London, Actually, page 24
Becca laughed, then kissed Cleo again. “Might be.”
Heidi waved her hand. “Let me take a photo of the happy couple,” she said, waiting for them to get comfortable. “Now look like you like each other, stop standing like statues.”
Becca burst out laughing, as did Cleo, and Heidi clicked a few times.
“Done. They were some good ones — I’ll send you them tomorrow. And I’ll see you for a drink in an hour!”
She walked away and Becca watched her go. “You know, my mum was convinced you and Heidi were a thing. She warned me when I told her we were getting together.” She paused. “You never were a thing, were you?”
Cleo shook her head. “Nope. We met at uni, we know too much about each other. We crossed into the friend zone very quickly, which I’m more than happy about.”
“I am, too,” Becca said. “Otherwise, you might be married to Heidi with a baby.”
Cleo frowned. “That’s a very weird thought.” She paused. “Plus, if I’m marrying anyone, it’s not Heidi.”
Becca raised an eyebrow, leaning in to Cleo till their noses touched. “Who is it?”
“That’d be telling,” Cleo said, before kissing her lips.
Just then, the opening bars of Whitney’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody came on, and Becca felt Cleo jolt.
“This is one of your favourites, isn’t it?”
Cleo nodded, her eyes lit up. “In my top five.”
At that, Becca took a step back and held out her hand. “In that case, would you do me the honour of this dance?”
Cleo gave her a heart-stopping smile. “You sure you want to dance with such an old bird?” A raised eyebrow.
“Age is just a number. Plus, I happen to be quite partial to this old bird.”
“I only wanna dance with somebody who loves me, though.” Cleo was already moving towards the dance floor, her hand in Becca’s.
Becca laughed, turning her head to Cleo. “In that case,” she said, leaning in to kiss her. “You’re in luck.”
* * *
THE END
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This book was brought to you by a mixture of emotion, perspiration, hard work and love. A great novel needs all of these things to succeed, and I try to put all of them into everything I do, because you deserve the best. Lesbian fiction is a small genre, but it’s growing. The fact you chose to spend time with my book means the world, and I want to give you a rich, immersive story experience you won’t forget.
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Acknowledgements
London Romance book five is done. Hurray! This one was written in the hot summer of 2018, when all anyone wanted to do was go outside and play. I did a bit of that, but also managed to get some words on the page, too.
When I began to write this novel, I got the devastating news that my story editor, Laura Kingsley, had died. She was 38. My heart went out to her family and friends at a life cut so dramatically short, but then I began to panic about this book. Because Laura has been instrumental in helping me shape my work, having been with me since book three. She made me look again at my writing, identify my weaknesses and plug in to more emotions. Quite simply, without Laura, my books wouldn’t be what they are today.
However, when I calmed down, I realised that in working with Laura over the past three years, I’d learned a great deal. Now that she’s gone, the best way to honour her is to continue applying all the things she taught me; and just when I think I’m done, to look again and see what I can make better. Because there are always other things. I hope if she’s watching, she’s smiling at this book and not rolling her eyes too much. Laura, this one’s for you.
Other thanks with this novel go to my friend, Philly, for the festival inspiration. Also to HP Munro for your initial feedback that helped elevate this book to the next level. Buckets of gratitude to my early reading team that includes Bev, Tammara, Iris, Victoria, Hilary, Susan & Katie. You’re an invaluable part of my process, and your suggestions & comments always make the end result better. Big up to Tammara for running the ARC team, too. You’re a total star!
Huge hugs to Kevin Pruitt for yet another gorgeous cover — you’ve been with me since day one and I love you! Thanks also to Kelli Collins for stepping into the editing breach and doing a bang-up job. Plus, a tip of the nib to Patrick for making me focus. I’m excited for where this business could go!
And of course, no book of mine would exist without the support & love of my wife, Yvonne. She is, quite simply, the best.
Finally, thanks to you for reading. When I first started writing this, I had in mind it would be the final London Romance book. The one where Jess & Lucy get married, full circle from where it all started with London Calling back in 2014, a perfect end to the series.
However, I’ve heard from so many readers how much they love the characters, and when I launched The London Of Us, I was hit with a tidal wave of London Romance love. And then I started writing this book and up popped Heidi — and she demanded her own book. I want to write the books you want to read, and I still love the London crew. While that remains, I’ll continue.
So will book six be the final one? Probably not. So long as you’re enjoying these books, I’ll keep writing them. Do let me know what you think of more London books on the horizon!
