Page 28 of The Mended Hearts Bookshop

“Since Mary got me into those fantasy romance books,” Billy grinned. “Can’t get enough of ‘em. In fact, I’ll have to go and see this Ash of yours at some point to get my fix.”

Pen felt a glow at the idea that Ash could possibly be hers. “You’ll have to go and see her at some point to deliver letters,” she said. George’s head bobbed outside the window, heading into the shop. “Or you could just hand the bills over to George, he’ll do the job for you.”

“What are you volunteering me for now, Pen?” George said, coming in. “I’ll have two coffees to go.”

“She’s saying you’ll take the shop’s letters is all,” Billy said. “But as it happens, there aren’t any, so you’re getting off easy. But I’ve got a full sack, so I’m off.”

George opened his mouth and Pen jumped in before he could speak. “You know what he meant, George, don’t be juvenile.”

George giggled as Billy left and Pen put on the coffee machine. “Quite the stack of letters you’ve got, Pen-pen,” he said, his hand patting the pile of envelopes Billy had left on the counter.

Pen’s heart flickered and the back of her neck got sweaty. She tugged the letters away from him and shoved them under thecounter. “I’ll deal with them later,” was all she said, knowing that dealing with them just meant adding them to the pile by the door of her little flat.

“You can’t possibly be grumpy,” George said.

“And why not?” asked Pen, placing a take away cup under the coffee stream.

“Because you’re never anything less than a hundred percent sparkly rainbows and unicorns,” laughed George. He leaned over the counter and managed to plant a kiss on Pen’s cheek. “And we do love you for it, you’re our little sunshine.”

“Alright, alright,” said Pen, blushing at the compliment.

The shop bell rang and Sarah Hanson came in, collection box rattling in her hands.

“What are we collecting for today,” Pen said cheerfully.

“Same as always at this time of year, Pen. The lifeboat fund. Morning, George,” said Sarah, gray curls stiff against her head and lipstick spreading slightly in the corners of her mouth.

“It’s no good asking me,” George said. “I’m skint. I’ve only just started working again and who knows how long that’s going to last.”

“Oooh, I heard about the new one,” said Sarah, placing her box on the counter. “I’ve heard she’s quite the little madam. Didn’t even participate in bookclub, if you can believe it.”

“Because she’s new and hadn’t read the book,” said Pen, pulling a twenty pound note out of the till and stuffing it into the collection box.

“That’s very generous, Pen,” Sarah beamed, picking up her box. “Thanks very much. I’ll be around later for a loaf of white, so set one aside for me.” She was still smiling as she left the shop.

“You don’t have to defend Ash,” George said when Sarah was gone.

“I wasn’t defending her, I was just telling the truth.”

“You were being overly generous, just like with the lifeboat fund. I mean, honestly, Pen, giving to charity is important, but you have to look after yourself as well.”

“I’m very well looked after,” Pen said, not at all believing it but equally not wanting to fight with George about anything. She probably could have used the twenty pounds for something else.

“Mmm,” was all George said about that. He sniffed. “So, had any more bright ideas about the shop then?”

“As it happens,” Pen said. “I have. In fact, I was going to text you to come around for lunch, but since you’re here now I might as well run it past you.” She took a deep breath. “So, here’s what I’m thinking: development grant.”

George frowned. “Huh?”

Pen shook her head. “Honestly, don’t you pay attention to anything in the Tetherington Times? Or, for that matter, a word that comes out of Marjorie Thurst’s mouth?”

“Nope and definitely nope,” George said.

Pen put both elbows on the counter and explained what she was talking about.

“So you think we could apply for part of the grant to buy the shop?” George said when she was done.

“I don’t see why not,” said Pen. “I looked into it a bit. The money is supposed to be allocated to projects that improve cultural life or in some way bring a sense of community, which seems like us to a T.”

---