect past prove too much of a temptation to resist?
picture perfect life is stripped apart, piece by piece and lies in a crumpled
heap, just after he finds true fulfilment. And to make matters worse, a
troubling dark secret from his past returns to haunt him.
Will John accept his new reality? Is he brave
enough to fight for the truth? Or will the enticement to return to his
seemingly perfect past prove too much of a temptation to resist?
For More
Information
- Missing Piece is
available at Amazon.
Chapter 1
HOME
FANS ROARED their displeasure to intimidate the referee and dissuade him
from giving a penalty. It fell on deaf ears.
FANS ROARED their displeasure to intimidate the referee and dissuade him
from giving a penalty. It fell on deaf ears.
The fans knew the rules of the game, and
even worse, that a penalty decision could turn the tide of the match against
their side. Their only hope was that their keeper could predict which way the
dreaded striker would shoot as he had done in the twelfth minute.
even worse, that a penalty decision could turn the tide of the match against
their side. Their only hope was that their keeper could predict which way the
dreaded striker would shoot as he had done in the twelfth minute.
Luck was certainly not on their side.
The away fans screamed their delight as their team equalised.
The away fans screamed their delight as their team equalised.
Sat in his cinema room, John was
beginning to feel the tension ease. He had decided to watch the game on his new
85-inch 3D Sony Bravia flat screen with two of his mates, and although it was
not the same as being in the stadium, it was a great atmosphere.
beginning to feel the tension ease. He had decided to watch the game on his new
85-inch 3D Sony Bravia flat screen with two of his mates, and although it was
not the same as being in the stadium, it was a great atmosphere.
The equaliser came just before the
whistle, signalling the end of the first half. John’s wife, Amy, served the
boys some drinks and her indigenous hot pepper soup to hold off the wintry
shivers.
whistle, signalling the end of the first half. John’s wife, Amy, served the
boys some drinks and her indigenous hot pepper soup to hold off the wintry
shivers.
“This is the game changer,” Sam said,
apparently intoxicated and struggling to get his words out.
apparently intoxicated and struggling to get his words out.
John’s other friend, Josh was more
vocal: “With the equaliser, hopefully, Chelsea
now have the confidence to take Arsenal to the cleaners. They have done it
before; why not now? We need those three points to stay clear of them at the
top of the table.”
vocal: “With the equaliser, hopefully, Chelsea
now have the confidence to take Arsenal to the cleaners. They have done it
before; why not now? We need those three points to stay clear of them at the
top of the table.”
The camera zoomed in on the players as
they returned to the pitch for the second half. It started slow, and for the
next forty minutes, neither side could make an impact. But in the 90th minute,
the striker from the visiting team struck from 20 yards, slotting the ball past
the goalkeeper. He’d left three defenders in his wake, two of them crashing
into each other like cars colliding in a motorway smash, as they scrambled for
the ball. But it was now past their keeper, tucked neatly in the back of the
net leaving just two minutes of extra time for the home team at the Emirates,
to make any reasonable counter attack.
they returned to the pitch for the second half. It started slow, and for the
next forty minutes, neither side could make an impact. But in the 90th minute,
the striker from the visiting team struck from 20 yards, slotting the ball past
the goalkeeper. He’d left three defenders in his wake, two of them crashing
into each other like cars colliding in a motorway smash, as they scrambled for
the ball. But it was now past their keeper, tucked neatly in the back of the
net leaving just two minutes of extra time for the home team at the Emirates,
to make any reasonable counter attack.
The visiting fans roared their delight
at the goal that secured victory. The boys in John’s cinema room were no
different – ecstatic in the euphoria of the moment. It took them ten minutes to
settle down after the match ended. They thanked Amy profusely for hosting them
as they made their way out of the house into the full blast of the November
night winds. She acknowledged their gratitude, glad her hosting skills that
night was a success.
at the goal that secured victory. The boys in John’s cinema room were no
different – ecstatic in the euphoria of the moment. It took them ten minutes to
settle down after the match ended. They thanked Amy profusely for hosting them
as they made their way out of the house into the full blast of the November
night winds. She acknowledged their gratitude, glad her hosting skills that
night was a success.
John saw them out and then returned to
the room, sliding onto the Egyptian hand-crafted sofa.
the room, sliding onto the Egyptian hand-crafted sofa.
“Thanks for hosting the boys,” he said. Amy
nodded her acknowledgement for the second time that evening.
nodded her acknowledgement for the second time that evening.
John watched her through the corner of
his eyes and remembered the day he first saw her. She was standing in a lovely
red dress on six-inch platform heels in the club TwoPoint0. The waiter was
filling her slim wine glass with some Rouviére Rosé. His favourite. He noticed
she came in with his mate, Daniel King.
his eyes and remembered the day he first saw her. She was standing in a lovely
red dress on six-inch platform heels in the club TwoPoint0. The waiter was
filling her slim wine glass with some Rouviére Rosé. His favourite. He noticed
she came in with his mate, Daniel King.