If you fancy getting in touch, you can do so using one of the methods below — I’m most active on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
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Twitter: @ClareLydon
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clare.lydon
Instagram: @clarefic
Find out more at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Contact: mail@clarelydon.co.uk
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Thank you so much for reading!
Also By Clare Lydon
London Romance Series
London Calling (Book One)
This London Love (Book Two)
A Girl Called London (Book Three)
The London Of Us (Book Four)
Made In London (Book Six)
Other Novels
The Long Weekend
Nothing To Lose: A Lesbian Romance
Twice In A Lifetime
Once Upon A Princess
You’re My Kind
A Taste Of Love
All I Want Series
All I Want For Christmas (Book One)
All I Want For Valentine’s (Book Two)
All I Want For Spring (Book Three)
All I Want For Summer (Book Four)
All I Want For Autumn (Book Five)
All I Want Forever (Book Six)
Boxsets
London Romance Series, Books 1-3
London Romance Series, Books 4-6
London Romance Series, Books 1-6
All I Want Series, Books 1-3
All I Want Series, Books 4-6
All I Want Series, Books 1-6
Want More Of The London Romance Series?
Flip the page to read the first chapter of book six, Made In London
Made In London: Chapter One
Heidi Hughes lowered her driver-side window and leaned out. A barrage of fat raindrops hit her cheeks. She pulled herself back into the car, glancing at the bright blue digits of her dashboard clock.
“Fuck.” Who got stuck behind a florist’s van on Valentine’s Day when they’d been single forever?
The florist gave her a what-ya-gonna-do smile as she got back into the van, the massive bouquet and garish red-and-white teddy bear safely delivered. There were plenty more squashed against the van’s back window.
Heidi ground her teeth together. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Swearing wasn’t going to teleport her to the photography studio for her family photo any quicker, but it made her feel better. Fuck was her very favourite swear word. Perhaps even her favourite word, full stop. It got people’s attention. However, now her daughter was talking, she was trying to curb her enthusiasm for it. It wasn’t easy.
The van moved finally, and Heidi pressed the accelerator. She eyed the clock again, guilt settling in her stomach. She wasn’t just late. She was next-level late. The kind of late that needed to sit in a chair and think about what it had done. The kind of late that made her mum talk about disappointment.
The original Maya Hughes was a laid-back woman. She’d had to be, having given birth to Heidi and her sister, Sarah. The only thing she didn’t tolerate was bad timekeeping. Mum always said it was a reaction to her upbringing, where timekeeping was non-existent.
Heidi had been on board until she’d had her own daughter, Maya. Now, she had no idea how anyone with children got anything done on time. With her work and her daughter, Heidi’s life was one constant race against the clock, and the clock normally won. That excuse held no truck with her Caribbean matriarch mother, though.
Fifteen minutes later, Heidi parked and pulled the sun visor down. When she clocked the full extent of her makeup fail in the tiny square mirror, she shook her head. It had been perfect when she’d left her flat this morning. However, this morning’s engagement photoshoot — which had massively overrun — had also involved her clients’ cats, Laurel and Hardy. Who Heidi was massively allergic to. Hence now she looked like she’d been sobbing for a century. Her waterproof mascara hadn’t stood a chance.
Heidi flipped up the visor and got out of her silver Audi. She’d fix her face once she’d said hi to everyone. She pulled her coat up over her head in a bid to keep out the rain, inhaling the thick, damp air.
Heidi’s tardiness didn’t matter to her daughter. Maya greeted her with a shriek as she walked into Pippa’s studio. Heidi felt the heat of her mother’s glower, so decided not to look up and face it just yet. Rather, she was going to enjoy giving Maya a cuddle because she hadn’t seen her for four hours. The way Maya was grinning, it might have been four years, because that’s how kids measured time. Whenever Heidi was away from her daughter for anything longer than an hour, it was like she’d been on expedition to the Arctic for months.
“Hello, my little munchkin!” She picked up her daughter and spun her in the air, much to Maya’s delight. Her dark curls framed her face, her brown eyes sparkling as she let out her adorable cackle. At times like these, Maya was the perfect Sunday supplement child. “Were you a good girl for Aunty Sarah?”
Heidi glanced her sister’s way as she walked towards her. Maya wrapped her arms around Heidi’s neck, her hot cheek sticking to Heidi’s own. When she reached Sarah’s side, Heidi brushed her lips against her sister’s cheek.
“She was a perfect little girl for me, weren’t you?” Sarah gave Maya’s side a tickle and she wriggled in Heidi’s arms. “She went into Albert’s room and messed up his cards, which he’s still getting over. But I told him to clear them up, so he’s learned a valuable lesson.” Sarah paused. “And then we made cupcakes and Maya helped to mix the dough, didn’t you?”
