Page 44 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

‘Okay, lovey, I’ll bring the tea there.’

As soon as they stepped into the room, Gerty leapt to her feet and trotted over to Jenna, wagging her tail in an enthusiastic welcome. She plonked herself in front of the author and pressed a paw to her leg.

‘Aww, aren’t you just a little darlin’?’ Jenna didn’t hesitate to ruffle the Labrador’s ears. ‘And what’s your name, then?’

‘Jenna, meet the bookshop’s resident Labrador, Gerty Harte.’ Jenna had shot even higher in Florrie’s estimation now she’d revealed herself as a dog lover.

‘Well, hello there, gorgeous Gerty. And how wonderful that the bookshop’s got a resident pooch, I love that!’

Florrie and Ed exchanged delighted smiles.

With Gerty’s greeting out of the way, Jenna pulled herself upright. ‘Oh, wow! What an enchanting space! I love the atmosphere you’ve created!’ Her gaze travelled around the room, taking in the décor that had been given a facelift to suit the cosy romcom style of her books. The festive decorations had been joined by a large display featuring the author’s latest publicity imagery – she’d emailed the relevant information to Florrie, and Ed had liaised with the local printing firm, so that the resultant posters and stand were glossy and professional-looking. ‘Oh, jeepers, are you sure that’s not going to scare the customers away?’ She chuckled as her eyes landed on the life-size image of her Ed had positioned next to the leather-toppeddesk where a pile of her latest books had been placed. At the opposite end of the desk, a blowsy arrangement of faux flowers spilled out of a rustic jug.

‘I think it looks great! I’m Ed, by the way.’ With a wide smile crinkling his eyes, Ed strode over to her, his hand outstretched.

‘Hiya, Ed, I’m Jenna.’ As previously, the hand was ignored in favour of a hug. ‘I’ll bet my ugly mug’s been giving you lot nightmares.’ She giggled once she’d released Ed from her embrace.

‘Not at all, we’re really pleased with it.’ Ed smiled. ‘And your reading’s generated a load of excitement. We’re all very much looking forward to this evening. We’ve got more of your books over here next to the till.’ He gestured to a table they’d positioned in the corner as a makeshift counter. They’d decided to invest in a separate till for the reading room after one of Jack’s readings, hoping to maximise sales and ease the lengthy queueing process after such events.

‘Ey up, you’ve done a grand job in here.’ They all turned on hearing Jack’s gravelly North Yorkshire tones.

Jenna’s face lit up. ‘Jack!’ Florrie and Ed looked on as the author rushed over to him, hugging him tightly and delivering a noisy kiss to his cheek.

‘By ’eck, it’s grand to see you, lass.’ Jack chuckled, oblivious to the pink lipstick kiss that was smudged across his cheek. ‘How was the trip down? Not too scary, I hope.’

‘Ugh! Fraught doesn’t even begin to cover it.’ Jenna rolled her eyes. ‘We so can’t cope with winter weather in this country. The first train was cancelled – too much snow on the line at the station it was coming from apparently. After an hour’s wait, the next one turned up, only to break down halfway here. I feel like I’ve been travelling for flippin’ hours. And to make it worse, the station waiting rooms were absolutely freezing, my feet were like blocks of ice. In fact, they’re still numb.’

‘Please tell me you’re not travelling back tonight?’ Florrie asked, concerned.

‘No, definitely not. I was hoping to stay overnight, get booked into one of the little guesthouses here.’

Florrie pulled a regretful face. ‘I don’t fancy your chances. It’s out of season, they’ll all be closed for winter.’

Jenna’s face fell. ‘No way?’

Florrie’s eyes met Ed’s, and from the expression she found there she knew they were thinking the same thing. She was just about to offer Jenna the use of their tiny box room for the night when Jack stepped in.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve got a spare room at my little cottage down in the cove – you’re very welcome to rest your head there for the night rather than tackling the trains.’ Jenna’s frown was instantly swept away and replaced with a bright smile.

‘Jack, pet, you’re a star! As long as it’s no bother, I’d love to take you up on that offer.’

Just then, Jean came into the room armed with Jenna’s cup of tea. A smile lit up her face when she spotted Jack. ‘Hello there, son. I’ll grab you a cuppa in a tick.’ She patted his arm affectionately on her way to Jenna. ‘There you go, lovey.’

‘Now then, Mother.’ Jack smiled back at her. ‘There’s no need, I can sort myself out.’

‘Thanks, Jean.’ Jenna looked from Jean to Jack, her eyes twinkling. ‘So this renegade’s your son, then, is he?’

‘He is that,’ Jean said proudly.

After discussing the plans for the reading, Jack set his mug down on the desk. ‘Right then, Jenna, I reckon we’d best get off. I promised I’d treat you to a bite to eat down at the Jolly and as I’m a man of my word, we’d best get a wriggle on before they think we’re not going to show up.’

Florrie exchanged a knowing look with Ed – he’d clearly picked up on the frisson that had been dancing between Jack and Jenna, too. Now Florrie came to think of it, the author’s name had cropped up regularly since Jack had returned from his publisher’s summer party. Plus there was the fact she knew Jack had been influential in orchestrating this evening’s reading. Why else would an author of Jenna’s standing offer to make an appearance at a little place like The Happy Hartes Bookshop? Granted, Jack was nationally revered, too, but his birth mother was the connection to the bookshop. Could there be a budding romance playing out before them? she wondered. With Jack in his mid-fifties, and Jenna in her mid-forties, there was a bit of an age gap, but they seemed to hit it off really well; it would be nice for Jack to have some love in his life. She’d often thought there was an air of loneliness about him. And from the way Jean was observing her son’s interaction with Jenna, she evidently felt the same.Ooh, watch this space!

TWENTY-FOUR

Once Jenna and Jack had left, the afternoon went by in a blur just as they’d all done since the start of December. Florrie was sure this was in no small part down to Ed’s festive window displays which still garnered much interest and tempted people into the bookshop, setting the till ringing happily and keeping them busy. Florrie had let Leah slip off early since the young girl had been barely able to contain her excitement about Jenna’s reading and had been chattering away nineteen to the dozen about what she was going to wear for it, how she was going to do her hair. Florrie had struggled to keep up at times. Though she had to admit, Leah’s enthusiasm had been infectious, and as soon as five o’clock arrived, Florrie had rushed over and locked the bookshop door, pulling down the blind, uncharacteristic giddiness brewing inside her. She gave the reading room one last check over, releasing a happy sigh – it looked perfect.

Florrie was holding Gerty’s lead while Ed locked the bookshop door, when a shiny four-wheel drive caught her eye. It cruised slowly along on the opposite side of the road exuding an air of danger. Her stomach clenched. ‘Uh-oh. Don’t look now, but have you seen who’s driving by over there?’

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