by Clare Lydon
She gave Eden a tight smile. “I know, just stop looking at me.” This was Eden’s first family photo. Yet, somehow, Heidi was the one whose insides were alight with nerves, every muscle she possessed taught. She wasn’t quite sure why. After all, her family all loved Eden.
In the back, Maya was strapped into her car seat, straining her neck having just seen a dog. Heidi was currently fighting the battle of getting one for them.
“Doggy, Mummy!”
Heidi eyed her daughter in her rear-view mirror. “Yes, sweetheart.”
Heidi tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as the traffic slowed again. She didn’t want to be late for a second year in a row.
She caught Eden’s stare and followed it to the steering wheel. “What are you staring at?”
“Your fingers,” Eden replied. “I can’t help it. My mind is still stuck on this morning and what they did to me. Under all this makeup, I’m blushing.”
Heidi raised an eyebrow and gave her a smile. “I was pretty good, I’ll give you that. But enough sex talk with Maya in the car. We don’t want her picking up anything she can then repeat to my mother, do we?”
Eden spread her hands on her thighs, her legs jigging up and down in time with the music on the radio. “Is there anything I need to know about today? Apart from that I shouldn’t try to trip up Sarah or Jason, and I need to charm the photographer.”
Heidi pumped the brakes as they pulled up at some traffic lights, turning around to check on Maya. Her eyes were closing. Typical. “Hey, no falling asleep, Maya! We’ve got to stay awake for the photograph, remember Mummy told you?”
Maya opened her eyes. “Doggy!” she said, pointing to a Boston Terrier currently waiting to cross the road.
Heidi turned her attention back to Eden. “All you need to do is be yourself and smile when Pippa says so. That’s it. Couldn’t be simpler.” But Heidi knew it was bigger than that. “Just be yourself. Casual but cool. You’re good at that. You’re the first partner I’ve ever had in a photo, no biggie.” She began to drum her fingers again.
“I promise not to swear or embarrass you, okay?”
Heidi placed her hand over Eden’s. “More than okay. A thousand times okay.” She exhaled, emotion bubbling up in her. “Today just means a lot. It’s always just been me, you know? And now, you’re here. I honestly couldn’t be happier, but I’m feeling a little emotional. But let’s not dwell on it, because I do not want to cry and have panda eyes for the photo. Not for the second year running.”
Eden shook her head. “Nope, you do not. Let’s think of something the opposite of panda eyes.” She turned around to Maya. “What’s the opposite of panda eyes, Maya?”
Heidi’s daughter cocked her head. “Elephant eyes!” she replied.
Eden turned back to Heidi. “There you go. From the mouths of babes.”
Heidi burst out laughing as she pulled into the studio’s car park. For the first time, she had a feeling today was going to be okay.
“You look knackered. What were you doing last night?”
Sarah shook her head, burying her face in her husband’s shoulder. “Don’t ask. Somebody who shall remain nameless decided it would be a good idea to drink whisky.”
Heidi winced. “Is it ever a good idea to drink whisky?”
“I’ve tried to cover it up. Has it worked?” Sarah’s makeup was thickly applied, and to the untrained eye, you’d never know.
“You might fool Mum, but you won’t fool me.”
“At least I look better than you this time last year. Remember? You were a mess thanks to that shoot you’d done that came with a side order of cats.”
“Don’t remind me.”
Heidi’s parents walked over, kissing Heidi and Eden. “Lovely to see you both. And my gorgeous Maya, of course!” Her mum picked up her granddaughter. “What have you done today?”
“Doggy, Nanny!” Maya snaked an arm around her grandma’s shoulders.
Her mum shot Heidi a look. “Are you getting a dog?”
Heidi shook her head. “Maya would love one, but it’s her current favourite word. I’m riding it out. Last week it was casserole, so I’m hoping this one will pass, too.”
Maya Snr laughed. “And you look wonderful, Eden. The lemon of your shirt really brings out the colour of your eyes.”
Eden blushed. “Thank you. You look lovely, too.”
Heidi’s heart popped, and her nerves settled. She should never have doubted that her family or Eden could handle today. Together, they were a formidable team.
