Chapter Twenty-Eight: Friday, 16 May
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Friday, 16 May
Chapter Thirty: Saturday, 17 May, 12.15 a.m.
Chapter Thirty-One: Tuesday, 20 May
Chapter Thirty-Two: Thursday, 22 May
Chapter Thirty-Three: Saturday, 24 May
Chapter Thirty-Four: Saturday, 31 May
Chapter Thirty-Five: Sunday, 1 June
Chapter Thirty-Six: Monday, 2 June
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Wednesday, 11 June
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Thursday, 12 June
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Friday, 13 June, 5 p.m.
Chapter Forty: Friday, 13 June, 5.30 p.m.
Chapter Forty-One: Friday, 13 June, 6 p.m.
Chapter Forty-Two: Saturday, 14 June
Chapter Forty-Three: Sunday, 15 June
Chapter Forty-Four: Thursday, 19 June
Chapter Forty-Five: Wednesday, 25 June
Chapter Forty-Six: Thursday, 26 June
Chapter Forty-Seven: Friday, 27 June
Chapter Forty-Eight: Friday, 27 June
Read an extract from The Summer Theatre by the Sea
About the Publisher
‘It’s a wonderful life!’ the poster in the adjacent jeweller’s window boasted, displaying an array of pricey eternity rings mounted on velvety heart-shaped cushions.
Evie tried not to growl. It was a little hard to feel as though things were ‘wonderful’ when your ex-boyfriend had made your life so utterly miserable you’d had to up sticks and move area just to preserve your sanity. It was even harder to believe life was ‘wonderful’ when the rusty metal shutter on your shop front wouldn’t budge, causing a tirade of random expletives to fill the chilly morning air. But that was the reality of her situation and she just had to deal with it.
Evie rammed her shoulder against the slats, determined not to be outdone by a warped piece of aluminium. It was one thing to keep burglars out, it was quite another to deny the staff access, especially on the busiest day of the year.
Valentine’s Day was both a blessing and a curse. Although she was guaranteed to be busy, with a multitude of sales and a much-needed boost to her limited funds, it was also a day that required a good deal of pretending. As a florist, Evie was in the business of ‘selling romance’. It wouldn’t do to be cynical and bitter. She had to smile, radiate happiness and ensure that The Forget-Me-Not Flower Shop was the place to buy your loved one the perfect Valentine’s gift.
The shutter finally relented, dislodging a blanket of snow from the wooden awning and sending it showering down on top of her. For a moment she stood there, shuddering as the sensation of wet crept down the back of her neck. Not the best start to the day.
Despite the inconvenience of an overnight snowstorm, the shop front looked like a picture postcard. The leaded bay window arching onto the quaint high street looked almost Dickensian with its frosted glass front and icicle topping. Whatever else in her life sucked, the little business opportunity that had landed in her lap was indeed ‘wonderful’.
When she’d made the decision to leave Surrey – in the hope that moving area would finally convince her ex their relationship was over – Evie had had no idea where she’d end up. She just knew she had to get away. It was only a chance viewing of an advert in the local paper that had led her to Heatherton.
The previous owner of The Forget-Me-Not Flower Shop had found love in the guise of a Texan realtor and wanted someone to take over the management of her business whilst she decided whether or not to permanently settle in the US. Evie had often dreamt of owning her own florist’s, so this was an ideal opportunity, and Kent suited her just fine. Heatherton was a mixture of old-world cottages and historic interest with new-build development and a decent shopping centre. Small enough that she didn’t feel overwhelmed, big enough to feel anonymous. The perfect place to start afresh.
Her only hope was that Diana Smart wasn’t in any rush to sell. Evie needed time to make a profit and build up enough capital to make a business loan viable. She doubted any bank manager in their right mind would lend her the required funds in her present state of financial fragility.
Pushing open the front door, she was greeted by the familiar aroma of cut flowers. The air inside was almost as chilly as out. Within