John spent the rest of the evening
stealing glances at her. She had her hair all braided, falling down to her
sides and almost covering her big brown eyes. Underneath was a pointed nose and
red lips that pouted. She was petite, at five feet five inches, attractive,
elegant and unassuming. He particularly loved how she tilted her head
backwards, closed her eyes and laughed throatily when she was amused. She
didn’t do much of that these days.
stealing glances at her. She had her hair all braided, falling down to her
sides and almost covering her big brown eyes. Underneath was a pointed nose and
red lips that pouted. She was petite, at five feet five inches, attractive,
elegant and unassuming. He particularly loved how she tilted her head
backwards, closed her eyes and laughed throatily when she was amused. She
didn’t do much of that these days.
A month later, he met Daniel with
another girl at a friend’s birthday party. He couldn’t help but ask about his
previous date, and was visibly relieved to hear she was not a date but Daniel’s
cousin. She was also free – having just escaped an abusive relationship.
another girl at a friend’s birthday party. He couldn’t help but ask about his
previous date, and was visibly relieved to hear she was not a date but Daniel’s
cousin. She was also free – having just escaped an abusive relationship.
He took her number from Daniel. He
wasn’t sure if he was her type. It seemed unlikely at the time. She would be
the ultimate prize if she happened to like him. He would consider himself the
luckiest man alive. Could he dare make a move on her? It would be an African
Shakespearian love story… or tragedy if it all went wrong!
wasn’t sure if he was her type. It seemed unlikely at the time. She would be
the ultimate prize if she happened to like him. He would consider himself the
luckiest man alive. Could he dare make a move on her? It would be an African
Shakespearian love story… or tragedy if it all went wrong!
Luck seemed to be on his side when she
agreed on a date. Time stood still during their six-month whirlwind romance and
in spring of the following year, they were married.
agreed on a date. Time stood still during their six-month whirlwind romance and
in spring of the following year, they were married.
John believed Amy was the woman who
would fill the emptiness and void that plagued him.
would fill the emptiness and void that plagued him.
But a few months after their wedding, he
noticed the same old feeling resurface. She was perfect. He couldn’t fault her
in any way. Then, even though he didn’t want to admit it, he came to the cold
realisation that she couldn’t fill the yawning, aching need down in the very
core of his being. There was still the profound sense that something was off.
The harrowing gap remained in his guts.
noticed the same old feeling resurface. She was perfect. He couldn’t fault her
in any way. Then, even though he didn’t want to admit it, he came to the cold
realisation that she couldn’t fill the yawning, aching need down in the very
core of his being. There was still the profound sense that something was off.
The harrowing gap remained in his guts.
The darkness hovering over his life was
suffocating him, and he began to realise that, getting married was, a pointless
exercise. Yes, he was happy to have found her – no doubt. But his marriage
didn’t give him the answers he had envisioned. If anything, it created more
stress and widened the gap of dissatisfaction.
suffocating him, and he began to realise that, getting married was, a pointless
exercise. Yes, he was happy to have found her – no doubt. But his marriage
didn’t give him the answers he had envisioned. If anything, it created more
stress and widened the gap of dissatisfaction.
What if all the uneasiness was just a
phase? With renewed hoped John focused on the birth of their baby. Surely, this
new addition would be the answer to his deep longings?
phase? With renewed hoped John focused on the birth of their baby. Surely, this
new addition would be the answer to his deep longings?
Dave was ushered into their lives
screaming at the top of his lungs at exactly ten past one on 21st May 1996. He gave John the most
beautiful experience – the feeling of being a father – he was now responsible
for another person. A little man.
screaming at the top of his lungs at exactly ten past one on 21st May 1996. He gave John the most
beautiful experience – the feeling of being a father – he was now responsible
for another person. A little man.
Amy came back from the hospital the day
after Dave was born. Dave was very fragile, weighing just 6.5 pounds at birth.
They hardly had any sleep. And Amy, far from being the happy new mum, was often
teary-eyed. John expected an upheaval in their lives, but he also expected it
to go back to normal afterwards. It didn’t.
after Dave was born. Dave was very fragile, weighing just 6.5 pounds at birth.
They hardly had any sleep. And Amy, far from being the happy new mum, was often
teary-eyed. John expected an upheaval in their lives, but he also expected it
to go back to normal afterwards. It didn’t.
He desperately wanted Dave to settle
down so their lives – or his at least – could return to some kind of normality.
But life as he knew it was over - the tragic demise of their idyllic honeymoon
period. The beautiful experience of being a father came with a price tag – the
responsibility for another person, for life.
down so their lives – or his at least – could return to some kind of normality.
But life as he knew it was over - the tragic demise of their idyllic honeymoon
period. The beautiful experience of being a father came with a price tag – the
responsibility for another person, for life.
John and Amy never recovered. Amy
continually nagged and cried at the drop of a hat. What was wrong with her?
