Page 14 of Knotting Hill
I get lost in it, so when Angela says my name sometime later, I jump.
“Angela!” I exclaim.
“Sorry,” she says with that kind smile, which I know belies a hideous insect viper bitch. “You haven’t taken lunch?”
“Oh,” I say, glancing at my watch. “Well, I was out for a while earlier, so I thought I’d work through.”
“Hmm. And how did that go?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t find anything.”
“Oh,” she says, her face falling into a crushing disappointment that makes me wonder if she was going to accuse my mum of client theft. “Oh well, then. No harm, no foul.”
I smile tightly as she brushes it off.
“But take your lunch, dear, okay?”
“Okay,” I murmur and click a few buttons on the mouse to lock the desktop PC while I’m away from my desk.
Angela drifts off again, so I snatch up my bag and head out of the door under the scathing glare of Sadie. I always thought she didn’t like me, but now it’s apparent. My little job that I loved so much isn't so wonderful anymore. I just hope that Cheryl is back from her holidays soon. I think it’s another two days. I wasn’t really paying attention to her ramblings of Caribbean seas, so jealous was I of her. But she is fun and makes the time spent here enjoyable as we make up stories about the wealthy clients who sweep through here majestically, eyes shaded even indoors to create a mysterious air.
I scamper out into the warm afternoon sun and head towards Portobello Road to get my mum’s friend's present.
Spending a bit too long eyeing up brightly coloured scarves on the market stall outside the bookshop, I eventually amble in, giving my eyes a second to focus on the dimmer light.
I draw in the scent of the books and smile. Reading is one of my favourite things, but I mostly read on digital devices now. But nothing beats the smell of a good book—especially the old and musty ones.
Glancing over at the counter, I see they are busy with customers, so instead of joining the queue, I wander over to the antique books section and peruse, with my eyes only, at the titles displayed. Not seeing anything that takes my fancy, I leavethat section and edge closer to the counter, now making my intentions known that I’m waiting. The fiery redhead behind the counter is talking animatedly with someone while the quieter man is rooting around underneath it, probably looking for an order.
“Can I help you, love?” the redhead calls to me. “You look a bit lost.”
“Sorry,” I murmur. “I’m here to pick up an order.”
“Oh, of course. Who’s it for?”
“Gloria Rivers.” I approach the counter now that I'm being dealt with and stand on my side as the redhead tells the man what to look for.
She beams at me. “Anything else?”
I shake my head and pull my purse out. “No, just that, thanks.”
I turn to the man as he rises, holding out a neatly wrapped package. Smiling nervously as he just stands there with the package between us, but not near enough for me to reach, I waiver. Have I done something wrong?
“Uhm…” I look at the redhead for help.
She snickers. “Sorry, looks like Joshy has a case of the dum-dums. Not surprising. You are gorgeous.”
I feel my cheeks go warm at the compliment. “Thanks. So are you.”
She laughs, and I cringe inwardly. I’m so lame.
Flicking my eyes back to ‘Joshy’, I recognise him now that I have a name to go with his face.
Josh St. Luc.
Eurgh.
I curl my lip at him in annoyance of his packmate, the apple pie alpha, who is a massive cock-nugget.
