Page 63 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

‘It’s OK, mate. Sabrina used to be like this all the time. I’m used to it.’

Horrified that I was behaving in exactly the way that I deplored in her, and very probably exactly the reason why he said it, I soon snapped out of my funk and the subsequent three games of Scrabble, which had started off quite tame and endedup in us including all the swear words we could find, certainly put me in better spirits. We watched an action movie, both of us not in the mood for a cheesy romcom, and then grabbed a couple of hours’ sleep again before we headed back out to Driftwood Bay.

This time as soon as we arrived, just after midnight, I headed out to the box at the back, feeling quite forlorn when it was empty.

My chores in the shop done, we were just pulling the door to as the church clock chimed 3a.m., when Dan yelled, ‘Wait!’

He pulled back the doormat, saying he’d noticed something gold poking out from underneath.

Dennie’s now familiar handwriting stared out at me and I waited until we got back to the lodge again before reading the next letter.

39

Nancy,

I hope that the story I started yesterday about Dennis helped you to understand a little of his childhood and his early adult years.

Please find below the next chapter.

While Dennis was at his lowest, Ron, the hotel manager, took pity on him and helped him to get back on his feet. Dennis had never been so grateful for help and support. The only thing he had to his name was his mobile phone which his nan had bought him. He couldn’t make many calls, he hardly had any money, but she called him from time to time. He did, however, tell her that he had a swanky flat in London and was doing well. What she didn’t realise was that he was still scratching around to pay his bills and was living in a shitty bedsit that you wouldn’t let a dog live in.

He still had a passion for learning and the kind hotel manager taught him lots about running a hotel. Dennis had now been promoted to the position of concierge. He had a fancy black uniform with shiny buttons that he loved, but he yearned for something more. He wasn’t engaging his brain as much as he would have liked, and had too much time onhis hands to think about the past. He needed to silence his thoughts, keep his mind active and he wanted to learn more. Sadly, the hotel manager, who had now become a friend, had a heart attack and was signed off work, being replaced by someone younger and fitter, who was nowhere near as nice and Dennis went back to being the same as everyone else, fighting for his job and still fighting for his life.

His thirst for knowledge took him to night school. He was shattered. Working his backside off all day long and then slogging away at night school on a business course. When Ron passed away, Dennis was devastated. He was the only true friend he’d ever had. Ron had had a feeling he wasn’t going to be in the world much longer, and when his wife came to see Dennis, to his surprise, he discovered that in Ron’s will, some money had been left for him. Ron’s wife said that Ron had thought the world of Dennis; he was like the son he never had. Ron was furious with Dennis’s parents apparently, wanting to kill them with his bare hands for what they’d put that young child through – and then as a young adult.

She left after a very tearful farewell, and Dennis carried out some research and found an Open University degree course in business management, knowing the only way he could repay the kindness of his friend was to do the best he could do and pass his exams. He worked hard and studied hard – some days a struggle through the exhaustion – but he pushed himself to the limit. Failing was not an option.

Dennis qualified with flying colours, his grades the highest his tutors had ever known and that night as he raised a glass to Ron, he felt that the world was now finally going to be his oyster.

To be continued…

Nancy, I was so lucky to meet Ron and to be able to use the money he left me so wisely. Us talking and you teaching me about the universe and the way in which it works has mademe wonder whether Ron was my guardian angel. Sent to me at the right time, when I needed someone. If it wasn’t for the kindness he showed me, I honestly don’t think I would have survived. There were times when I thought that maybe the world would be better off without me, but with his friendship and support, I learned that there would always be a way through everything that’s thrown at you. That’s why I wanted to make sure that the legacy that your Aunty Theresa had left was being spent well. That it would go towards a sustainable business for years to come. And that’s why I was hard on you at first. I suppose I was projecting my past onto your future and it was unfair of me to do that. It’s your money and you can do with it what you want.

I’m truly sorry.

I wish I knew how you feel while you read my letters. It’s quite cathartic to write. As if you’re listening to me. I hope beyond words that you are. Maybe you were right about journaling every day. You’ve taught me so much, Nancy. You taught me how to laugh again. How to live again. And whatever happens between us now, I will always be truly grateful for the time that we’ve spent together and for all you’ve made me feel.

I miss you.

Dennie

xxx

People don’t realise just how lucky they are. I certainly hadn’t realised how luckyIwas. I had a wonderful family who loved and supported me, whatever I chose to do. A prime example was when I decided I was going to stop teaching and open a bookshop instead. And it was nice to know that me living my dream had inspired my brother to do the same. To go through life without any of that, having to fend for yourself, maybe luckyenough to meet a friend on the way who might give you a helping hand, must have been truly awful.

I was a big believer that people came into your life when you needed them to. I also believed that books found their way into your hands when you needed them. That night I slept sounder than I had for days.

40

I woke the following day to Mum’s voice. She and Dan were talking in the lounge.

They both hushed when I appeared.

‘Aha. Sleeping Beauty awakes!’ she called over to me. ‘I can’t stop. I’ve been here for ages but we didn’t want to wake you. I just wanted to bring you this.’

She handed me a metallic green box with a familiar big bow on the top. This time I could feel the corners of my mouth turning up and I saw Mum and Dan catch each other’s eye.

‘Your brother has been telling me some of his plans.’ She grinned and he bobbed his tongue out at me without her seeing.

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