Take 2 in Tuscany

Lynn Duffy

Description

Thirty-something Sarah Carrington, is recently divorced and living back home with her flamboyant mother, Dotty. Having run an extremely successful business, alongside her now ex-husband, life has become rather boring. Annabel, Sarah's best friend persuades her to take on a position as a personal assistant to successful British film director, Steve Fountain. A notorious lothario.Life on set in Tuscany is a million miles away from anything Sarah has ever done before, but she loves the mad world of filmmaking. Some unexpected attention comes her way in the shape of one of the film's major stars, Jake Edwards, which sets her pulse racing.There are twists and turns along the way as Sarah's life is turned upside down. So hop on board the plane to Pisa for a summer of fun, where there is never a dull moment under a Tuscan sun.

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
• Date de parution: 31 janvier 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528961721
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

T ake 2 in T uscany
Lynn Duffy
Austin Macauley Publishers
2022-01-31
Take 2 in Tuscany About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgement Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49
About the Author
Lynn Duffy is originally from South East London but now lives in the picturesque county of Kent, also known as the ‘Garden of England!’ Lynn has many hobbies, one of which is singing in a choir. Lynn believes she has inherited her sense of humour from her family, in particular, her late grandmother, Lilian. She hopes this comes across in this her first-ever novel. They say love makes the world go round, and Lynn grew up in a house filled with love and laughter.
Dedication
To all my family and friends, I wouldn’t be who I am today without your love and support.
Copyright Information ©
Lynn Duffy 2022
The right of Lynn Duffy to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528916929 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528961721 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published 2022
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd ®
1 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5AA
Acknowledgement
Thank you to everyone who has helped me to believe in myself.
(Some of the proceeds from this novel will be donated to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.)
Chapter 1
The day had not started too well for Sarah Carrington. As soon as she had got up that morning, she’d stubbed her big toe on the bottom of her bed which had made her yelp, and then had been horrified to see a tiny, but nevertheless, bright red spot which was positively glowing on her chin. She hadn’t had one like that since she was a teenager. She would have to use plenty of concealer on that baby! After a rushed breakfast, she eventually left the house in a taxi, only to find that the 8.50 train to Charing Cross had been cancelled. Apparently, this was due to a donkey on the line. Just when you think you’ve heard every excuse possible , Sarah thought, she would definitely have to go on the internet later on!
When she finally arrived for her hair appointment, Frederick, her usual hairdresser, was off sick! Surely the day couldn’t get any worse. Ellie, the new stylist, had been duly assigned to do her hair in Frederick’s absence, ably assisted by Jean-Paul. Given that she had turned up late, they had been very accommodating. As a precaution, she’d sent her friend Annabel a text warning her that she was running late. Thankfully, by the time she’d left the salon, her nightmare mane of hair had been smoothed and tamed into soft waves. So-Hair had been Sarah’s hairdressers since she had been in her early teens. In fact, it had been Annabel who had first discovered this little gem whilst working as an office junior for a large advertising agency. It was tucked away in a little back street in Soho. Sarah had never found any other hairdresser, who could control her thick head of hair, like Frederick. Although, to give credit where it was due, Jean-Paul and Ellie had actually done a brilliant job for her that day.
Luckily, she was out of the hairdresser’s at a reasonable time and her fortune had changed, as she had managed to catch a taxi, practically straight away. As usual, the traffic in London was horrendous, but finally her cab drew up outside Claridge’s. The driver was an interesting man, who had told her he was from the East End of London. “Third generation,” he’d said proudly. However, he was rather talkative and had spent most of the time banging on about some big demonstration that was taking place the following day. It would cause chaos with the traffic, which he wasn’t too happy about and understandably so. Selfishly, she was glad that she had chosen to come up to London that day and thus avoiding the dreaded demonstration. She paid the driver his fare and as she was in a happy mood, she added a rather generous tip.
