The Little Book Café: Tash’s Story
Escape to the seaside for a new three-part series for fans of The Canal Boat Cafe and Willow CottageLocal estate agent Tash isn’t convinced about joining the new book club at Berecombe’s beautiful new bookshop and café. Dragged there by her friend Emma, she knows she needs a night out. Her boyfriend Adrian is wonderful, and adores her, but has become a bit clingy of late. So when she is introduced to new local farmer Kit, with his scruffy beard and low-key look, its’s a breath of fresh air to chat to someone so un-Adrian. Maybe this book club idea could be fun after all!But when Tash starts forgetting things and behaving oddly, over-protective Adrian is determined to keep her from her new interest. But if bookclub has taught Tash anything, she should know not to judge a book by its cover…
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HarperImpulse
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2018
Copyright © Georgia Hill 2018
Cover design by Micaela Alcaino © HarperCollins Publishers 2018
Cover illustration © Shutterstock.com
Georgia Hill asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authorâs imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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Ebook Edition © August 2018 ISBN: 9780008281267
Version: 2018-09-21
Table of Contents
To Bertie, with love and cuddles.
âIs that really what youâre wearing to this book club thing?â Adrian frowned at Tashâs reflection in the mirrored door of the wardrobe in their fitted bedroom.
âYes, whatâs wrong with it?â Tash looked down at her miniskirt and wedge sandals.
âOh, I donât know. You wear skirts all the time for work. Why not try those palazzo pants I bought for you last week? And that black sweater?â
âAde. Itâs August.â
âArenât you meeting up in that chapel Millieâs converted? Those sorts of places are always freezing.â He smiled and, lifting her hair out of the way, bit her ear. âOr you could always stay home with me.â He reached around her waist and covered a breast with each hand, finding the nipples and pinching hard. âI might have plans for you. Plans that would keep you very warm.â He nuzzled his mouth into her neck and nipped.
Tash took his hands off her and stepped away. âYou know I promised Emma Iâd go with her for the first time. Itâs only this once, Adrian.â
He flung himself onto the bed and pouted. âWell, if you prefer the company of a load of boring old women instead of a night of hot passion with meâ¦â He spread his legs and rubbed his crotch, grinning.
Tash looked away, revolted. Adrianâs sexual appetite was getting wearisome. âIâll change into those trousers and then Iâd better get going. Iâm late already.â
âYou sure you donât want me to give you a lift?â
Tash hurried into the next bedroom, the one she used as a dressing room. âNo, itâs fine. I need the fresh air and exercise.â She yanked her skirt off and pulled the trousers on. She needed to get out. Fast.
âPlenty of opportunity for exercise here,â Adrian called from the bed. âIâll get you hot and sweaty.â
Tash grabbed her bag and ran down the stairs. âWonât be late. Donât wait up!â Please donât wait up, she added silently. The thought of his body grinding over hers yet again was nauseating. How had it come to this? She slammed the door decisively on her way out.
âYou okay, Tash?â Emma asked as they walked along Berecombeâs seaside promenade.
âYes, Iâm fine!â Tash replied curtly.
âNo need to snap my head off.â
âSorry, Em. Lot on my mind.â
âYeah, work was manic today. Thatâs three take-ons this week and itâs only Wednesday. Good, innit?â
âExcellent.â Tash shoved her bag onto her shoulder as a group of men ambled past.
âEvening girls,â one cackled. Another wolf-whistled.
She put an arm through Emmaâs and hurried her on. âHonestly, why men feel they can just, justââ
âJust what?â
âOh, I donât know.â
âLighten up, Tash. They were only being friendly. If I didnât know you better, Iâd say you were the one who was nervous about this book club, not me.â
âWell, thatâs just rubbish, isnât it? Iâm never nervous about anything.â Tash slowed down as they approached Millie Vanillaâs Cafe. It was brightly lit and still had a few customers sitting outside, enjoying a pot of tea in the golden evening sunshine.
