Getting It Right This Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

mugs.
    “Great minds think alike.” Kate smiled, sinking onto a comfy settee.
    Jo turned and smiled. “What a morning! One thing’s for sure, you certainly know how to promote the business. We’ve been non-stop and the salon’s barely been open three weeks. If the demand carries on like this, you’re going to need bigger premises in six months.”
    Kate sighed and dropped her head back. “I know it’s great but my God, I’m exhausted.”
    “Here.” Jo passed her a steaming mug. “Drink and re-fuel.”
    Kate took the coffee. “The good thing is, we live in theatre land and as long as those actresses keep coming in and spending their money, I am a happy, happy lady.”
    Jo sat down beside her. “Exactly. And the free champagne and nibbles you so thoughtfully leave in the reception area don’t hurt either, do they?”
    Kate smiled. “Nope.”
    The two sat in companionable silence, and Kate’s mind automatically returned to the night before and her morning present. Mark had yet to leave her thoughts for more than thirty minutes at a time. After she’d dropped Jessica off at Lucy’s nursery for the day, she thought of nothing else but him until she arrived at work. It wasn’t fair--and it was totally like Mark Johnston. The man had never been fair as far as her feelings were concerned.
    Blinking, she shook her head and then noticed Jo looking at her from the corner of her eye.
    Kate forced a smile. “Are you okay?”
    A flush of pink colored the younger girl’s cheeks. “I’m not sure I should say anything.”
    Kate sat up. “Don’t be silly. If there’s anything worrying you, tell me. I want you to be happy working here.”
    “Oh, it’s not me. I couldn’t be happier.”
    Kate frowned. “Then what is it?” she asked, watching Jo glance into the chocolate brown depths of her mug for a second before raising her eyes to meet Kate’s once more.
    Her assistant grimaced. “Okay, tell me if I’m talking out of place…but you don’t look too good today. In fact, you look as though it should be you on one of those beds upstairs, not the clients.”

    16
    Getting It Right This Time
    Kate knew Jo spoke the truth. When she’d seen her reflection in the mirror that morning Kate almost screamed out loud. The gray circles under her eyes looked as though she’d glued a couple of pigeon feathers there, and the storm of anxiety etched in the lines across her forehead were just plain scary.
    She put her mug on the coffee table in front of them. “I’m fine. Just tired, I haven’t been sleeping too well recently. Worrying about the business, Jessica, Mum and Dad. The move from Zante hasn’t been easy and it’s taking a bit more adjusting than I thought, that’s all.”
    “Were you up crying all night?” Jo asked. “Because no amount of work is worth that.”
    Heat immediately singed Kate’s cheeks, and she let out a laugh. “Of course not. It would take more than work pressure to--”
    She stopped mid-sentence. The bell above the front door tinkled, announcing the arrival of a customer. Saved by the bell. She leapt to her feet, and Jo quickly followed. Coffee and chit-chat were forgotten in their joint commitment in getting Kate’s fledgling business off the ground.
    “If you deal with whoever that is,” Kate said, feeling relief wash over her at such a timely escape, “I’ll get back upstairs. No doubt Miss Kingston’s woken up and wondering where I am.”
    Both women hurried down the corridor from the kitchen toward the reception. Smoothing the front of her uniform, Kate cleared her throat and plastered a huge welcoming smile on her face as a quick hello to the new client before getting back to Miss Kingston.
    “Hi, welcome to Feed Your…” The words died on her lips as her heart catapulted into her throat and lodged there.
    “Hi, Kate.” Mark’s mouth stretched to a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
    She swallowed. “What are you doing here?”
    “I wanted to see you.” He