Winter at West Sands Guest House: A debut feel-good heart-warming romance perfect for 2018
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Head to Scotland and find love this winter!
Eva Harris has her hands full juggling a teenaged son, a disobedient dog, and running her thriving seaside guest house, so really the last thing she needs is to be distracted by her new neighbour, ridiculously handsome but arrogant Ben Matthews.
For one thing, she’s got nothing in common with the man – Ben’s a high-flying lecturer at the town’s university while she barely scraped through high school – for another he’s fresh out of a relationship while Eva hasn’t been on one single date since the death of her husband, seven years ago!
She’s determined to keep her distance, but in a small town like St Andrews that’s easier said than done, and it doesn’t help that everyone, including her son Jamie, thinks Ben is wonderful! Breaking out of her sad but safe little bubble might be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do, but Ben might just be worth the risk …
Winter at West Sands Guest House
Maggie Conway
ONE PLACE. MANY STORIES
Contents
MAGGIE CONWAY
Maggie lived the first ten years of life in London before moving to Scotland. She has a degree in English Literature and spent many years working in offices dreaming of pursuing her passion for writing.
A perfect day would include an early morning swim, a good coffee, a great book and a few hours spent writing before the chaos of a husband, three children, a dog and a cat begins.
Having landed the role of chief dog walker, she spends far too much time roaming the streets but at least this gives her a chance to think up new storylines.
A huge thank-you to my lovely editor Hannah Smith for her unfailing enthusiasm and expert guidance every step of the way. Also to Helena Newton for her skilful work and to all the team at HQ Digital.
A big thank-you Lynne Morton - for her support, lovely notepads and making sure I exercise. To Jackie Barker for her encouragement and being there since the playgroup days. To Elaine Brydon for providing inspiration even though she had no idea.
To Gordon and Suzanne whose presence the past year has helped so much.
To my sister Fiona for reading, listening and generally being the best sister I could have.
To my children David, Kate and Rachel. You are truly amazing and I am so lucky and proud to be your mum.
And to Martin, you are my everything and none of this would be possible without you.
Dedicated to John Conway, an extraordinary man.
Thank-you, Dad.
Eva Harris wasn’t spying, not exactly. It was more a case of taking a healthy interest in her new neighbours. She’d almost jumped for joy when the removal van had pulled up earlier. During the afternoon she’d taken several breaks from her painting, lingering at the window with mugs of tea, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever had moved in.
It must have been one of the most efficient removals ever – the van appeared to have come and gone in record time and apart from the removal men Eva hadn’t seen anyone. Even now all was quiet, a sleek black car in the driveway the only evidence anyone had moved in.
Eva hated not having neighbours. She found the silence from next door unsettling. The house – known affectionately as Mac’s place – had lain empty, ever since Moira and Donald MacKenzie had decided to sell up and cruise around the world before moving into a bungalow to accommodate Donald’s arthritis. Tempted as she was to rush round to welcome her new neighbours, she held off. She knew moving day could be hectic and it was probably better to give whoever it was time to settle in.
From where she stood at a bedroom window on her first floor, Eva looked out onto the harbour and beyond that to the expanse of sea. Even now in October, St Andrews was a beautiful place to live. Being close to the university, Eva was used to seeing students coming and going along the cobbled streets. Tonight though, everyone was huddled up against the rain, hurrying to wherever they had to go.
Turning from the window, Eva rested her hands on her hips and admired the silky finish of the duck egg blue wall she had just painted. Listening to the radio as the rain lashed against the window, she’d been happy to be indoors today and even happier that she had managed to paint the whole room despite all her neighbour-spotting activity.
Eva loved running her small guest house and even though visitors came to St Andrews all year round, she