I don’t normally answer when I don’t recognise a number, but something in my gut tells me to pick up on this one. Well, my gut and the fact it’s a London number.
‘Becky? I hope you don’t mind me ringing, it’s Rosie Histon, I’m—’
‘Oh hi!’ Oh my God, it’s Rosie Histon. She’s not about to tell me that her lovely author, of the Mischief books, has had a change of mind? Gone into early retirement, or something? ‘Is, er, everything…?’
‘I’m sure you know what a massive fan of yours I am, those illustrations you’ve done are so perfect they made me cry!’
‘Oh. Er. Thank you.’ Wow!
‘They’re totally amazing, you’re just so talented! I bet your ears were burning yesterday, you were the hot topic of convo over lunch because one of my other authors loves your work so much we decided to ask her publisher if they’d approach you.’
‘Wow, that’s lovely, thanks! You’ve no idea how happy—’ A tractor goes by, sending a shower of straw through my open car window, but this time I hardly notice it. I’m much more used to country smells now.
‘Anyway, long story short, they said they’d been after you for ages, but Teddy had always told them that you weren’t available?’
Bloody Teddy!
‘But I’d heard on the grapevine that you and he…’ She leaves that hanging. ‘So I wondered if things had changed, if you could squeeze us in?’
‘Oh my God I’d love to! Well, love to talk, yes, I mean I do have some free time, but I am quite picky about only doing stuff that suits my style.’
‘I totally get that! Cool! Okay if I pass that on and they get in touch? I’ll message you my details and the publisher’s then, if you want a chat, or if you’d like to meet the author. She is so in awe of you, she’d be totally made up if you could do it!’
A text pings in seconds after she hangs up.
I could kill Teddy. This is a publisher I adore. A major publisher with a catalogue of books with the most stunning covers and illustrations.
And Teddy told them I was unavailable. What right did he have? Except it doesn’t matter now. I’m not going to let him have even one more second of my life.
They wanted me before. They thought I was good enough. And I am.
I smile as I redial Ash.
The flat is perfect, and like Ash said, it’s kind of fitting living above the art shop. I get to have an occasional coffee and chat with David and check out the new artists he’s discovered.
I stayed with Ash for a week in Lake View Cottage, and then headed home to my flat. I’d thought I might feel sad clearing out the place, the first place that had been ‘mine’. But I wasn’t at all. It had never really been home. It was too close to Teddy, and too full of memories of doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons. The negative side of my life.
Abby helped me move stuff. She insisted. And we promised to see more of each other. Like sisters should. Well, let’s face it, she is now SO jealous of me dating the sexiest man on the planet, and living in the most beautiful place in the world, so we kind of feel on more of a level footing. Not that we need to be, that bit is a joke. I know now, deep inside me, that I’m doing the right thing – and because I believe in me a little bit more, I can see that everybody else does as well. They always did.
I pick up my mobile phone as it pings with an incoming message, and it opens on the Insta account I’d been looking at earlier. Georgina’s. Somebody else who I think is now doing the right thing.
Her latest photo is a real family pic, though there are three of them, not the four she’d been posting about the last time I saw her. But this, for once, seems to be reality. There’s a man (in fact he’s in lots, practically all, of the recent photos) and this definitely isn’t a snatched, secret shot – he’s a willing participant. He’s got the tiny puppy under one arm, and his other is draped around Georgie’s shoulder. He’s smiling at the camera, a proper relaxed smile, and Georgie is glancing up at him. She looks genuinely happy. Besotted, if I’m honest.
You could almost take it for a candid, spur of the moment, shot. Though of course the logo of a well-known clothing brand is prominently displayed on her boob (framed by his fingers so that it can’t be missed), and the puppy has a designer collar on, and there are six trillion hashtags. But hey, so what, she’s happy. It’s what she does, and I’m pleased for her. She’s found her own real best-life, with hopefully the right guy for her this time.
But I am dating the sexiest man evah. And I totally love my little flat, and the way I can sit on the balcony and people watch for hours as all the tourists and locals mingle in the narrow street below. Not that I’m at the flat that much. When I’m not at my desk I’m out on the fells with Ash and Bella, or sometimes just with Bella, or sometimes there’s just me and my sketch pad for company.
And quite a lot of the rest of the time I’m here, at Lake View Cottage, admiring Ash and his stone-walling mate as they build the new boathouse at the bottom of the garden.