Maya nodded, her smile slick with dribble. “Cakes!” She clapped her hands, before wriggling too much. Heidi put her down. She watched as Maya ran over to her cousin, Max, then glanced back to her sister.
“What happened to your face? You didn’t look like that when you dropped Maya off earlier.” Sarah wasn’t one to beat around the bush. It was a family trait.
“I meant to sort it out in traffic, but I gave up. It was too stop-start. Let’s just say this morning’s photoshoot involved cats.” Heidi nodded towards the bathroom. “Let me go and fix it before Mum frowns at me.”
She was going to do just that when her sister’s husband, Jason, arrived at her side. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” He studied her face.
“If you say I look like a panda, I’ll give you a different kind of black eye.”
Jason opened his mouth to speak, then promptly closed it.
“How about a raccoon?” Sarah offered, flashing her trademark grin.
“A sad badger?” Jason followed up, gaining momentum.
Heidi let a smile invade her face. “Fuck off, the pair of you.”
Both Sarah and Jason turned up their grins.
“By the way, I’ve made a decision about my birthday weekend.” Sarah paused for added effect. “I’ve found a festival we can go to, so that’s what we’re doing. Jason’s going to be the at-home dad to look after all the kids — Maya included — while we go and listen to music and get drunk. Sound good?”
“Free childcare and booze? Count me in.”
Footsteps walking across the laminate studio floor signalled Heidi was too late to move, and her heart deflated like a balloon. She’d failed at avoiding her mother. She blamed her sister.
“You’re late, Heidi Ray.”
Her mum was using both her names, so it must be bad. “I know, I’m sorry.” Even though she was 41, she still felt 12 at times like these. “The shoot ran over, and then I got stuck in traffic. The rain didn’t help, either.”
Her mum peered closer at her face. “Have you been crying?”
“Allergic reaction. The clients had cats.”
Her mum waved her away. “Go sort yourself out before the photo, then. We’re already far too late, so let’s get things going.”
Heidi gave her mum a nod, obeying immediately. She walked towards the bathroom, knowing exactly where it was because they’d been coming to this studio for their annual family photo for as long as she could remember. Only this year was special, because it was to be Maya’s first where she knew what was going on. Last year, she’d been eight months old. This year, she was approaching the grand old age of two.
Heidi rearranged her face the best she could, a sparse single radiator on the far wall not really doing enough to heat the space. She shivered as she balanced her makeup bag on the edge of the sink, wiping away the mascara on her cheeks, touching up her foundation and lipstick. She put a comb through her hair, practised her family-photo smile, then rolled her eyes. She’d have to do. Maybe Pippa could touch her up in the post-production. She’d have a word.
When she got back outside, Pippa was waiting. She gave her a hug. Heidi had always been close to Pippa. What’s more, her mum’s oldest friend had been an invaluable source of advice when Heidi had become a wedding photographer some years ago. Now she was older, Pippa mainly stuck to studio work, referring any wedding clients to Heidi. Without Pippa, Heidi wouldn’t have the thriving business she did.
“Come on, eldest child. We haven’t got all day!” That was her dad, his tone soft, his smile wide. Her dad never drove her as hard as her mum.
Heidi walked towards her family. Sarah and Jason standing behind their three children, Albert, Alex and Max. Her parents, Maya and Robert, to their left. Up until last year, she’d always been alone in the family photo. Just Heidi, year after year. None of her girlfriends had ever been permanent enough to make the shot. She’d never dreamed her child would make it before a partner, but life had a funny way of surprising you.
Now Maya was nearly two, Heidi was thinking about dating again. She missed sex. She missed romance. She missed regular adult conversation. She missed all of it. Maybe next year, she’d have a partner as well as a child. The full set.
Maya already had both hands in the air as Heidi scooped her up, kissing her curls as she settled in her arms. At times like this, she never wanted to let Maya go. Her dad squeezed her shoulder as Heidi settled next to him.
“You look lovely,” he whispered, giving her a smile. Heidi wanted to find someone just like her dad. But perhaps with more hair and less stubble. And female.
“Alright, everyone! Jason, could you scoot in a little. Get closer to Sarah, act as though you like her.” Pippa was in full-on directing mode.
Jason did as he was told.
“On my count, look at me, best cheesy smiles, and say Valentine’s Day!” Pippa held up a hand. “Three, two, one!” The camera clicked, and Heidi gave the best smile she could.
“Valentine’s Day!”
Maybe next year, she’d have someone standing to her left, too.
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Read Heidi’s story in Made In London today!
Clare Lydon, London, Actually
