Page 33 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘He seemed to switch his affections once Ed arrived,’ Florrie said, with a shrug. It was true, he’d regularly propositioned her – though, thankfully, not with the culinary horrors he was using to tempt Jasmine – asking her out on dates. But as soon as Ed had arrived on the scene and they’d become an item, Ando had backed off.

‘Pfft.’ Jasmine puffed out a frustrated sigh. ‘Well, there’s no way I’m going to hook up with a bloke just to put Ando off the scent. I’ll just keep turning him down and hope he finally gets the message.’

‘I feel sorry for him. He has a good heart if you look through all the bravado and the daft things he comes out with when he’s had a drink,’ Lark said kindly.

‘I hope you’re not trying to suggest I take him up on his offer, Lark!’ Jasmine shot her a horrified look.

‘Oh, no, not at all! That’s not what I meant. I just think if he had someone to love him, he’d behave differently, that’s all.’

‘From what I can gather, he’s never seemed keen on getting tied down,’ said Maggie.

‘Maybe he hasn’t found the right woman, yet. I’m sure there’s somebody out there who’s perfect for him,’ said Lark, her gaze drifting off into the middle distance.

‘Aye, well, don’t look at me,’ said Jasmine, chuckling.

‘On that note, I reckon we should get our food ordered,’ said Maggie.

‘Good plan,’ said Jasmine, wearing an expression of relief.

‘In that case, I’ll go and place our order at the bar, and grab us another bottle of wine while I’m there. Snow or no snow, I intend to enjoy myself tonight. It’s been a full-on week.’ Stella pushed herself up and strode over to the bar in a waft of crisp perfume. She made for a striking image with her long legs and high-heeled boots, exuding an air of confidence, turning heads as she went.

NINETEEN

The jolly-faced group of musicians had struck up a lively round of traditional Christmas folk songs which had proved to be a popular choice. The group of friends joined the other regulars and enjoyed a raucous sing-along with much tapping of feet and fists thudding on tables in time to the beat.

‘That was fab!’ said Jasmine.

‘Shame the same can’t be said about your caterwauling,’ Stella said dryly.

‘Cheek!’ said Jasmine, before giving in to a giggle. ‘Mind, I take your point, I was giving it some welly just then.’

‘We’d noticed,’ said Maggie, chuckling.

‘Hey, you can’t beat a good vocal clear-out.’

‘Those of us in earshot would beg to differ,’ Stella added.

‘Whoa, this looks great,’ said Lark as Immy and Tara arrived at their table, each armed with two plates piled high with fish and chips. Soon the delicious aroma of their food filled the air around them, a tang of vinegar adding to the mix as Maggie doused her plate with a generous dash.

‘Yours is on its way, Stella.’ Immy gave her a friendly smile. ‘As is the gravy and the mushy peas.’

‘Fabulous!’ said Jasmine. ‘I’m absolutely ravenous, feel like I’ve been running around like a loon all day. I’ve only had an apple since breakfast.’

‘An apple’s not going to keep you going, Jazz, especially with all the racing around you do. I’d be keeling over.’ Florrie shot her a concerned look.

‘I’m fine. Didn’t feel hungry till I got a waft of this grub.’ She flashed Florrie a smile that said, ‘Don’t fuss.’

With the arrival of Stella’s plate, the friends were soon tucking in with great gusto. Florrie took the opportunity to share the tearoom at the bookshop idea with her friends. She was thrilled when they all responded so positively. ‘At least it proves Ed’s sticking around and should send a strong message to his parents that he’s not going to be getting rid of the bookshop,’ Stella had said, echoing Florrie’s thoughts. And they’d all agreed that Jean’s suggestion of taking things at a pace they could afford rather than risking themselves coming financially unstuck was a good one, especially in the current climate. That they all thought along the same lines was reassuring.

‘Oh, man, this issogood.’ Jasmine rolled her eyes in ecstasy. ‘Makes a nice change from the rest of the week when I’ve been having to wolf my food down and rush off to take the kids somewhere, or get back to ice the latest cake I’ve got on the go.’

‘I’ll bet,’ said Lark, slicing into the crisp, golden batter of her fish. ‘Just savour it, Jazz. This is your “me time”, no need to rush off for anything.’

Jasmine smiled over at her, her eyes shining. ‘Ooh, I don’t half like the sound of a bit of “me time”. With the exception of Jack’s reading and our Friday nights, it’s been in short supply recently, and tomorrow’s looking like a stinker of a day. I don’t even want to think about what I’m going to do with the kids now my mum’s not well and can’t look after them. I could do with there being two of me.’

‘Heaven forbid!’ joked Maggie.

‘You’d be able to give the other one of you to Ando.’ Stella gave a wicked chuckle. She was rewarded with a stern look and a swift kick under the table from Jasmine.

---