Page 21 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

‘You’re welcome.’

As I searched his face, his eyes softened before closing. He tipped his head back and looked up at the sky and gave a deep sigh. I hoped that chatting had helped to lighten his burden a little. Talking is really good therapy when you are stuck in your head.

‘I don’t have many close friends. Yes, I have the lads at work that I sometimes go away with, but not anyone who I can pour my troubles out to. I appreciate you very much.’

I nudged him with my shoulder.

‘Are you saying that we are friends, Dennie?’

‘I think I am. Oh wait.’ He put his bottle down on the bench and lifted his hand to my face. I held my breath as he brushed my cheek with his thumb.

Oh blimey. Was he going to kiss methistime?

‘Bit of mayonnaise there, Nance. S’OK, I got it for you.’

I let out a huge intake of breath. All these moments were playing havoc with my emotions. One minute I didn’t know if he liked me, or me him for that matter, and the next minute, I was willing him to kiss me, throw me down and roger me senseless. I needed to get out more. There was clearly of a lack of male company in my life, so when a newbie did arrive in Driftwood Bay, particularly when he was a dead ringer for the Gozzer, I lost my senses. We were just friends and I had to remind myself of that.

He held his bottle up to mine.

‘To friendship, Nancy.’

‘To friendship, Dennie.’

13

Dennis burst through the door the following morning.

‘Nance, I’ve had the most amazing idea.’

The moment I saw him, I blushed. I’d dreamt last night that we were married and had a family and that we were lying in bed together, with him lying behind me, holding me. Where the hell that dream had come from, I didn’t know, especially as we’d only just agreed that we were mates. I’d woken up totally out of sorts. It had been years since someone had properly held me like that, and while it felt nice, it was just a reminder it had been that long, and got me thinking about whether I should put myself out there into the dating pool again. Maybe it was time I let someone else into my life and opened up to them. It might be nice to wake up to a warm body next to mine.

I quickly closed the book I’d been scribbling in. Morning journaling was a big part of my day. Writing down my innermost thoughts and desires was a great way of getting things out of my mind, and stopped my brain working overtime. I certainly didn’t want Dennis to see what I was doing. The things I’d written down that morning weren’t anything that anyone should everread – they were X-rated and for me only – and I told myself I must remember to rip them out and burn them in the fire later.

I tucked the notebook into my apron pocket as I stood and walked towards the counter, trying to not to think about how Dennis’s body had felt pressed up against mine in my dream, while he was spooning me.

‘A relaunch party, are you sure?’

‘I think it would be really good. Obviously, we wouldn’t call it a relaunch party, but we would know that’s what it is. We could have it in say a month’s time when we’ve had time to source new stock and get the pre-loved section underway. What are you thinking?’

What I was thinking was why he kept saying ‘we’. Like it was our shop. I suppose he was just helping. It was his project after all. As normal, I was probably just overthinking everything.

‘Well, I suppose so, but is a month enough to do all of that?’

‘I think so. I’ve called in to work this morning and requested another month off. I’ve got to go up to London tomorrow for a couple of days, to sign some stuff, but once I’m back I’m back for a while, and am all yours. So, you can get me doing anything you’d like me to in that time.’

Now there was a thought!

I blushed again and turned away. The more time I was spending with Dennis, the more confused I was becoming. At times, it felt like he was properly flirting with me, then at others, it was like I was the most annoying person in the world to him. I was trying my hardest to learn what he was teaching me, but all that academia stuff was just not doing it for me, like it clearly did for him. We were total opposites.

He turned me to face him.

‘Don’t be scared, Nance. I’m here for you. We’ve got this.’

I’d been doing stuff on my own for so long, it felt nice to know that someone had my back. Mum was busy running herown cleaning business and Dad was an engineer, and they didn’t have time for my ‘airy-fairy’ bookshop ideas. I’d launched the bookshop entirely on my own with no knowledge of how to run a business and had been muddling my way through. However, that’s why I was in the mess I was in right now and why I needed Dennis’s help to turn the shop around.

‘So, why don’t I go and make us a cuppa and we can discuss our plans?’

I smiled.

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