Page 11 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

‘Oh, he must have some endearing qualities, surely?’

‘Nope! I don’t think so.’

‘He told Vi he thought you were really pretty.’

‘Dennis did?’ I couldn’t have been more surprised.

‘Yep. She thought he… What were her words now? Oh yes, that’s right. Has the hots for you.’

‘I don’t think that could be further from the truth. And he’s certainly not my type at all.’

‘So why are you spending so much time with him then? It looked like you were as thick as thieves when I came in, poring over that laptop.’

Neither of us had realised that Dennis had returned until he was right behind me and when he spoke it made me jump.

‘I just had a few ideas that I thought might help Nancy, and she was telling me about some ideas she’d had too. She just wants me for my business consultancy skills. Isn’t that right, Nancy?’

‘Err yes, that’s right.’ I chewed the inside of my cheek and Mum raised an eyebrow.

After a few seconds’ hesitation she started talking again.

‘Oh, how lovely. That’s so kind of you to offer your advice, Dennis. I know that Nancy is living her dream here in her little bookshop and that her aunty Theresa would be so proud of what a fabulous job she’s doing. She saved up for years, you know, and when she knew she was ill, sold everything she had just so she could help Nancy fulfil her ambitions. I’m so glad it’s all working out for her and she’s doing so well.’ She squeezed my cheeks in the same way she did when I was the sheep in my primary school nativity play. ‘My little entrepreneur.’

Nothing like a little bit of pressure of that type to give you a kick up the backside. Maybe I did need Dennis a lot more than I’d originally thought.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. He must have thought I was a complete numpty. Only open for a few months and making a right blooming mess of everything. Someone like me must have seemed so ridiculous to someone of his standing.

‘Right, I was only popping in to bring your lunch. I’ll go and put it in the fridge. It’ll probably feed both of you if you are stopping around, Dennis.’

‘That’s very kind, but I have things to do. Thank you though.’

We both watched her as she left, both silent in our thoughts.

‘Look, Nancy. I feel like we’ve really got off on the wrong foot. We don’t have to like each other for us to work together. I’ve worked with plenty of people that I don’t like.’

‘You really do have a way with words, don’t you?’

‘You know what I mean. I’m trying to help you here, you know. Why don’t we just start again? Deal?’

He held his hand out to me.

I sighed. Sadly, I didn’t think I had much of an alternative.

I put my hand in his and immediately we both jumped back as an electric shock jolted us both.

He shook his hand and pulled a face.

‘Right, what are you doing after the shop has shut later?’

‘It’s Tuesday. I close early as it’s my afternoon to be a beach angel.’

‘A what?’

‘Beach angel. There’s a group of us that take it in turns to collect and remove rubbish from the beaches.’

‘That’s all very commendable, but does it pay?’

‘Not everything in life is paid, Dennis. There are people who don’t treat our beaches the way they should. There are fragments of plastic being dumped all over the place. If someone doesn’t clean them away then they’ll be here for generations to come. Maybe you should come with me. See for yourself. You could even help.’

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