Cornelia is ready to settle down and when things don't work out with her guy, she gets two unexpected roommates. Cornelia wants a man and a baby. As she manages a coffee shop a sophisticated man Martin Grace enters. He meets Cornelia's checklist for what she wants in a guy. Since she was fourteen she has dreamed of a Cary Grant type of fella. After Martin orders his coffee he accidentally spills some on Cornelia's hand and apologizes profusely. He explains the travels for his job and invites her to accompany him to London. She politely declines citing that her mother wouldn't like the idea. She slips him her number in hopes he'll call when he returns.
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Clare is an eleven-year-old lonely little girl. She doesn't have a relationship with her father. Her parents divorced when she was two. He sends child support but hasn't seen Clare in years. Clare's mother is bi-polar and has an episode that frightens Clare. She orders her young daughter wine at a restaurant, and snatches her out of school when she's lonely. She flirts with the young waiter and propositions him for sex. Clare has no one to talk to about the changes in her mother but fears the worse. She's obsessed with thoughts of being orphaned. For this reason alone she phones her father.
Martin does call Cornelia, all the way from London. She is outdone and giddy. He sends flowers invites her to dinner. They have six dates and play kissing games until Cornelia needs something a little more substantial.
On date seven Cornelia gets what she's been lusting for. A piece of Martin. She's saddened that the sex was super bland. They continued to date as Cornelia tried to find ways to improve the not -so -great sex. Conversation and real talks about things that matter should help them in the soulful art of sex.
Clare runs away leaving her mother on the side of the road, the Land Rover missing a passenger. Back at home Clare is all alone her mother hasn't returned. Max the cleaning lady can't believe how irresponsible Clare's rich mother is. She has Clare call her father who immediately comes to get her. Clare runs away leaving her mother on the side of the road, the Land Rover missing a passenger. Back at home Clare is all alone her mother hasn't returned. Max the cleaning lady can't believe how irresponsible Clare's mother is. She has Clare call her father.
The next time Martin comes into the coffee shop he has a female with him. She's dressed in a mink coat and has sad eyes. Cornelia can't help but notice this child looks like Martin. He introduces Clare as his daughter and Cornelia has a break down. The stress of of mother's illness taking a toll is unbearable. Cornelia walks her to a table and gets her to calm down. She takes Clare to her dad's apartment where Clare tries to figure out how much to share about her mother. She's scared her father won't want her and that something has happened to her mother. Martin has no idea how sick really is.
Clare is taken in first by Cornelia, then by her friend Linny, followed by Cornelia's parents and her brother in law Teo. Teo and Cornelia have been best friends they were tiny tikes of four. He married Cornelia's sister Ollie who left him for another man. Clare falls for Teo and confides in him regarding her mother.
Martin dies suddenly. Clare's mother comes to his house, finds Clare and meets Cornelia. She's been getting help. Finally with a medical diagnosis she received help for bi-polar disorder. She and Cornelia decide to live together because they both love Clare. Cornelia and Teo hook up and decide that the genuine friendship/love they've shared since they were kids is ready to be tested on adult waters. Clare wants nothing more than for Cornelia and Teo to get married. Martin was a looker and a a fast talker. He was there for his daughter when she needed him most. His presence helped her transition to a safer world one with stability and lots of people to love the little girl who was scared of being orphaned.
Best part of story, including ending:
I really liked that everyone pulled together for Clare's benefit.
Best scene in story:
I liked that Martin showed up for Clare when she called because he had been pitiful prior.
Opinion about the main character:
I loved Cornelia for looking out for Clare.
