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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.

PART ONE

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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