BooksBarbecue
Back Fancy Meeting You Here
Chapters (52)
  1. COVER PAGE
  2. DEDICATION
  3. PART ONE
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. TWELVE
  16. THIRTEEN
  17. FOURTEEN
  18. FIFTEEN
  19. SIXTEEN
  20. SEVENTEEN
  21. EIGHTEEN
  22. PART TWO
  23. NINETEEN
  24. TWENTY
  25. TWENTY-ONE
  26. TWENTY-TWO
  27. TWENTY-THREE
  28. TWENTY-FOUR
  29. TWENTY-FIVE
  30. TWENTY-SIX
  31. TWENTY-SEVEN
  32. TWENTY-EIGHT
  33. TWENTY-NINE
  34. THIRTY
  35. THIRTY-ONE
  36. THIRTY-TWO
  37. THIRTY-THREE
  38. THIRTY-FOUR
  39. THIRTY-FIVE
  40. THIRTY-SIX
  41. THIRTY-SEVEN
  42. THIRTY-EIGHT
  43. THIRTY-NINE
  44. FORTY
  45. FORTY-ONE
  46. FORTY-TWO
  47. FORTY-THREE
  48. FORTY-FOUR
  49. FORTY-FIVE
  50. FORTY-SIX
  51. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  52. ABOUT THE AUTHORS

As the notification popped up, Evie flicked from her screenplay to her Facebook newsfeed. It had been five days since Hugo had left for Italy, during which there’d been constant, unremitting drizzle in London. And while Evie suffered through an unrelenting bad cold, Hugo’s social media accounts showed shot after shot of Hugo posing with readers (many of whom were Italian goddesses), celebrating with his Italian publisher in exclusive-looking restaurants, eating pizza, smiling through interviews and doing readings in beautiful, cobblestoned courtyards, the sun shining down on him. His jam-packed schedule meant it had been hard to catch him on the phone for more than a few minutes at a time, so Evie could only really follow his adventures via social media. She refreshed her newsfeed one more time.

f @HugoHearstAuthor: This morning’s visit to the Trevi Fountain must have brought me extra luck. I’m thrilled to announce that the film of Henrietta’s Gift is going into pre-production shortly. And you won’t believe who’ll be playing Ryan … Shout out to @FionaEmsworth for pushing me to audition and giving me the chance to bring Ryan to life. Ps Will be @TheCornerBooks at 5pm signing books.

image The Corner Books, Rome

Evie couldn’t believe it. She checked her phone for a missed call or text, but nothing, zilch. How could Hugo have let the world know before me? Evie checked herself and, determined to be positive, shot off a quick text to Hugo.

image Evie: Just saw your Facebook post … Is this really happening?!

With no immediate response, she decided he must be busy, and went to the kitchen to take some painkillers for her headache and sore throat. Resisting the urge to watch the newest episode of Game of Thrones (which she had already seen some ten years ago), she forced herself back into her study and resumed the scene she was writing, proud of her newfound discipline. It was dark by the time a text from Hugo finally arrived.

image Hugo ♥: Yes! My darling, it’s actually happening. I can’t quite believe it! Once again, your faith in me has helped me so much. My lucky star x

image Evie: YAHOOOOOO!!! I’m over the moon! Can I call???

image Hugo ♥: Sorry Evie, I’ve just finished speaking and there’s a queue of readers waiting for me to sign their books. Talk later xxx

image Evie: Of course. Good luck today. Can’t wait to celebrate together soon x

Evie sneezed and grabbed a wad of tissues, feeling miserable and deflated. She tried to ignore the creeping anxiety in her gut. At least she’d got a good day of work done and could reward herself with some of the amazing minestrone soup Ben had brought round for her. What did I do to deserve him? she thought with a smile.