CHAPTER ONE
Ava Summer’s back straightened when she heard her name being shouted across the office. She peered over the top of her computer to see her manager, Brendon, beckoning to her.
‘What have you been up to?’ Nancy, her work colleague, asked, intrigue written all over her face.
‘Nothing!’ Ava grimaced. ‘At least I don’t think so.’
Her mind went into overdrive as she made her way across the open-plan room, praying that she wasn’t going to lose her job. She’d been at Bateman PR for nine years and had never needed it more in her life. Almost whipping herself up into a frenzy, she stepped inside the office.
‘Close the door for a moment,’ Brendon said, pointing to a seat.
Doing as he said, she placed her hands in her lap. Ava was never comfortable in situations she wasn’t in control of. It was the reason her divorce had been so messy. But she didn’t want to think of that right now. She wanted to know if everything was okay.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ Brendon barked.
Ava kept her thoughts to herself. Brendon wasn’t a great boss. In fact, he was a terrible one. In his late fifties, on his thirdwife with six children and eight grandchildren who he rarely saw, he took the credit for far too much.
‘I have an assignment for you.’ He ran a hand over his smooth head. ‘I need a good photographer, and you are my best. It would mean being out of London for about four weeks.’
Ava frowned. The most she’d stayed out for her job so far was a couple of nights here and there when she’d been the official photographer at two- or three-day events. She enjoyed the corporate sessions, and she loved a train journey out of the city every now and then.
‘Four weeks?’ she said.
‘It’s a big opportunity for you. They’re really impressed with your portfolio.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Ava sat upright a little at that. The prospect of doing something that would be recognised was both a compliment and a chance to prove to others, and to herself, what she was capable of. Her daughter, Georgia, was eighteen, and would be fine on her own. She’d no doubt enjoy the peace without her mother hanging around at their flat. ‘So where will I be based?’
‘Somerley. It’s in the Midlands.’
Ava’s eyebrows shot up, all manner of memories rushing to the front of her mind.
‘Do you know of it?’ Brendon queried.
‘Vaguely,’ she fibbed. Before her father died, she and her parents had spent every summer at Sapphire Lake, which was on the outskirts of the small market town.
Brendon turned his computer monitor round so that Ava could see the screen. ‘Sapphire Hotel is where you’ll be working.’
Ava studied the website, remembering quite clearly falling and scraping her chin on the driveway as she’d run too fast to stop, so excited to be back. She recalled the large oak doorway,the feeling of being a princess as she’d gone into the reception area to wait for Eliza, one of the five children who lived there.
‘I’ve given them a very lucrative but competitive quote for you to revamp their website, social media accounts, and their wedding, events, and conference brochures,’ Brendon went on. ‘I’m sure your amazing photography skills, combined with your love of the flowery word, will bring everything alive.’ He leaned back in his chair, interlinking his hands and resting them on his protruding stomach. ‘It’s Monday through Friday. You’ll need to travel there on Sunday evenings, ready to start promptly each week.’
‘I’m not sure I can manage four weeks,’ she said, at the same time wondering why she felt the need to protest. Wasn’t she saying to Georgia only the other night that she’d like something exciting to happen in her life after the low patch she’d found herself in? Now it had, she was pushing it away.
Having said that, she knew any objections would be futile.
‘You do realise that your work will be associated with a bestselling author who’s all over the book charts right now?’ Brendon said. ‘He’s part of the family.’
‘Yes, I know, but I?—’
‘But what? It’s a perfect opportunity for you.’
Ava dropped her eyes to scan the sheet of paper he gave to her. Thiswasa perfect opportunity for her, if it wasn’t for who she’d probably bump into. Then again, it might be nice to catch up with people, see Sapphire Lake again, perhaps Jack Broadhurst?
She wouldn’t have a choice regardless. Brendon wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Ava took a deep breath and nodded. ‘When do I leave?’
‘This Sunday, ready for work on Monday morning. I’ll forward you the emails I’ve been sent about your train and hotel reservation.’
