Page 2 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

Florrie tipped her head back, resting her hands on his solid chest. ‘Now I understand why you kept disappearing to the shed. This must’ve taken you hours, and there must be glittereverywhere!’ She made a split-second decision not to mention that she’d also noticed him sneaking up to the attic in their cottage when he thought she wasn’t looking. Many of her favourite reads were stored up there, so she made frequent trips herself, but she’d not seen any evidence of what he’d been up to, except that some of his storage boxes had been disturbed. It had set her mind wondering, but she hadn’t liked to ask what he was up to, or looking for, for fear of sounding like she was keeping tabs on him.

‘I can’t deny I’ve loved every minute. And you’re not wrong about the glitter, the shed’s sparkling at the moment, but don’t worry, I’ll clean it up.’ Smiling down at her, he stole another quick kiss. ‘Ready to see the second window?’

‘Am Iever? Though I don’t know how you’re going to match the winter wonderland I’ve just seen.’ She pushed thoughts of his trips to the attic out of her mind, telling herself now wasn’t the time to dwell on them.

He laughed, releasing her from his embrace. ‘Well, let’s hope you won’t be disappointed.’

‘Are you kidding? I know I’m going to love it!’ She followed him over to the other side of the shop, enjoying the view of his broad back, his muscles visible from beneath his T-shirt.

Reaching the window, Ed held the curtain back, allowing Florrie to peer in. She clapped her hands to her cheeks.

‘Oh, wow! There’s so much to take in!’ She laughed with delight. ‘It’s just wonderful, Ed!’

‘One second.’ Again, he leant back and pressed a switch. ‘There we are.’

Once more Florrie looked on in awe as Ed’s handiwork came alive.

‘Any good?’ he asked. ‘Please tell me everything’s working.’ There was uncertainty in his voice again.

‘It’s just… Oh my goodness! It’s justbreathtaking, Ed. We’re going to have queues forming on the pavement outside so people can take a look.’

Ed laughed. ‘As long as some of the folk from the queues pop in and do a spot of shopping, I won’t be complaining.’

Several long minutes passed before Florrie was finally able to tear her eyes away from the display that featured a vintage-style sitting room dressed for Christmas. It oozed an air of nostalgia and cosiness. She eased herself out from behind the curtain and flung her arms around him. ‘You’re amazing!’ she said, covering him with more kisses and making him laugh.

‘I’m not sure about that, but I’ll take as many of these delicious kisses as you’re happy to give out.’ His eyes were warm with affection as he enveloped her in his arms.

Gerty jumped to her feet and trotted across to the couple, nudging Ed’s leg with her nose, her tail wagging hard.

‘Now then, Gerty-Girl, you’ve been a patient lass, haven’t you, just letting us get on with things?’ Ed reached inside his pocket for a dog biscuit and offered it to the Labrador who took it gently before ambling back to her bed.

Ed unplugged the electrics while Florrie fastened the many ties at the side of the curtains, ensuring no customers could sneak a look before all was revealed tomorrow evening. Their friend, the nationally revered author, Jack Playforth, had been booked to perform the official unveiling, followed by a reading from his latest novel. Nibbles and mulled wine were included in the ticket for Jack’s reading, which Florrie and Ed thought would be the perfect way to finish the evening.

‘Right,’ said Ed, glancing at his watch. ‘We just need to vacuum the bits off the floor and get the storage boxes put away. That shouldn’t take long. I can finish the reading room tomorrow; I’ll have plenty of time to get the decorations up in time for Jack’s event.’ He pushed his fringe back off his face,oblivious to the flurry of glitter he’d sent into the air again. ‘I’d quite like to grab what’s left of the evening and spend a bit of time with my gorgeous girlfriend. We’ve both been that tied up with getting this place ready, feels like we’ve barely had chance for a proper conversation for ages.’

Florrie couldn’t argue with that. They’d been working flat out for weeks, making sure their festive plans for the bookshop were in order. ‘Hmm. So who’s this gorgeous girlfriend you’re referring to?’ she asked, feigning a coquettish smile. ‘Not sure I know her.’

Ed pulled her towards him, nuzzling her nose. ‘Mmm. Well, she’s pretty special; beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, bright as a button, too. Oh, and did I mention she’s one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever met?’

Florrie smiled up at him, happiness flooding her chest as her heart squeezed with love. ‘You know what Jasmine would have to say if she caught you talking like that, Ed Harte?’

He laughed and gave her a knowing look. ‘Oi, you two, give over with the mush before I see my dinner again!’ he said, imitating Jasmine’s blunt tone.

‘You got it in one.’ Florrie couldn’t help but chuckle. Pixie-faced, flame-haired Jasmine was one of her best friends who professed not to have a romantic bone in her body. And she most definitely didn’t do “mush”, as she called it, nor did she like to witness it.

‘Just as well she’s not here then.’ Ed pressed his lips to hers.

His kiss may have been gentle, but it was full of promise. It set butterflies dancing in her stomach as she felt the solid warmth of his chest pressed against her.

‘I think cracking on so we can head home sounds like a very good plan,’ she said, when they finally pulled apart.

‘Mmm. Me too. And I’ll look forward to sampling more of your kisses later.’ He treated Florrie to a lopsided smile that made her heart dance.

‘In that case, what are we waiting for?’

TWO

Florrie was giving the arrangement of children’s festive books a final tweak when her phone pinged. She made her way over to the counter and scooped up her phone to see a message from her closest friend, Maggie Marsay. Florrie smiled as she swiped it open.

---