JuJu: 316–318 King’s Road, SW3 5UH Tel: 0207 351 5998. The finest cocktails on the KR bar none. JuJu is the glamourous hang out for all the beautiful people and boasts the most extensive list of champagne and cocktails a girl could wish for. The perfect place to get trashed with your girlfriends on a Friday night; drink Chelsea Iced Tea, Espresso Martinis or one of their many champagnes as the DJ spins an eclectic mix of tunes. Lush.
Beaufort House: 354 King’s Road, SW3 5UZ Tel: 0207 352 2828. Like a home from home, BH is a private members club that also opens to the hoi polloi (or at least some of it is, at certain times of day) It’s spread over three floors and boasts a bar, restaurant and club room. The champagne penthouse is not to be missed, as are BH’s vast array of cocktails shaken and stirred by its oh-so clever mixologists.
Harvey Nichols: 109–125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ Tel: 0207 235 5000. No guide to Chelsea hang outs would be complete without a mention of the sartorial and beauty mecca that is the iconic HN. Situated a gem’s throw from the KR at the end of the inimitable Sloane Street and the beginning of Knightsbridge, a girl can spend hours losing herself among its five floors of fabulousness. You’ll find an endless list of the most exclusive brands (think Chloe, YSL, Herve Leger, Jimmy Choo, Mulberry, Louboutin, Gucci, Prada et al). Once you’ve maxed out your plastic, head to the Fifth Floor for lunch and cocktails, the restaurant for dinner or the pièce de résistance (in my humble opinion) the newly revamped Champagne Bar. Inspired by Emile Galle’s iconic 1902 anemone design for the Cuvée Belle Époque Champagne bottle, it’s utterly darling; a divine place to quaff vintage fizz (paid for by hubby, of course).
Author Note
Missing the Chelsea Wives already? Don’t want your CW experience to end? If you loved the book then you can feed your CW fix by checking out bonus and deleted scenes, find out what the girls are up to now, access character notes, random facts about writing the book, read interviews with the characters and share their thoughts views and passions – you can even ask their advice on love, life – and of course, fashion if you like by visiting my Facebook Page www.facebook.com/chelseawives
Anna-Lou writes: I’m always sad when a book finishes and I’m left wanting more. Well, now you don’t have to! If you miss the girls and want to prolong your Chelsea Wives experience then I hope you’ll love what I’ve created on my facebook page www.facebook.com/chelseawives. You can also Tweet me @annaloulondon. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Acknowledgements
I have so many people to thank from the bottom of my heart that I’m not sure where to start. So, in no particular order, here goes; my amazing agent, Madeleine Buston and all the team at the wonderful Darley Anderson Agency. Maddie, I can never thank you enough for taking a chance on me and for all your editorial suggestions throughout that have helped make this a better read. I am so proud to be part of the Darley Anderson team and your constant support, faith and advice got me through the tough times. I will never forget the day I received the e-mail from you saying you were interested in Chelsea Wives. Alongside giving birth, it really was one of the best moments of my life!
My wonderful editor and fantastic lunch companion, Sammia Rafique and all the lovely Avon team for their amazing enthusiasm and belief in Chelsea Wives – and for the immensely helpful notes that helped make the end product so polished. I’m honoured to be part of the team and I can’t thank you enough for all your help and support.
To Lee Kynaston for giving me my first real break into journalism and to Marina Gask, Steve Beale, Jane Bruton and Marianne Jones at Grazia magazine. Averyl Oates for some insightful fashion knowledge and to the women of Chelsea who let me in on some insider secrets – you know who you are!
Thanks to Claire Wright and all the amazing girls (and boys) at Polesecrets (PS Group) for helping me to keep a healthy body and mind! Pole really is good for the soul and I’ve made some amazing friends through it.
My lovely Mum; thanks for the good genes and for all your help, support and advice, and for the brilliant conversations we always have about life, love and the universe – you are an inspiration to me. And of course to my dearest pops; again for his support and always being there for me – you are a true friend. I’m lucky to have such loving, supportive parents. I know if you weren’t who you were, then I wouldn’t be who I am either! Thanks to my sisters, Lisa and Hannah, and to my not so little brother, Marc. You always put a smile on my boat-race, kiddo!
As well as an amazing family, I have been blessed with the most wonderful friends. Susie Ember, my dearest rabbit, for all the advice, support, and above all, the laughs. I don’t know what I would do without you. Ditto the wonderful Laura Millar (LM!), who has been a huge support, a true friend and always an inspiration. To my dearest Michelle Langan, fellow writer and Aquarian, for all of your words of support and positivity when I’ve needed it most – your turn now, love. Also to Andie, Maya, Nyree and Karen Thorn. And to Sarah, whose domestic help I cannot live without! Thanks also to the Dawbers, Pat, Jade, Lee, Lisa and the gang.
I would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to my two best boys, Louie and Felix, who probably think everyone’s mummy is joined at the hip to their laptop. You are my pride and joy and I love you both more than anything. And lastly, but by no means least, to Alan. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, but I know I could never have done this without you. Thank you for all the help, support and personal sacrifices you have made to enable me to realise my dreams, even when you had your own to chase. Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am. And so, darling, this is for you.
About the Author
Anna-Lou Weatherley was born in Hampshire and grew up in London where she still lives with her partner and two children. An award-winning journalist and women’s lifestyle writer for over fifteen years, she is the former editor and acting editor of J-17 and Smash Hits respectively and has written for all the major glossies including, Grazia, More, Company, and Marie Claire among others.
She is the author of two teen titles, Ibiza Summer and The Wrong Boy (Piccadilly Press). Chelsea Wives is her first adult novel.
Copyright
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.
AVON
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First published in Great Britain by
HarperCollinsPublishers 2012
Copyright © Anna-Lou Weatherley 2012
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be identified as the author of this work
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Ebook Edition © June 2012 ISBN: 9781847563316
Version: 2013-12-10
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