Page 11 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

‘Sure you’ll be alright on your own?’ she said.

‘Trust me, girl,’ laughed Mabel, ‘it’s not the first time I’ve manned this place on my lonesome, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. But - you’re always welcome. I’ve missed you - you always were my favourite!’

Ruby gave Mabel a smile that was worryingly wobbly and felt around in her pockets for her wallet.

‘Don’t you dare!’ scolded Mabel.

‘You sure?’ said Ruby, hesitating, even though she knew full well that when Mabel said “no”, she meant it!

‘Shoo!’ said Mabel. ‘I’ll see you at your signing if not before.’

The minute Ruby stepped out of the café, she paused and peered cautiously up and down the street. Now she knew for sure that Oli was in town, she was going to have to keep her wits about her. He might not have recognised her, but the last thing she needed was to keep bumping into him left, right and centre.

Maybe - if she was really lucky - he was just back for the day… but then, if that was the case surely he wouldn’t have just wandered off with one of Mabel’s china coffee cups!

Ruby shrugged and did her best to pull herself together. She was sure she’d be able to winkle the information out of Reuben – or even her parents if push came to shove. They’d both adored Oli – though they’d only ever known him as the lad who’d needed their daughter’s help with his English Literature assignments. As far as they were concerned, she’d been his tutor and nothing more… and if she was honest, that was the way she’d like to keep it.

At least there was no sign of him on the high street. Right now, she figured her best bet was to stick to her plan. Ruby retraced her steps back towards the bookshop, crossing her fingers that Reuben would have returned from his little break.

The minute she reached the door, she let out a sigh of relief. The card had disappeared, and the old wooden sign had been flipped back to “open”.

Letting herself in, Ruby found herself bathed in the golden light of one of her favourite places on earth. She’d found her love of words between these floor-to-ceiling shelves. Reuben had always favoured an old-fashioned look for his beautiful shop - complete with rolling, wooden ladders. Ruby had spent many a happy moment pretending to be Belle in the Beast’s library… not that Reuben was a beast. He was a lovely old grandfather figure with a penchant for waistcoats and cord trousers.

Right now, though, her favourite bookish pseudo-grandparent was nowhere to be seen. In fact, there didn’t seem to be a soul in the place. Ruby shrugged. Spending a few extra minutes perusing the books definitely wasn’t any kind of hardship!

Shifting her heavy bag off of her shoulder, Ruby placed it down on the floor next to a familiar patchwork armchair. It still sat in its little alcove near the window boasting the hideous cut-out of her own face. She wrinkled her nose at it for a moment, and then decided the best thing to do was pretend it didn’t exist. Sometimes denial was the only way to go!

Making her way past a large, circular table that was piled high with glossy copies of her own book, Ruby headed towards the small section of antique books at the back of the shop. She’d always loved them - especially the ornate, cloth-bound editions. Of course, she’d never had the cash as a teenager to be able to afford these collectables, but she’d always loved to look. One of her most precious possessions was the gorgeous 1894 peacock edition of Pride and Prejudice Reuben had given her for her eighteenth birthday.

Running a finger along the spines of a whole shelf full of classic cream and orange paperbacks, Ruby stopped in front of the little glass cabinet where Reuben housed his most valuable finds.

‘Ooh, you beauty!’ she breathed, her breath fogging the glass as she peered at a stunning, gold-embossed edition of Persuasion. She really was a sucker for anything Austen, but Persuasion had always held a special place in her heart. After all, it was one of the set books she’d helped Oli study.

Ruby eyeballed the copy for several long seconds… she had a feeling she might be heading back to London with a heavier bag – and a lighter wallet! Her fingers itched to open the case for a better look – but she knew from long experience that it would be locked. She’d just have to wait for Reuben to appear and produce the key… unless he still kept it in the ornate ashtray on his desk, of course!

Grinning with excitement, Ruby dashed back through the shop. She knew for a fact that Reuben wouldn’t mind if she helped herself to a proper look inside the case. Coming to a halt in front of the desk, she instantly spotted the ashtray – exactly where it had always been.

‘Bingo!’ she breathed, grabbing the little key. She was about to head straight back to the case when something made her pause.

Ruby frowned. The key might have been in the right place… and the old desk was definitely the same one… but instead of Reuben’s ancient ledger, there was a sleek-looking laptop. That wasn’t the only change, either. Instead of the usual pile of Reuben’s favourite murder-mystery paperbacks, there was a…

‘No way!’ she gasped.

It was an e-reader.

Ruby had nothing against them - she had two herself - one full to bursting and the other rapidly heading the same way. But the idea of Reuben owning one was… was… like a pharaoh using wifi. As for that computer instead of the stained book of numbers and fancy fountain pen…

Ruby frowned, her eyes flitting over the rest of the desk, searching for more clues as to what was going on.

‘Nooo!’ she gasped as they came to rest on a half-drunk cup of coffee.

Reuben drank tea, not coffee… and this particular cup was missing a saucer. What’s more, it had the Crumbleton Café logo on the side.

Ruby stared at the cup as if it was a dangerous animal, ready to attack. She could just make out the remains of a wonky dove in the froth.

‘Oli!’ she gasped.

‘That’s me!’ came a low voice from just behind her.

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