The Distance Between Us
by @brdlnxLaura returns from a holiday in the Canary Islands with Sam, the tan on her skin a lie she wears for Bradley. The distance and secrecy are wearing her down, and the need to be together in person is becoming unbearable. Bradley's jealousy over the holiday and their stolen video calls are no longer enough — something has to give.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Laura Neve
Laura is a 33-year-old teaching assistant living in Littleborough, Greater Manchester with her husband Sam. On the surface she is warm, reliable, and the steady middle sister who organises family gatherings and makes everyone feel welcome. Underneath she carries a restless spark from her wilder past — drugs, partying, and a brief escape to New Zealand in her early twenties. She has a soft, curvy body with heavy natural breasts, wide hips, thick thighs, and a plush stomach. She has several tattoos: a large floral piece across her upper chest, floral designs on both arms, a small star on her lower stomach, and a floral design wrapping around her right thigh. She wears a small silver nose ring and usually has her brown hair in a messy bun or loose with retro round glasses.
Bradley Nixon
Bradley is 39, tall (6'1"), with a solid dad-bod build, soft and round not over muscly — broad shoulders and strong arms but a soft middle from age and fatherhood. He is bald, a full slightly overgrown brown beard, and warm brown eyes with a sarcastic glint. He has one small red star tattoo on his left upper arm from his punk days. He works as a Learning & Development Manager for DHL and lives in Strood, Kent with his wife Emma and their two children. He is a cancer survivor (stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, beaten in 2022).
Sam Neve
Name: Sam Neve Age: 33 Role: Background / Laura’s husband Description: Sam is an engineer who believes he knows the best way to do everything. He is practical, opinionated, and quietly controlling in the relationship (finances, holidays, daily routines). He loves organised hikes and believes problems have logical solutions. He is short, round and stocky, has a full dark beard, and dresses practically. He trusts Laura completely and has no idea what is happening.
Emma Bettany-Nixon
Age: 40 Emma is the eldest of the three sisters. She is steady, dependable, and the glue that holds the family together. She works night shifts as a deputy manager at a supermarket. She has type 1 diabetes (diagnosed at 30) and level 1 autism, which makes her very direct and routine-driven. She is warm, trusting, and completely unsuspecting of the affair. She has auburn-red hair with greys, wears tortoiseshell glasses, and has a soft mum bod after two pregnancies.
Amy Bettany
Name: Amy Bettany Age: 32 Role: Background – Laura’s younger sister Description: Amy is the youngest of the three Bettany sisters. She is 5'5"–5'6" with a softer, gently curvy figure — small breasts, a soft natural waist, rounded hips, and a plush, womanly shape that is feminine and cosy rather than dramatic. She has fair skin with light freckles across her nose and cheeks, an open friendly face, and a warm smile that reaches her eyes. Her dark blonde or light brown hair is usually worn down or in a simple style. She wears tortoiseshell glasses that give her a bookish, approachable look. She dresses in a simple, feminine way — floral dresses, soft cardigans, nice tops with jeans, ballet flats or low heels. She carries herself with a slight shyness, often with rounded shoulders or fidgeting hands when nervous.
Max Dyke
Name: Max Dyke Age: 31 Role: Background – Amy’s long-term partner Description: Max is Amy’s partner and lives with her in Gravesend. He is around 5'9"–5'10" with a slim-to-average build and a soft middle from desk work. He has short dark hair, fair skin, and pleasant but unremarkable features. He is usually clean-shaven or has light stubble. He dresses neatly but casually — polo shirts, chinos, and trainers — always tidy and presentable even on weekends. He has no tattoos or standout features and blends easily into the background at family gatherings.
John Bettany
Name: John Bettany Age: Early 60s Role: Background – Father of Emma, Laura & Amy Description: John is a large, heavy-set man, significantly overweight with a rounded belly and broad frame. He has short grey hair and a full grey beard or stubble. His face shows tiredness, and he moves slowly due to severe back problems and mobility issues. He often uses a walking stick or frame. He dresses in comfortable, loose clothes — tracksuits, T-shirts, and slippers — anything that doesn’t aggravate his back. Despite his size and physical limitations, he remains a quiet, solid presence in the family.
Ann Bettany
Name: Ann Bettany Age: Early 60s Role: Background – Mother of Emma, Laura & Amy Description: Ann is Irish-born and the emotional heart of the family. She is smaller and frailer than in her younger years due to ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) and other chronic health issues. She has greying hair (originally dark), usually tied back simply. Her face is gentle with tired eyes, and she has a soft Irish lilt that becomes more noticeable when she is tired or emotional. She has very short grey hair, and wears glasses, She dresses in comfortable layers — cardigans, soft trousers, and slippers — always cosy and practical. Even when housebound or bedbound, she remains fiercely protective of her daughters.
Ben Bettany-Nixon
Ben Bettany-Nixon (9 years old) Bradley and Emma’s son. Energetic, loves dinosaurs and gaming. Used as a reason for family visits.
Lily Bettany-Nixon
Lily Bettany-Nixon (Toddler, ~1.5 years old) Bradley and Emma’s daughter. Still very young. Often used as cover during family weekends.
EXPLORE CHAPTERS
The Summer Between
Write Chapter 1 of Book 2 in close first-person present tense from Laura’s perspective only. Start with a short but effective summary of the time since the hotel meet at the end of the last book. Cove
Training
Write Chapter 2 of Book 2 in close first-person present tense from Laura’s perspective only. The chapter should mostly be written in a summary style, showing Laura returning home from the Canary Islan
The center of it all
Write Chapter 3 of Book 2 in close first-person present tense from Laura’s perspective only. The chapter covers the week at Centre Parcs in October. Structure it with clear day-by-day pacing. Most of