He gave her a broad smile and winked at her. “Ta love. Have a nice day.”
“I will, thank you.” Sarah had a spring in her step, as she almost glided into the foyer of Claridge’s and, as always, she instantly began to feel more relaxed. It had certainly been a hectic morning, but nothing was going to spoil the rest of her day. The doorman had given Sarah an admiring glance, but typically, she hadn’t noticed. She couldn’t see any sign of Annabel as yet, so she made a quick visit to the ladies’ to powder her nose before meeting up with her friend. On the whole she thought she’d scrubbed up okay in her pink Vintage dress, which, her mother had once commented, “made her look youthful,” and she knew it showed off her trim waist. Jean-Pierre had kindly allowed Sarah to get changed in his flat above the shop and she’d even received a wolf whistle from him and had laughed when he’d told her she looked “hot”.
Sarah came out of the ladies’ and immediately caught sight of Annabel. You couldn’t really miss her, with her shiny, bright red hair and even though she was only 5'1", she always stood out from the crowd. She had a vibrant personality and dressed accordingly, in her trademark black leather biker jacket, and knee-high boots over skinny jeans. Although clearly not a natural red head, she did, however, have a fiery nature and generally had a short fuse. It was her way or the highway!
Annabel had quickly noticed Sarah and walked over to her. “Oh there you are babe,” she said, kissing Sarah on both cheeks. “You made good time then, as I thought you were going to be late!” Sarah had no time to reply, before Annabel said, “Right, follow me; I feel the lure of a Cocktail coming on!” Sarah shrugged her shoulders and did as she was told. Annabel, as usual, was in charge and she followed her friend into the Cocktail lounge, where she quickly hopped up onto a barstool. She ordered two Archers’ Woo Woos. The barman began mixing and shaking their cocktails with all the expertise of someone who had been doing it for years. Both women watched him avidly as he poured the red liquid concoction into two long-stemmed glasses, without spilling a single drop. You could tell he loved the attention he was receiving and he’d flirted with them just a little, but without going over the top. Sarah noticed that Annabel was enjoying his attention too, as she smiled and gave him one of her come-hither looks. She was, after all, the original Flirty Gertie! “Oh thank you kind Sir,” Annabel said, taking a long sip of her drink.
The barman smiled at them in a friendly manner, “My pleasure, ladies.” Annabel had been looking forward to this moment all morning.
“God it’s been manic at work, but now I have the rest of the day to devote totally to you, Sarah.”
“Thank you, I am deeply honoured.”
“Well, so you should be,” Annabel said, smiling at her bestie.
“Now why don’t you try your cocktail?”
“Okay, Miss Bossy Boots,” and Sarah took a small sip, although she wasn’t usually much of a drinker.
“Isn’t that delicious and refreshing?” Annabel enquired.
“Not bad I guess and it’s very fruity, isn’t it.”
“Never mind the fruitiness, it’s the vodka content that really matters.”
“You know alcohol always goes straight to my head.”
“That’s because you don’t drink nearly enough of it. Anyway,” Annabel said mischievously, “you’re so much more fun when you’ve had a drink and by the way, you look fabulous! Did Frederick do your hair today?”
“No he didn’t actually. The poor guy is poorly with some flu bug. Ellie and Jean-Paul did it for me.”
“It took two to do your hair?”
“What can I say, it’s not easy taming my mane. Anyway, it was a case of having to, because as you know, I was running late, so it put them behind a bit.”
“Well, it looks amazing.”
“Thank you. I’ve also got some gossip for you!”
“Ooh, spill the beans,” Annabel said, taking another sip of her cocktail.
“Well, Jean-Paul told me that he and Frederick are getting married in December, just before Christmas and we’re both invited.”
“Wow about time I’d say and it’s certainly one wedding I don’t want to miss.”
“Me neither, in fact I’d pay good money to go,” Sarah quipped, “and there’s bound to be some way over the top frou frou.”
Annabel smiled and said, “Yes no doubt about that, and I for one want a front row seat! Of course, more than likely there will be a few dramas and fireworks before the big day. When those two fall out, you can cut the atmosphere in that salon with a pair of scissors.” Both women laughed.
“Still it’s good news and something to look forward to, Annabel.”
“Yes and I can hardly wait. Right, let’s finish off our devilishly delicious cocktails and that’s not easy for me to say right now, trust me! I’m ravenous.” Annabel downed her cocktail swiftly and looked at Sarah,