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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2013
Copyright © Charlotte Phillips 2013
Cover Photographs © shutterstock.com
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This novel is entirely a work of fiction.
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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 © May 2013
ISBN: 9780007532032
Version 2014-09-30
Digital eFirst: Automatically produced by Atomik ePublisher from Easypress.
Izzy Shaw glanced around the hotel lobby full of loved-up couples revelling in the sumptuous luxury and wondered in what universe sheâd thought a night here by herself could succeed where ice-cream, wine and support sessions with the girls had failed.
To pass the time as she queued for check-in, and to strengthen her resolve, she mentally ran through the list sheâd made of Joeâs faults, which according to her friend Shauna should be referred to at moments of weakness.
1) Leaves boxer shorts on the floor.
2) Watches more than one show at once on TV resulting in infuriating flicking of remote control.
3) Obsessive preoccupation with major football events plus outrageous cash outlay on season ticket.
4) Leaves toilet door open.
5) Has one night stands while supposedly working away.
Of course, that last one was the only one that really counted. Sheâd put up with all the others for three years, none of them had been deal breakers.
She reached down for the handle of her overnight bag and moved up two spaces in the line. The couple in front of her were so closely entwined together that she could hardly tell where one person stopped and the other began. As she watched the girl nuzzled into her partnerâs neck and Izzy averted her eyes and stared at the glossy marble floor.
Urgh! Get a room!
She supposed thatâs exactly what they were doing. Just as she would have been, in that parallel universe where Joe hadnât let her down.
A few nights in the company of her friends in the wake of her discovery of Joeâs betrayal had certainly filled her with temporary bravado. Opting to take this night away herself as a pamper break instead of just cutting her losses and cancelling had seemed like a great idea when she was buoyed up by wine and chocolate and pep talks.
âItâll just be a waste of a good room if you donât go,â Shauna had insisted. âYou wonât get the money back now. Itâs luxurious, itâs expensive and best of all itâs got the perfect access for Selfridges and Harvey Nicks. An evening in the spa, a gourmet dinner and then you shop until you drop. Youâll be over him within 24 hours.â
The moment six months ago when sheâd booked this place flashed into her mind. Just great. Because what she really needed right now was a flashback to a time when Joe had been everything to her. She gritted her teeth hard. This was her Reinvention Mini-Break, her Get-Strong Mini-Break. It was NOT the planned Izzy-and-Joeâs Surprise Romantic Mini-Break. Plans could change.
People could change too.
She reached the front of the line. She carried her bag to the Receptionist and forced a smile across the high marble counter.
âI have a booking in the name of âShawâ,â she said.
The receptionist pressed buttons, nodded efficiently.
âI have a table booked in the restaurant for tonight,â the receptionist said. âAnd a His and Hers Spa Treatment.â
Sheâd forgotten about that. The lobby seemed suddenly too warm.
âCan I change the Spa treatment?â she said, trying to keep her voice as muted as possible. There was zero privacy at the crowded check-in desk. âSomething a bit moreâ¦â she groped for the right description and failed. âFor one?â she said.
The receptionist glanced up, clearly taking in the fact that she was alone. The warmth of a blush crept upwards from her neck. She might as well have stood on the counter and announced to the room that she was unexpectedly single.