Page 16 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

‘So all the books you buy are new? You buy a lot of hardbacks, which are expensive, aren’t they?’ he asked, and I nodded in response.

An idea popped into my head and stopped me in my tracks. I spoke it out loud before I had to think it through.

‘I wonder if I should consider selling second-hand books?’

It wasn’t something I’d ever considered really. I always thought charity shops were the place for second-hand books, but with our nearest charity shop being three villages away, people seemed to hang on to them.

‘I wonder if people would buy them though. I suppose they might, depending on the condition. Or would it put people off buying new books if they could buy second-hand books cheaper? That’s my worry.’ I was wittering now, randomly blurting my thoughts.

‘Look at you thinking like a businessperson.’

I narrowed my eyes at him.

‘You could do a bit of market research,’ he suggested. ‘I’m not sure I’d want to buy a book when you don’t know what someone else had been doing while they were reading it. Specially some of those saucy ones you ladies read. Maybe you could find out, whether people would still buy new. And whether they’d buy something that was second-hand.’

‘Market research? I could probably ask my friends what they thought.’

‘Well that wasn’t really what I had in mind. Business decisions have to be made on more than gut feelings. It’s all about the data.’

‘It’s definitely something to think about, Dennis. I could maybe have a second-hand section at the back or something.’

‘Pre-loved.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Pre-loved sounds much more romantic than second-hand.’

I laughed. ‘Blimey, Dennis being all romantic.’

‘Not likely. No time for romance in my life.’

‘So you don’t have a special someone in your life then?’ Gosh, I really should engage my brain more before I let my mouth open. I blushed. He must think I’m being way too direct.

‘Nah. No time for all that malarkey. Too busy at work. I work long hours and I can’t imagine anyone would want to put up with that.’

‘Maybe the right person would.’

‘I don’t have the time to find the right person. I’m busy. I fly around the world. I don’t need anyone, despite what Nan says.’

‘What does Vi say then?’

‘Oh, you know, the normal. I haven’t met my soulmate yet. That I shouldn’t work so hard. That money isn’t everything. Blah, blah, blah.’

‘Maybe she’s right.’

‘Nah. I’m fine as I am. Quite happy on my own. Pleasing myself. Doing what I want, when I want.’

He looked out towards the sea and I could see his Adam’s apple bob when he swallowed.

‘Wouldn’t you like someone to do things with though? Go on holidays and stuff like that?’

I felt like I was projecting my own feelings into this question. There were times that I would love someone to do things with.

‘I’ve got mates I can do that with. Couple of guys from work are my holiday pals. We head off to Dubai or Las Vegas a couple of times a year and have fun, playing golf, hanging out in the casinos and bars.’

‘Sounds exhausting.’

‘Not having to consider anyone else. Just myself to worry about and not having anyone worrying about me. Suits me just fine.’

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