Publication day isn't too far off now, but the wonderful Books and The City Team have very kindly agreed to allow me to share with you the opening chapters of the book this week! I know!
The Prologue is below, Chapter 1 will be available on Wednesday and Chapter 2 on Friday. I hope you enjoy them. So, without further fuss, welcome everyone to Nightingale Square...
Prologue
‘Are you sure you’re all right, Kate?’ David asked as our honeymoon flight finally touched down and I twisted in my seat to catch my first glimpse of an Italian sunrise. ‘I know she said something to you.’
‘Honestly,’ I said, shaking my head and dismissing the harsh words my mother had used to warn me that my marriage would last six months, if I was lucky. ‘I’m fine. It’s nothing.’
‘But you were late to the church,’ David persisted in spite of my reassurance. ‘Very late.’
‘I’ve already told you,’ I laughed, reaching for his hand and kissing it. ‘That was down to Dad dithering about. He was more nervous than I was.’
David nodded.
‘Did you think she’d finally got to me?’ I asked, half- jokingly. ‘I hope you didn’t think she’d made me change my mind?’
‘The thought did enter my head as the seconds began to tick by,’ he admitted with a boyish grin. ‘Then you’re more deluded than she is,’ I tutted. ‘I love you, David and no amount of mithering from my mother could ever change that.’
‘The thought did enter my head as the seconds began to tick by,’ he admitted with a boyish grin. ‘Then you’re more deluded than she is,’ I tutted. ‘I love you, David and no amount of mithering from my mother could ever change that.’
It was true. I loved the man in the seat next to me body and soul. I had from the very first moment I laid eyes on him. Yes, he had a dubious relationship history but I knew he wasn’t the same person any more. Unfortunately, my mother didn’t share my belief, but had she paid half as much attention to the impeccable present as she did to the promiscuous past, she would have seen for herself just how well- suited we were.
David hadn’t so much as looked at another woman since our relationship had turned from casual to serious and sitting on that flight, poised to explore Rome, Venice and beyond, I could see both my marriage and my career comfortingly stretching out ahead of me. David and I were to be partners both in our lives and our work in the antiques trade. Granted we had each chosen to make sacrifices to make our relationship work, but we were both equally determined to make a success of it all.
‘She still doesn’t know you like I do,’ I said consolingly, ‘but she will. In time.’
David didn’t look convinced.
‘I just wish I could make her see how much I love you, Mrs Kate Harper.’ He burst out, more serious all of a sudden, ‘I just want her to understand that I would never hurt you, that this old leopard really has changed his spots.’
‘Hey,’ I cut in, feeling giddy at the sound of my married name, ‘less of the old, thank you very much! There aren’t that many years between us.’
David was not to be distracted from making his heartfelt declaration.
‘No,’ he said, ‘I mean this, Kate. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’ve been a breath of fresh air since the first moment I clapped eyes on you and I would never, ever do, or say, anything that would hurt you or make you doubt me. I don’t care what anyone else thinks of us, all I need to know is that you trust me with every bit of your heart.’
I closed my eyes as he tenderly cupped my face in his hands and brushed his lips lightly against mine. I had never felt so happy, so loved and cherished. I held tight to that moment and locked it away for safekeeping.
‘I trust you,’ I whispered, looking deep into his eyes.
So there you have it folks, that was the beginning of Kate's journey! I hope you enjoyed it. Pop back on Wednesday to find out what happens in Chapter 1 and do feel free to use the comments box below to let me know your thoughts. Thank you so much for reading!
H x
Can't wait to read this! I have it on order from the local library. Lx
ReplyDeleteYay! Thank you so much Laura. I hope you enjoy it my lovely! H x
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