The Business Arrangement
The Story Behind The Story

When I began to write The Business Arrangement I was terrified. I’d just about come down from the euphoria of making that elusive first sale and found I was expected to do it again! 

I decided I would write about how incredibly complicated it is to fall in love with a family friend.  Just knowing that once you’ve stepped over the line of friendship there will never be a way back – and, however disastrous the relationship turns out to be, you will still see them at each and every family gathering - causes all kinds of difficulties.

Although this story is completely fictional, it’s a premise that appeals to me because I married a family friend. In fact, when my husband and I announced our engagement, after ‘officially’ dating for just under a month, my mum said, “I hope you know what you’re doing – I like his mother!”

The Business Arrangement begins in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Henley is a beautiful riverside market town an hour to the west of London. For that reason it’s a very expensive place to live. It’s particularly famous for its annual regatta which takes place over five days each July.

It gained its royal status in 1851 when Prince Albert became the Regatta’s first Royal Patron. Since the death of the Prince Consort each succeeding Monarch has consented to become Patron which means it’s known as Henley Royal Regatta (left). For non-rowers part of the experience is dressing up, drinking Pimms and having a picnic, hopefully in balmy summer weather!

Hugh and Amy’s walk along the Thames is a lovely one (below, left).

Shortly before I wrote that particular scene I’d taken my children to see The Globe and the area (below, right) was fresh in my mind.

Incredibly the seating really does face away from St Paul’s Cathedral (right) at the top of Ludgate Hill and towards the Millenium Bridge. Even though it’s the first crossing of Thames in a hundred years, I still find that incredible – so Amy does too. After all, she’s my creation. 

Couldn’t resist it!

I would love to show you Hugh’s house, but I made it up. Instead here is a very expensive London street (below, left). This one you’ll find near the Royal Albert Hall and is very near to where I went to Drama School.