Page 23 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

Ignoring his comment, Ed said, ‘I’m guessing you’re here on account of my parents. Again.’ His eyes were full of an anger Florrie had never witnessed before. ‘So let me take this opportunity to make this perfectly clear. That way, you won’t have to trouble yourselves again.’

Dodgy Dick turned to Wendy and smirked. ‘This should be good, lass.’

Ed didn’t flinch. ‘Florrie and I will not be selling the bookshop. Not now, not ever. Okay? It was my grandfather’s greatest wish that we run it together, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. And we’re going to make it a business he’d be proud of.’

‘Pfft! You foolish young pup! You’ve no idea what a stupid mistake you’re making,’ Wendy said scornfully.

‘I doubt that very much,’ said Ed, as Gerty’s growl reverberated around the shop.

Dodgy Dick looked up at Ed, his mouth twisting meanly. ‘Leave it, Wend. Some folk don’t know what’s good for ’em.’

‘It’s just as well we do, then, isn’t it?’ Ed said.

‘You’ll learn,’ Dodgy Dick said, his eyes flashing with silent fury that sent a shiver running up Florrie’s spine.

‘Now, it’s gone five o’clock, so I think it’s time you left… unless you’d like to buy something?’ Ed held eye contact with him.

‘I have no intention of buying owt from this dump, but I will take one of these for the grandkids. It’s the least I deserve after that free advice I’ve just given you.’ Dodgy Dick turned, pinning them with his shark-like stare. ‘Don’t let anyone say I’m not a reasonable man. I’ll give you until the New Year to come to your senses about this place. I reckon by then you’ll be keen for me to take it off your hands.’ With that, he snatched up a copy ofIt was The Night Before Christmasand followed his wife as shesashayed out of the shop, leaving an air of displeasure in their wake.

Florrie waited until they were well away from the bookshop before rushing over and locking the door, quickly pulling down the blind. ‘Oh my God! That was so awful!’ She clasped her hands to her chest. ‘I’m shaking like a leaf. I was literally willing you to come downstairs.’

Ed pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. ‘Well, it worked, I’d got this overwhelming feeling that something wasn’t right.’ He gently kissed the top of her head, squeezing her tight. ‘I’m so sorry you had to experience that on your own.’

‘What do you think they meant by saying we didn’t know what a mistake we were making and how we’ll be keen for him to take the bookshop off our hands?’ Her mind was racing, Dodgy Dick’s menacing eyes taking centre stage.

Ed pulled back, resting his hands on her shoulders, dipping his chin to look into her eyes. ‘Don’t take any notice, they’re just idle threats. He’s a bully, full of big talk and hot air, that’s all. And his wife’s no better.’ His expression darkened.

Though his words went some way to reassure her, Florrie wasn’t completely convinced.

FOURTEEN

THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER

The following morning, Florrie and Ed arrived at the bookshop early to discover the Christmas tree from above the shop door had been ripped down and thrown into the tiled entrance of the doorway, the lights that had decorated it hanging down and swaying in the breeze.

‘Oh my God!’ A dart of panic shot through Florrie as she stood staring at the sight in disbelief.

‘What the—?’ Ed came to a halt, tugging Gerty back on her lead as the Labrador went to investigate. ‘Is that egg running down the windows?’

‘Looks like it. Who would even think to do something like this?’ Her eyes brimmed with tears as she also took in the mangled wreath that had been ripped from the door and dumped on top of the Christmas tree. ‘It’s mindless and destructive.’

Ed’s gaze swept around the square. ‘From what I can see, we’re the only shop that’s been targeted.’ He heaved a sigh, his breath hanging in a cloud of condensation.

‘Why us, Ed? Why the bookshop…’ Her voice tailed off as realisation dawned. ‘Dodgy Dick! He’s who’s behind this. I’d putmoney on it, it has all his hallmarks.’ She could feel her cheeks burn with anger.

‘Me too, though he won’t have got his own hands dirty, he’ll have paid someone to do it on his behalf. It’s all part of his plan to intimidate us into selling the bookshop.’ He put his arm around Florrie, squeezing her shoulder. ‘But we’ll show them we won’t be beaten. We’ll get this cleared up quickly, and the Christmas tree back in place before the shop’s due to open, and before Leah gets here. We don’t want her feeling she’s getting dragged into it.’

‘I agree,’ said Florrie determinedly, rooting around in her backpack for the shop keys. ‘Let’s put on a united front, get this cleaned up and carry on as if it hasn’t happened.’ She made a silent promise that she was going to direct her focus on planning The Happy Christmas Memories Project. There was no way Dodgy Dick or Ed’s parents’ behaviour was going to dominate that by generating horrible Christmas memories instead. She’d make sure to get something in place this weekend.

All the same, it still didn’t stop a background hum of anxiety from murmuring away, making it difficult for her to settle. From the stories that had been circulating since he’d been rumoured to be in the employ of a corrupt firm, Dodgy Dick now had no scruples in doing whatever it took in order to get what he and his bosses wanted. She didn’t like to give too much thought to what he next had in mind for them and the bookshop.

‘I hope Leah and my mum will be okay.’ Florrie turned to Ed, a frown knitting her brows together. It had just gone two p.m. and they were heading out of Micklewick Bay on the way to Middleton-le-Moors for the hour of ice skating she’d booked as part of The Happy Christmas Memory Project. It rankled with her that she was feeling so distracted when they were supposed to be making special memories for Ed. After Dodgy Dick’s visit yesterday, she’d been having serious misgivings about leavingher mum and Leah in charge of the shop. She’d feel terrible if they had to deal with that man. The mess they’d found that morning had only added to her concerns. ‘I can’t help but feel guilty. What if Dodgy Dick and Wendy turn up while we’re out? What if the creep starts with his threats and sinister questions?’ Florrie’s stomach was tying itself up in knots.

Ed turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. ‘Try to put it out of your mind. I’d be very surprised if they showed up again so soon. Like we said before, the Christmas tree in the doorway, the wreath and eggs down the window is all down to him – he’ll think he’s done enough to rattle us for today. He’d be attracting attention if he rocked up at the shop again so soon, and though he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he’s not that daft. He won’t want to do that.’ He indicated left, following the signpost for Middleton-le-Moors. ‘Remember what he was like last time? It was me he focused his attention on – he won’t want other people to know what he’s up to. You know how keen he is to pass himself off as a “respectable businessman”.’ Ed emphasised the words mockingly. ‘He’s totally oblivious he’s fooling no one. The word sneaky doesn’t do justice to his methods.’

How could she forget what he’d been like? His campaign of intimidation had sent Ed fleeing in search of respite and headspace. The memory sent a shudder through her as she recalled Ed describing how menacing Dodgy Dick had been. She quickly pushed it out of her mind; she didn’t want to head down the route of worrying about what else he might have planned for them.

‘Don’t let him dominate your thoughts and taint today. Our trip is meant to create happy Christmas memories which don’t in any way, shape or form, include Dodgy Dick and his wife,’ Ed said, the easy tone in his voice easing the wriggle of anxiety in Florrie’s stomach. He reached across and gave her hand a squeeze.

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