She wasn’t going to the wake. She had made a promise to Rebecca, and she was getting started on that promise right away. Some might call it callous, but it was what she and Rebecca had agreed upon, and she didn’t care what anyone else thought. The money from Rebecca’s will would be sorted out in a couple months, and added to the inheritance from her dad all those years ago, it left her financially ready to open the sex club.

She’d been astounded when Rebecca had told her it was all hers. Through the years, Rebecca had built up quite a nest egg through some property investments. Once all that was cashed in and taxes paid, there was over half a million coming Mandy’s way. Rebecca had insisted, quite forcefully, and had also made Mandy promise that she would use the money to finally start the club she—they—had been planning all this time.

She’d found the property at last and had shown photos to Rebecca, who’d wholeheartedly approved. Now she had some contractors to engage. The builders and decorators were easy. She called in people she’d used when she’d opened her first gay club in the Village seven years previously. She was selling that club on and clearing her debts. Now all she needed to work on was the specialist contractor for the BDSM room. She’d narrowed it down to a choice between two companies and had meetings booked with both of them next week.

It was really happening, at last. Oh, how she wished Rebecca was here to see it, to share it with her. She gazed down at the coffin below her, aware that the cemetery workers were politely waiting to complete their job. She blew one last kiss down at Rebecca, turned, and walked away.

Rebecca might not be with her physically, but she’d be with her in spirit every step she took.

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

Manchester, present day

Stephanie stepped off the tram and smoothed out her jacket and skirt before doing up her thick woollen coat. The fine dogtooth fabric of the suit always clung so deliciously to her body, more so than any of her other work outfits. She kept this as her “first day” and special occasions suit. She wore it on the days when she needed just a bit more assurance and verve to pull off the Stephanie Jackson charm offensive that such situations demanded. She revelled in it, and she detested it.