Page 37 of The Bookshop Ladies

‘Glad to hear it. Drink up,’ Robyn said. ‘It’s nice to see you.’ It was true, Leo was hardly the most sociable member of the family. He tended to keep himself to himself but Fern had always said that was only because he needed peace and quiet after keeping half the female population entertained each day.

‘I won’t stay long, unless you want me to.’ He was looking at Fern. They were still close, always looking out for each other. ‘I only popped in to see if you were all right, if you needed anything…’

‘No, no, I’m fine. Really, everything is grand.’ She batted him off.

‘So… hang on, how did you know that…’ Robyn said.

‘Fern told Dad earlier, honestly, he’s all but ready to march to Dublin and sort Luc out with his bare hands.’

‘As if I didn’t already love Albie enough?’ Robyn looked from one to the other, but in the half light, she could only just make out her mother shifting uncomfortably on the sofa next to her.

‘There’s no need.’ Fern groaned.

‘No need my banana bread,’ Leo said. ‘I don’t care if heisFrench, it’s not right and you can’t let him get away with it.’

‘We just have to sort it out between us.’ Fern topped up their glasses. ‘Probably, what I really need is something to take my mind off things, give me a bit of perspective.’

‘You could join me in the bakery… It’s really busy and it’d certainly take your mind off Luc for a while,’ Leo offered.

‘You’re too kind, but we both know that every home economics student in the local convent will be vying for a part-time summer job with you.’

‘Actually, I was hoping to organise some events in the shop, perhaps get some writers to talk or something… I don’t know, something to liven the place up for the summer weeks… maybe you’d like to help out with that?’ Robyn suggested.

‘Oh?’ Fern leant forward because she had always loved organising things, whether it was dinner parties or family get-togethers. ‘What, a regular night every week where there would be a talk or a lecture and maybe drinks or canapés?’

‘Um, maybe… we’re thinking along those lines. I really just want something that would bring local people and tourists into the shop.’ It wasn’t the time to go laying out their plans for the big bookshop reception and, anyway, they had agreed most of the details already, now it was just about putting in the legwork. ‘Of course, I hardly have time to look at my own watch, never mind organise something like that, but if you’d like to… I mean, you’ve always been excellent at…’

‘I’m not making canapés, if that’s what you’re angling for…’ Fern laughed. ‘But maybe,’ she said softly. ‘Maybe.’

25

A week later Fern finally gave in. Painting was out of the question. Luc hadn’t even rung to check if she was alive, much less if she was still at home in Howth. She must have left a thousand messages for him and all she’d had back was silence. It was ten thirty on a Thursday morning and she had nothing to show for the last week except greasy hair and an empty sense of frustration. It was enough to drive her to distraction.

Damn it anyway. She pulled on her cardigan and trooped downstairs to the bookshop. She was pretty sure that Joy would be arriving into the shop about now and someone would have to go and get coffees. She’d offer and maybe hang around for a while; at least if she was talking to people it was better than being upstairs miserable and alone.

‘Hey, Joy.’ They had arrived in the shop together – albeit through separate doors.

‘Hey, yourself, it’s unusual to see you down here, have you finished working already for the day?’

‘If only,’ Fern shook her head, she couldn’t help rolling her eyes. ‘No, I just thought coffee might get the creative juices flowing.’ God knew why she felt the need to lie. She looked around the shop, there were two people browsing which was lovely. Usually, there wasn’t a customer in sight.

‘Yes, our reading chairs outside are proving very popular in this weather. People are buying coffee from Shane and he’s sending them over here for a newspaper, but occasionally, they’ll browse and pick up a paperback,’ Robyn whispered from behind the counter.

‘Oh, well, that’s great. I mean, that people have somewhere comfortable to sit outside without the expectation that you have to be with someone. You know, that’s the hardest thing about going to the coffee shop, I always think.’ Fern was conscious she was prattling away, but something about Joy’s quiet certainty made her feel a little inadequate. ‘Anyway, since I’m here, shall I go and pick us up coffees this morning?’

‘Really? Thanks Mum,’ Robyn said, leaning across the counter to kiss her cheek. ‘Do you need change?’

‘Don’t be silly, it’s only coffee,’ Fern said. She made her way down the street to find the coffee shop. The place was packed with customers and Shane was doing his best to manage single-handed. Fern was tempted to offer help, but she hadn’t the first clue about being a barista. By the time she had picked up their drinks and headed back to the bookshop, all the reading chairs had occupants, with coffee and mostly newspapers, but one woman was engrossed in a hardback and Fern smiled, thinking how clever her daughter truly was.

‘Inspired, that’s what I’d call it,’ she said when she put the coffees down. ‘Are there people out there all day long?’

‘Some times are busier, but so far all we’re hearing is that customers love the idea.’ Robyn was brimming with enthusiasm every time she spoke about the bookshop these days.

‘Except you need to fill up the afternoons and late evenings,’ Joy said, sipping her coffee. ‘Remember what you said… you’d mention to Fern?’ They exchanged a glance.

‘Ask away,’ Fern said, placing her cup carefully on the counter. ‘Really, Robyn, I want to help.’

‘You won’t like it, it’s not your thing at all…’ Robyn put her hands up in the air and Fern thought,oh God, do I really want to go taking on any big commitments at the moment?

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