by Jane Green
Marissa almost sighs in delight. ‘And you don’t think it’s too much for you? You think you can handle all the different things? Even the menial tasks?’
‘Absolutely,’ nods Liz. ‘I am happiest when I’m busy.’
Marissa sits back. ‘Well.’ She smiles. ‘I will obviously be checking your references, but I’m wondering whether we shouldn’t just dive in and give it a go? I always think the only way to see if it’s a fit is to start working together and see if we like each other.’
Liz smiles then, as Marissa stares. How odd that such a plain girl could be transformed into such a pretty one when she smiles. ‘How does that sound?’ asks Marissa, beguiled by the smile.
‘Perfect,’ says Liz. ‘I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. If there’s anything you need me to do now, I could even help today. I have availability this afternoon.’
‘No, no,’ Marissa starts, before realizing she does have to pick up a prescription and she has run out of milk, which she needs for breakfast tomorrow morning, and she hadn’t been planning on leaving the house again. ‘Actually . . . I know this is the most mundane thing in the world, but is there any chance you might be able to pick up a couple of things for me?’
‘It would be a pleasure,’ beams Liz as she hoists her bag over her shoulder. ‘You don’t have to worry about a thing. I’m here to change your life.’
Acknowledgements
As always, a team of people have helped, not only with this book, but with the life I had to live in order to write it.
My enormous gratitude, as ever, to my long-term agent in the UK, Anthony Goff, and my newfound agent here in the US, Christy Fletcher, who continues to astound me with her wise and continuous presence in my life.
My team at St. Martin’s: Jen Enderlin, Sally Richardson, Stephanie Hargadon, Lisa Senz, Nancy Trypuc, Jeff Dodes, Angelique Giammarino, and Laura Wilson at Macmillan Audio.
Julie Chudow, Danielle Burch and Sarah Hall of Sarah Hall Publicity.
Meg Walker of Tandem Literary. Carly Sommerstein for the great editing.
Shayla Smith and Sue Redston.
To Rae and Molly at the Squam Lake Inn, who provided me with a beautiful place to write, and sweet treats to keep me happy.
Xavier Mayonove and all at the International Culinary Center in New York.
The very many bloggers, book lovers, readers and people who have supported me for so long, and particularly Melissa Amster, Amy Bromberg, and Robin Kall Homonoff.
The doctors who put right the wrongs, and brought me back to myself – to them I do, truly, owe my life: Dr Frank Lipman, Dr Michael Doyle, Dr Amiram Katz, Tish Fried and Patrick McCord of Write Yourself Free in Westport, where I write my books and cuddle Bertie.
Michael Ross and Mark Lamos at the Westport Country Playhouse, who have been endlessly supportive.
To my many friends, my tribe, my family of choice. And my husband Ian. Still beloved, after all these years. I love you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former feature writer for the Daily Express, Jane Green took a leap of faith when she left in 1996 to freelance and work on her book. She is now the bestselling author of over fifteen novels. Jane lives in Connecticut with her husband and their blended family of six children.
ALSO BY JANE GREEN
Bookends
Jemima J
Mr Maybe
Babyville
Straight Talk
Spellbound
The Other Woman
Life Swap
Second Chance
The Beach House
Girl Friday
The Love Verb
The Patchwork Marriage
The Accidental Husband
Tempting Fate
First published 2014 by Macmillan
This electronic edition published 2014 by Macmillan
an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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ISBN 978-1-4472-5865-0
Copyright © Jane Green 2014
Jacket illustration © Sharon Pinsker
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