Page 48 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

Mum walked past at one point and whispered in my ear, ‘Look at your shop, lady. I hope you are happy because I’m beside myself with pride. You are amazing.’

‘Thanks, Mum, but so are you. I feel like you, Dennie, Dad and Dan are doing all the hard work while I’m just floating around being nice to everyone.’

‘That’s because you are a slave driver!’

Dennie grabbed me by the waist and squeezed past, giving me a wink as he went by. I did everything I could not to melt into a little puddle. He had such a heady effect on me.

I needn’t have panicked about the day at all, because the panel event went incredibly well, with conversation flowing, and in fact, I had to try really hard to wind it up because, goodness me, those authors could go on for ages. I had to wrap it up as we needed to start the first of three workshops, the paper-folding, even though it broke my heart a little bit to see books being used in that way. After that was a wizard workshop for children, which went down really well. My favourite was the final one of the day, where we made Christmas tree book baubles. I’d been practising for days and been having the time of my life experimenting with lots of different styles and designs, utilising materials from both the beach and my craft box. I couldn’t wait to get started on that one.

‘Excuse me, Nancy, but the lady behind the counter said that you’re the owner. Firstly, I’m so sorry that I approached her first. I thought it was her shop.’

I turned towards the voice and was met by a handsome, tall man with grey hair and a beard to match. He had one of those faces that just looked happy and made other people smile in return.

‘Oh, it’s an easy mistake to make. It happens all the time. I know I look quite young and people don’t expect me to be the owner at my age.’

‘Well, doesn’t that just go to show that you should never judge a book by its cover?’

We both laughed.

‘I don’t suppose you might be interested in hosting some murder mystery parties at all, would you? My name is Roger and I’m the owner of a company that runs these types of events.’

Bizarrely, this was something that I’d already been pondering but hadn’t mentioned it to Dennie because I didn’t want him to think that it was a daft idea. I was going to try to work it all out in my head first before I presented a fully formed plan to him. It was really important to me that he knew I’d been listening and learning from him and thought everything through rationally.

‘Roger, this is amazing. I think I’ve been looking for someone like you but didn’t realise that companies like yours existed. I was trying to work out how to go about organising one.’

Maybe manifesting wasn’t the rubbish that Dennie thought it was after all, I thought.I must remember to tell him later.

‘Well, let’s hope that this is a wonderful partnership in the making. Your shop would be absolutely perfect. I can just see it all decorated up and looking glorious. And you don’t have to do anything but enjoy it. We’ll do all the hard work for you. Oh, hello there.’

Vi had sidled up to Roger and started flicking her hair with her hand, a bit like Miss Piggy.

‘I know you’re busy so I’ll catch you soon, Nancy. Perhaps you could give me a call and we can chat.’ He handed me a business card, which I put into my cleavage.

When he raised an eyebrow, I replied, ‘Just so I don’t lose it.’

He laughed as he walked away.

‘What a saucepot he is,’ came a voice nearby. I turned to see Vi fanning herself with her hand. ‘I’d roger Roger if I was twenty years younger.’

‘Nan, you can’t say that.’ Dennie was floating past again with a couple of books in his hands. ‘Also, make that thirty years, if you don’t mind me saying.’

She clipped him on the arm playfully.

‘Sorry, darling, but I’m only human.’ Vi cackled. ‘And to be frank, it’s been a while since I?—’

‘Naaaan. Not for your grandson’s ears.’

‘Be off with you. After what you and this one probably got up to last night, I can’t believe you’ve turned into a prude now. Coming in at eight o’clock in the morning…’

Dennie tried to quieten his grandmother at the same time as I said, ‘Viiiii!’

She laughed and tapped the side of her nose.

‘Your secret is safe with me. I’m off to chat to Rog! I’m having such a lovely day. I might even buy a book.’ She winked and scampered off to follow Roger to the other side of the room. Poor man.

A phone was practically thrown in my face.

‘Smile, you’re on a TikTok live!’

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