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
‘What were you just thinking about?’ Sienna asks. ‘You looked… contemplative?’
‘Did I? I was just… no, it doesn’t matter.’
‘Well, now I’m intrigued. Go on.’
‘I was just thinking how stupid I was. I’ve been worrying about Rob meeting Greg, and whether they’d get along. Silly, isn’t it?’
Sienna looks out to the garden. ‘No, not at all. I’ve been doing exactly the same!’
‘Really?’
Sienna nods. Even if she’s just trying to make her feel comfortable, Abby is grateful. ‘But just look at them out there. I have no idea what they’re talking about but they’re certainly getting along. Just like I knew deep down they would.’
‘You’re not close to those women, are you?’ Abby says, turning back to Sienna. ‘Sorry, I can’t remember their names. I blame this!’ She holds up her glass.
‘Is it that obvious? Let’s just say they’re not in my fan club.’ Sienna laughs, but behind it, Abby senses there is sadness. ‘That’s why I’m so glad you could come here today. You saved me from an excruciating afternoon. I usually just flap around playing host while they all enjoy themselves. That suits me fine, though. It’s too much effort to talk to them sometimes. Kind of like I’m fighting a losing battle. I do try, though, and they love me for that!’ She chuckles, and it’s loud and infectious, wrapping around Abby until she’s laughing just as hard.
It’s some time before Abby notices how late it’s getting. ‘I’ll just use your bathroom, and then we’d better head home,’ she says when she’s finished her drink. ‘Otherwise we’ll be here all night.’
‘That’s fine with me,’ Sienna calls after her.
When Abby steps out of the downstairs toilet, she walks straight into Greg. ‘Oops, sorry,’ she says.
‘No, it was my fault.’ He smiles. ‘Thanks, by the way.’
‘What for?’
‘For being there for Sienna. I think your friendship is just what she needs.’
‘Well, that’s mutual,’ Abby says.
‘Anyway, I’ll say goodbye now, I’ve got to make a call. Work. Can’t get away from it! Hope to see you both soon.’ Greg squeezes her arm as he walks past, and as Abby heads back to Rob, she can feel herself flushing.
And there it begins. The first of several get-togethers the four of them will have over the next couple of months, none of which are anything other than an ordinary gathering of four people who enjoy each other’s company.
Until, at the height of summer, everything changes.