Free The Broken Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James Page A

florist. Coloured awnings jutted out onto the street in various ice cream colours, enticing buyers in to sample the delights the shops inside had to offer. I saw some other members of the club, either in their work environments or walking down the street. Jean was in her little shop selling assorted knick-knacks and Cath was popping into Frank’s corner shop. As I watched them go about their daily business, I noticed again how sad and lost they looked. Although they had the book club as a place to talk about their grief, they had nobody to guide them or help them to move on.
    Maybe that was where I could come in.
    Nana Lily’s inheritance was giving me the chance to make a real difference to people’s lives. Although the members each put up a front for the world, I could tell they were all mired in their own tragedies, crying out for someone to help them.
    That person, I decided, was going to be me.

Chapter Seven
    My parents were ecstatic.
    It was official; I was staying in Luna Bay.
    I felt both excited and nervous: the village had been my home for the first eighteen years of my life and I loved it, but nonetheless it was strange knowing I’d be sticking around for longer than I’d planned. However, I was going to be leading a book club for broken hearts and helping the members to be happy again.
    What could be better than that?
    Of course, it involved coming clean about being sacked from my job in London. To my surprise, my parents took it quite well.
    ‘You could’ve been marched out the building with an armed escort for all I care,’ my dad said. ‘We’re just glad to have you home!’
    Mr Shields was gutted to have been robbed of the chance to earn some juicy commission by selling Rose Cottage, but reluctantly handed the keys over and promised to have all the legal stuff – transfers of deeds and titles, changes to the Land Registry etc. – sorted within a month or so.
    ‘Remember Miss Harper, if at any time you choose to step down as leader of the Broken Hearts Book Club, the cottage will then be put on the market,’ he warned just as I was leaving. Every conversation I had with him always seemed to have a sting in the tail.
    To mark my decision to settle in Luna Bay – for three months at least – Elle, George, my parents and I went to The Purple Partridge.
    ‘I’d like to propose a toast.’ Dad stood up with his glass of Prosecco. ‘To my lovely daughter Lucy, who’s moving back home after eight years in London. Welcome home darling, it’s great to have you back.’
    The others raised their glasses and a collective ‘to Lucy’ echoed round the table. I got more than a little misty-eyed and had to hide some stray tears running down my cheeks.
    ‘It’s good to be back,’ I choked out. ‘I’ve really missed this place.’
    I took a sip of my Prosecco to mask my hoarse voice and hoped nobody noticed. As everyone settled down into a comfortable conversation, Elle nudged me.
    ‘You’re being watched by a certain gorgeous barman.’
    I turned just in time to see Jake jerk his head away and immerse himself with cleaning some pint glasses.
    ‘Now that you’re sticking around here, I insist you go and flirt your arse off with him right now. If you don’t, I will,’ said Elle.
    Out the corner of my eye, I saw George shift uncomfortably in his seat.
    ‘Every time I talk to him, I end up putting my foot in it or pissing him off in some way. Knowing my luck, I’ll end up singing this time!’
    My friend rolled her eyes and practically manhandled me out of my seat, pushing me in the direction of the bar.
    ‘You’ll thank me for this at your wedding,’ she hissed before sodding off back to the table.
    Now I was standing in the middle of the pub for apparently no reason, while Jake looked at me like I was from Mars.
    ‘Can I help you?’ he asked with a raised eyebrow. He leaned on the bar and frowned at me.
    I took some tentative steps forward and ordered some drinks I hadn’t intended to