Publisher's Synopsis
Mabel Winston is a modern successful woman - clever, stylish, and dedicated to her work. She's the non-fiction publishing director of an international publisher. Tall, handsome lawyer, Tom Rutherford, is her boyfriend. Kitty, Mabel's adoring personal assistant, thinks she takes Tom for granted and is too comfortable about the parade of admiring men seeking her favors.To upset Mabel's complacency, Raphael Cannane, brilliant economics graduate and financial highflyer, drifts back into her life after disappearing for ten years. Mabel and Raf were neighbours. Rebecca, former best friend and Raf's twin sister, was sweet, while Raf was often a snarling tomcat, verbally destroying whoever crossed him. Mabel was a victim. She could never understand his animosity or what she had done. Now he is back, troubling her, not in the same savage way, but with a disturbing irony. After yet another clash, Raf promises to do better.With a hope of better relations, Mabel departs with her mother, Miriam, on a previously planned holiday to England, part of which is a self-organized tour of the places in Jane Austen's two Bath novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. On the flight to London, they meet Dirk Howlett-Smit, a successful but uninspiring business suit. Dirk, showing an immediate liking for Mabel and Miriam, invites them to his sprawling Georgian mansion. Mabel and Miriam have never experienced such a display of wealth. Dirk and Mabel connect. But Mabel abruptly packs up and flees to Bath with Miriam. Dirk and his daughter, Edwina, follow and join the tour which swells to eight with the unexpected arrival of Raf, Rebecca, and several others from home. The tour becomes torture for Mabel. The tensions are unbearable with Raf's behaviour more inscrutable and unpredictable than ever. To make matters worse, two people are seen stalking the group. Mabel feels herself losing control. When the disastrous tour at last ends, Mabel wonders not only how she will manage her relationships on return to work but whether she can have a stable relationship with anyone. Things, though, are to become worse. Despite warnings to be careful, Mabel is struck down by an unknown virus while on a promotional trip to London.
