Page 18 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Ruby nodded. ‘I guess he was just doing what he thought was best for Oli. I don’t know how he found out about us – but he came into the café one day when I was working. It was early and I was on my own out front.’

‘What did he say?’ said Caroline, her eyes wide.

If you really love him, you’ll let him go. If you really love him, you’ll disappear and make sure he gets the life he deserves. But you don’t love him, do you? You don’t even care - because you’re going to let him throw everything away for you.

Ruby shrugged. Caroline didn’t need to know what a git her uncle was. At least – not the specifics.

‘He just said I’d be holding Oli back if I didn’t let him go,’ she said, swallowing a hard lump of emotion.

‘I hate to speak ill of the dead,’ sighed Caroline, ‘but the guy was always a bit of an arse.’

‘Oli’s dad’s dead?’ said Ruby, feeling the shock hit her in the chest like a physical blow.

Caroline nodded.

‘Wait – is that why Oli came back?’ said Ruby.

‘No, I don’t think so,’ said Caroline.

‘Then why-’

‘You know,’ said Caroline, ‘I think you two really need to talk to each other about this. As much as I adore playing piggy-in-the-middle…’

‘Wait – has Oli said something to you about me?’ said Ruby.

Caroline let out a long sigh. ‘You might have banned me from ever mentioning his name, but my darling cousin never made the same demand about you - sadly!’

‘Tell me what he said!’ said Ruby.

‘No chance,’ said Caroline.

‘But why?’ said Ruby, wide-eyed. ‘Was it bad? Wait… maybe I don’t want to know.’

Caroline snorted. ‘Look, why don’t you head up to your parents’ place and chill out for a bit. Unpack, get settled, and then you can go back to the bookshop for a proper catch-up with him.’

‘Can’t,’ said Ruby.

‘Why on Earth not?’ said Caroline.

‘I kind of stormed out when I discovered that he was the new owner… and left my bag behind,’ she said, feeling her face flush.

‘Well then – you’ll just have to go back there first,’ said Caroline with an easy shrug.

‘That’d be a bit inconvenient, considering I’ve vowed never to set foot in the place ever again,’ she huffed.

‘My goodness - you are a drama queen!’ chuckled Caroline.

‘It’s not funny!’ said Ruby.

‘It’s flippin’ hilarious!’ said Caroline stoutly. ‘Let me lay it out for you. One,’ she held up a finger, ‘just the idea we’ll be able to keep you out of any bookshop is laughable. Two,’ a second finger went up, ‘you have an event in there the day after tomorrow. You’ve always been a good girl - so you’ll be there. And three,’ Caroline held up a third finger, ‘you and my cousin - who I’ve heard members of the local WI describe as “our beautiful beefy bookseller” - clearly have things you need to talk about.’

‘I… no… we…’ spluttered Ruby.

‘That’s what I thought,’ said Caroline. ‘I think six years is plenty long enough for both of you to stew, don’t you?’

‘I think I’ll go see my parents now,’ said Ruby quietly.

‘Wuss!’ chuckled Caroline. ‘But yeah, you better had. Erm… one question, though-’

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