Occasional virgin | hanan al-shaykh

Yvonne and Huda have come a long way.

Attractive, successful and glamorous, their brilliant ascent has flung them far from Lebanon, and each other.

Now its only on their rarely snatched holidays that the friends can catch up.

As they swim, drink and talk by the glittering Italian Riviera, Huda and Yvone ponder just how complicated it is to be free - and the eternal mysteries of love, sex, and getting a guy to call you back.

Then, amid the glitz and chatter of Londons Mayfair, a chance encounter brings their past rushing back.

But Huda has a wicked trick her sleeve.