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Harry ran a hand over the shiny smooth dome of his head, in a gesture that had been a habit for over twenty years; he missed the thick, luscious mane of his youth, still surprised to find that he was now completely bald. Time seemed to have sped up over the years, and it occasionally came as a shock that he was no longer an energetic twenty-something-year-old guy eager to make his mark on the world, but instead a rather jaded – yet incredibly successful – forty-something-year-old man.

‘I don’t know if I said that exactly …’ he began, backtracking as he saw Tara’s expression. ‘I mean, I will, but the timing needs to be right. And with the twins, it’s just … difficult. Honestly, Tara, be glad you’ve only got George. Teenage girls are a bloody nightmare.’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘I know. I used to be one.’

‘I remember,’ Harry laughed. ‘You were always so much fun and so bloody sexy. But I could hardly tell your brother that I fancied the arse off you. Still do,’ he said, making a grab for her as Tara squealed delightedly.

‘Why did we never give things a proper go?’ Harry mused, unbuttoning Tara’s blouse. ‘We’d have made a great couple.’

‘You know why,’ Tara said quietly, pushing the memories from her mind, not wanting to go there.

‘Yeah, let’s just keep this fun, hey, Tara? No need to start getting serious. Jesus, it’s cold in here,’ Harry said, as he unbuckled his trousers.

‘I’ll keep you warm,’ Tara promised.

‘Too bloody right you will,’ Harry growled, as Tara pushed him down on the chaise longue.

‘Wait – where does Kit think you are?’ Harry said suddenly.

‘I don’t know and I don’t bloody care, Harry! I don’t want to think about him now,’ Tara insisted. ‘I just want you,’ she purred. ‘All ready and waiting for me …’

‘At your service, m’lady,’ Harry groaned, his breath quickening as he sat back and closed his eyes.

‘But first, what about that role we talked about,’ she murmured. ‘In your new film …’

Harry’s eyes shot open. ‘Not now, Tara …’

‘But you did speak to the exec producers about me? You promised, Harry.’

‘Yes, but it’s down to the casting director, you know that … and I absolutely have spoken to her and been assured that the role is as good as yours,’ he added hastily, as Tara moved abruptly away. ‘Now come on, darling, don’t spoil the moment …’ he pouted, pulling her back towards him, and Tara relented, giving Harry exactly what he wanted. She could only hope that, in return, Harry would give her exactly what she wanted – a starring role in his next movie, and a shot at reviving her career.

The two of them had always had a great connection, and a sexually charged friendship. Sure, she had been crazy about Kit when they were first together, but over the years the cracks in their relationship had deepened and widened. Tara had taken lovers when she felt the need, keeping her liaisons discreet for George’s sake, but she was damned if she was going to let anyone else have Kit. If their marriage was going to end, she was going to do it on her terms. And right now, Tara thought, she was going to do exactly what she damn well pleased.

In the orangery, Fliss, Sally and Katie were sitting at a table beside one of the large casement windows which faced eastwards and looked out over the lake. The pale winter light sliced through the glass and landed on the potted plants, dappling the leaves. Mrs Matthews had brought the women a large pot of tea, accompanied by a pile of scones with jam and cream. Sally poured tea for them all, before deftly slicing a scone in two then turning her phone upside down.

‘I’m determined not to look at that for the next half hour,’ she declared. ‘If there’s a work emergency, Tara can deal with it.’

‘Can she deal with it?’ Katie asked, raising her eyebrows.

‘No, probably not,’ Sally sighed. ‘But I would love to have thirty minutes where I’m not expected to solve every little problem that comes up.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Katie agreed. ‘I love my job, but it’s exhausting when I’m expected to give it 100 per cent, plus structure my time around Harry’s career and the girls’ schedule. Something has to give, and it’s usually my sanity. How about you, Fliss? Are you enjoying having some time off? I imagine the pressure must be relentless.’

‘Do you know, it is nice to be away,’ Fliss said thoughtfully, then decided to bite the bullet. ‘I assume you saw the story in the press?’

‘Harry did mention something,’ Katie said, looking embarrassed. ‘We weren’t sure how much was true. Of course, you’re the main priority – I just want to make sure you’re OK.’

‘It hasn’t been the easiest time, but being here with old friends has done me the world of good, thanks darling,’ Fliss told her, touched by Katie’s concern and her discretion at not raising the news story before now. ‘I don’t want to bang on about me, though, so let’s talk about something else. How are the twins?’

Katie smiled. ‘I mean, they’re fifteen-year-old girls. You remember what that’s like? And it’s ten times worse these days, I don’t know a single parent who isn’t worried about what smartphones are doing to young people’s minds.’

‘So true,’ Sally said with feeling.

‘And when they’re twins, everything’s doubled. Twice the hormones, twice the drama, twice the demand for designer clothes and premium skincare.’

‘Thank God I’ve just got Jasper,’ Sally laughed.

‘Yes,’ Katie said. ‘Boys are so much easier.’