It’s going to be amazing.
THE END
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Don’t miss The First Date, a heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time…
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Get your copy today!
Author’s Note
This is the first of my stories that has been set in the Lake District, and I don’t know why it has taken me so long! Like Becky, my lovely heroine, I enjoyed lots of fabulous holidays in Cumbria as a child and have returned as an adult (in a campervan and with my husband and Harry the dog by my side) to rediscover it again.
The location of the cottage that Becky stays in, and the village, are fictional but based upon some of the wonderful places I’ve spent happy times in – Grasmere, Coniston and Lake Windermere to name just three. The steep climbs and wonderful views were inspired by a walk (or should that be stagger?) up the Old Man of Coniston, the gingerbread and spot where Becky sits to savour hers are inspired by the lovely village of Grasmere, the woodland walk where she sees the kingfisher is inspired by Aira Force near Ullswater, and the spot where Becky camps under the stars is indeed the real place named in the book!
If you’re familiar with the area, you may realise that I have taken liberties with the amazing Grasmere Gingerbread and made it available in my fictional setting, it can actually only be bought at The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, and a limited number of shops, or online at www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk. If you find yourself near Grasmere, and like ginger (as I do!), then I strongly recommend you pop into the cute little shop and buy some – it’s like no gingerbread you have ever tasted before, and is amazing!
I hope you enjoyed Becky’s adventures!
Acknowledgments
My thanks as always to the inspirational Charlotte Ledger. Your ideas, enthusiasm, support, instinct for a good story and ability to be encouraging and yet critical in the best possible way make you one of a kind. Thank you so much for working with me – I find it hard to believe this is our fifteenth book together!
To my fabulous editor Emily Ruston, thank you once again for helping me make this book so much better than it was at the start. I couldn’t hope for anyone better to guide me along that rocky road of turning a rough draft into the final version.
And Amanda Preston, my agent, you answer every cry for help, make me smile, laugh, inspire me and always give the best advice and support.
My thanks too to the rest of the amazing OMC team, and to the fabulous cover designer. I fell in love with the design the moment I saw it!
I’d also like to thank the lovely Heather Gibbs, a fabulous dog trainer and friend, whose amazing little dog Sam sneaks into the story to save the day.
Big thanks as well to you. Whether you’re one of the people I chat to on social media, a reviewer, somebody who has read all my books, or whether this is the first one you have picked up – thank you, I hope you enjoyed the story!
Thank you for reading…
We hope
you enjoyed The Dog Sitter!
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Do leave a review if so on all your preferred platforms to help spread the word!
You can also add the paperback edition to your collection!
Have you read The First Date yet?
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It’s a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time…
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You can also delve into her previous books by just clicking on the covers below!
Be sure to follow Zara on Twitter @ZaraStoneley, on Facebook @ZaraStoneley and check out her website at www.zarastoneley.com for all the updates on her latest work.
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You will adore The Spark by Jules Wake, a wonderfully uplifting romantic comedy following the tempestuous will they-won’t they rivalry between Sam and Jess as life and a disgruntled ex try to keep them apart…
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You will also fall instantly for Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea by Jane Linfoot, an utterly delightful summer romance set in the cosiest of Cornish villages where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere!
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And don’t miss Before the Crown by Flora Harding, which immortalises the story of the secret engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.
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Happy reading!
Zara Stoneley is the USA Today-bestselling author of The Wedding Date.
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She lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
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Zara’s bestselling novels include The First Date, Four Christmases and a Secret, No One Cancels Christmas, The Wedding Date, The Holiday Swap, Summer with the Country Village Vet and the popular Tippermere series.
www.zarastoneley.com
Also by Zara Stoneley
Standalones
Summer of Surrender
Love is a 4 Letter Word
The Holiday Swap
The Wedding Date
No One Cancels Christmas
Bridesmaids
Four Christmases and a Secret
The First Date
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The Tippermere Series
Stable Mates
Country Affairs
Country Rivals
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The Little Village on the Green Series
Summer with the Country Village Vet
Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage
About the Publisher
Australia
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Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
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Canada
HarperCollins Canada
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Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.harpercollins.ca
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India
HarperCollins India
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www.harpercollins.co.in
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New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
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Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
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United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
www.harpercollins.co.uk
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United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com
The Dog Sitter: The new feel-good romantic comedy of 2021 from the bestselling author of The Wedding Date! Page 32
