One Small Island

Chapter 1 Collateral Damage

If your husband runs off with a younger woman, it's probably going to take a toll on your self esteem. And if you were naive enough to have thought she was your best friend, that could put a dent in your confidence. But, if she also happens to be your boss's wife, it's definitely going to derail your career. This, Edina Francis knew from personal experience.

Before her 45th birthday, Edina had crafted a life that was literally the envy of millions. She had a successful husband, penthouse in Manhattan, seaside vacation home and a top rated show on the Culinary Channel. What's more, she also had the satisfaction of knowing that it was her own hard work that had created it all.

At 17 she hadn't even known how to dream this big. What she did know was that her future definitely wouldn't be in Detroit. So she scrimped and saved until she had enough for a one way ticket to the big apple. And even before her bus pulled in to Port Authority, Edina had begun to rewrite the story of her life.

Of course she'd made a few enemies along the way but nice guys finish last and nobody had ever accused Edina Francis of being nice. Hard nosed, determined, relentless and possibly even manipulative, but never nice. She knew about her reputation for being prickly, but instead of wasting time with pointless self examination Edina preferred to just leave the losers in the dust. If they couldn't take the heat, there was no place for them in her kitchen.

But where was that indestructible spirit now when she needed it? Edina had no idea but she wasn't about to stick around waiting for the vultures to pick over her carcass. Screw it she thought. So what if through no fault of her own, she'd lost her husband, best friend and dream job in one fell swoop. Shit happens. So she climbed into her car, dried her tears and headed to the one place she knew they couldn't get to her.