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Chapter 1

I rifle through the piles and piles of paraphernalia that’s sprawled all overto be late On a Friday, after being on ti to be late

‘Kate!’ I yell frantically Where the hell are they? I run out onto the landing and throw myself over the banister ‘Kate!’

I hear the faes of a ceramic bowl as Kate appears at the bottom of the stairs She looks up at me with a tired expression It’s an expression I’ve become use to recently

‘Keys! Have you seen my car keys?’ I puff at her

‘They’re on the coffee table where you left the herself and her cake mixture back to her workshop

I dart across the landing in a colossies ‘Hiding again,’ Imy tan belt, heels and laptop Icake mixture into various tins

‘You need to tidy that roo mess’ she complains

Yes, , especially since I’ and organising I scoop er in Kate’s cake ’

‘Get out!’ She bats my hand aith her spoon ‘Why do you need your car, anyway?’ she asks, leaning down to s on her bottom lip in concentration

‘I have a first consultation in The Surrey Hills – soh the belt loops of my navy pencil dress, slip my feet into my tan heels and present myself to the wall mirror

‘I thought you stuck to the city?’ she asks from behind me

I ruffleit frorips instead My dark brown eyes look tired and lack their usual sparkle A result, no doubt, of burning the candle at both ends I onlywith Matt We’re behaving like a couple of university students My liver is screa for a rest

‘I do The country sector is Patrick’s doot landed with this’ I sweep the wand of ether ‘One is not partial to old English and all things proper’ I give Kate a kiss on the cheek ‘It’s going to be painful, I know it Luv ya!’

‘Ditto, see you later’ Kate laughs, without lifting her face froet your P’s and Q’s!’