Page 57 of Coming Home to Hope Street

Livvy was working her fourth shift for Hannah and Kate and was in the book shop. Things had been really busy on Monday, died off on Tuesday and Wednesday, but now it was Thursday, and there was more trade from the outside market, it had been steady all morning.

She was grateful to be rushed off her feet. It meant she didn’t have to think of Kieran alone in her home while she was here. She didn’t trust him not to go through her belongings. It was a terrible thing to think about someone, but she knew Kieran. Luckily, she had no cash in the house except in her purse, so he was going to find nothing.

Having said that, Kieran had been on his best behaviour since arriving. He had been quite good company of an evening when they’d been watching TV together. Livvy had never known Pip spend so long out of her bedroom. Normally she’d be straight upstairs for some space, unless she was going across to Tilly’s. So it had been nice to see more of her. So far, they’d binge-watched two Netflix series and had enjoyed them both.

She wondered how long it would be before everything would change. She’d give it until the weekend. Kieran would get itchy feet soon, regardless of the fact she was moving him on anyway.

‘Hello, Livvy,’ a voice said behind her.

Livvy turned to see her neighbour. ‘Hi, Thelma.’ She smiled at her. ‘How are you today?’

‘Never better, dear. Never better. How about you? How’s the book shop faring on its first week?’

‘It’s going really well today. Business has been brisk because of footfall from the market.’

‘It’s such a lovely place to work too – and quite inspiring. I wish I could write a book but I’m not that creative.’

‘Me neither. I think it’s a whole new skill.’

‘Perhaps you should have a book club instead.’

‘That’s a great idea!’ Livvy wrote herself a note. ‘I’ll mention it to Hannah when I see her. We could have a monthly read. Perhaps Kate would let us hire out the coffee shop for an evening. We could drum up some interest, maybe have a monthly subscription service.’

‘Wow, you have a good business head on you,’ Thelma said. ‘I’m impressed.’

‘Oh, I think Hannah lucked out with the brains in the family.’ Livvy blushed but liked the compliment.

‘I bet she’s still in love with the handsome Doug.’

‘She is.’ She couldn’t help but sigh blissfully. ‘It’s so lovely to see though, isn’t it? I’ve never been in love like that. They’re a lucky couple.’

‘They are. I’m glad they found each other. What about you?’

‘What about me?’

‘I see you’ve got a visitor.’

Livvy grimaced. ‘It’s my ex. He’s come to visit Pip.’

‘Ah.’ Thelma raised her eyebrows. ‘No love there anymore?’

‘No, sirree.’

‘Don’t you feel like starting afresh with someone new?’

‘Yes, definitely,’ Livvy nodded. ‘But I’m fine on my own until it happens.’ She cringed. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, that didn’t come out well. I know you live alone too.’

‘Don’t be. It was my choice after I lost my husband.’ Thelma ushered Livvy to the seating area and sat across from her. ‘It’s why I popped in to see you. I’ve seen that young man looking at you in the pub.’

‘Callum?’ Livvy felt the corners of her mouth lifting up as she spoke his name.

‘That’s the one. His eyes light up when he’s talking to you.’

‘Do they?’ That brought on a smile.

‘Yes. He’s a nice man. I’ve had him round a few times to do jobs on the house. Before Doug came back and we had that dreadful property maintenance company looking after the houses, it was quicker to get jobs done ourselves. Callum was always handy, and he’d never overcharge.’ Thelma leaned closer and rested her hand on Livvy’s forearm. ‘I think you’re in there, if you like him.’

Livvy blushed at the woman’s suggestion, but she couldn’t help laughing. ‘There’s plenty of time for that kind of thing.’

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