Cover

Praise for

Heidi Swain

‘Sweet and lovely. I guarantee you will fall in love with Heidi’s wonderful world’ Milly Johnson

‘Wise, warm and wonderful – a real summer treat!’ Heat

‘Sparkling and romantic’ My Weekly

‘The most delicious slice of festive fiction: a true comfort read and the perfect treat to alleviate all the stress!’ Veronica Henry

‘A fabulous feel good read – a ray of reading sunshine!’ Laura Kemp

‘Sprinkled with Christmas sparkle’ Trisha Ashley

‘A story that captures your heart’ Chrissie Barlow

‘Fans of Carole Matthews will enjoy this heartfelt novel’ Katie Oliver

Thank you for downloading this Simon & Schuster ebook.

Join our mailing list to get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.

Dedication

To Paul,

this one was always going to be for you

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

As my fingers itched to click open the calendar on the computer for what would have been the fiftieth time in the last five minutes, I began to question my resolve about not taking superstitions seriously.

That morning, before I started my double shift on the hotel reception and merrily checked my weekend to-do list, I hadn’t given the date a second thought. So excited by the prospect of a whole weekend away from work and with the flat I shared with my partner, Jonathan, to myself that I hadn’t even noticed, but now I knew without any shadow of a doubt that Friday the thirteenth of September was going to be etched on my brain for ever.

What with lost key cards, a malfunctioning lift and two sacked sous-chefs, the morning had been bad enough, but events of the afternoon had sent the day soaring from tough to a total disaster.

‘I seem to have done it again,’ beamed Mr Lost Key Card Number Two from earlier. ‘I’m sure I had it with me when I left,’ he continued, patting down his jacket and trouser pockets as he approached the desk, ‘but now . . .’

Now the computer was telling me my long and gruelling shift was over and he wasn’t my problem. Ordinarily I wouldn’t have left until everything on my watch was on track and running like a well-oiled machine, but right then, quite frankly, I didn’t care.

‘If you take a seat,’ I told him, ‘my colleague will be over in a minute to help you.’

‘Oh right,’ he murmured, clearly affronted that I hadn’t jumped into action. ‘I’ll just wait then.’

He sauntered off and I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out behind his retreating back.