Owner of a Lonely Heart

EVA
CARTER

Owner
Of
A
Lonely
Heart

Contents

Chapter 1: Gemma

Chapter 2: Dan

Chapter 3: Casey

Chapter 4: Dan

Chapter 5: Gemma

Chapter 6: Dan

Chapter 7: Gemma

Chapter 8: Dan

Chapter 9: Gemma

Chapter 10: Dan

Chapter 11: Casey

Chapter 12: Gemma

Chapter 13: Dan

Chapter 14: Gemma

Chapter 15: Dan

Chapter 16: Gemma

Chapter 17: Dan

Chapter 18: Gemma

Chapter 19: Dan

Chapter 20: Gemma

Chapter 21: Dan

Chapter 22: Gemma

Chapter 23: Gemma

Chapter 24: Casey

Chapter 25: Dan

Chapter 26: Gemma

Chapter 27: Dan

Chapter 28: Casey

Chapter 29: Gemma

Chapter 30: Dan

Chapter 31: Gemma

Chapter 32: Dan

Chapter 33: Dan

Chapter 34: Gemma

Chapter 35: Dan

Chapter 36: Gemma

Chapter 37: Casey

Chapter 38: Dan

Chapter 39: Gemma

Chapter 40: Dan

Chapter 41: Dan

Chapter 42: Gemma

Chapter 43: Dan

Chapter 44: Gemma

Chapter 45: Dan

Chapter 46: Gemma

Chapter 47: Dan

Chapter 48: Casey

Chapter 49: Gemma

Chapter 50: Dan

Epilogue: Gemma

Acknowledgements

How to Save a Life

This book is dedicated to my father Michael (1939–2021),

for teaching me about love, and about dogs,

which are pretty much the same thing.

Chapter 1: Gemma

Sunday 1 July

‘My Little Gem waited a long time for the perfect person. But then, suddenly, there he was.’

And here he is. Andrew Boxer. The love of my life.

Our guests whoop in response to my father’s words, and a blush spreads up my new husband’s neck, above his stiff collar and along his square jaw. I reach for his hand.

Dad hasn’t quite finished. ‘Before we accepted him into the family, this young man faced quite an inquisition. I call it “being hauled over the Coles” and it’s extremely rigorous. After all, her sister has interrogated Somerset’s most hardened criminals, but Andrew charmed her instantly.’

Laura nods to confirm it.

‘And after decades as a medical receptionist, my wife can sniff out a fake or malingerer at fifty paces, but the worst thing she uncovered about this man was his passion for jigsaw puzzles.

‘I liked him on sight. Which was a relief, because daughters are precious, especially when you delivered them yourself, on the kitchen floor. Look at the bride and groom. Aren’t they wonderful together?’

Yes. We really are.

‘It’s time to toast the happy couple. To Andrew and Gemma!’

‘Andrew and Gemma!’

The ring of crystal echoes around the function room, and Dad’s dewy smile makes my own eyes smart. I brush away the hint of a tear before the wedding videographer zooms in too close.

Andrew stands up. The anticipation makes me catch my breath.

‘Love is the biggest puzzle in the world. You’d all expect me to say that. But it’s true. You can’t see it. You can’t hear it. You definitely can’t buy it. Yet finding it is the key to happiness.’

The glow spreads through me. The speech has taken him weeks to perfect and it is Andrew to a T.