Liv remembered that her honesty about Essie’s book review hadn’t gone down well. She hoped Meg wouldn’t react the same way. She placed her clutch bag on her knee and glimpsed the striped tie through a gap.

When she started to speak, it was like a small crack appeared in a dam and her passion took over. She had lived and breathed Essie’s manuscript for three months and hadn’t been able to share it properly with anyone until today. Her words trickled out at first, before turning into a gush.

“The story’s taking shape,” she said. “Personally, I think Georgia’s grown too staid over the last few books. She’s lost her spirit of adventure. Sure, she still travels around and falls in love, but she acts like it’s a weight on her shoulders. Readers want to feel her excitement and energy, not think she’s resentful, or miserable. She needs to change and I think that’s happening in this book.”

Meg nodded for a while. “You’ve hit the nail on the head, Livvy. I’ve said similar things to Essie. I worked with her on edits, but...” She let her words drift. “I don’t wish to be indiscreet. It sounds like you’re getting both Essie and Georgia back on the right track. Well done.”

Liv sipped her champagne gratefully. “Essie’s struggling with the love of Georgia’s life. She hasn’t decided who it is yet, and I’m trying to help her. The end of the story is proving evasive.”

“Love of her life?” Meg mused. “I always had a soft spot for architect Dean Andrews in The River After Midnight. He’s very dashing and spontaneous. Essie should choose wisely. Her readers need someone memorable and to feel Georgia’s longing for him.”

Liv’s plate was whisked away and replaced with something tiny and cut into thin slices. The maître d’ announced it as truffle supreme, and it was so delicate she wanted to sigh after each bite.

“Now, when am I going to read this book, darling?” Meg said. “It’s vastly overdue.”

“Essie says the first of November.”

Meg chortled as if Liv had told her a joke, until her face eventually straightened. “Oh, darling. I told Marlon I must have the manuscript before then.”

“That’s not possible.”

“But we’re already working on strategy. We’re planning our marketing campaign.”

“There’s still heaps to do.”

Meg wet her lips. She lowered her voice. “I must tell you, we have interest from a major film studio in this book, Livvy. They love Georgia, but have been waiting for the right story. The last few books haven’t been it, and I think Essie knows that, too. She’s always refused adaptations of her work, not wanting anyone to mess with her characters, and we’re all hoping she’ll change her mind.”