Going the Distance

Going the Distance

Christina Jones

Maddy Beckett lives in the horse-racing village of Milton St John. Recovered from a disastrous love-affair and running her own small business, she’s happy being single until she meets and falls for the gorgeous Drew Fitzgerald. Everything about Drew is perfect – until his cool and impossibly elegant wife appears on the scene. Maddy loves Drew, but doesn’t know if she loves him enough to become “the other woman”? Morally, it’s out of the question, but physically …?

Has their relationship got what it takes to go the distance …?

Dedicated with all my love to the memory of my parents, Fred and Aimee Wilkins, who gave me the gifts of love and laughter, freedom and imagination.

“No Regrets”

To Hilary Johnson of the R.N.A., not only for her generous advice, constant support and encouragement, but also for making me laugh.

To Pat Powell, my best friend for ever, for making the research a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

To Hilary Lyall and Carol-Ann Davis who always believed in me.

To Dorothy Hunter with many thanks.

To Gill Boucher, Corinne Rees and Jane Clark for being such true friends and giving me all those lovely nights out when I never stopped talking.

To Rob and Laura for loving me, for being my inspiration, and for never once complaining about it being beans on toast again.

Contents

Chapter One

She was sure her suspenders were showing. Twisting around, craning her neck to check in the mirror, Maddy grinned. They were covered. Just.

Even with the breath-taking aid of Fran’s second-best basque, Maddy had always known the dress was going to be too tight and far too short. Resignedly tugging the borrowed grey, crepe shift over her head, she gazed dolefully at her wardrobe. She couldn’t wear the green velvet again – which left an exciting choice between the black skirt and the black trousers, either of which would need a suitable party top …

With a sigh, she hurled Fran’s dress on to her bed, where it hovered for a moment before slithering to the floor amidst several discarded newspapers and an empty tub of Slimfast. A week ago she had vowed she would live on nothing but Slimfast. She was going to slink into tonight’s party looking svelte and toned and seductive, and Peter would wonder why he had ever left her for Stacey, the bow-legged stick-insect.

Of course, she hadn’t reckoned on the Slimfast being quite so moreish – especially when mixed with condensed milk and a dollop of Cornish ice cream …Maddy kicked the diet plan under the bed and decided to seek consolation in a chocolate Hobnob. It was only the insistent chirrup of the telephone that prevented her from polishing off the remains of the packet.