“Right, I’m going to see if Pippa’s ready, and then we can get started. I’ve booked the pub as usual, so you’re all good to come afterwards?”
Heidi nodded, glancing at Eden. “Yes, just like always.”
Her mum scuttled off, putting Maya on the floor. Heidi leaned in to kiss Eden. “I think my mum loves you. She’s not the only one.”
Moments later, Pippa was clapping her hands, waving them all over to the spot in front of all the lighting.
“Show time.” Heidi gave Eden a smile, then took her hand. “You ready to come and be immortalised in the Hughes family photo? Because once you’re in, it’s hard to escape. Ask Jason.”
Eden gave her a smile. “Looks like I’ll have to stick around then, doesn’t it?” She glanced down. “What do you think, Maya? You want me to stick around?”
Maya glanced up with her big brown eyes, before putting her hand in Eden’s.
Heidi’s heart melted. “Looks like you’re a hit with all the Hughes women.”
Eden squeezed Heidi’s hand. “Lucky me.”
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A Note From Clare
I hope you enjoyed the story of Heidi & Eden. I loved writing it, and I hope it’s a great addition to the London Romance series.
If you have a moment, I’d also really appreciate an honest review on the site you bought it on. Reviews are hugely important as they encourage new readers to take a chance on me — if my book’s got some reviews, they’re far more likely to give me a try. So if you’d like more books from me, please take a moment to leave your thoughts. And it doesn’t have to be a novel — even a few lines makes a difference and every review means so much!
If you fancy getting in touch, I’m most active on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t be in your hands without the help and cheerleading of so many people. Here’s where they get a shout-out.
Thanks to Denise Murphy for chatting with me about being a solo lesbian mum. All power to ya! I’m also indebted to Melita Falzon and Nicki Brown for their stories of sick and poo. I love kids, but if anything’s going to put you off having one, it’s listening to those. In case you were wondering, that poo story from the pub? Yes, it really happened.
No book of mine would be in the world without my first readers who tell me if it’s any good, and point out where it could be better. Thanks as always to HP Munro for her initial thoughts. Buckets of gratitude to Tammara Adams for running my ARC team with grace and style. Plus, of course, thanks to every one of my early readers who picked up those last-minute typos and missing words. Especially to Hilary and her proofing superpowers. You help make the book as polished as it can be, and I’m beyond grateful.
Oodles of plaudits to my cover designer, Kevin Pruitt, for another fabulous cover. He also keeps me supplied with great wine, so is forever my best friend. Thanks to my editor Kelli Collins for the initial feedback and thumbs-up; also to Gill Mullins for taking a final chammy to my words and making them shine. Plus, of course, cheers to Adrian McLaughlin for making this book look so pretty in your hands. You’re all brilliant and I couldn’t do any of this without you.
Thanks to my wife, Yvonne, even though she hates being thanked. I believe her words on this one went something like: “It’s actually pretty good and not nearly as bad as you’re making out.” She
was right, too. She usually is.
Finally, thanks to you for buying and reading. The London Romance series is one that I intend to keep going, mainly due to reader feedback that they want it to continue. The London Romance ladies were the women who started it all for me, and as such, I’m forever in their debt. However, it’s you reading my books that gives me the impetus to keep going, and that means the world. I hope you enjoy this book, and want more London tales. I already have another one lined up, expect that in 2020!
Also by Clare Lydon
London Romance Series
London Calling (Book One)
This London Love (Book Two)
A Girl Called London (Book Three)
The London Of Us (Book Four)
London, Actually (Book Five)
Other Novels
The Long Weekend
Nothing To Lose: A Lesbian Romance
Twice In A Lifetime
Once Upon A Princess
You’re My Kind
A Taste Of Love
All I Want Series
All I Want For Christmas (Book One)
All I Want For Valentine’s (Book Two)
All I Want For Spring (Book Three)
All I Want For Summer (Book Four)
All I Want For Autumn (Book Five)
All I Want Forever (Book Six)
Boxsets
London Romance Series, Books 1-3
London Romance Series, Books 4-6
London Romance Series, Books 1-6
All I Want Series, Books 1-3
All I Want Series, Books 4-6
All I Want Series, Books 1-6