The Story Unfolds

WIN OR LOSE?

The novel begins in August 1998. An unexpected newspaper headline threatens to blow away the charmed lifestyle of property surveyor Hugh Bryan.

Whilst struggling to come to terms with his impending change of fortune, Hugh stumbles on what he thinks is a bit of good luck. A new client engages his services to dispose of a smallholding, quickly; it provides temporary respite as, unbeknownst to Hugh, this new client has a hidden agenda.

Meanwhile, Hugh’s relationship with his avaricious wife Francesca is crumbling. To keep the peace, he agrees to take her away for her birthday. There he meets banker Zachery Warren, and everything changes.

Hugh comes up with a scheme for Zachery to buy out the shareholders of his erstwhile client and is rewarded with a colossal fee, a chance for an even bigger fee and a place on the new board of directors. Hugh looks forward to a new life and a career redeemed.

But Francesca only becomes even more difficult to live with, and Hugh finds his new board colleagues not all that he’d expected. His new CEO loathes him, resenting his part in putting the deal together in the first place. Matters come to a head at home and one night, Hugh leaves. He has already begun a liaison with his secretary, but that too proves to be a false dawn.

Will Hugh finally be able to find the success and peace that continuously evade him?