One day in May, Hattie's life changes forever . . .
Hattie Carrington has good reason to be happy. Her antiques business is flourishing, her teenage son is settled at school and she's enjoying a fling with a sexy, younger man. But when work takes her back to the village of Little Crandon, heartbreaking memories of her first love surface. It seems that the secret affair with married politician Dominic Forbes, which changed the course of her life, just won't go away.
So when Hattie's bumps into Dominic's widow and his gorgeous younger brother, Hal, her world is turned upside down. Though she's still trying to hide from her mistakes, she knows that if she's ever to fall in love again she needs to be honest with others, and herself.
Can she admit what really happened with Dominic all those years ago? And, if so, is she ready for the consequences?
'Another charming tale of love and heartbreak from this wonderfully warm and witty author' Woman
Other books by Catherine Alliott
'People often ask me if I always had a burning desire to be an author, and the honest answer is no, in fact, it almost happened by accident.
I was working as a copywriter in an ad agency and tired of writing blurb for soap powder, began writing a novel under the desk. I had no thought of publication, was just doing it to relieve the boredom, but I must say it was a bit of a shock when my boss walked in one day and said we're not sure you're entirely committed and gave me the sack!
Actually, I think that galvanized me and I was determined to finish it. I did, but it took a while: I was working freelance, and then pregnant with my first child so it wasn't at the forefront of my mind. When my son was born I discovered babies slept for great chunks of the day, so I revisited it, tapping it onto a computer my brother gave me. (The first draft was in long hand, I'm a complete Luddite by nature, and actually, still write my first draft into note books.)
My husband persuaded me to send it to an agent who took it - amazingly and then a few weeks later I had a publisher too. The Old Girl Network came out about a year later and the first time I saw it in a shop, I was so startled I ran out again! I'm convinced it was easier back then to get published, these days it's far more competitive because there are so many girls doing it I'm glad I started early!
I've written a few more since then, but some things don't change: I still get a thrill when I see them around. I hope you enjoy the books, I certainly have a lot of fun writing them.'
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