Page 38 of Coming Home to Hope Street

‘It doesn’t sound like it was.’

Livvy laughed. ‘You’ll be fine. Your passion about the book shop comes out in your voice.’

‘Do you think so? I don’t sound childish?’

‘I’m only teasing.’ Kate laughed. ‘My interview was all over and done within a few minutes. But it was good for business and that’s all that matters.’

‘Not unless I make a fool of myself. I’ll have no customers then.’

‘Like Kate said, Han, you’ll be fine,’ Livvy reiterated.

It was the first time Livvy had known Hannah doubt herself. It was interesting, because up until then she’d seen the positive, happy Hannah.

Reuben began to cry.

‘Oh-oh. Looks like someone is ready for a feed. Come on, poppet.’ Kate took the baby from Hannah and left them to it.

‘It’s great in here now,’ Livvy said. ‘You should be so proud of yourself.’

Hannah beamed. ‘Do you know what? I think I am! And it’ll be so good having you working with me.’

Livvy smiled. She hoped nothing would stop the happiness that was creeping back into her life. Was it all hers to take? She wasn’t sure, but she was willing to give it a go to find out.

Half an hour later, she was back in the coffee shop. She was piling a tray full of empty cups and glanced up as the door opened. A small smile played on her lips when she saw that it was Callum. He was in his work clothes of black combat trousers, thick soled black boots, and a navy-blue sweatshirt.

‘Fancy seeing you in here.’ He treated her to a smile.

‘Fancy,’ she smirked. ‘What can I get you?’

‘Just a regular coffee, please, while I’m passing.’ He pulled out a chair on the nearest empty table to her and sat down. ‘And one of those chocolate chip cookies to die for.’

Livvy picked up the tray and took it over to the counter. She gave in Callum’s order and began to load the cups into the dishwasher. Feeling someone staring at her, she turned to see Kate beside her.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘That’s how I met Will.’

‘Loading dishes into the washer?’ Livvy raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

‘Ha ha.’

‘He only wants a coffee and a cookie.’

‘That’s what Will started off with. Then he left me his phone number, then we went on a date, and the rest is history.’

‘Well, for your information, I already have the phone number.’

Kate gasped in mock horror. ‘And you haven’t called him?’

Livvy shook her head. ‘I’ve too much to think about right now. Settling Pip and doing my new job in the book shop, as well as in here.’

‘You need to find time for love.’ Kate smiled but then screwed up her face. ‘Actually, no one needs to tell you what to do. You just let him know when you’re ready. He’s such a nice guy.’

‘He was in my class at high school. He asked me out a few times then and I said no. The poor man.’

‘You’ll break his heart if you say no again,’ she teased.

‘Oh, I doubt that.’

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