Page 22 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘By my reckoning, this place is in the perfect location, being central, like. We could have a classy hair salon down here,’ she said, sweeping her arm around in an exaggerated gesture, ‘with upstairs being converted into a beauty spa and treatment rooms offering an array of exclusive cosmetic services. Dick and I have an extensive list of contacts who’d be glad to snatch our hands off to work here.’ She went to give a supercilious smile at Florrie but all her heavily Botoxed face would allow was an alarming-looking gurn.

Florrie listened, her heart hammering in her chest. She willed with all her might for Ed to hurry up and get himself down here, as Wendy and Dick continued to strut about the bookshop, sharing their increasingly loud appraisal.

The pair made for an arresting sight, with their matching heavily dyed black hair – Wendy’s was coiffured into a huge, bouffant affair, while Dick had recently favoured a slicked back look, which only added to his unsavoury persona – and both were draped in expensively cut black clothing. Jasmine regularly joked that they resembled a pair of carrion crows, poised and ready to pounce. And from the look of her plumped-uptrout pout, Wendy was no stranger to the “exclusive cosmetic services” she’d referred to, and applied her make-up with a hand equally as heavy as the one she’d used for her perfume. To complete the look, she was bedecked in so much glittering jewellery, anyone would be forgiven for thinking she’d been decorated for the festive season, not unlike the Christmas tree at the top of the square.She’d definitely give that a run for its money!

‘We watched your little moment on the local news last night, didn’t we, Wend?’ Dodgy Dick pulled out a book from the romance shelf, fanning the pages.

‘We did.’ Wendy gave an exaggerated guffaw. ‘All I can say is, they must’ve been bloomin’ desperate for news.’

‘All looked a bit desperate full stop to me, trying to create a big fuss over a little, piddly place like this, making out it’s summat special, just cos you’ve shoved some clockwork animals in the windows and covered it with fake snow. We felt sorry for you, having to go to such lengths to get some attention.’

‘The fact the local news station was here had nothing to do with us – we didn’t contact them. We don’t know who did. But I’m pleased to say, it’s generated a lot of positive interest in the bookshop.’ Florrie felt her face flame with annoyance at his dismissive and wildly inaccurate description of Ed’s hard work.

Florrie and Ed had watched Jack’s unveiling and the subsequent interview with the report on the local news the previous evening. They’d both cringed with embarrassment at seeing themselves on the television screen, but, from what customers had said, it had proved a popular news article in the town.

Wendy glared at her.

‘Hmm.’ Dodgy Dick pushed the book back in its place. ‘A little dicky bird tells me you and that daft lad of Peter Harte’s still haven’t come to your senses about selling this place. Shame.Especially when I have it in my power to make you a very tempting offer.’

Can’t imagine who that little dicky bird is.

He slowly ran his finger along a bookshelf, “accidentally” knocking a book to the floor. ‘Oh dear, how did that happen?’ He fixed Florrie with a smile that was more akin to a snarl. She watched, her discomfort rising, as he moved on, stepping onto the book and grinding his heel into it as he went.

The thoughtless gesture sent a stab of anger through Florrie who did all she could to bite down on her outrage. It wasn’t easy, but there was no way she was going to play into his hands and give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d riled her.

Wendy eyed her gleefully, a spiteful gleam in her eyes.

Though her heart was beating violently in her chest, Florrie stood firm. ‘Ed and I don’t need to “come to our senses”.’

‘That right?’ He ran his tongue over his teeth, making her stomach twist. ‘Some folk could do with knowing it’s not always the most sensible option to dig their heels in, especially when they’re holding the town back with their daft notions of family loyalty or other such tripe.’

‘Entreshed, that’s what I call it, isn’t it, Dick?’ said Wendy, puffing up her hair with her vivid red talons. ‘Stuck in the past, no thought of looking to the future.’

‘Aye, love, you do. And I reckon you’ve got a point.’

‘Entrenched,’ said Florrie, unable to help herself.

‘That’s what I said.’ Wendy shot her a filthy look. Dick followed suit.

Choosing to disregard the spike of fear that shot through her, Florrie said, ‘And some folk could do with knowing when to take no for an answer.’What are you doing, Florrie? Oh my God! Have you lost your marbles? You’re speaking to a mean and nasty man with dodgy connections and no scruples!She drew in a fortifying breath, using every ounce of her strength in a bidto keep her voice steady. ‘It’s just as well Ed and I have turned the bookshop around and made it into a success, then.’

Another mocking shriek of a laugh escaped Wendy’s red-painted lips. ‘Success! Did you hear that, Dick? She reckons this place is a success.’

Undeterred, Florrie continued, ‘It is a success. And we have big plans for the future.’ She regretted her last sentence as soon as the words had left her mouth.What on earth possessed you to say that?

Dodgy Dick spun round on his heels, pinning her with an icy stare, his eyes narrowing. ‘And what “big plans” would they be then?’ It hadn’t escaped Florrie’s attention his words had developed a slightly menacing tone. Her heart started pumping harder.

‘They’re in the early stages, so I couldn’t possible share them at the moment.’ She hoped he didn’t detect the shake in her voice.

‘Oh, I think it would be a good time to share them, before you make any silly mistakes. I’m very interested to hear what they involve, as I’m sure my colleagues would be, too.’ He started to walk slowly towards her, a threatening air emanating from him, Wendy by his side. If they weren’t so intimidating they’d be comical.

Gerty got to her feet, growling, her hackles raised.

‘No one’s going to be sharing any plans with either of you.’

The couple turned to see Ed making his way across the shop floor, his expression as hard as stone. Relief rushed through Florrie.

‘Ah, look who the cat’s dragged in,’ said Dodgy Dick, pulling himself up to his full height of five-feet-six and puffing out his chest further. He put Florrie in mind of a little bantam cock bird, strutting about, fluffing up his feathers in a display of machismo.

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