Page 1 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

1

I knew I should have been paying more attention to the box I was carrying, rather than staring at the amazing sunrise over the sandy golden beach of Driftwood Bay. The box felt so much lighter when I left home than it did when I got to the harbour front on my way to Books In The Bay. And when it wobbled precariously, because I was too busy looking at the sun which had just peeked its head out, the thud, thud, thud of the books hitting the ground along with the ‘ooomph’ noise which came from the person I’d walked into was the only sign that I wasn’t alone.

I yelled out my apology. ‘I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going.’

‘Clearly! You could have knocked me over.’ An abrupt deep male voice literally talked down to me. I grabbed at the books that were scattered around me on the floor. This was brand-new stock and I couldn’t afford for it to be ruined. That was the last thing I needed. Every penny in the till counted when you had your own business.

I looked up, still annoyed with myself, but even though I knew it was probably mostly my fault, surely I couldn’t take all the blame.

‘Well, you must have seen me coming. Couldn’t you have stepped out of my way?’ Luckily there were a number of benches around the harbour so I started to pile the books onto the nearest one.

‘You’re right and I’m sorry too. I was too busy looking at the sunrise. It’s an absolute cracker this morning. Here, let me help.’

Ah, a kindred spirit. Someone else who appreciated Mother Nature’s handiwork. Maybe I should forgive them for that alone. I straightened myself up, stretching my spine out, and moved my head from left to right as I looked at a mop of messy dark brown hair, and an arm reaching for a book that was teetering dangerously close to the edge.

‘There you go, last one. At least none of them ended up in the water.’

He popped the final book onto the top of the pile and straightened up. Blimey. If I wasn’t mistaken, the most handsome man I’d ever met was standing before me. He looked like a Hollywood movie star and was dressed like one too in a pair of dark denim jeans, a crisp white open-necked shirt and a pair of Ray-Bans perched on the top of his head. I’d say they were the real McCoy too, not some dodgy knock-off ones that you’re sold by a lucky-lucky man on the beach in Spain. Typical that on that very morning I had made a decision to chuck a fleece over my leggings and vest top and head down to my bookshop, before even washing my face, combing my hair and brushing my teeth. It was so early, I wasn’t planning to bump into anyone. Let alone literally.

I tilted my head at him. He looked familiar but I couldn’t quite place him. I didn’t think I’d seen him around before. I’m sure I would have noticed. Obviously.

‘Have you got far to go? Do you need a hand?’

I waved my arm behind me towards the shop.

‘Only there, it’s fine, thank you. I can make a couple of journeys.’

‘Come on, I’ll help, it’s the least I can do as our little collision was probably half my fault. And it’ll save you another trip or two. You grab that pile and I’ll grab this one.’

‘Thank you. That’s very kind.’

‘No problem. I’m waiting for my nan to get up. I’ve popped down to visit but it’s a bit early. I anticipated more traffic on the roads. What time does that bistro over there open? Do you know? I’m gagging for a coffee. And to be honest, I could do with the loo too.’

‘Ah not till eight.’ I glanced at my watch. ‘Most of the people in Driftwood Bay will still be asleep. I thought it was only me that got up at the crack of a sparrow’s fart to see the sunrise.’

We said the next sentence at the exact same time.

‘My favourite time of the day.’

We both laughed.

Gosh! He had a gorgeous laugh and I couldn’t help but notice that his eyes crinkled up when he smiled. It wasn’t every day that you bumped into someone who got you in a bit of tizzy first thing in the morning. Maybe today was going to be a good day.

The handsome stranger followed me to the shop and I put the pile of books on the step as I turned the key in the lock and pushed the door, propping it open with the cute little doorstopper that my friend Meredith had made me in the shape of a pile of books, before picking the pile of books up again. He followed me in and copied me as I placed the books on the wooden counter. It felt strange having someone come into the shop with me. This was normally my sacred time. The realisation of my dream come true.

Never being the most spontaneous of people, I don’t know what made me do it but the next words came out of my mouth before I’d even really thought about it.

‘I don’t suppose you… oh never mind.’

‘No, go on…’ He raised an eyebrow in anticipation.

‘Well, I was going to make myself a coffee. I don’t suppose you’d like to join me, would you?’ I could have kicked myself. Why on earth did I just invite him to join me? What was wrong with me?

‘That’s very kind of you. Do you normally offer random strangers drinks in the morning?’

‘Only on a Wednesday.’

He grinned back at me. ‘Well in that case, I’d better make the most of the day and I’d love to accept and perhaps if I tell you that my name is Dennis, and my nan is Vi, then I won’t be so much of a stranger.’

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