Also by Sophie Kinsella THE SECRET DREAMWORLD OF A SHOPAHOLIC SHOPAHOLIC ABROAD and published by Black Swan Shopaholic Ties the Knot Sophie Kinsella BLACK SWAN SHOPAHOLIC TIES THE KNOT A BLACK SWAN BOOK : 0 552 99957 1 First publication in Great Britain PRINTING HISTORY Black Swan edition published 2002 13579108642 Copyright © Sophie Kinsella 2002 The right of Sophie Kinsella to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Condition of Sale This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Set in 11/12pt Melior by Kestrel Data, Exeter, Devon. Black Swan Books are published by Trausworld Publishers, 61-63 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SA, a division of The Random House Group Ltd, in Australia by Random House Australia (Pty) Ltd, 20 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, Sydney, NSW 2061, Australia, in New Zealand by Random House New Zealand Ltd, 18 Poland Road, Glenfield, Auckland 10, New Zealand and in South Africa by Random House (Pty) Ltd, Endulini, 5a Jubilee Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa. Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc. For Abigail, who would have found the brilliant solution in a flash. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writing this book was tremendous fun; researching even more so. I am exceedingly grateful to all, both i Britain and in the States, who allowed me to come an ask them lots of stupid questions and gave me so muc inspiration. My thanks to Lawrence Harvey at the Plaza, who coul not have been more helpful, and to the ever wonderfl Sharyn Soleimani at Barneys. Also to Ron BenIsra Elizabeth and Susan Allen, Fran Bernard, Prest( Bailey, Claire Mosley, Joe Dance at Crate and Barr Julia Kleyner and Lillian Sabatelli at Tiffany, Chariot Curry at Brides, Robin Michaelson, Theresa Ward, Gt Lancaster and Kate Mailer, David Stefanou and Jas Antony and lovely Lola Bubbosh. A million thanks, as always, to my wonderful age: Araminta Whitley and to Celia Hayley, to the endless supportive and encouraging Linda Evans, and of cour to Patrick PlonkingtonSmythe. And lastly to the people who've been there all the w through. Henry, Freddy and Hugo, and the purp posse. You know who you are. NEW YORK NY 10005 Miss Rebecca Bloomwood Apt B 251 W 11th Street New York NY 10014 7 November 2001