Page 103 of Right Place, Right Time
I stand in the doorway of my shop and look out at Clockmaker Court. I can see Luca in his shop window arranging a new display of 1920s dresses and jewellery. He blows me a kiss and I wave back. Luca decided in the end to stay. I was so grateful to still have one of my best friends here with me that I made a vow to help him in any way I could to find out more about what happened to his family and friends during and after the Second World War. Progress is slow but we’ll get there, I know it.
A couple of doors along, Harriet and Rocky are just closing up for the day. Harriet is wiping the countertops and Rocky is turning chairs upside down on top of the tables in their shop so he can sweep the floors underneath. Harriet is also a lot happier and more relaxed since she told us she wasn’t going back, as though a worry she’s been carrying with her for so long has finally been erased, and she can fully relax and enjoy her life here in the twenty-first century.
Across from me, I can see just Orla is in her shop, sitting behind the till and reading a book – I still haven’t let her read my tarot cards, but Orla doesn’t ask as muchany more – she said she was happy that I was on the right path now. Next door to her is what used to be Ben’s old shop. I still can’t quite get used to the fact he isn’t there now when I look out onto Clockmaker Court. Instead I jolt just a tad when I see the unfamiliar shop front of Barney’s new comic-book store.
Barney gave up both his job at the university and working alongside me, and now runs his shop full-time, and I’ve never seen him happier. He called his shop the Geek Retreat and alongside the many vintage comic books he sells, he’s filled his shop with an eclectic mix of other superhero merchandise that seems to attract quite the mix of new clientele to the court. Which in turn helps boost the sales of all the other shops alongside his.
Adam and I eventually took the difficult decision of telling Barney where he originally came from. But much to our surprise, Barney said he already knew, thanks to Ben telling him everything before his departure into the past. Barney, to my enormous relief, decided he was much better staying here, and I wondered if Ben’s gift to Barney of his shop was a shrewd move on his part to encourage Barney to stay in the twenty-first century.
And that left Adam and me.
Adam was finally able to open his bookshop, and for a while, everything in the court, and our lives, calmed down and began to run a little more normally. Throughout the summer, both our shops were busy and profitable, and all the shops in Clockmaker Court began to flourish once more.
The shops weren’t the only thing flourishing. My relationship with Adam went from strength to strength through the summer too. We were both busy with our shops, but made sure we always had time for each other,whether that was grabbing a quick lunch together under the oak tree or going on a proper date in the evenings somewhere, usually a pub for a drink or meal. Everything about being with Adam is relaxed and chilled, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this happy.
There is one thing that I sometimes allow myself to think about, even worry about occasionally, but I try very hard to put it firmly to the back of my mind. The last thing I want to do is rock the proverbial boat that is sailing so smoothly right now through the waves of my life. But today, those thoughts that I can usually nip in the bud before they turn to worry are particularly poignant and hard to control.
‘Penny for them?’ A voice makes me jump. And I realise that Adam has left his shop and is standing outside mine watching me.
‘Not worth a penny,’ I say, smiling at him.
‘I’m sure they are,’ Adam says, coming towards me and immediately pulling me into his arms. He tucks a piece of stray hair that’s come loose from my ponytail behind my ear. ‘Fancy telling me about them tonight over dinner?’
‘Let’s skip dinner and go back to mine.’
‘How very forward of you, Miss Sinclair,’ he says, raising his eyebrows. ‘But I won’t say no!’
‘I actually meant let’s get a takeaway and go back to mine. But there might just be time for the other thing afterwards if you play your cards right.’
Adam grins. ‘I’ve already shut up my shop for the day. It’s gone dead quiet since four o’clock. How about you do the same and we’ll head off now.’
‘Yeah, it has. Good idea.’ I give Adam a quick kiss, then pull away from him to begin the process of cashing up for the day.
‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ he asks.
‘Yes, why?’
‘Nothing, you’ve just seemed a bit preoccupied today, that’s all.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘No, you’re not.’ Adam follows me to the shop counter. ‘What’s up?’
I sigh. I struggle to hide anything from Adam, as he does from me.
‘It would have been Ben’s birthday today,’ I say. ‘I miss him most days, but today in particular I’ve found myself thinking about him a lot.’
Adam nods. ‘That’s understandable. We always think about loved ones that little bit more on special days.’
‘Yes.’ I open my till and begin counting the cash. ‘We do.’
‘It’s not just that, is it?’ Adam asks perceptively. ‘There’s something else other than it being his birthday?’
It’s no good. I’ll have to tell him.I put the notes I’m currently counting down on the shop counter. ‘I just find myself wondering what happened to him, that’s all. We never heard anything from him. Anything could have happened when he went back.’
Adam frowns. ‘Were you expecting to hear something from him, then?’
I shrug. ‘Maybe.’Damn, I’ve lost count now. I’ll have to start again.I pick up the notes.
