The Little Book Café
A division of HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.co.uk
HarperImpulse
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
www.harpercollins.co.uk
First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2018
Copyright © Georgia Hill 2018
Cover design by Micaela Alcaino © HarperCollins Publishers 2018
Cover illustration © Shutterstock.com
Georgia Hill asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Ebook Edition © December 2018 ISBN: 9780008281298
Version: 2018-10-22
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Part One: Tash’s Story
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Part Two: Emma’s Story
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Part Three: Amy’s Story
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Acknowledgements
Also by Georgia Hill
About the Author
About HarperImpulse
About the Publisher
To Bertie, with love and cuddles.
Chapter 1
‘Is that really what you’re wearing to this book club thing?’ Adrian frowned at Tash’s reflection in the mirrored door of the wardrobe in their fitted bedroom.
‘Yes, what’s wrong with it?’ Tash looked down at her miniskirt and wedge sandals.
‘Oh, I don’t know. You wear skirts all the time for work. Why not try those palazzo pants I bought for you last week? And that black sweater?’
‘Ade. It’s August.’
‘Aren’t you meeting up in that chapel Millie’s converted? Those sorts of places are always freezing.’ He smiled and, lifting her hair out of the way, bit her ear. ‘Or you could always stay home with me.’ He reached around her waist and covered a breast with each hand, finding the nipples and pinching hard. ‘I might have plans for you. Plans that would keep you very warm.’ He nuzzled his mouth into her neck and nipped.
Tash took his hands off her and stepped away. ‘You know I promised Emma I’d go with her for the first time. It’s only this once, Adrian.’
He flung himself onto the bed and pouted. ‘Well, if you prefer the company of a load of boring old women instead of a night of hot passion with me…’ He spread his legs and rubbed his crotch, grinning.
Tash looked away, revolted. Adrian’s sexual appetite was getting wearisome. ‘I’ll change into those trousers and then I’d better get going. I’m late already.’
‘You sure you don’t want me to give you a lift?’
Tash hurried into the next bedroom, the one she used as a dressing room. ‘No, it’s fine. I need the fresh air and exercise.’ She yanked her skirt off and pulled the trousers on. She needed to get out. Fast.
‘Plenty of opportunity for exercise here,’ Adrian called from the bed. ‘I’ll get you hot and sweaty.’
Tash grabbed her bag and ran down the stairs. ‘Won’t be late. Don’t wait up!’ Please don’t wait up, she added silently. The thought of his body grinding over hers yet again was nauseating. How had it come to this? She slammed the door decisively on her way out.
‘You okay, Tash?’ Emma asked as they walked along Berecombe’s seaside promenade.
‘Yes, I’m fine!’ Tash replied curtly.
‘No need to snap my head off.’
‘Sorry, Em. Lot on my mind.’
‘Yeah, work was manic today. That’s three take-ons this week and it’s only Wednesday. Good, innit?’
‘Excellent.’ Tash shoved her bag onto her shoulder as a group of men ambled past.
‘Evening girls,’ one cackled. Another wolf-whistled.
She put an arm through Emma’s and hurried her on. ‘Honestly, why men feel they can just, just—’
‘Just what?’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’
‘Lighten up, Tash. They were only being friendly. If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were the one who was nervous about this book club, not me.’
‘Well, that’s just rubbish, isn’t it? I’m never nervous about anything.’ Tash slowed down as they approached Millie Vanilla’s Cafe. It was brightly lit and still had a few customers sitting outside, enjoying a pot of tea in the golden evening sunshine.
Emma pointedly took Tash’s arm from out of hers. ‘You never used to be. You used to be fun, Natasha. Until you moved in with Adrian Williams.’
Tash’s eyes glittered. ‘You’ve gone too far, Emma. Remember I’m your boss.’
‘Not at this precise second, you’re not.’ Emma reached out and took hold of her friend’s hand. ‘I’m worried about you, Tash. You seem tense all the time, jumpy.’
‘I’m just tired, that’s all. As you pointed out, it’s been a hell of a week. And now, to top it all, instead of drinking a good white, curled up on the sofa in front of the telly, you’ve got me coming along to this.’
‘It’ll be fun, you’ll see.’ Emma tugged on Tash’s hand gently. ‘Come on, we hardly ever go out on girly nights any more. And, besides, aren’t you dying to find out what Millie has done with the old chapel?’
‘Yeah. Suppose.’ Tash had gone to school with Millie. Although not close friends, they often bumped into each other at events to promote businesses in Berecombe. Tash admired Millie’s work ethic and was a regular at her café. Scuffing her foot on the sandy prom, she noted that the hem of her trousers was already getting frayed. She should have worn her heels but Adrian didn’t like her in them. She was already a good four inches taller than him in bare feet. Something he hated. ‘Lead me on then, girlfriend.’ She shook her finger at Emma. ‘But I warn you, if it’s boring or the wine is undrinkable, I’m out of there.’
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