They fought and argued more times than not. It drove him away from the house.
continually nagged and cried at the drop of a hat. What was wrong with her?
They fought and argued more times than not. It drove him away from the house.
That was when he started the secret
rendezvous with Kayleigh. The first time was the day they worked late together
alone, on the Silicon Case. She was soon his mistress. They met twice a week.
Yes, he was attracted to Kayleigh but he didn’t love her. She was just a
necessary evil. He did it to relieve the pressure of home life.
rendezvous with Kayleigh. The first time was the day they worked late together
alone, on the Silicon Case. She was soon his mistress. They met twice a week.
Yes, he was attracted to Kayleigh but he didn’t love her. She was just a
necessary evil. He did it to relieve the pressure of home life.
He also wouldn’t say he didn’t love Amy.
As long as she didn’t know, it wouldn’t hurt her. After all, a man had to do
what a man had to do. The feeling of guilt, though, made him even emptier on
the inside. He hated to cheat on Amy, but couldn’t do anything to stop himself.
It was like a magnetic pull, and the worst thing was that he couldn’t help
notice how deep and empty every night with Kayleigh left him.
As long as she didn’t know, it wouldn’t hurt her. After all, a man had to do
what a man had to do. The feeling of guilt, though, made him even emptier on
the inside. He hated to cheat on Amy, but couldn’t do anything to stop himself.
It was like a magnetic pull, and the worst thing was that he couldn’t help
notice how deep and empty every night with Kayleigh left him.
He desperately needed something to fill
the void.
the void.
Eighteen months later, their daughter
Lola was born, a second intrusion thrust into John and Amy’s already chaotic
lives. But this time John knew – Lola wouldn’t be and wasn’t the answer he was
searching for.
Lola was born, a second intrusion thrust into John and Amy’s already chaotic
lives. But this time John knew – Lola wouldn’t be and wasn’t the answer he was
searching for.
Fifteen years later and nothing much had
changed. The emptiness remained at the core of his being.
changed. The emptiness remained at the core of his being.
John switched off the TV. Five minutes
later he was in bed next to Amy. She was snoring softly.
later he was in bed next to Amy. She was snoring softly.
John wondered, as he always did when
left to his thoughts, about one unanswered question – what could possibly fill
the void in his life?
left to his thoughts, about one unanswered question – what could possibly fill
the void in his life?
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About the Author
Little did Uzo Okoye know what God had in store for her when six
years ago, she was awakened by a restlessness that persisted. Thus, would begin
a journey of many doubts, frustrations, in an attempt to discern answers.
years ago, she was awakened by a restlessness that persisted. Thus, would begin
a journey of many doubts, frustrations, in an attempt to discern answers.
During this time of unsettledness and a deep cry for real
answers, surprisingly she is ignited with a desire to write, the
answers that formed the basis of a book idea.
answers, surprisingly she is ignited with a desire to write, the
answers that formed the basis of a book idea.
No sooner, risking leaving the familiar, her comfort zone and
stepping into the unknown, Uzo began the challenging but exciting work of
writing her debut fiction novel, ‘Missing Piece’.
stepping into the unknown, Uzo began the challenging but exciting work of
writing her debut fiction novel, ‘Missing Piece’.
Forever grateful to God for entrusting her with this gift, she
looks forward to hearing the many testimonies of how ‘Missing Piece’ inspires
hope and produces lasting peace, joy and new way of living realised through a
personal encounter and walk with Jesus Christ.
looks forward to hearing the many testimonies of how ‘Missing Piece’ inspires
hope and produces lasting peace, joy and new way of living realised through a
personal encounter and walk with Jesus Christ.
Missing Piece will be published in June 2016 and will be
available on Amazon, Apple and other retailers where mentioned. The
ebook is currently available for pre order on Apple, Kobo and
other retailers.
available on Amazon, Apple and other retailers where mentioned. The
ebook is currently available for pre order on Apple, Kobo and
other retailers.
Uzo is a Management graduate from the University
of Port Harcourt in Nigeria,
and currently works as an IT professional in the United
Kingdom.
of Port Harcourt in Nigeria,
and currently works as an IT professional in the United
Kingdom.
She is a member of the dynamic and flourishing church Kings
Court Chapel, located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
under the senior leadership of Pastor Sola and Pastor Tumise Ewedemi. On
Sundays, she enjoys using her gift of teaching Kingdom truths to the delightful
and inquisitive kids aged seven and eight.
Court Chapel, located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
under the senior leadership of Pastor Sola and Pastor Tumise Ewedemi. On
Sundays, she enjoys using her gift of teaching Kingdom truths to the delightful
and inquisitive kids aged seven and eight.
Married to Ejike Okoye, the couple share their home with their
three beautiful children in Hemel Hempstead, the eastern
part of England.
three beautiful children in Hemel Hempstead, the eastern
part of England.
For More Information
- Visit Uzo Okoye’s website.
- Connect with Uzo on Facebook and Twitter.
- Find out more about Uzo at
Goodreads.
