Page 25 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

When we arrived back at the shop, Mum was just checking the stock system for a man who had come in asking for a copy ofA Christmas Carolfor his wife. As I heard what he was after, I jumped in to save her some time as I placed my box down on the counter.

‘I’m so sorry, I know that I sold the last one yesterday.’

‘Oh OK, no worries. Thanks very much.’ He turned to walk away.

Dennis quickly flung his box down too and approached him.

‘Was there anything else we can help you with instead?’

‘Ah thanks so much but no, it was that one in particular I was interested in.’

‘Such a shame because those particular editions are beautiful. We do have some other ones in if it’s the classics that interest your wife. We can show you where they are if you’d like us to.’

We all watched as the customer’s brain seemed to tick away. We waited. I cringed inwardly but tried not to let it show on my face. I hated being sold to in a shop and never wanted to be pushy with anyone who came to visit. If we didn’t have what they wanted, I was happy for them to leave.

‘Yeah, go on please. That would be great.’

‘Fabulous. Nancy, could you show… sorry what’s your name?’

‘Phil.’

‘Hi, Phil, I’m Dennis. Nancy, could you show Phil where the classics are please?’

Smiling sweetly, knowing that as soon as Phil left, I’d be giving Dennis a bollocking, I showed him over to the section ofthe shop that held all the classic books that we had in stock. I was reminded of how beautiful they were, when Phil stroked the covers, and remarked on the gorgeous shiny fronts and how pretty the sprayed edges were, and how much both his wife and daughter would love them.

‘Do you know what?’ Phil began. ‘I know she said there are loads of classics that she’s not read and it’s our daughter’s birthday, so why don’t I take a selection. Something both a woman and little girl would like? Five, I think. But you’ll have to choose. Is that too cheeky?’

‘Not at all, I’d love to.’

‘And we could order you a copy ofA Christmas Caroltoo if you’d like us to?’ Dennis shouted up from behind the counter. He’d made himself quite at home behind there and was definitely acting not only like he worked there, but more like he was the boss. I’d swing for him when Phil left the shop.

‘Oh, yes please. That would be perfect.’

I carried the selection of books over to the counter and put the order through the system, letting him know that the other book should be in the next afternoon.

‘I don’t suppose I could pay now, leave them here and pick them up all together, could I?’

‘You can indeed.’

Dennis cut in again. ‘As they’re a present, would you like us to wrap them for you, to save you a job?’

‘You, mate, are a lifesaver. You don’t do cards too, do you?’ He laughed nervously.

‘We can do that,’ Dennis replied before I even had chance to speak. My hands shot to my hips and I was just about to spout off when Phil’s next words stopped me in my tracks.

‘I’ve only just popped out while the carer has gone into ours to relieve my wife and me. It’s our daughter, you see. She’s not well and is on dialysis. We don’t get much time these days andmy wife has sent me out on this book errand while she’s gone out to get ingredients so she can bake a birthday cake. It could be her last one.’

I didn’t know whether or not to ask more. Would he think I was prying?

‘How old is she?’

‘Ten.’

Mum, Dennis and I were all silent. How could any words at all be right in this situation? It was so sad to think it might be her last one.

After a few moments of all looking at each other, I had to break in.

‘What sort of card would you like?’

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