‘Because of you the blackness lifted. Everything was OK. For the first time in months I felt there was something … I started writing again. I did what you suggested. I made a woman save my hero. The Girl from Damascus, do you see? No stilettos, no rushing around in a dark house with a killer after her. Just a brave, feisty, funny woman like you.’
He stopped and shrugged and gave me a lopsided grin and my heart did a swoop.
‘I wish you didn’t have to go,’ I said.
I touched his hand and he took it and kissed my fingertips.
‘I’ll be back.’
‘In the New Year? That’s ages away.’
‘I’ll be back next week. I’m not giving up on this. On us.’
‘Us?’ I said.
Wow I was part of us.
OliverandBillie.
BillieandOliver.
No Billie and Oliver would do just fine.
‘You matter to me a great deal. Do you know what I mean? I’d like to see a lot more of you,’ he said.
He was looking at me with an expression that made my insides clench with lust. I leaned across and kissed him.
‘I thought you’d seen all of me already?’
He grinned. ‘And you’re gorgeous.’
For once, just for once, I didn’t say something stupid like I usually do.
Oh I’m a bit tubby. I can’t manage my hair. I have no sense of direction.
Instead I just said, ‘Thank you.’
And he put his arm around me and kissed me properly again.
‘Are you completely sure you don’t want to come and work for me?’ he said at last. ‘Is there nothing I can do to persuade you?’
His breath was warm on my cheek and it would have been so easy to say yes, to give in, to take the easy option, but somehow I didn’t.
‘Positive. I’ve got such a lot to do here. I’ve been going through a bit of a rubbish time too. But now, for the first time in ages I’m really getting somewhere. I’m doing something I love. Something I can be proud of. And I’m good at it too – I know I am.’
‘I know you are. So how are we going to work this?’ he said. He kissed me again. ‘I’m not going to lose you, Sybilla Summers.’
For the first time in my life my name wasn’t embarrassing or weird. It sounded exotic and rather lovely. I felt suddenly glamorous and fascinating and a bit thinner – I swear I did.
He took my hand and kissed my fingertips one after the other as he spoke.
‘When I get back from Boston I want to take you out for dinner. Let’s think of it as our first date. I’m going to take you somewhere wonderful and decadent and buy you champagne. And afterwards I’m going to take you to bed and make love to you and show you just how much I’ve been thinking about you and missing you. Would you like that?’
‘I’d like that,’ I said rather faintly. ‘I’m not going to sleep very well tonight.’
‘Good.’ He softly bit the pad of my thumb. ‘I’ve lost enough sleep over you in the last few weeks. I think it’s your turn.’
I couldn’t stop grinning; I must have looked quite crazy to the waitress who was hovering at a discreet distance, probably wondering if we wanted anything other than each other.
‘In the meantime, I’ve got something for you.’ Oliver reached into a briefcase down by the side of his chair and pulled out a package. He handed it over. ‘If nothing else works I think this will keep you lusting after me. I know the way to your heart.’
It was, of course, a giant Toblerone.
I smiled up at him, suddenly a bit weepy that he had remembered.
‘You know how to impress a girl.’
He rubbed a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
‘That’s what I’m hoping.’
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the team at Avon UK for their help and advice especially Victoria Oundijan, Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, Helena Newton and Michelle Bullock and, of course, to Annette Green my agent.
Thank you to all those who read and reviewed my debut The Summer of Second Chances and helped to make it a bestseller. A lot of them wanted another book, well here it is, I hope you enjoy it.
The writing journey wouldn’t be quite so much fun without the LL’s who have helped, advised and cheered every step of the way, so a big thank you to them.
To Beth and James for a fantastic launch party.
To my family, who continue to be rather surprised.
Finally, and most importantly, to my husband Brian, who has provided all the enthusiasm, encouragement and Mint Clubs I could wish for. x
About the Author
Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to university in Cardiff.
Following a career as a dentist, Maddie now writes full time, and lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband.
An irresistibly funny read about never giving up, whatever the world throws at you.
Out now!
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
http://www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor
Toronto, ON, M4W, 1A8, Canada
http://www.harpercollins.ca
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited
P.O. Box 1
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London,SE1 9GF
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
http://www.harpercollins.com
A Year of New Adventures Page 29