Chapters (67)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PROLOGUE
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- PART TWO
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- PART THREE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- PART FOUR
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- EPILOGUE
- Mailing list
- A Letter from Kathryn
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Kathryn Croft
‘So, you must be wondering why I wanted to talk to you?’ Abby begins as soon as Sienna sits. She is bubbling with excitement, unable to remain still, like a toddler who’s about to be given a new toy. Sienna can’t imagine what it is Abby wants to talk about.
‘Well, I was talking to Gwen,’ Abby continues, ‘and she mentioned you were an interior designer and—’
‘Hold on.’ Sienna holds up her hand. ‘In the interests of full disclosure, I’m not yet, I’m just taking a business course so I can hopefully set up my own small business.’ Saying it out loud to someone other than Greg makes it feel real, as if she is actually doing this. The course only started a week ago, so it still hasn’t sunk in, but Abby’s words fuel her with adrenalin.
Abby leans forward, undeterred. ‘You must be good at design, though, right? And I could really do with some help.’ She launches into an explanation of how she and her husband have recently moved to London and need to do up their house. ‘I’ve made a start and done some painting upstairs, but I don’t have a clue what to do with the downstairs,’ she admits. ‘The kitchen’s a mess and I can’t even pick a colour to paint it.’ She rolls her eyes, and Sienna likes the fact that Abby can laugh at herself.
‘It’s not as easy as people think,’ Sienna explains. ‘There are so many things to consider.’ She pauses. ‘So how would you like me to help?’ She’s already decided she will help Abby; it will look good for her to have some work, other than her own house, to show prospective clients.
The barista brings over their drinks and she notices Abby has chosen the same as her. ‘I’m a latte girl too,’ Abby says, and they both chuckle.
The two of them are still sitting in the cafe when the barista begins cleaning up. Everyone else has already left; something Sienna only now realises.
‘I think that’s our cue to leave,’ Abby whispers. ‘I can’t believe I’ve kept you here this long. I’m so sorry.’
But she has nothing to apologise for; at least not yet. In those two hours, Sienna has really warmed to her and enjoyed their conversation so much that she’s barely given any thought to going home. They’re vastly different people, that much is clear. Abby strikes her as sensible and down to earth, while she always has her head in the sky. That’s what her mother used to say, before she left.
As well as this, Abby really listens to her. This is a novelty, given that she’s used to being around Greg and his colleagues, and it makes a refreshing change to feel that someone is valuing her words.